Whats a long time to own a BMW?

[Rocket]

It's always a pleasant experience rolling the bike out onto the drive for the first time in months.

Even though it is still mid-winter, it was on one of the those rare dry, sunny Sundays, and I just couldn't resist.

As I stood back to admire my pride and joy in the sunshine, a bit of a wipe here and a polish there, followed by a "quickie" ride up the street to warm her up and, as luck would have it, my biker neighbour had his 1150R on the drive, being prep'd for its MOT.

Now, I 'm still a "newby" having only bought my silver 07 R12 last May. My good friend informed me that he has owned his 1150R for 8 years (from new), its in daily use and he doesn't intend parting with it.

That seems a long time to me, to have the same bike "in regular use"" but I guess its not exceptional for BMW lifers, and there must come a point where you just can't part with the thing - emotional attachment far outweighing intrinsic value....despite the lack of space in the garage!

So any other examples of long life bikes (bought from new) and still in use today. My guess is that someone on this forum has a bike they bought new in the 70's or 80's that they still ride today. Any stories to tell?

[Caroanbill]

Not me - my longest ownership was my 1985 K100RT - 9 years and 100,000km. Every-other-day commuter for 5 years (duties shared with a 1984 R65LS). My current oldie is a 2004 F650CS - but it's languishing on 30,000km because the R12R gets all the long-distance fun so I'm about to pass it on to my sister (does longevity in one family count?). I had a lovey 1985 R80 mono for 6 years but it was rarely ridden and not got new, so outside your rules.

BUT on Sunday I rode out with Pete to get his bike sorted for veteran registration. Pete's 1972 75/5 has been a regular ride for 35 years. It's had a new petrol tank, new seat (twice), re-painted then powdercoated frame (an unfortunate story involving battery acid), new wiring (twice), a few shock rebuilds (Koni bike shocks are now reborn as IKON and reside in Albury, Australia) ... it still sounds great, thanks to some quirky but aurally gorgeous handmade stainless steel pipes (don't think there ever were any baffles in them). It's had a some periods off the road, but on the whle it has been running solidly all the time I've known it. On a long country run five years ago it announced it had had enough of keeping up with newer bikes and now shares the garage with a Street Triple R, but it still goes out at least once a month. Still looks absolutely original apart from the pipes. Still sounds rorty as hell.

I can't imagine keeing a "brick" as a classic BMW (even though I've owned two). I sometimes think of buying the R80 back (the new owner is in my old club) ....

... but I was musing - as I followed the 1972 75/5 that the R12R is sufficiently classic to keep almost forever. Steel tank, solid frame, few flimsy bits - though maybe I should stock up on some of the plastic bits if they start to show signs of wear or UV damage (though it lives under a cover in a secure garage). I try to keep it looking original - the one non-oem-looking piece I have is the screen (there's an oem one in the cupboard). The biggest mod (Wilbers shocks) aren't obvious and the painted [pannier / topcase lids look like they should always have been that way. I feel this is the bike I've been waiting for since my K100RT wnet in 1994 ... so even after 2 1/2 years, I can't see me parting with this one anytime soon.

[Mollygrubber]

Hmmm, I wish mine sounded 'rorty'... maybe I'll try that no-pipes thing we were discussing a while back.

I plan to keep my bike a good long time. But it will have company.

Peter

[mogu83]

I bought this /5 in 1980, it's been black with a Wixom and Samsonite bags/ blue metallic with no bags or fairing/ back to black with a toaster tank/then to where it is today low bars,rear sets, 2 into one (nice bark to it), five speed, bump seat, a 9.5 Gal. Heinrich and too many other little things to list. The only thing that is totally stock is the front fender.
It was my primary bike for a few years then became a back up for the Guzzi, now it usually gets out once a week for a quick ride or a local BMW rally. I intend to keep it and it will be my LAST bike. It has 170,000 miles on it.
This spring I'll trailer it to Daytona for it's twentieth year on Main Street.

[Mollygrubber]

That's a sweet piece, Harry. Hope mine looks that nice in 30 years...

I wonder how many of the other bikes (I think we all know which ones I mean )at Daytona can claim more than 170,000 miles?

[tinytrains]

Well, I bought this 1988 K75 in new February 1989. 21 years ago. From the same dealer and person I bought the 12R from. It still runs great, but it was getting a little old for daily freeway commuting.

Scott

Recent photo.

[Caol]

I'm more in with Scott. I had a '87 K75T that I bought new in '89 and rode it 'til '07 when I bought the R12R. The guy I sold the K75T to is still riding it, but I think he washed the dead bug collection off! I think I got about 140,000km on it, but that's only an estimate +/-10% 'cause the speedo died somewhere in '03 and I used an eTrex GPS unit as my speedo until the end.

Hoping to get something on the order of 20yrs out of the R12R, then I'll move to a Honda 90 step through (SuperCub??) and then if you don't like my riding style, stay off the sidewalks!

Kyle

[dav]

My '81' R65 has been in the family for close to 25yrs. The old man bought it, rode it daily to work, then rebuilt it. Then i bought it of him, it was my only transport for many yrs. I dont plan to ever sell the R65 but the R1200R should have a good run, hopefully 10 or so yrs.

[Rocket]

... but I was musing - as I followed the 1972 75/5 that the R12R is sufficiently classic to keep almost forever. Steel tank, solid frame, few flimsy bits - though maybe I should stock up on some of the plastic bits if they start to show signs of wear or UV damage (though it lives under a cover in a secure garage). I try to keep it looking original - the one non-oem-looking piece I have is the screen (there's an oem one in the cupboard). The biggest mod (Wilbers shocks) aren't obvious and the painted [pannier / topcase lids look like they should always have been that way. I feel this is the bike I've been waiting for since my K100RT wnet in 1994 ... so even after 2 1/2 years, I can't see me parting with this one anytime soon.

..you will be getting on a bit if you beat 35 years though ...and highly unlikley to be able to get your leg over
........the bike, that is

[Rocket]

I bought this /5 in 1980, It has 170,000 miles on it.
This spring I'll trailer it to Daytona for it's twentieth year on Main Street.

Wonderful story, Harry. 30 years is a very, very, very long time to own the same bike. Kids are born , grow up, leave home and have their own kids in less time.
That is one treasured posession, I bet. You must be very proud of it.

[motoracer8]

I have a 1975 R76/6 that I bought new, it has 168,000 miles on it and runs fine. I also have a 1968 R60/2, my dad bought it new and when he passed away the machine came home with me, it has just alittle over 20,000 miles on it. It lives in the den.

Ken G.

[dumfounded]

It lives in the den.

I think I'd end up living in the garage before this would happen! Then again, I could think of worse places... Peter, we have a great marketing tool here for Wunderlich to use with the motorcycle turntable. They can surely get more than $299 for it now!

[celticus]

I bought this /5 in 1980, it's been black with a Wixom and Samsonite bags/ blue metallic with no bags or fairing/ back to black with a toaster tank/then to where it is today low bars,rear sets, 2 into one (nice bark to it), five speed, bump seat, a 9.5 Gal. Heinrich and too many other little things to list. The only thing that is totally stock is the front fender.
It was my primary bike for a few years then became a back up for the Guzzi, now it usually gets out once a week for a quick ride or a local BMW rally. I intend to keep it and it will be my LAST bike. It has 170,000 miles on it.
This spring I'll trailer it to Daytona for it's twentieth year on Main Street.

Beautiful Harry!! I'd like to see it at a rally.

Mark