R80RT or Connie?

[Limeymike]

I have been out of the bike game for a year or two and have decided I can't just walk away..

So i have 2 opportunities at the right price, they are;

2002 Connie, 38K miles, good condition, no extras,  $ 2300.

1886 R80RT, 50K miles, very good condition, has a Corbin seat, $2500

The kawasaki is a little boring, but bulletproof, The beemer has more character but maybe low on power.


Your thoughts?

Mike.

[Hardware]

I have been out of the bike game for a year or two and have decided I can't just walk away..

So i have 2 opportunities at the right price, they are;

2002 Connie, 38K miles, good condition, no extras,  $ 2300.

1886 R80RT, 50K miles, very good condition, has a Corbin seat, $2500

The kawasaki is a little boring, but bulletproof, The beemer has more character but maybe low on power.


Your thoughts?

Mike.

That's low mileage on that old a bike!

[Limeymike]

Yeah it is low miles, it has dealer history but he just doesn't ride it that much. It has been in storage for the passed 12 months but he does it right, battery tender, drains the fuel, puts a cover on it etc. I am a little leary of a 26 year old bike but maybe I shouldn't be if it has been looked after.

[atadaskew]

That r80rt most probably could be sold for a profit in a few years.
The Connie could be sold for scrap in a few years.

The problem with any 26 year old bike is that unless it has been completely freshened up, the rubber lines on it (fuel, brake etc) need to be changed, and the wiring loom gets extra crispy and brittle.  

[jpaul]

It depends a lot on how the miles were put on the Beemer. If it's been a steady 2K miles every year for 25 years, it may be the better choice, providing you like Beemers. If it hasn't been used much for the last several years there could be a lot of little problems waiting to happen. Motorcycles don't like to sit around unused. I have a 79, an 80, and an 82 Suzuki; I can hardly wait until next year when I will be looking for a newer bike so I don't HAVE to deal with the maintenance on an older machine. I like the older bikes, but I'm getting tired of having them as my only ride.

[Justin]

The Connie might be the more mechanically sound of the two given the age of the BMW. But I'd still go with the beamer - it's a cool bike.

[Hardware]

 

I even but the year in bold...

 

[Dan K]

 

I even but the year in bold...

 

You PUT the year in bold?  We all make mistakes.  He didn't catch it.



ANYWAY - Go for the Beemer.  For $200 more bucks, you may be getting some maintenance issues, but it's a much cooler bike.  If you are doing mostly highway miles, then MAYBE the Connie, but if you're just getting a bike to cruise around on once in a while, for sure the Beemer.

- Dan

[tvpierce]

I just came from a '99 Connie.

The Connie will be less expensive to own/maintain, and will not likely require maintenance as frequently -- which means you'll be riding more, and wrenching less.  There are a couple of mods you can make to the Connie that really wake it up -- enough so you can pull the front wheel off the ground in second gear @ 5k rpm -- it really can be a very sporty big bike.  Performance-wise, the Connie will blow my BMW off the road.

Having said all that, I'm currently riding a '96 R1100RT and the Connie has a new owner... and I've very happy with my decision.

[Limeymike]

I just came from a '99 Connie.

The Connie will be less expensive to own/maintain, and will not likely require maintenance as frequently -- which means you'll be riding more, and wrenching less.  There are a couple of mods you can make to the Connie that really wake it up -- enough so you can pull the front wheel off the ground in second gear @ 5k rpm -- it really can be a very sporty big bike.  Performance-wise, the Connie will blow my BMW off the road.

Having said all that, I'm currently riding a '96 R1100RT and the Connie has a new owner... and I've very happy with my decision.

Oh boy Ty, that sums up the whole dilema. Thanks, I think.

[Limeymike]

 

I even but the year in bold...

 

Yep, caught that. 1986, wasn't that the year of the first Back To The Future movie? Puts the bikes age in context.

[Limeymike]

ANYWAY - Go for the Beemer.  For $200 more bucks, you may be getting some maintenance issues, but it's a much cooler bike.  If you are doing mostly highway miles, then MAYBE the Connie, but if you're just getting a bike to cruise around on once in a while, for sure the Beemer.

- Dan


I am not the Ironbutt type, a few weekend runs to rallies/camping and then local routes on Sundays, that type of riding.

Thanks again for your ideas.

Mike..

[jfurf]

For around town? Go with the Bavarian.

For touring on? Have fun getting stranded on yer antique BMW!  

I love old bikes. My old man has a ton of them (especially from the late 70s and early 80s) and I ride them whenever I can... but they WILL strand you. It's no big deal if you're 10 miles away, but if you're three states away....

[Hardware]

You PUT the year in bold?  We all make mistakes.  He didn't catch it...

   I did...

[cbsnbiker]

Which bike do you find more comfortable? How about your passenger, if any?

The R80 will definitely be down on power compared to the Connie. It's certainly adequate, but not a barnstormer.

There's strong support for the airheads, and parts are readily available. I'll let others answer about the Connie.

I have heard that not all BMW dealers will still service airheads, so if you don't do your own work you'll want to make sure that you have a good shop nearby. (My local dealer is happy to work on them.)

