What kind of bike is the BMW R65?
Though, for an older bike, the R90 is still a relatively big bike. During my search for an excellent condition R90, I found something which seemed glaringly perfect, a 1980 BMW R65. The R65, the very light, smaller sibling to the R90, was produced for just a few years.
What’s the stroke to bore ratio of a BMW R65?
The R65 is not a short rod motor. It has almost the exact rod length ratio as a R100. I believe a R100 RLR is 1.91:1 and a R65 is 1.92:1 which is a RCH LONGER rod in relationship with the stroke. The R65 has a shorter stroke but, again, the stroke to bore ratio is EXACTLY the same as a R100’s at 1.33:1.
What kind of springs are in a BMW R65?
A batch of early R65s had weak gear lever return springs. A mate of mine had one and it went ping as he was on his way to the Bol d’Or at Paul Ricard. He made it to the South of France and back two-up, permanently stuck in fourth, and had to slip the clutch to 35 mph.
Are there any problems with the BMW 65?
A few suffered from gearbox whines but again, that was a problem that other BMWs suffered as well. It was usually a manufacturing rather than design fault. First off, forget the R45 unless you just want basic wheels and are skint. The 65 is the one to have.
Though, for an older bike, the R90 is still a relatively big bike. During my search for an excellent condition R90, I found something which seemed glaringly perfect, a 1980 BMW R65. The R65, the very light, smaller sibling to the R90, was produced for just a few years.
A batch of early R65s had weak gear lever return springs. A mate of mine had one and it went ping as he was on his way to the Bol d’Or at Paul Ricard. He made it to the South of France and back two-up, permanently stuck in fourth, and had to slip the clutch to 35 mph.
A few suffered from gearbox whines but again, that was a problem that other BMWs suffered as well. It was usually a manufacturing rather than design fault. First off, forget the R45 unless you just want basic wheels and are skint. The 65 is the one to have.
Is the BMW R80 as fast as the R45?
It was effectively as fast as the R80 but it just lacked a vital amount of oomph. In 1981 it got it. In common with all the then BMW flat twins, BMW went on a weight-saving exercise. They junked the old heavy flywheel in favour of a lighter unit and other pruning lopped an amazing 20kg off the weight.