Real buying dilemma

Yup. Trouble is finding a good 'un.

 

In a rather different way, this has a nice retro appeal

http://tinyurl.com/bulqf5

 

Yes, -ish. I've actually been keeping an eye out for an original Katana,
off and on, but I ain't buying any more bikes at the moment...

 

No, I haven't.

I took Hog's R100RS(?) out for a short blat a few years back and loved
it, though.

 

Needs a login.

--
Krusty

'03 Tiger 955i
'02 MV Senna (for sale) '96 Tiger (for sale)
'79 Fantic Hiro 250 (for sale) '81 Corvette (for sale)

 

1977 R100RS. £3750.

Complete with a couple of crappy photos which show a shiny petrol tank
and not much else.

 

Oh, right.

Hm. £2.5k?

 

Nice reasoned analysis and I'd agree with all of it. As you say, the K11
doesn't really suit country lanes, but on big main roads and motorways
it rules.

The thing about the airhead RT is that the key bit of it - the fairing -
is still, 30 years after it was introduced, the absolute bollocks. I can
only think of two factory-fitted fairings, maybe three, which really
compare, and two of those are also on BMWs.

As a touring bike, it still works. Loadsa luggage capacity, superb
comfort, lots of torque, decent fuel range.

Yeah, the bike itself is a bit wobbly - but so is the K11 - but it's a
bike you can get involved with, like all the old airheads. It's got
soul.

And it is as cheap as chips to run. It would be my pick of these three.

 

And beating you and I to the seller's house.

 

£2.2k with the service done, fresh MOT and 3 month warranty - including
delivery to my door.

 

I think the same bike is on eBay.

 

That's a good price from a dealer, no question. I'd buy it before
someone else does. I really doubt you'd lose any money if you find it's
not 'you' and sell it.

 

I'm doing this from a distance and he's a bit old school, so doesn't do
digital photos!

However, he popped a couple of 35mm photos in the post on Thursday, so I
should get them this morning!

He must be confident in the bike, as he will take a small credit card
deposit, with cash on delivery. Says he's never had anyone refuse to pay
up on delivery in the past.

 

That's probably because Vinnie Jones is doing the deliveries for him?

 

Heh. Yes, but we don't talk about *that*.

 

I don't know what Steve's problem is. This R100RT is what 1992-3? so it's a
mono. So you can get an adaptor plate and put the standard small BMW
removable top box on. It fits nicely. If you only have the standard K
mounting plate drill two holes in the lower corners and cable tie it on,
that's what I do. Doesn't disturb the handling at all.
www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=239328&id=637632914

A 100RT is a barn door fairing and big tiller bars. Slows it down and makes
the handling rather dodgy. The RS is a quicker sweeter bike and far nicer
looking. If I wanted an RT type bike I'd buy a K100 or 1100 RT every time.
Doesn't handle worse, smoother, faster. But feels heavy I grant you.

IMHO the 100RT fairing creates turbulence for the pillion.

On both airheads you need to change the carbs to 38's. Upgrade the fork
springs and shock. Fit a decent top yoke. Ideally gas flow and twin plug
because the heads are rough. But do that to an RS and you have a great bike,
an icon and timeless classic, that will never depreciate. Andy hits the nail
on the head. Why wouldn't you want one!

The brakes on my RS are as good as the ST4.

The entire early oilhead fleet are horrid. Rough horrible buzzy vibrating
engines that are shit in traffic. Then they added the Evo brakes to make it
worse still. Even the R1100S is an awful dissapointment. You go a lot newer
and a lot more expensive before it gets better.

I'd love a PD GS100 in yellow/black too. But with a nifty trials style
sidecar crafted in aluminium tread plate. Saw one at the Elefant and they
rock!

 

Done.

http://www.italiancar.co.uk/R100RT.jpg
http://www.italiancar.co.uk/R100RT2.jpg

Only fault is the worn paint on the offside side panel, where it bulges
over the shock.

Other than that it seems very nice - has a full stainless steel exhaust
system, the service and MOT will be done this week - delivery in about 2
weeks.

 

That's exactly what I need.

Bloke is having a rummage around to see if he has one kicking around, so
all I'd need to source is the box.

Whilst I'm posting - what the hell are the orange lines on the headlamp
cover?

 

That'll be ok when you respray the bike to a less disgusting colour
(i.e. any colour, even pink!).

--
Krusty

'03 Tiger 955i
'02 MV Senna (for sale) '96 Tiger (for sale)
'79 Fantic Hiro 250 (for sale) '81 Corvette (for sale)

 

Hm. Not the best colour, but the worn paint isn't an issue (quite common
on monolever BMW airheads, for obvious reasons).

Stainless exhaust is definitely a plus. Chances are it'll be marginally
less restrictive than the OE one as well. I'd go for it.