Thoughts on a BMW R90/6, R80, or other Airhead for next Do-Everything?

[Kev m]

I think a clarification over what’s preferred/needed is perhaps appropriate:

I would rather have a mid-size solo bike that can do a bit of everything on various terrain—not necessarily great, but like my Subaru Forester—than eat up the slab with a sidecar.

Sidecars have been on mid-size bikes for many years. Granted—50 years ago, frames were made for sidecars, but hey—my frame isn’t what gave out. A big, stout bike, solo or with a sidecar, will easily take on the highway with gear, but I don’t really need that, and I don’t want to compromise the capability to explore off-road as I have enjoyed thus far.

On the big, stout bike tangent. I don't think Dan or I mentioned FLH specifically for highway use, but more for the stoutness of the motor and deepness of the torque. I mean jeeez you were asking the smallblock to haul you + 200+# sidecar + 200+# passenger.

I'm looking at the service manual and SUPPOSEDLY the carrying load of a smallblock is 884# but that spec has to be complete and utter BS - unless it is supposed to be the BIKE WEIGHT plus rider, passenger, and luggage. And IF that's REALLY the case then the actual carrying capacity (and this sounds way more in line with other bikes) would be 884 - 436 = 448# and YOU definitely exceeded that above.

It's been a long time, and I don't have data on the carrying capacity of an R100, but I remember back in the day that my oilhead and the EVO RK had similar capacities and they were both damn near maxed by a rider and passenger plus some luggage. I can't imagine an airhead is going to realistically have more.

This isn't to say and airhead isn't the right tug, just that the smallblock probably was just as good IF YOU DIDN'T haul a big passenger in a big chair, as aggressively as your failure post suggests (and maybe kept an eye on the oil).

Now keeping on the mid-size point - a late-model R100 is about 500# wet, so although you're saving a little over say a Sportster (500-550#) or a Cali (550ish too), it's REALLY not much (like insignificant much). I'm still not saying not to do it, but just wanted to point out the realistic comparison.

Lastly, I noticed the FB post about considering a V7III engine - and pointed out there that a V9 engine might be just the ticket (since I really think the V9 felt more like a Cali than not).

That's all - have fun.

[Dirk_S]

Kev, just a couple points of clarification to consider/verify:

* I remember a couple years ago enquiring about that astounding carry load, and it was agreed that the weight was included in that number. Most mid-size bikes I saw hover in the 400s for carry load. That said—carry load is usually based on suspension thresholds, and a sidecar is  lateral stress, so the two aren’t the same. If that were the case, there wouldn’t be a midsize bike with a sidecar built with it (think about all the sub 40 HO bikes of yore), because most of them wouldn’t be able to do the job.

I’ve had some conversations with a few sidecar owners with similarly displaced bikes and sidecars, and some felt the bike should’ve been able to handle the stress with the way I described how I would use the throttle. So, I don’t know for sure, just speculating. Anyway…

* The full fairing versions of the R100 list near 500. From what I’ve seen, the bakers are around 465-475 lb wet. That’s a considerable difference from 500, for me at least.

* A salvaged V9, despite the fact I’d probably have to go to the V9’s swingarm, driveshaft, and wheel—would indeed be a good idea!

[Kev m]

Kev, just a couple points for clarifications consider/verify:

* I remember a couple years ago enquiring about that astounding carry load, and it was agreed that the weight was included in that number. Most mid-size bikes I saw hover in the 400s for carry load. That said—carry load is usually based on suspension thresholds, and a sidecar is  lateral stress, so the two aren’t the same. If that were the case, there wouldn’t be a midsize bike with a sidecar built with it (think about all the sub 40 HO bikes of yore), because most of them wouldn’t be able to do the job.

I’ve had some conversations with a few sidecar owners with similarly displaced bikes and sidecars, and some felt the bike should’ve been able to handle the stress with the way I described how I would use the throttle. So, I don’t know for sure, just speculating. Anyway…

* The full fairing versions of the R100 list near 500. From what I’ve seen, the bakers are around 465-475 lb wet. That’s a considerable difference from 500, for me at least.

* A salvaged V9, despite the fact I’d probably have to go to the V9’s swingarm, driveshaft, and wheel—would indeed be a good idea!

Good points and though I concede the suspension is one of the most important parts of determining "capacity" and that the sidecar and passenger don't have the same effect on the suspension as that weight would sitting on the back seat, I disagree that it is ONLY based on suspension. You can't say that load on the driveline is irrelevant to a realistic capacity and, though I have no idea if/how they take that into consideration it would be foolish of both of us to think it's not relevant. Torque, gearing, splines, joints, etc. all have limits which should be considered.

R100 Weight - most of the bike spec websites are saying ~480.6# for a mid-80's R100 - and that's DRY. I can't imagine the bodywork is all that significant, but then again, take off the bodywork but add fluids and you're still closer to 500 than not.

The same websites are saying the 1990's R100R was ~481# (possibly wet). Still a stone's throw from 500.

Of course if you're customizing the tug you have a lot of room to make changes so who knows.

Again, not saying not to, just trying to help analyze the choices from a spec side.

[Anomaly]

* A salvaged V9, despite the fact I’d probably have to go to the V9’s swingarm, driveshaft, and wheel—would indeed be a good idea!

You're in NH-- why don't you go to Argo Cycles and tell Sean you are specifically looking for a V9. Argo specializes in salvage bikes but Sean says "the kids all want rockets" so that is what they mostly deal in, but he might look for a V9 if you asked him.

[Dirk_S]

You're in NH-- why don't you go to Argo Cycles and tell Sean you are specifically looking for a V9. Argo specializes in salvage bikes but Sean says "the kids all want rockets" so that is what they mostly deal in, but he might look for a V9 if you asked him.

Thanks for pointing me toward them. Just chatted with ‘em, and they said they haven’t seen a Guzzi small block for a long time, but that he’ll keep an eye out.

[Anomaly]

they said they haven’t seen a Guzzi small block for a long time,

.

Funny-- I bought a 2012 V7 Classic from them two years ago. Guess it depends on the definition of "long time".

I just sold that bike this morning - loved it  (!!) but concluded that, sadly, it was going to be more hassle than it was worth to try to ship/import it to Italy where I'm living now and better to sell it in the US and buy another Guzzi in Italy (hello T3 California!). But Sean and Argo were first rate in my experience.

My (departed) baby:

[AJ Huff]

Thinking about what you want, sounds like you need a motorcycle that comes from a more utilitarian background. You've tried Ural. What about an RE 650 Interceptor?

-AJ

[Dirk_S]

Thinking about what you want, sounds like you need a motorcycle that comes from a more utilitarian background. You've tried Ural. What about an RE 650 Interceptor?

Certainly considered…briefly:

Naked standard—check.
Cheap—check.
Personality—oof.

I’d rather upgrade to a used V7 III than get a new RE INT. But, I suppose the lack of character and refinement ain’t that bad for someone like me who enjoys modifying to personal wants.

I think they weigh about the same, but on the plus side, that steeper rake would mean better sidecar handling (except on highway where wobble might occur).

I was also considering a pre-liquid-cooled Triumph Scrambler. Two are available an hour away for around $4000, although one’s odometer reads just over 50,000 miles. Good looking porky scrambler, though!

[Scout63]

That Scrambler looks great. I wouldn’t kick it out of the garage for eating crackers.