Newbie here and another possible owner

[CaptainSlow]

Hi everyone, thought I'd say Hello and introduce myself!

I'm in Yorkshire, England, and am thinking about getting another motorcycle - an R65LS to be more precise. I've previously had a couple of Jap bikes which were rubbish, followed by a 2000 BMW F650 which was unbelievably unreliable! It ate clutch cables, was rusty as heck and frankly was a nightmare despite being superbly comfortable and capable when it was running. I just couldn't trust it to get me to the end of the street! It lasted less than a year and was replaced by a Moto Guzzi V11 Sport which was a fantastic bike, and despite being Italian never gave me any problems apart from its thirst, which is why it eventually and very sadly was sold.

A few years on, and I'm missing my two wheeled frolics but don't want anything modern - it has to be an aircooled twin with basic mechanical bits and good reliability, so the old BMW R series came to mind. The R65LS has a reputation of being a sweet handling bike, seems to be good on juice, and is supposedly reliable... so I'm very interested! My main concern is that I'm a shortie - I'm only 5'5 and have a 28in inside leg - do you think that is going to be a problem on a R65??? I'm particularly thinking along the lines of a post 1980 bike with the electronic ignition and brembo brakes.

No doubt I'll have loads of questions for you later, but I think I've said enough for now!

Many thanks, Sam

[steve hawkins]

Finding one in good order might be your problem.

Especially if an LS only will do.

I would not discount the standard R65, especially if you have to mod the seat for your inside leg.

Condition is everything.  mileage secondary.

Hmmm V11 Sport, Lovely - almost bought one of them when they first came out.....

Good luck finding a good one.

Cheers

Rev.Light

[CaptainSlow]

Thanks Steve. To be honest I kinda like the oddball styling of the LS but if an ordinary R65 came along in the right condition then I would still consider it. There are a couple of R65LS's for sale over here at the moment so I'm hoping that one of them is a good un! As important, they're all around the £1200-1400 mark so not over priced

[steve hawkins]

Yep,

Not unreasonable prices - but buy the best you can afford - that is not necessarily the most expensive....

I am a UK owner as well.

Cheers

Rev.Light

[Barry]

Welcome Sam

I know you are looking for a later model but the 78-80 bikes are reckoned to have a lower seat height.  Electronic ignition can be added and there is no practical difference between the Brembo and the dual piston ATE calipers.  

There are quite a few other detail differences though which we have discussed in previous posts.  http://www.bmwr65.org/cgi-bin/yabb2/YaBB.pl?num=1327782376/17#17

[montmil]

Welcome aboard, Sam. Looks as if we'll have to start referring to you and Steve as "The Tiger Cubs."  

Without flat out stealing an LS, perhaps ask an owner if you might sit on his/hers to check your personal ground clearance.

A cut down seat upholstery job might help. You could install slightly shorter rear shocks but then you will have a tough time grunting that bike up onto the centerstand. Plus, a lowered rear end will alter slightly the handling characteristics of the R65. Lastly, there's no room to push the fork tubes any higher through the triple clamps as the bars are an obstruction.

Good luck.

[montmil]

Yo, Sam. There's an R65LS for sale in Trading Post and it resides in England. It's kismet, yes?

[tvrla]

Welcome to the forum, Sam!

I don't think you'll have any trouble on an LS. BMWs tend to be tall in the seat height dept, but you'll be fine with it.

Don't mind these guys trying to talk you out of what you want - go for the LS! It may be more expensive than the standard R65, but it'll sell for more when you're ready to sell it as well. If you can afford it, get one!

[CaptainSlow]

Thanks for the warm welcome, and the encouragement   And a big thanks to Barry for the tip about seat height.

I have a lot of learning to do by the look of things! Looking forward to it though  

Thanks again guys

[Lucky_Lou]

Hi, welcome which bit of Gods County are you from ?, we do have quite a few Yorkshire members now.
I have a 79 R65 and have no problem with the seat height with a 30" inside leg i can stand flat footed . If your not to far away you could try it for size PM me
Lou

[CaptainSlow]

Hi Lou, thanks for the offer, might just take you up on that! I checked the seat height of my old Guzzi last night and its very similar, so I guess it won't be much of a problem after all - I managed ok on the Guzzi even though it was on tippy toes all the time lol.

I'm in Sheffield/Doncaster. Seen a nice looking LS for sale in Goole which I'm thinking of looking at - in grey complete with panniers, but a bit pricey at £1500. Might go see it and knock him down a bit... just need to persuade the missus  

[Barry]

£1500 is not bad for a good one.  

I paid £1500 for my R45 but it had done only 6000 miles and was completely untouched original down to the last nut and bolt. An R65LS in that sort of condition would be well over £2000.

Take a good look at the exhaust system and the instrument cowl as they are probably the priciest items if they need replacing.

...and tell the missus it's an investment which will be true if you find an nice LS.

[Lucky_Lou]

I'm in Sheffield/Doncaster.

I am in Wakefield near J39 M1 get in touch if you need any help .... with the bike !!!  you can sort the missus out.
My brother sold his 81 R65 in April last year for £1400 it was not in bad nick but high miles
Lou

[MR.E]

Hi Lou, thanks for the offer, might just take you up on that! I checked the seat height of my old Guzzi last night and its very similar, so I guess it won't be much of a problem after all - I managed ok on the Guzzi even though it was on tippy toes all the time lol.

I'm in Sheffield/Doncaster. Seen a nice looking LS for sale in Goole which I'm thinking of looking at - in grey complete with panniers, but a bit pricey at £1500. Might go see it and knock him down a bit... just need to persuade the missus  

Now then

Glad to see another yorkshire members arrived!
The guy in Goole, was it this bike??
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=251203718022&ssPageName=ADME:X:RTQ:GB:1123

All the best

[MR.E]

If it's this one
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-R65-LS-/251211764546?pt=UK_Motorcycles&hash=item3a7d635342

It's the same owner as the other i posted.
The first link (bike with 71000) was offered to me for £1000, but i didn't want to pay that to chop it up, it seemed worth £1000.