Fit the 1000cc barrels, etc.
Goes a bit better.
On top of that there were a few performance enhancements that could be got, for a price.
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Next bike?
- Thread starter bosco659
- Start date
Goes a bit better.
On top of that there were a few performance enhancements that could be got, for a price.
I did not know. Cool!
I always wanted an R90 but they don't seem to come up for sale very often. I don't think the guys that have them ever sell them, lol. So, I ended up with several R75's over the years. Granted, not as powerful, but my first one dragged a sidecar cross country and back, so the power is adequate. However, I did manage to get an R90, and a rather special one at that. It's a "conversion". This is where you take a newer, larger '70s motor and stuff it into the early Earls forked '60s chassis, for sidecar use. You can run them solo though .....
To address the mileage question, many claimed 50+MPG, just like on our 650s, but I never got much better than mid 40's on either bike, lol. I must have a lead wrist or something. The /5 and /6 BMWs had two gas tanks available, the smaller 4.5 gal. (which is what I had/have) and a larger 6.3 gal. I could sometimes hit around 150 miles on the highway before I went on Reserve, but I'd usually start looking for gas around 130 or 140 miles. That's a good 2 hours in the saddle and you're looking to stretch your legs by then, believe me.
I like the look of the smaller “toaster” tank.. if I ever do get one, that size is good for me since my rides are normally quite short.
Yes, the "toaster" tank. Back when they first came out, the serious BMW riders didn't care for them, they wanted the larger tank. Today though, they're all the rage, lol. The "toaster" tank was a /5 thing only. The /6 had the same tank but just all painted, no chrome side panels. My 1st one was another "toaster", a '72 R75/5, sweet bike .....
I sold it many years ago and only had that "conversion" for a while. Then I latched onto the /6. And I got to thinking I'd really like another /5, so I started looking. It took a few years but I finally found the red "toaster", and very close to me too, only a few miles down the road.
As you may have gathered, I used to be pretty heavy into the BMW "scene". It was my main bike until I got into the 650s. I was in the nationwide owners club and would attend at least a couple rallies every year. These bikes carried me across the country and back, and then all over the Northeast to rallies for many years. I always stuck with these old airheads though, I never progressed to a K bike or an Oilhead. BMWs are kind of funky but they definitely grow on you, lol. These older ones do have some maintenance "must-dos" but none of it is that complicated. And some of the design features are just marvels of German engineering, lol. Two that come to mind are the geared throttle assembly and the geared choke lever. Amazing designs that will last basically forever if maintained (greased). And the hand levers pivot on replaceable nylon bushings (about a dollar). The cables are nylon lined so don't need to be oiled, you just grease the ends where they hook up. There's lots more that I can clue you in to if you get one.
I sold it many years ago and only had that "conversion" for a while. Then I latched onto the /6. And I got to thinking I'd really like another /5, so I started looking. It took a few years but I finally found the red "toaster", and very close to me too, only a few miles down the road.
As you may have gathered, I used to be pretty heavy into the BMW "scene". It was my main bike until I got into the 650s. I was in the nationwide owners club and would attend at least a couple rallies every year. These bikes carried me across the country and back, and then all over the Northeast to rallies for many years. I always stuck with these old airheads though, I never progressed to a K bike or an Oilhead. BMWs are kind of funky but they definitely grow on you, lol. These older ones do have some maintenance "must-dos" but none of it is that complicated. And some of the design features are just marvels of German engineering, lol. Two that come to mind are the geared throttle assembly and the geared choke lever. Amazing designs that will last basically forever if maintained (greased). And the hand levers pivot on replaceable nylon bushings (about a dollar). The cables are nylon lined so don't need to be oiled, you just grease the ends where they hook up. There's lots more that I can clue you in to if you get one.
Great, thanks. I’ll keep an eye open for a good deal. Right now, locally, they are fetching upwards of $10K for a nice one and that's too much
for me at this time. I personally used to think they were one of the less attractive bikes but the look has grown on me. I love the sound of the motor. Stay tuned, you never know.
The old opposed air head models were stone reliable and relatively easy to maintain. What I've heard about newer offerings are complaints about dodgy ABS brake systems that need repeat repair.
. . . rear subframes that break, exhaust flap-valve things that seize and have to be replaced, software faults, expensive parts, systems that cannot be maintained or repaired and have to be replaced as an entire unit . . .
Add over-complexity and sky-high dealer workshop prices. In fairness, I don't know this stuff from personal experience, just what I've heard.
That’s what has scared me away from the brand over the years. The simplicity and reliability of the old airheads make them much more attractive. Now if money wasn’t an issue, a new BMW with a solid warranty may take me beyond my riding years.
I’m still generally attracted to older, vintage bikes. The new ones don’t have the soul the old ones have. Now one could say I’m full of it because I bought the new Moto Guzzi last year, but that bike has the retro look and is not in the new era of technology, so it works for me.
Which is why I sought out the last of the aircooled 1200GS. Most of the good build and quality of old; but with enough modernity to keep up with the latest offerings. My bike is easy to maintain and self service. My only worry is the first generation ABS system (Still going good). But even that can be bypassed and deleted without too much hassle if needed.
The latest 1300GS is already prone to issues over quality and build; with many dealers discounting first delivery stocks to clear showrooms. Unusually BMW have already released Gen 2 versions of the new 1300GS variants. Just goes to show you can not rely on past reputation.
Yes, even the parts prices for the old airheads have gone way up. This is one of the reasons I kinda got away from them, plus I don't take trips or do the rally thing anymore like I used to. BMW held the airhead parts prices down for quite a while but when they finally did go up, they doubled and tripled, lol. Points and condensers went from about $6 to $8 each to over $20 each. Thankfully, they don't need many parts, lol, but the basic maintenance stuff was getting pretty pricey.
Current airhead offerings in the Phoenix metro area,
https://phoenix.craigslist.org/nph/mcy/d/cornville-bmw-1975-r90s/7750532720.html
$10,000
https://phoenix.craigslist.org/evl/mcy/d/scottsdale-bmw-1991-r100-classic-rare/7753411686.html
$7,800
A very early GS $10,500
https://phoenix.craigslist.org/nph/mcy/d/camp-verde-1983-bmw-r80-s/7756467753.html
Not BMW’s ….honorable mentions,
https://phoenix.craigslist.org/nph/mcy/d/cornville-bmw-1975-r90s/7750532720.html
$10,000
https://phoenix.craigslist.org/evl/mcy/d/scottsdale-bmw-1991-r100-classic-rare/7753411686.html
$7,800
A very early GS $10,500
https://phoenix.craigslist.org/nph/mcy/d/camp-verde-1983-bmw-r80-s/7756467753.html
Not BMW’s ….honorable mentions,
This is a great overhead shot of a BMW R75/6 that recently sold on Bring a Trailer. I’m going to try to have my bikes photographed this way, this summer. It looks beautiful from this view, then you look at the side view. lol. Still a wonderful bike!
What did it go for? I got $3200 for mine about 7 or 8 years ago and, frankly, I don't think I asked enough, lol. The guy bought it no questions asked and didn't even try to talk me down. I was happy though, considering I only paid like $800 for it. It gave me about 20 years of very good service with no major repairs needed.
I think it does too. I remember the first time I really looked down at the motor from the top and said “ Hey the jugs are offset”
I think that was a good deal. The bike appeared to be in nice shape.
If you notice the footpegs are offset the same. It was just a few years ago I noticed that on my 83 R100RT. I've had it since around 94. It's funny when you ride them it's not noticeable.I think it does too. I remember the first time I really looked down at the motor from the top and said “ Hey the jugs are offset”
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