Author Topic: First drive on my R65LS (Read 2619 times)

Dave 2 · « **on:** August 03, 2009, 03:46:53 AM »

Hi, I had my first ride yesterday, after I had unloaded the bike from my pick up. I went for about a 20 mile ride (To the liquor store to buy a bottle of gin

) First impressions are that with the new tires and Ikon shocks the bike was solid and tight, just what I had hoped for. I wasn't pushing it but had the clear impression that it was nimble and would just love to get into the twisties with out the hint of a wobble. The engine is a joy i.e. lots of torque, and accelerated smoothly. I didn't go much over 5000RPM but it definetely got some hustle going when I brought it up over that. The boxer twin was strong and I loved the feel of it

Possible not as smooth as my R60 but then again I figure, (a.) that was along time ago, and (b.) I have not learned in one brief spin where all the sweet spots are for any particular driving conditions. So I'm a happy camper [smiley=bmw_smiley.gif]. Photos to follow soon. Dave 2

Justin B. · « **Reply #1 on:** August 03, 2009, 08:26:54 AM »

Congrats! You'll have fun with it. My first Beemer was also an R60, it was very smooth, but also way underpowered...

Bengt_Phorqs · « **Reply #2 on:** August 03, 2009, 12:02:16 PM »

My first airhead was an R60 with a HUGE Luftmeister fairing. Comfortable to ride but just like a huge sail in a cross wind. Couldn't pass anyone very quickly either. Since I presented my R65 to my son for his 30th birthday my favorite ride now is the R90/6. A lot like an R65 in character except plenty of power in reserve.

And you have to go 20 miles to a liquor store. You must be in a dry county. We pulled into Robbinsville, NC one afternoon after a hard days ride and imagine my chagrin when I learned that it's in a dry county too. A bit disappointing but then I didn't think the Dragon was up to all of the hype either.

Enjoy the ride and send us some pix!

suecanada · « **Reply #3 on:** August 03, 2009, 02:09:41 PM »

Dave, Congratulations on your first R65 ride!! Great aren't they??? I found my R65LS to be very easy and enjoyable to ride all the way to TN from Ontario, Canada. Not buzzy, confidence inspiring. Maybe a little wobbly on the twisties but that might have been me!! Got a pair of used Koni's on the bike now. The bike fits me while the F650GS single was buzzy and the F650GS twin felt bigger than it really was with that pregnant faux gastank. The LS just sounds better too.
You are going to have many more wonderful miles to go way beyond the liquor store next time.

Dave 2 · « **Reply #4 on:** August 04, 2009, 03:31:11 AM »

Hi, Yes the R60 was not quick in accelleration, but on a trip to the west coast in 1972, I remember all the bikes I'd see broken down on the side of the road were Harleys, and the British bikes, never a BMW [smiley=bmw_smiley.gif]. I also remember that passing tractor-trailers in a strong cross wind was allways a white knuckler on my naked R60. With a full fairing I can imagine that cross winds would be a major challange [smiley=lolk.gif]. As to the wetness of Mount Desert Island, we are as wet as the ocean that surrounds us [smiley=beerchug.gif]. It's just that we are a large Island and it is rural, which makes for spectacular riding

I start commuting to work on the R65LS today. Thanks for your posts

dav · « **Reply #5 on:** August 04, 2009, 08:15:40 AM »

Quote

I presented my R65 to my son for his 30th birthday

gezzz i whish my old man presented his R65 to me

i had to pay him $3000

..

..

Dave 2 great to hear you are enjoying your bike..& what a great way to start & end the day, commuting on your R65 8-)

flongr65 · « **Reply #6 on:** August 04, 2009, 03:32:13 PM »

Good luck with the LS. Mount Desert is such a great place to tour around. Never got to ride my R65 there but have sailed up to SW Hbr, etc. often visiting the Hinckley Boatyard

Dave 2 · « **Reply #7 on:** August 06, 2009, 03:29:14 AM »

Sue, thanks for your support,and I will definetely ride further than the liquor store. But any excuse to take a ride and save fuel costs at the same time is just rightous [smiley=clap.gif]. By the way I read your post about returning from the BMWOA rally. It took me a reread before I figured out that LRB is your bike

I wonder how many forum members name their bikes and if one uses a female or male name? Also how did you end up with a concussion? Ouch, Dave 2

Dave 2 · « **Reply #8 on:** August 06, 2009, 03:40:25 AM »

Flong, Sailing down east and around MDI must be a wonderful adventure

. Dave 2

alexznam357 · « **Reply #9 on:** August 24, 2009, 10:20:55 PM »

I'm also a recent convert to the R65LS and like it just as much as the R90/6 I owned previously. I had it out this weekend on some really twisty roads SE of Columbus, OH (area called the Hocking Hills... beautiful state parks and rock formations) and it performed flawlessly. I can see why these R65s have such a devoted following and are regarded as cult bikes. Enjoy your new ride!

Dave 2 · « **Reply #10 on:** August 25, 2009, 03:05:36 AM »

The more I ride it, the more I'm appreciating it. [smiley=bmw_smiley.gif] I've only put a couple of hundred miles on it so far, and now I'm itching for a day drip "Downeast". Your comments about your ride in the beautiful hills of Ohio got me thinking [smiley=Norton.gif] It would be cool if there was some map program that all of us eccentrics could highlight favorite our rides. We could end up with a worldwide database of great places to enjoy our R65s 8-) Dave2

Bob_Roller · « **Reply #11 on:** August 25, 2009, 11:58:18 AM »

Quote

The more I ride it, the more I'm appreciating it. [smiley=bmw_smiley.gif] I've only put a couple of hundred miles on it so far, and now I'm itching for a day drip "Downeast". Your comments about your ride in the beautiful hills of Ohio got me thinking [smiley=Norton.gif] It would be cool if there was some map program that all of us eccentrics could highlight favorite our rides. We could end up with a worldwide database of great places to enjoy our R65s 8-) Dave2

Here's a link to a good source of interesting roads in the US .

http://www.motorcycleroads.us/

alexznam357 · « **Reply #12 on:** August 25, 2009, 03:48:28 PM »

Dave:
Thanks for the link to great cycling roads. The area in Ohio I was describing is refered to on the website as the "Buckeye Hills", and my it is full of excellent motorcycling roads. You can see my R65LS in the photos section...6 photos in all. It has 28k original miles and is in like-new condition. I bought it from a guy in SC and rented a van to haul it back (it's inside the van in a couple of the photos). It's in amazing shape and still rides like new. I put the original shocks back on it and it still handles well with them. I'll add a fork brace to it this winter, but will otherwise keep it stock. I plan on replacing the mufflers soon and will spend big bucks to get the NOS ones. Best wishes!

Dave 2 · « **Reply #13 on:** August 26, 2009, 02:46:47 AM »

Bob, that is a realy cool link, I'm glad somebody is way ahead of me on this idea. I think I'm going to spend some serious daydreaming time on this and the other links provided on the website

Dave 2

Dave 2 · « **Reply #14 on:** August 26, 2009, 02:57:33 AM »

Quote

You can see my R65LS in the photos section...6 photos in all. It has 28k original miles and is in like-new condition.

Yes indeed, you found a very nice bike. [smiley=bmw_smiley.gif]. It looks like the previous owner (owners?) took good care of it. How do you like the lower bars? Mine has what I guess to be the standard handlebars put on for the american market. Dave 2

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