[crossposted to uk.rec.motorcycles and rec.motorcycles] Since April of this year I have been riding my first motorized two-wheeler, an Aprilia Scarabeo 150 scooter. It's similar to a "real" motorcycle: 16" wheels, plenty of power for around town, just enough top speed for _short_ trips in the slow lane of the expressway (motorway). With the leg shield and footboard (and with added hand guards) it offers decent weather protection. The Urge to Upgrade is hitting now, and I've been considering a BMW R80RT or R100RT (1985-1995 vintage) as an eventual replacement. Reasons: it's not much larger than the Aprilia in any dimension, but substantially heavier (good for expressway stability); it would probably cost less than a new maxi-scooter (Honda Reflex/Jazz or Suzuki Burgman 400), which is another alternative; based on reports I've read, it is very reliable and sufficiently durable to outlast me; I finally get to drive a BMW. But from your collective experience, how _usable_ would an R80/100RT be? I spend most of my two-wheel time commuting five miles each way to and from the office and running errands; some day I would also like to tackle short-to-medium expressways drives (never more than 200 miles a day). Most importantly, I would like to do all this with as little regard for weather as possible (I live in southeastern Wisconsin, with an annual temperature swing from about zero to the high 90s F). How is the wind and weather protection of the RT? Which bits of me will freeze solid in winter, or get cooked in summer? Will the damn thing even start when the weather gets cold? Thank you in advance for any and all guidance. -- Nick
For ease of maintenance and reliability in a daily commuter go for a later monolever swinging arm boxer. They have many advantages mechanically although they are a touch more stifled for emissions. Think seriously on an R65 with an RS/RT or good aftermarket fairing (R80 otherwise). It's a great little engine and with a K&N custom filter/jet kit returns 50mpg easily. The 100 is a great bike but runs a bit lumpy for town. For really cold weather fit a Hawker dry cell battery and run 5w-40w (semi)synth oil. It'll fire up every time but make sure the choke gaskets on the carbs are in good nick, they tend to get sucked in on the edge after a while. That oil will do for all year running or you could go 20w-50w mineral in hot summers. The RS fairing actually has better weather protection though it needs quite narrow bars. The cylinders keep your feet warm then you just need the heated grips.
weight has *nothing* to do with stability. They are durable and well made, and addictive, if you like that sort of thing. But if you think you're buying a two-wheeled equivalent of a Five-series car, you aren't. They're *very* primitive in many aspects. It won't even get warmed up on a run like that. Buy a small scooter. Pretty good. If you find one with the optional heated grips, that's a bonus. And the cylinder help keep your feet toasty. In high temperatures, in summer, you do get a lot of heat reflected off the fairing, mind. Good question. Possibly not unless you invest in an aftermarket high-output battery.
In message <1g3i2rb.13r25w4v8fp5nN%>, Too true. I was amazed how long they take to get warm. I fitted an oil temp gauge to my 80RT a few years ago and after that stopped using it for short journeys. The other thought is that the charging system is pretty poor, so if it's used in winter about town with lights and heated grips etc, an optimate or similar is a good idea to ensure it keeps going (even with a big after market battery). Or any ideas on one of those twin alternator conversions?
Is why I suggested the improved later model. You can get a high output solid state regulator from Motorworks which kicks the charge voltage in earlier and there are re-wind services. With that and a good battery should be no hassle. Don't know what you mean by twin alternator, are you thinking of the HD re-wind option?
Agreed about the heated grips. As an alternative to a fairing, I'd prefer a windshield and wider bars with GS type brushguards. The brushguards really help keep your hands warm and deflect drafts away from your sleeves. Also, in wet or icy conditions, I definitely prefer a more upright dualsport type riding stance. Rather than go for the pricey BMW heated grips, you may be better off going with a cheaper snowmobile heater which fits into the handlebars. You probably also want to buy some kind of a charger for the battery, plus a rainsuit, a bike cover (non-melting kind) and some kind of bag(s) to pack this stuff into.
I have the motorworks high output regulator and it makes very little difference. HD rewind? No idea what you are on about. On a few bikes (mainly outfits to be honest) there are twin alternators fitted, running in parallel to give twice the output
Five miles? Pushbike. The RT fairing is a remarkable piece of kit. I find that the bit of me that gets coldest is my back, because of the way the wind curls round behind the fairing. -- Platypus - Faster Than Champ VN800 Drifter, R80RT DIAABTCOD#2 GPOTHUF#19 BOTAFOS#6 BOTAFOT#89 FTB#11 BOB#1 SBS#35 ANORAK#18 TWA#15
If it's the same on a K, the bit of me that gets cold is my feet. The rest of me is warm enough, well following fitting the heated grips anyway.
Feet are much better protected on the boxer. -- Platypus - Faster Than Champ VN800 Drifter, R80RT DIAABTCOD#2 GPOTHUF#19 BOTAFOS#6 BOTAFOT#89 FTB#11 BOB#1 SBS#35 ANORAK#18 TWA#15
I suppose you have to load it up to notice? like twin spots etc. You can have the rotor rewound with heavy duty wire and more windings to boost the capacity. <boggle>
No, not really. With everything off and the engine running >2,000 rpm I get 13.8 volts. On with the sidelights gives about 13.5 volts, on with the full beam brings it down to about 13. Switch on the front spot/fog and 12.5 is nearer the mark. Heated grips take it to well below 12. It's been like this since new and in that time it's had a new alternator and a new (high output) regulator
I would urge you to consider getting a Yamaha XT600e. Just rode mine out into the deserts of Australia (5000km trip)..... often cruising at 130km/h. 300km per tank... never missed a beat. I also normally commute 5km per day in the city. Great bike... if you don't mind a little rain all over you. GB.
I would urge you to consider getting a Yamaha XT600e. Which I do, which was the point of looking for a bike with a fairing. We're also a bit short on deserts around here. But thanks for the recommendation. Thanks also to everyone who chimed in on this topic. I will stick with what I'm riding at least until Spring, and then see how (and whether) I'm inclined to upgrade. Happy riding, -- Nick
Early BMW R100GS brush guards work pretty well on an R65. Later ones don't fit exactly right on my '88, but are close enough to work with a little bit of bodging. My bike came with a set of heaters installed inside the bars and I find I'm quite happy with them. The bar ends were sealed with what looks like urethane foam. Not sure, but suspect there's more near the middle of the bars. They do a pretty good job, though it takes a few minutes to heat through the bar and grip. Once things have heated up though they stay warm. I have heard people complain about in-the-bar heaters when using aluminum bars, but on steel bars with some insulation, they work fine.
