Which classic BMW

[jas67]

I would buy a BMW new enough to have Brembo brakes and hardened valve seats. Post 1983? I would love to have a '95 "last of the airheads."

I like mine (a '94 R100R Mystic).     The seat to foot pegs distance is a little cramped, even for my 30" inseam.    The regular R100R, R100R Classic, or R100GS would likely have better ergos.
IMG_5680 by jay_snyder67, on Flickr

The Givi rack will go away when I get proper side case mounts.

These are definitely the most refined of the airheads.   K75 front end, including dual piston calipers, and paralever rear suspension, along with all the improvements that came along in 1981 (nikasil cylinders, electronic ignition, lighter flywheel, cush drive, etc).

I also have '73 R75/5 toaster:
IMG_3388 by jay_snyder67, on Flickr

It is definitely more primitive than the later bikes, but, still fun to ride, and pretty to look at.

IMG_3393 by jay_snyder67, on Flickr

[Travman]

IMG_3393 by jay_snyder67, on Flickr

Nice picture.  ;-T  I needed a second look to catch the reflection.

[leafman60]

Those are all nice pictures of old BMW's!

[Nic in Western NYS]

Almost forgot, my last Beemer, an '05 R1200RT used a considerable amount of oil, even after 30,000 miles! They all do, that is part of the deal.

My '97 RT did too (but neither counts as a classic.)

[wrbix]

The thing to realize about Airhead BMWs is that you shouldn't try to keep oil at FULL level - they will all dispose of some oil to get to their happy level and then pretty well stay there. True of all mine - '83 R100CS, '84 R100RS, and '60 R60/2.
Same is true of my Lycoming in the Grumman BTW. Something about air cooled horizontally opposed engines? Chuck?

[Buckturgidson]

Actually, they all don't.

Sorry to hear about your bad experience, but glad you found something more to your liking.

My 1200RT used oil, the 1150RS I had before that used oil, and my bud's current 1150R also does. That is my sample. Having to carry a quart of oil all the time sucks.
Sorry I know this is off subject as these are newer, I just have a hard time hiding my annoyance with these machines.

[Chuck in Indiana]

The thing to realize about Airhead BMWs is that you shouldn't try to keep oil at FULL level - they will all dispose of some oil to get to their happy level and then pretty well stay there. True of all mine - '83 R100CS, '84 R100RS, and '60 R60/2.
Same is true of my Lycoming in the Grumman BTW. Something about air cooled horizontally opposed engines? Chuck?

Yep. Put in the full 6, and it'll be down to 5 shortly and stay there. I save myself the $7 (Guzzi content) and put in 5.  ;D

[jas67]

The thing to realize about Airhead BMWs is that you shouldn't try to keep oil at FULL level - they will all dispose of some oil to get to their happy level and then pretty well stay there. True of all mine - '83 R100CS, '84 R100RS, and '60 R60/2.
Same is true of my Lycoming in the Grumman BTW. Something about air cooled horizontally opposed engines? Chuck?

My Breva 1100 is that way too.

[Jaxthedog]

My '83 R65 was truly "the one that got away."  It was the last bike I owned prior to weighing motorcycling against being a dad.  Left the fold for 13 years.  Turns out, in retrospect, selling the Beemer after five years - with 40,000 miles on it - could have been avoided.  The kids turned out fine and here I am, 30-plus years later, wishing I still had the BMW.  Too small for my 34" inseam, I drove it all over the western US and will never forget the good times and great adventures I had astride it.  Thankfully, I am enjoying the Breva 1100 as much or more.  Fits me slightly better and turns heads wherever I ride it.