Introduction and commuting question

[normrat]

Long-time lurker, first-time poster.

I'm looking into R65s and my motorcycling background has been in modern CVT scooters and vintage Vespas. My current daily ride is an Aprilia SportCity 250. Planning to sell it, as I'm no longer fond of the transmission.

My question: A lot of people praise the R65 for its commuting ability. Having sat on one and sized it up, it feels comfortable for my needs. But I worry about the air-cooling in traffic. I'm in Maryland and travel into Washington, D.C. I hit some pretty serious stop-n-go a few times per week. Asking for thoughts. Also, is this type of traffic situation any worse on larger displacement airheads?

[Bob_Roller]

Welcome Normrat,

No air cooled bike is great for heavy stop and go traffic type commuting, the R65 is no exception .

The only comment I've seen in print, is when a carburetor synchronization is performed, not to let the bike sit with the engine running, for no longer than 5-10 minutes without fans blowing cooling air over the cylinders .

Any chance of using another route, other than your present one .

[normrat]

Not really. Sure, there are always side streets to turn on, but when congestion thickens, those clog as well. Really, I commute through an area where heavy congestion is a constant reality that I can't overlook when considering a bike.

That carb-sync observation is very helpful. Thanks.

[Barry]

As air cooled engines go airheads must be among the best what else has the cylinders stuck out in the breeze but I suppose fan cooled models like the Vespa must be better in stop go traffic.

All airheads have much the same cooling area give or take the odd barrel fin so the larger capacity models must be more marginal on cooling. My R45 at one extreme runs particularly cool.

Post 81 I think have a little extra oil capacity which can only help.

[Semper Gumby]

Hi normrat,

Welcome to the madness.

The BMW airhead motorcycle is less suceptable to overheating in stop and go.  It can still be done however.  There is a natural convection around the cylinders when the bike is sitting still unlike my BSAs which doesn't have the same natural flow.  

There are some things that you can do to make the R65 better in this regard.  Add a thermostat Oil cooler.  I have a large Lockhart with a built in thermostat installed on my R65.  Also you can get a deeper oil pan or the Luftmeister oil pan extension with cooling tubes running through to help keep the motor cool.  These will help. But if you are still worried then get a water cooled bike.  It's the only way to be completely comfortable in stop and go driving.

We have a couple of riders that ride when the weather gets into the 100 plus range without ill effect so I would say that the R65 is a good choice in this regard.

[Lucky_Lou]

Welcome Normrat
  The answers you seek will be found here somewhere personaly i only ride for pleasure never when its too busy so not an issue for me.
Lucky or what Lou

[Bengt_Phorqs]

Howdy Normrat,
You're in the right spot.  We don't want to discourage you from the R65.  They are great bikes but do have a few quirks.  One issue to keep in mind, a minor one to be sure, but the alternator on these bikes doesn't really put out a lot of current until you hit around 3000 rpm.  However keeping a battery tender in place can extend your battery life.

And even if you end up with something else, stick around.  Lots of good information here that carries over to other machines.

[normrat]

This is why I like a model specific board -- no one is telling no, you'll have a melt down. Instead I've gotten some good ins and outs.

On the charging: I am a daily driver. About half of my commute is at a pretty good pace 35 mph to 55 mph. Its about 6 miles like that and 6 miles where lights are more frequent and the pace is slower, twice a day. I do have a trickle charger and use it on my Vespa P200 on occasion, but I do not have an external power outlet at my place. That means using the charger is an extension cord out a window when I know I'm gonna be home for a while. That's something else to think about, isn't it?

[Barry]

Hi Normrat

I commute 4 miles each way and only use the trickle charger once a week and I'm a bit fanatical about batteries the last one on my car lasted 13 years. I don't think charging is a problem because I very rarely get held up and usually hit 50 or 55 MPH if only briefly.  To be honest I'm much more concerned about the oil not getting hot enough on such short runs so I change it every 1500 miles.

[Semper Gumby]

Normrat,

I would also add that I have been riding my R65 since 1993 and commuting Summer and Winter in Atlanta GA since 2001 on a 25 mile commute and have never overheated.  If the traffic stops for too long I just turn off the motor.  There are no overheat issues with the carbs other than keeping them in good tune which, while it is an art, is not too difficult.

TTFN,