First week of riding.

[Dave 2]

What a great time I've been having riding my LS after 20 years of abstinence . What I find most interesting is the character of the engine.To me it's a double thumper [smiley=clap.gif] , much more so than my R60/5 was. I love it, what a hoot! . The dealer pointed out to me that I don't have stock mufflers, he said  I have Emgo's? They have a very nice throaty sound to them which accents the thumping of the engine. So the bike has torque, and get up and go, what a great combination. I would be very interested to hear about how others would describe the power characteristics of their R65's Loving it, Dave 2

[montmil]

For the bike's vintage and engine design, power and torque are quite adequate for solo riding. Serious suspension tweaks might get the bike into the semi-scary range.

With pillion and luggage loads, you're gonna be wishing for more juice. You just can't expect the 650 to be a heavily loaded two-up long distance fast cruiser. Steady and darn reliable, yes.

To get good high speeds, riding solo, you'll need to really work the gearbox and use the rpms... Plus crawl under the paint on the fuel tank. And don't even think of messing with any of the new 600cc sport bikes. Those cats don't even shift into third at what the R65 calls top speed.

Want to dazzle the fans with a sporting BMW, snag one of the soon to be released R1000SS. [smiley=thumbsup.gif] BMW's lead engineer has stated in the latest issue of Motorcyclist that the new WSB Beemer, fitted with the same tires as the MotoGP bikes, would lap faster than the GPs do now. Smack talk maybe? 8-)

Monte

[Dave 2]

Among other things, what blows me away about the new R1000SS is the price, $13,000. . I figured it would be over twenty.

[Bengt_Phorqs]

You have to figure that BMW Motorrad is trying to compete with the Jap sport bikes.  "Oooooo, look at that sport bike.  It's only $13K AND it's a beemer!  Honey, I just have to have one!!  Just a little more expensive than the yamahama and did I mention it's a beemer?"  

I'm OK with that if it keeps the brand profitable and in business so they can keep making spares for airheads and any of the bikes made before the 1200 series hexheads.  Who can work on those without $13,000 worth of diagnostic tools?  And isn't being able to spin wrenches and fiddle around with these bikes at least half of the reason we ride these bikes?

Glad you're having so much fun.  That's what it's all about.  

[msbuck]

I went to a seminar that Pieter de Wal gave at the RA National.  He specifically stated that BMW had decided to compete with the Jap bikes head on with the new Superbike.  They are looking for the younger market as the average age of the current BMW rider rises about .8 years every year.  

[montmil]

...the average age of the current BMW rider rises about .8 years every year.

Keep riding BMW's... You'll stay younger longer! [smiley=bmw_smiley.gif]

This smacks of how our gubmint does math and then tries to sell it to the voters. My math says I get 1.0 years older every year. Not 0.8 years per year... even with vitamins.

I know, I know... it's an averaging thing but it's also a marketing thing. If it really was true, my wife would let me buy that third R65 sitting just 30 miles east of me.

Monte

[Bengt_Phorqs]

If it really was true, my wife would let me buy that third R65 sitting just 30 miles east of me.

Monte, don't try to obfuscate the real issue here.  You want another bike to ride and you are overlooking the fact that while women age at the same rate that men do, they actually get smarter than us by a factor of at least 1.5 : 1 every year.  To prove my point, just look at that 5 carat diamond ring she had you buy on the recent cruise.  Didn't see that one coming did you? [smiley=whip.gif]   8-)

[montmil]

You're trying to get me in trouble, Mike. Obfuscate? I'm bewildered. Your meaning is unclear. Where's me dictionary?

Dog, it was nowhere close to five-carats and you know it! And it was a necklace, a 25th anniversary present and one-carat. The offered price for the local R65 is considerably less but might look kinda blingy hanging around her neck.

8-) Monte

[Dave 2]

Monte, You don't think she would appreciate the romantic nature of an R65 necklace? . Getting back to your first response, I can see that the R65 riden two up and loaded would be a haul. Things being as they are, my partner is not in the least bit interested in riding :-? But she sure can cook So it is solo for me and I do believe the LS is great for my needs. I agree that keeping involved, or returning to motorcycle riding is good stuff for our well being and keeping our youthful spirits [smiley=2vrolijk_08.gif], even if we do age 1.0 years(+or- some factor?)  Finally, What a difference 30 years makes when both the R/65 and the R/1000SS were and are meant to attract new younger riders. [smiley=Norton.gif] Dave 2