R65 Freeway/Touring

[sdsc71]

I'm looking into getting a R65, and had a few questions. I figured this would be the perfect forum to get those answered. I've read pro's and con's regarding freeway/touring capabilities. Can anyone tell me how this bike handles on the freeways, and for a bit of touring? I live in So. Cal. so freeways are unavoidable. I've read about the shorter wheelbase to weight ratio, that this bike is not made for that. Are they talking about a lack of wind protection? I've read the 800 is perfect for the highway (but, equally great on the streets), compared to the R65, which they say is perfect for the streets. I figured to ask the real world riders, that ride these bikes day in and day out, their opinion? So I ask for your help on the subject. Any help, or info that you can provide me would be most grateful.

[Barry]

Due to shorter wheelbase and slight reduction in weight, on introduction the R65 was said to be a revelation in terms of quickness of handling compared to other airheads of the period which is why it is said to be good on the streets. This was not to the detriment of freeway riding other than the obvious lack of power and wind protection on a naked R65 compared to a bigger engined RT airhead. The only other concern expressed was a narrow period of vibration around 4500 -5000 rpm.

There are a few members here that have bigger ariheads as well as an R65 that will be able to put these things in to perspective for you.

[Julio A.]

In my experience and honest opinion, the R65 is really good on the street and as a daily commuter bike, it has an unexplainable "lightness" to its handling but still has enough grunt to bring you around the highway.

In the highway however, especially in windy conditions, running more than 120 km/h can sometimes be quite choppy. That is why I have a headlight mounted windshield installed it kinda helped; but I removed that in favor of a more original(and much more good) looking bikini fairing. A good helmet also made it more bearable for me.

You really can't expect jap-bike speeds on this one but it still runs pretty fast. The R65 has a "chill" character; it prefers a relaxed pace, especially in the highway, so I always take a scenic route and enjoy.

And yes, prepared to be overtaken by other bikes in the straights...
...Then leave them biting the dust in the twisties.  

Hope I helped.

[Semper Gumby]

The bike is fine as it is: naked.  But if you load it up be prepared to have to beef up the front end.  If you put a fairing and bags on be prepared to completly change the front end.  I have put on a 1988 K100RS front end on my bike (the steering head bearing part numbers are the same) with a wider 2.5" X 18" rim.  The bike is rock steady on the highway with my Luftmeister fairing and Givi panniers and Top case.  But the increased rigidity of the larger forks make handling as quick at 70 as the stock R65 is at 45mph.

[suecanada]

Capabilities may depend a bit upon your weight and height too. I am light and short. I have a handlebar windshield and carry the BMW classic cases as well as a dry duffel bag on the rear of the seat for touring. I have never found the bike lacking but I am not a speedster but I find the bike can easily creep up to 78 mph without any trouble...I know because I did it and ended up getting my riding buddy a speeding ticket!!!
I do not hesitate to get on a freeway but prefer the secondary roads when possible given time restraints and road availability.

There is a lighter feeling to the bike and I think it may be attributed to its low centre of gravity. Having had heavier bikes and more cc's in the past, I think the tradeoff of less weight on the R65 is well worth it! Those big bikes are a pain to manoeuvre around driveways, garages, grass fields at rallies, backing up, loading onto trailers etc.

[darrylri]

I am not light and not tall.  I put 56,000 miles on my first R65, when I lived in LA.  I commuted on it and I toured on it.  It was my first new bike, and I guess I just didn't know any better, that it wasn't for the freeway or touring.  I never had a problem with it.  

Now I have another one.  It's one of 8 BMWs in my stable.  I can choose to ride an R90S or an R1200ST, but I have still gone camping and touring on this bike, and enjoyed it.  

But you do have to wind it up more than the bigger Airheads, and the top end is around 100mph.  There's a couple sections of freeway up here in the bay area where the rain grooves move the tires around some, but I haven't found it really annoying.  It's 30 years old, after all, and you can't really expect modern performance from it.  Still, it handles well and, ridden up to 8/10ths, it's a joy.  

[sdsc71]

I'd like to thank everybody for chiming in, and voicing their opinion. I'm not looking for a race bike. I just wanted a bike that could keep up with traffic at say 75mph, but could do maybe 80mph at times (safely). Not looking for "the" race bike. I'm looking at the R65 for a number of reasons. Namely, build quality (BMW), ease of working on the bike, and reliability. I'm 6'1 175lbs. So i'm not terribly huge (no offense to the bigger guys out there). I've sat on an R65ls, and it fits quite good. I like the feel, and size of the bike (looks aren't bad either). I know with many out there. it's all about cc's (the bigger the better). I consider myself a "mature rider", even though I still look at myself as a newbie.  Thank you again, for all your very informative opinions. Safe riding to you all, and I hope to see you around in future posts! PS, I had one more question, what type of MPG's are you guys getting with the R65?  [smiley=bmw_smiley.gif]

[Semper Gumby]

75mph ~ 37 mpg
55mph ~ 45 mpg.

Your results may vary.  

[darrylri]

High 30s to low 40s, depending on how much exercise the right wrist is getting.  

[nhmaf]

I generally get 45 MPG, running at 65 MPH or under, mostly on back roads with some interstate riding.
In 2009 I rode my R65LS from my home (middle of New Hampshire) down to the BMW rally in Johnson City Tennessee and back - mixture of back roads and interstates for a 2200 mile round trip.   Highest MPG was 49, lowest was 41, this with me (215 lbs, 6' 2") and about 70 pounds of camping gear, tools, clothes, etc. packed on the back

[darrylri]

Sure, but your bike is probably drinking real gasoline and not the 10% ethanol we get in the Golden State.

[drewboid]

My fiance rides the R65, I'm on an R75/6 - cruising at 75mph all day is no problem . More fun is going through the twisties at a slower pace. I do recommend a small windshield. Suecanada has said it all in her post.
Drew

[nhmaf]

We're all at 10% ethanol in the US with few rare exceptions - and now that the EPA has been given the go ahead, we may all soon be up to 15% ethanol in the near future.  We've been @ 10% ethanol here New Hampshire for at least 3 years or more - MTBE was polluting groundwater and drinking water sources all over the place.

[darrylri]

We're all at 10% ethanol in the US with few rare exceptions - and now that the EPA has been given the go ahead, we may all soon be up to 15% ethanol in the near future.  We've been @ 10% ethanol here New Hampshire for at least 3 years or more - MTBE was polluting groundwater and drinking water sources all over the place.

That's exactly the experience we had in California, too.  And the 15% ethanol rule is going to be bad for Airhead fuel systems; maybe Oilhead and Brick fuel injection systems, too.

[Semper Gumby]

I think you will just have to re-jet your bikes for the less dense fuel.. Then you will be OK.