One step away from stardom...R50, cl, ct

[chuck peterson]

I was on an R60 for about 70k miles. I can say the V700 was so, so much better...anyone else? This beemer would be another $5k if it was an R60 and plus $10k if an R69...those bags are delicious

Glad I found Guzzi...

https://hartford.craigslist.org/mcy/d/east-haddam-bmw-r50-2/7001247110.html

[ozarquebus]

My g5 is significantly faster than my r100

[cliffrod]

In 2001, i walked out of the bank in Barre VT and a black R60 with a little solo seat rode by.  Never noticed them before, but now I HAD to have one.  Within the next few months & within approx a mile of that bank, I found and bought a completely original R69S for a net price of $800.00 after selling a just-acquired one owner G5 V1000 (also from within that same mile radius) very little work like clean carbs, etc and it was on the road.   We bought it for my wife to ride.  Got a bunch of new soft parts, denfeld solo seat, low bars and new repro mufflers$$ from Blue Moon. Simply polished & waxed the original paint.  Gorgeous bike that ran great.

After being so impassioned & elated to have one, especially the top sport model, I've never been so disappointed with a bike and I've had & ridden a lot of bikes.  Bar none. Always a crunchy shifting bike and so slow from a stop that it was a scary bike to ride in traffic.  Multiple friends who rode it said I was going to get killed on that bike. It would go fine, smooth at 80-100, easy to start but was a huge disappointment.

The eventual friend on that R60 that rode by agreed the /2 bikes were more of a state of mind than a state of tune.  My bike was supposedly a great running & performing R69S, according to the /2 guys who rode it.  I just couldn't jive with it unless I was out in the country, far away from all traffic and reasons to stop & start or even shift.  I kinda wish I still had it.  What a beautiful, regal machine.









When I started selling off bikes to pay for the studio, it was the first to sell.  Had it priced too cheap, but live and learn.

[Moparnut72]

When I lived in Conn I had a R50/2. It was fine in Conn with lower speeds and tight roads. I took it with me when I moved to Colo. It was a terrible bike there, altitude, fast highways and monstrous mountain grades.. I replaced it with a new R75/5, much better. BTW these bikes could be shifted fairly smoothly but it was an art. However the downshift were still pretty bad most of the time.
kk

[cliffrod]

When I lived in Conn I had a R50/2. It was fine in Conn with lower speeds and tight roads. I took it with me when I moved to Colo. It was a terrible bike there, altitude, fast highways and monstrous mountain grades.. I replaced it with a new R75/5, much better. BTW these bikes could be shifted fairly smoothly but it was an art. However the downshift were still pretty bad most of the time.
kk

You're correct- They can be shifted well.  but for the German engineering status, they are a long way from the smooth shift feel of a similar era Ducati or even a Guzzi. They're more like a Harley, but even my shovelhead is probably smoother.   

I put a lot of effort into adjusting mine.  One of the prospective buyers, who claimed to have several long term  /2's, came back from a test ride.  He shook his head, saying "man, that transmission...." I figured he would complain and start arguing about the price. Then he said "that's the best shifting /2 I've ever ridden. What did you do to get it to shift that well?"

[Chuck in Indiana]

Gimme a Guzzi..

[Dave Swanson]

The only BMW I have ever owned is my R69S.  It is in amazing original condition.  I keep it because it is so cool.   

[twhitaker]

I had a R50/2 about 40 years ago. It was gorgeous with a Wixom fairing and bags. Compared to my Ambassador it was a soulless slug.