Why keep the /5

[Scout63]

After putting a few miles on my ‘79 G5 rebuild, I find myself wondering if I should keep my ‘71 R75/5.  It just seems that the MG does everything better.  More power, MUCH better brakes, sweet handling, great intake and exhaust note, great low speed maneuverability, floorboards, heel toe shifter and better looking.  I can mount my Krausers on it and haul groceries too.  I don’t really need the money but it would be nice to have a few thousand dollars come my way, and one less bike to move around the garage is always appreciated.

I’ve owned airheads for 40 years and still have a ‘77 R100S in the wings for a future project.  It seems that the /5 and G5 fill the same role.   Would you keep both?

[Shorty]

I would. Unless you NEED the money or space, why not winterize the BMW and give it a season or two to think it over? They are not getting easier to obtain, and they are fine motorcycles.

[Tom H]

I would keep both.

Tom

[Dimitri_Harkov]

I'd also keep both. Great bikes.

If I had to sell something, I'd sell the R100S.

Cheers,
D.

[reidy]

I will give the other side of the argument. Every possession you own requires some management input on you behalf. If you just park it and don't touch it, it will deteriorate. It takes up space. You may need to insure it in case you get a break in, house fire, flood or some other event.

At the moment old bikes are pulling very good money. In a couple of years it may be worth a heap more, or maybe the hype will be over.
Also remember if you have a major injury or die someone else has to sort your stuff.

I have a saying, "Own your possessions and don't let your possessions own you". What this means to me is that every possession should either be essential or bring a positive aspect to your life. If you have a possession that does not fit in this category and is taking any time, emotional stress or money to look after that possession is owning you and you should consider getting rid of it.

Only you can decide where the BMW fits.

Steve       

[sdcr]

I vote keep both. The /5 will appreciate in value, better than a bank checking account. It’ll be more interesting to own than the green backs.

After putting a few miles on my ‘79 G5 rebuild, I find myself wondering if I should keep my ‘71 R75/5.  It just seems that the MG does everything better.  More power, MUCH better brakes, sweet handling, great intake and exhaust note, great low speed maneuverability, floorboards, heel toe shifter and better looking.  I can mount my Krausers on it and haul groceries too.  I don’t really need the money but it would be nice to have a few thousand dollars come my way, and one less bike to move around the garage is always appreciated.

I’ve owned airheads for 40 years and still have a ‘77 R100S in the wings for a future project.  It seems that the /5 and G5 fill the same role.   Would you keep both?

[SIR REAL ED]

I will give the other side of the argument. Every possession you own requires some management input on you behalf. If you just park it and don't touch it, it will deteriorate. It takes up space. You may need to insure it in case you get a break in, house fire, flood or some other event.

At the moment old bikes are pulling very good money. In a couple of years it may be worth a heap more, or maybe the hype will be over.
Also remember if you have a major injury or die someone else has to sort your stuff.

I have a saying, "Own your possessions and don't let your possessions own you". What this means to me is that every possession should either be essential or bring a positive aspect to your life. If you have a possession that does not fit in this category and is taking any time, emotional stress or money to look after that possession is owning you and you should consider getting rid of it.

Only you can decide where the BMW fits.

Steve       

My perspective as well.  Once past the stage of poverty, it becomes very easy to acquire so much that one is ruled by their possessions.  Easy for me to pass thru phases of acquiring and simplifying.

Marcus Aurelius - "The owner of so many goods has no room left to ease himself."

Since joy is a personal perspective, only the owner can decide what is worth keeping or selling.

[wymple]

"If you have a possession that does not fit in this category and is taking any time, emotional stress or money to look after that possession is owning you and you should consider getting rid of it."

No need to bring the women into it.....

[Shorty]

"If you have a possession that does not fit in this category and is taking any time, emotional stress or money to look after that possession is owning you and you should consider getting rid of it."

No need to bring the women into it.....

     

[moto]

After putting a few miles on my ‘79 G5 rebuild, I find myself wondering if I should keep my ‘71 R75/5.  It just seems that the MG does everything better.  More power, MUCH better brakes, sweet handling, great intake and exhaust note, great low speed maneuverability, floorboards, heel toe shifter and better looking.  I can mount my Krausers on it and haul groceries too.  I don’t really need the money but it would be nice to have a few thousand dollars come my way, and one less bike to move around the garage is always appreciated.

I’ve owned airheads for 40 years and still have a ‘77 R100S in the wings for a future project.  It seems that the /5 and G5 fill the same role.   Would you keep both?

No. I would sell the BMW. I was very happy to get rid of my R90/6 for similar reasons. A motorcycle should not just be something you invest in.

[Tkelly]

If you don’t need the cash ,donate it to your favorite charity for a raffle.You will feel great and whoever wins will also feel great.Win win situation bonus is more garage space and tax deduction.

[vintagehoarder]

They are starting to get collectible as the prices rise on them.

[Mayor_of_BBQ]

These older BMW's are hot right now, might make sense to sell it while values are high and be done with it. If you find it less enjoyable to ride than your other bike now....  I dont think draining the tank and carbs, taking the plate off and moving it around your garage for 5 years is going to improve that.

