Which is the best buy R65.

[Monman]

A friend of mine is looking to get a R65 but having only owned mine since January I don't really know what Is the most sensible option for me to advise him to buy.
Is it a case of go for the later Mono with the electronic ignition.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

[wilcom]

Is it a case of go for the later Mono with the electronic ignition.

True R65's are 1978-1984 with the 81's and up you get lots of new goodies, nikasil cylinders,electronic ignition improved clutch,  lighter flywheel, sexy square master cylinder, etc. The 1980-1984 bikes had bad valve seats and it will be a plus if the heads have been rebuilt with the later 1985 and up seats.

My opinion with the later mono shock bikes is, you just have a R100 with a dinky motor. Not gaining any nimbleness with the shorter bike. If your gonna get the BIG bike get the BIG motor.

The best advice i would give him is,  buy the best, nicest, cleanest, unmolested  bike he can afford.  It will by far be the cheapest for him in the long run( and maybe even the short run)

( for all you mono shock guys, I have slapped myself and tossed a brick in my face already so you won't have to)

[Matt Chapter]

I'm only a monoshocker because that's what was sitting on the showroom floor.  I was lusting after my R65 pretty bad, if it had been a twin shock, with the Pichler and bags I wouldn't have noticed or cared.  In fact I've got a twin shock motor in there right now!

[nhmaf]

If your friend is taller or larger, or wants to carry alot of stuff - the monolever frame bikes (same frame as R100/R80 of that period) are the way to go as they may feel cramped on the twinshock frame.   If they want the quicker handling (but possibly less strong braking) the twinshock is the way to go.   Twinshock frames have more "special" needs as far as finding the right pannier mounts, luggage racks as the rear subframe is a bit shorter.   The monolevers of course, all use the same panniers, frames, etc.

[Matt Chapter]

If they want the quicker handling (but possibly less strong braking) the twinshock is the way to go.

It's fair to note that a 90 / 90 vs a 100 / 90 on the front of the monoshock makes a big difference.  I've never ridden the twin shock R65 but find the monoshock very nimble.

[Monman]

Hi there.
Thank you all for the input.
For my friend the bike is going to be his forray back into riding. He's always owned and kept motorcycles but only to look at!.
There won't be any need for speed, luggage or gadgets just a way of enjoying time. Being retired and heading towards the golden years he selected the R65 as it should still be manageable weight wise.

[clonmore1]

I can only speak from experience (relatively little as mine has only been on the road for a month or so), but IMO, get your pal to buy the very best bike he can. These machines are getting old and there is always loads to do to get them running right.

Even a good looking machine can hide a lot of cost. Mine is an 81, I didn't choose this year, I just found it via a pal for sale. Everybody says the 81onwards is the best re the 'extras' others have mentioned, not sure others would agree entirely, but...

I am over 6ft and so far have not found the physical size (height etc) a problem. My longest ride has been around 55 miles and the bike felt comfortable.

The weight isn't a problem, mine 'tips' into bends easily and you can within reason throw it around a good bit.

[Daniel D.]

Hello, I'm new here and are actually buying a R65, but balancing between a nice 82 model with 79.000 km and a 86 model with 30.000 km.
Reason tends me to the 86, but nostalgia prefers the 82 model.
There is only a little price difference betWeen both.
What is your opinion?

[Daniel D.]

I forgot to tell you that I'm just retired, I am 65 years old and I did stop motorcycling 15 years ago, or is it 20 ? 
The perfect moment to start again, no?
Thus only leisure time on the bike!

[Tony Smith]

Hello, I'm new here and are actually buying a R65, but balancing between a nice 82 model with 79.000 km and a 86 model with 30.000 km.
Reason tends me to the 86, but nostalgia prefers the 82 model.
There is only a little price difference betWeen both.
What is your opinion?

If you are tall go for the 86, if a little shorter then the twin shock is somewhat lower.

Parts availability for the 86 is a little better as it shares frame and trim with the larger bikes to a far greater extent than the pre 85 models.

An 86 will have the final version rockers and will also have the "correct" unleaded fuel valve seats.

An 86 will also have a Valero starter which is just waiting to cost you money, and may also have a potentially expensive design flaw in the gearbox - this relates to the deliberate omission of a circlip on the input shaft - some boxes go forever and cause no problems, others fail expensively.

PERSONAL OPINION only - if I was looking at these two bikes and all other things were equal I would have a hard time choosing between them and would probably come to this forum and seek opinions..........

(I'd maybe go for the 86).

[Daniel D.]

Thanks Tony, valuable info.
I'm gonna check availability and price for starter replacement and rebuild gearbox.
And as you said, I can always ask a BMW-forum for their opinion on prevention steps against these breakdowns. 

[Daniel D.]

Very nice and complete info regarding starter problems and solutions : http://bmwmotorcycletech.info/boschvaleostarter.htm

Valeo starters were mounted from model1988 on.

[Daniel D.]

The circling problem of the gearbox I found is on the frontside of the output shaft. Effectively a serious rebuild.
See full description:
http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php/297222-Bertha-s-Box-What-Can-Go-Wrong-in-an-Airhead-Gearbox

[Daniel D.]

This story is regarding an older R100GS but could probably appear on a R65 ?

[Motu]

My '87 has a Bosch starter and a circlip.