Beemer Owners. Your opinions

[Tom]

Most people don't know that these bikes can go high mileage.  Any opinions?

https://honolulu.craigslist.org/big/mcy/d/kapaau-1993-bmw-r100/7313028101.html

[timmythecop]

I have a 199 K75s that I ride daily. It has 129,867 miles on it.

[TN Mark]

With proper maintenance there’s another 100K miles in that bike before major items would need attention.

[Navydad]

Put 100,000 miles on a 04 1150RT.

[LongRanger]

134,000 miles on my ‘98 K1200RS. No issues.

[JJ]

With proper maintenance there’s another 100K miles in that bike before major items would need attention.

Agree 100%. I put 50K+ trouble free miles on both a '75 R75/6 and an '83 R80RT.

[Tusayan]

The R100R is the favored model of the Airheads group, including #1, and for good reason.  It’s the most developed and on-road functional of the Airheads.  I think this one is inexpensive relative to what you’d get.

I have an R100GS (the same engine, basically the same bike) with about 105K miles logged.  The bottom end will go to very high mileage, and the valves in these late bikes are pretty good too.  I’d be looking for pushrod tube oil leaks, possible clutch replacement, and whether shifter return spring has ever been replaced - they break at high mileage and the gearbox has to come out for replacement.  When that happens you stick a new clutch in it too and assess the gearbox condition.  The ignition advance mechanism also tends to wear at high mileage.  Ask when the driveshaft was last replaced - which has very likely occurred at least once, and will leave you stranded if it fails.  I spin the back wheel on mine regularly, feeling for stiff spots that come shortly before failure.

The driveline is fundamentally capable of very high mileages like 200 or 300K, and is relatively easy to work on.  However it won’t reach that mileage without service and replacement of some parts and assemblies along the way. It’s a simple design that works very well on the road, but it wasn’t built by Toyota.

[grebmrof]

That would seem to be a pretty decent deal.  Almost the last year for the airheads (thought '94 or '95 was the very last).  Hopefully the guy has good maintenance records so you can see when things were done last and how frequently maintenance was performed.  Let us know what happens.  If you don't have to dump a lot of $$$ into it over the coming years, you sure shouldn't lose much on a resale.  Good luck with this. 

[Scud]

I had 1981 R100CS, 1992 K75s, and 1996 R1100RT. All were good, reliable bikes, but I listed them in order of which I liked the most. All of those models can go for a damn long time, especially the K75 motor, which is just a cool thing from an engineering perspective. The R100CS had the most character. It was a European model and had the 40mm Bing carbs that were not available in the US.

[Tom]

He has this for sale too.

https://honolulu.craigslist.org/big/mpo/d/kapaau-bmw-parts-bike-r100gs/7312663430.html

[ohiorider]

Tusayan, I'm going to cheat and copy and paste part of your post here, and offer my experience with the same items.

I have an R100GS (the same engine, basically the same bike) with about 105K miles logged.
Currently at 162,000 miles on my 1991 R100GS.  Original owner.

The bottom end will go to very high mileage
Bottom end never touched.
BMW mechanic swears they're 200k+.

and the valves in these late bikes are pretty good too. 
Top end refresh at 128k.  Valves, guides, springs,  Maybe not necessary.

I’d be looking for pushrod tube oil leaks, possible clutch replacement, and whether shifter return spring has ever been replaced - they break at high mileage and the gearbox has to come out for replacement.  When that happens you stick a new clutch in it too and assess the gearbox condition.  The ignition advance mechanism also tends to wear at high mileage.  Ask when the driveshaft was last replaced - which has very likely occurred at least once, and will leave you stranded if it fails.  I spin the back wheel on mine regularly, feeling for stiff spots that come shortly before failure.

Yes to all the above.
Driveshaft repaired at 120k ... u joints replaced. Repair failed.Replaced with new OEM shaft at 156k.
On 2nd clutch plate ... still on original pressure plate. At 156k
Replaced all tranny bearings and shift mechanism wear items. At 156k
Cured sticky ignition advance by replacing stock bean can with Motorrad Elektrik bean can and ignition module at 140k
Replaced Valeo starter with Motorrad Elektrik starter (Nippon Denso)at 140k

Like an old Gravely Tractor .... it'll run as long as you want to throw some parts and labor at it.

Bob

[jbell]

Seems a fair price.  Might be in need of wheel bearings & steering head bearings or if good, repack them.

[sdcr]

Rolled over 90,000 this past week on my y2K BMW R1100 RS. Only major was a clutch at 65k.bike has had service religiously, and has never been dropped or down. Everything functions as when it left the factory. Mostly consumable replacements, like batteries, tires brakes, etc. Mine is the 5 speed, which is a little agricultural, but very reliable. Comfortable, good handling machines.

[KonaDoc]

I sold a 2006 GS650 single at 113,000. Plenty of miles left.

doc

[wymple]

I used to go to a Beemer rally now & then, and they often show up at Guzzi rallies. The airhead guys always seem to think that the best were the R90's.

[mobiker]

I like mine.
 
I'm a piker compared to a couple of you guys. Just shy of 70k on mine. No major problems. Leaking gaskets and seals and electrical. Electrical components in general don't last forever and they live in a harsh environment on a a bike. I would expect it on any old bike of any manufacture.
Its 33 years old. That's like 105 in human years. Some incontinence is to be expected.

[Moparnut72]

I have owned three Airheads through the years. My first was a R50/2, good dependable bike, however slow and not a good handling bike. I got the first R75/5 to come to Denver. It had a few new model problems, carbs were bad from day one, replaced by BMW. Alternator rotor failed in the first 6 months, later ones were epoxyed. Seal between driveshaft housing and rear drive failed early on, after these problems were worked out it was a reliable bike, I put just short of 100,000 miles on it. I eventually up graded to a R90/6 mainly for the disc brake and 5 speed trans. It was an excellent trouble free bike. I quit riding for a few years due to family priorities, I would still have it otherwise. It is still going strong for the new owner.
kk

[PeteS]

I had an ‘83 RT. Even though I rode it for 220k miles I wouldn’t call it trouble free. Both my ‘76 LeMans and ‘98 EV were far more reliable. Trouble started with the valve seats and valves at 20k. Then melted diode boards and hall effect ignition pickups every 40-50K. I think 81-84 airheads might be the most trouble prone. Earlier and later years better choices as the bugs were addressed. I agree that the R90S might be one of the best airheads. Good power, smooth, and comfortable.

Pete

[Tom]

Well the one in question found another home or the seller decided to pull the listing.  He still has the salvage one listed for sale.  My guess is that he sold it.

I was looking at it as rental bike for  https://www.riders-share.com that's bland to rent out or maybe as a tug for another hack that I have or both.  Gotta get some of the herd to pay it's way.