[Chuck in Indiana]

It just seems that the MG does everything better.

You've answered your own question. It will also do everything better than the R100S. <shrug> Just MHO..

[Scout63]

You all are so great. The feedback is spot on.  The /5 developed a starting glitch about 8 months ago that I could solve in a day, two tops.  But I haven’t even tried, instead focusing on the G5 build and maintaining my Commando.  I think that might be my answer. I will need to get it running right and clean it up before selling, so there is a month or so to think about it.

[Tom]

You might want to wait till Spring to sell, that way you won't feel rushed and you'll get a better price for it.

[JJ]

I would. Unless you NEED the money or space, why not winterize the BMW and give it a season or two to think it over? They are not getting easier to obtain, and they are fine motorcycles.

Agree 100%...

I would have NO issues owning / riding another vintage airhead...and I have had five (5) in my time. 

As far as the modern air/oil head models...these ain't bad either!!

[Moparnut72]

I had a couple, R75/5 and a an R90/6. Both excellent bikes. My V7lll reminds me of the R90.
kk

[kidsmoke]

After putting a few miles on my ‘79 G5 rebuild, I find myself wondering if I should keep my ‘71 R75/5.  It just seems that the MG does everything better.  More power, MUCH better brakes, sweet handling, great intake and exhaust note, great low speed maneuverability, floorboards, heel toe shifter and better looking.  I can mount my Krausers on it and haul groceries too.  I don’t really need the money but it would be nice to have a few thousand dollars come my way, and one less bike to move around the garage is always appreciated.

I’ve owned airheads for 40 years and still have a ‘77 R100S in the wings for a future project.  It seems that the /5 and G5 fill the same role.   Would you keep both?

Never owned  BMW. I agree though, that they're beautiful bikes.

In the last two weeks, while discussing the G5 with 2 long in the tooth (former) owners of /5 and /6 /100 motorcycles, both said unequivocally that the affair with the airheads ended with the ownership of sorted tonti's. One went so far as to sell off his collection and become a Guzzi dealer. Both specifically said in a head to head, the G5 - or T's win out on the things that matter most. I was a bit surprised, honestly.

Consistent then, that you are experiencing this dilemma.  I agree with Perazzimx14....some one will be out of their minds with an airhead you've been through. Don't interfere with their bliss.

[Chuck in Indiana]

I've had two Break My Wallets. Bitch Moan Whine. Bavarian Manure Wagons. 
I've always said I'm a slow learner..
Guzzi FTW.
Chuck, Deacon,
Church of Guzzi
 

[SmithSwede]

Chuck, please level with us.  What do you really think about BMWs?

[blackcat]

I've had two Break My Wallets. Bitch Moan Whine. Bavarian Manure Wagons. 
I've always said I'm a slow learner..
Guzzi FTW.
Chuck, Deacon,
Church of Guzzi
 

 
I’d rather ride a Guzzi.

[JJ]

I've had two Break My Wallets. Bitch Moan Whine. Bavarian Manure Wagons. 
I've always said I'm a slow learner..
Guzzi FTW.
Chuck, Deacon,
Church of Guzzi
 

Have to say...never heard these two:  Bitch-Moan-Whine and Bavarian Manure Wagons!!   How about "Bring-Money-With"

Chuck is indeed the "Deacon of the Church of Guzzi" 

[Chuck in Indiana]

Bitch-Moan-Whine

The Kid said a BMW mechanic told him that one. 

[sdcr]

The one our local Beemer crowd use is, Bring More Wallet

Have to say...never heard these two:  Bitch-Moan-Whine and Bavarian Manure Wagons!!   How about "Bring-Money-With"

Chuck is indeed the "Deacon of the Church of Guzzi" 

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

I've just had two /5s through the shop - a '71 R60/5 and a '73 R75/5. I enjoyed working on and test riding both. If I didn't have (multiple) Loopframe Guzzis, I'd probably buy that basketcase /5 from my friend Joe and resurrect it.

[Rich A]

If the G5 has your motorcycle fun box ticked, I'd sell it and look for another box to tick. Maybe an electric bicycle or motorcycle. Some fishing gear. A shotgun.

Rich A

[Tusayan]

I've had two Break My Wallets. Bitch Moan Whine. Bavarian Manure Wagons. 

Last month I rode my 106K mile R100GS for about 2000 miles in the Alps, actually as far south as Lucca (in Tuscany). I returned to my new V85TT and rode it a few hundred miles, enough to reacquaint myself with it.  Then I asked myself which I would rather ride, and the honest answer was probably the BMW but it could go either way.  The TT really does operate like a modernized R100GS and I think a preference between the two comes down to whether your prefer modern and quite effective (but still mostly simple) or just plain starkly simple while almost equally effective.  I lean a bit towards the latter.  An R100GS is a very good bike for that kind of riding, day after day on the best twisty roads in the world, better than any Guzzi of the same era.

I suspect those who think as posted above about BMWs missed the ‘almost perfect’ era of the late 80s and early 90s.  The 70s stuff was not anywhere near as good and the complexity of the newer BMWs makes me wince. This was BTW the worst era for BMWs motorcycle business, showing that as with Guzzi sales, Everyman buyer knows very little about motorcycles.