Winter Bike / Heavier Bike advise requested

[tagordon]

Looking for winter bike / big brother / highway @ 80+mph to buy.
In addition to R65. Can not see me ever selling it.
Those that have any opinions please share them.
Want another Airhead. I am thinking R100.

[Bob_Roller]

I can't make any comment on a larger airhead bike, but if you find a low mileage bike in good condition, I don't think you could wrong with an R100. Just remember that along with the age, it will require parts replacement just due to age, as you have found out with your R65. I went over to the 'dark side' about 5 years ago, and purchased an '02 R1150R, and I don't regret it at all. For better or worse, they are just like the cars of today, put fuel in them, and change fluids and filters when necessary and change the tires when worn. When I first got the oilhead, I could not believe the advances in bike technology, it was like going from a WW I biplane, to an F-15 fighter. Both have their places, but what a difference !

[nhmaf]

If you're definitely wanting a larger airhead for comfortable rides on the highways,
I'd recommend an R100RT, probably of 1988-1995 vintage.   These are all monoshock
bikes, have the valve seat issue sorted out, have a smooth ride and run tubeless tires
with better forks.   the newer models will of course cost you more.

[NC Steve]

Yo tag, looks like you and I are thinking along the same lines.

Here's the link to a very similar thread I started, trying to get info & owner opinions on the R100 series.
http://suraklyn.com/yabb/YaBB.pl?num=1184891546/0

I know my mechanic, a 30+year airhead man, says to go newer, with Paralever rear suspension if at all possible. He rides a '92 R100R, and I'm watching one like it on Fleabay now,  http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=017&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&viewitem=&item=270156955708&rd=1

I lust after an RS myself, though, or may "go over" like Bob Roller to an R1150: they made RS's in that series too, and fine bikes they are.  

[thrang]

If you want an Airhead then the R100's are a good buy, but like the 65's they require regular routine maintenance. If you just want a solid machine that you can just shove the key and press the go button then go for an oilhead...

Sticking with BM, how about an RT brick?

Had a K75 for a while which was a very nice bike but for me it was a little to much like owning a Jap bike as it never needed anything doing to it beyond oil and filters and I enjoy having a bike that needs  tinkering with on a regular basis.

[tagordon]

Saturday I went for a ride on a 1985 K100RT. Fine bike & only $2400 asking price. When I returned the bike to the owner he was very much in a negotiating mood. I felt he wanted to be rid of the bike ASAP. The engine had some very strange gouges on the front in a circular pattern. No other evidence of collision or dropping though. I just don't think an older K is for me.

[NC Steve]

My 1st ride back into bikedom after a 20+ year absence was an '88 K75: hated it.
I pedaled it around for about 6 months and honestly tried to love it, but just couldn't.
I know, they're reliable as a lead pipe, go 200K+ miles with only regular oil changes, etc, etc...

Still, too tall, too top heavy, and frankly, boring.
If I'd just wanted all that I woulda gone with a UJM at half the price and 100X the dealer network.
Had zero aural appeal too, which is something in a bike I've gotta have.  Exhaust tunes are good!

[nhmaf]

Well, although they don't have the same soul as an airhead - don't knock the bricks !
My cousin has had one since 1985 or 1986, has put close to 150K on it himself, and it
is just now exhibiting some serious engine issues.  Still, it ran well enough for our
2450 mile round trip out to wisconsin and back, and the best part, he bought an
entire engine with less than 40K on it fromthe beemer boneyard for less than what
I paid for my rebuilt airhead transmission (and I think that I got a decent deal on that, too).
So, when you do need parts, they can often be found fairly cheap, depending on the model.

[Jon_P]

winter beater without a heater! heck i just go find a big ol POS jap bike for $200 and dont care it the salt and sand eat the thing alive, just so it makes it till spring! but if you in a nicer place that doesnt freeze over i would then look at the bigger brothers and the k line.

[NC Steve]

Well, although they don't have the same soul as an airhead - don't knock the bricks !
My cousin has had one since 1985 or 1986, has put close to 150K on it himself, and it
is just now exhibiting some serious engine issues.  Still, it ran well enough for our
2450 mile round trip out to wisconsin and back, and the best part, he bought an
entire engine with less than 40K on it fromthe beemer boneyard for less than what
I paid for my rebuilt airhead transmission (and I think that I got a decent deal on that, too).
So, when you do need parts, they can often be found fairly cheap, depending on the model.

Nah Mike, not to dis the K bikes at all, they just weren't my thing at the time, as a returning rider. I needed some "feel" in a bike to boot, and found it with a friend's R100CS and later, my R65.

In fact, if I was looking for a extremely low-maintenance slogger to ride year round, the K75 would be near the top of my list. The 75s were ridiculously over-engineered & had nearly the power of the K100s, but were much smoother.  
And for those less concerned with aesthetics, there are quite a few around that've been defrocked, blacked-out and turned into standard-type workhorses, cheap.

[dewjantim]

Gotta love those old K75s and K100s, my 100 was as reliable as......well....a brick. Lots of power and would corner with the best of them (at the time). Will cruise all day at 100+ mph and will deliver 60+ mpg (not at 100+). Traded mine for a RS1000 and never looked back. Would really like a K75 some day. They corner better than the 1000 and run the same as an R90S, yes, I know this for a fact having raced one with my R90S. I would say any year R bike would be a good bike if it has been maintained. My R80 has 138000 miles on it, looks like new, and I would take it anywhere. Have taken it on two big trips this summer, and even ran diesel fuel once (pump malfunction). It runs like a new bike, cruising at 85-95 easily. Both bikes are BMWs so you cant go wrong....Dew.

[Ed Miller]

My R65 IS my heavier, winter bike.   8-)

[tagordon]

Got it!
1991 R100 Cafe. Approx 14800 miles.
Its the one that was on eBay located in Pocatello, Idaho.
The seller was coming with family to SLC for the vintage bike races. And offered to bring bike for an inspection & test ride.
Not thrilled about the Cafe setup. But already see it is a real attention getter.
These two young men @ the Vintage event yeterday came up & commented.
 One of them said,"Great old bike. Don't see many still on the road." When I told em it was a 1991 they did the Dumb & Dumber look thing at each other.
Even @ 16 years the bike was vintage to them. Got lots more comments & some of the pro riders had to give it a hard look. Especially when I shadowed them on the track during the FINAL LAP PARADE. I saw them going high & outside then line up. Guessed something was up, so I fell in last. When they had let the others get ahead to the second straight. Off we went. I was the kid with the Gold Ticket.That was the most enjoyable/memorable  five miles I rode in long time. Figured might as well have it break on a track. First day I have it, First time it touched sanctioned racetrack.Yada, Yada, Yada...
We rode two laps with a stop for a recruiting appeal between them. MMP will be hosting World SuperBike Championship beginning in 2008. They need volunteers for various tasks on & off track. Post more info as becomes known.
Please note that of all the Beemers I saw there. Not a single R65.

P.S. Bike came wearing great Metzlers or I wouldn't have dreamed of ridin' the way I did on a strange bike.
Heres me gettin my free Tshirt for ridin the parade laps.

[Bob_Roller]

Looks like you did real good with that find ! Congrats on the new ride ! Was just looking at Craigslist, and saw the ad for your bike there, doesn't look like the seat is a long distance  type !

[tagordon]

Seat is comparable to sitting on a plank. It will go to upholsterer soon as R65 is done. The foam, what little is there, has long ago lost its ability to provide any support. The pan digs very hard into my boney rear.