[cruisin]

I don't think you can go wrong with either bike.  I don't know much about the connie, but have quite a bit of experience with the beemers.  As for an '86 R80 leaving you stranded, if it has been properly maintained, you should be able to ride across the country with no worries.  If not, then you may need to take a look at some of the typical things already mentioned, rubber tubing, wiring harness, etc.  I acquired a '79 R80 (with 36K on the odo) a few years ago that had sat for nearly six years without being started.  I filled the cylindars with automatic transmission fluid and let it sit for a couple of weeks while I worked on other stuff, like brake lines, carbuerators, frame mods, etc.  Once it was all back together and properly tuned, I put a new battery in and she started up on the first attempt.  Of course with the ATF left that I could not blow out by cranking it over with the plugs out, it smoked like and locomotive for a few miles but ran perfectly.  The only item that gave me problems after that was the alternator, but I easily found a replacement online and all is good now.

As others have stated, the connie will probably out perform the beemer but if you plan on keeping your choice around for a while, the beemer will likely be worth more in a few years and the connie will not.  Something else to consider is that if you get the passion back and want to upgrade to a higher performance bike, the R80 makes a pretty good second bike and is great fun if set up as a cafe' racer.  Here's my "cafe' racer" R80 with the small Wixom bags.  It is a hoot to ride and causes a crowd to gather everywhere I go with it.

edited to add:  If you want to compare prices; take a look at the IBMWR airheads section. $2500 is probably a pretty fair price for a running R80.

[cruisin]

thx    

[ConPilot1]

*FAP*FAP*FAP*FAP

Beautiful old BMW.  
That's gorgeous.



I'll throw in my .02 as a C10 owner, If the R80RT is in good running and cosmetic shape, and you don't mind futzing around with it once in a while I'd go for that for 2500.
Definitely more character and basically a collectible bike right now. You won't lose a dime at that price down the road if you sell. I'd say it's more of a fun, unique bike for bopping around
or a little touring. Unless I had a credit card with a big limit I'd be leery of taking it across country but then again airheads do it all the time.

If you're looking for a 2-up pack mule, or a low-maintenance stone reliable mile eater that you basically don't have to mess with go for the Connie.
The Connie will have a shitload more power and slab-speed grunt and will outperform the old BMW in most every category, especially if it's got some
of the common suspension and braking mods.

[axelwik]

I had an '83 R100RT back in the 80s. Good bike for its time, but if it was me I'd go for the Connie. More power, smoother engine, a lot newer, and probably less will go wrong. Despite the low miles that BMW is a bit long in the tooth.

[cruisin]

  I'm having trouble understanding why so many are saying you will have to work on the beemer all the time or that it will leave you stranded.  My old R75/6 never required any maintenance other than tune-ups, fluids and tires on schedule.  I drove it just a little over 50,000 miles in the five years I owned it and never had a single mechanical failure on the road or anywhere else for that matter.  There are lots of airheads out there with over 100K miles that are still running strong.  I'm betting the R80 you are looking at can easily make that mileage and more.

[gradus]

At some point in my life I'd snatch up that BMW and turn it into a beautiful cafe bike similar to cruisin's.  

[Kneescrubber]

  I'm having trouble understanding why so many are saying you will have to work on the beemer all the time or that it will leave you stranded.  My old R75/6 never required any maintenance other than tune-ups, fluids and tires on schedule.  I drove it just a little over 50,000 miles in the five years I owned it and never had a single mechanical failure on the road or anywhere else for that matter.  There are lots of airheads out there with over 100K miles that are still running strong.  I'm betting the R80 you are looking at can easily make that mileage and more.

 


I bought a 4 year old '83 R80ST with 8008 miles on it. Rode it until '98 and it had just under 99k. I sold it because I needed the money. I'm still beating myself over the head for that.  

[JonS]

The Beemer. I wouldn't even think twice. This picture tugs at my rider heart.

[SoCalFJR]

I flogged a C10 2001 Connie for maybe 50K on the brutal commute out here in Kalee.......as all old Connie owners know, every nut bolt and tupperware screw that wasn't loctited fell off, broke, or fractured at a fairly regular rate.  Other than that tho, the screw type valve adjusters made it somewhat user friendly if you kept the gaskets lined up.  But like others, after it's all said and done........the BMW will be a collectible in a few years if you treat it right,  and the Connie will be recycled into beer cans.  

[919]

you know you want the BMW, just buy it, go over it or pay someone else to, then ride the wheels off it.

[Limeymike]

  I'm having trouble understanding why so many are saying you will have to work on the beemer all the time or that it will leave you stranded.  My old R75/6 never required any maintenance other than tune-ups, fluids and tires on schedule.  I drove it just a little over 50,000 miles in the five years I owned it and never had a single mechanical failure on the road or anywhere else for that matter.  There are lots of airheads out there with over 100K miles that are still running strong.  I'm betting the R80 you are looking at can easily make that mileage and more.

I agree, a well set up and maintained R80 should be reliable. The Connie is more the left brain decision and the BMW a right brain decision. My wife put it best when she said which one will you enjoy the most? and which one would you regret not buying the most?. I'm going to check out the BMW next week.

Thanks for everyone's input, I'll keep you updated on progress.

[Pat S.]

Years ago I got an opportunity to ride an R100S and R80RT. The power of the R100 was acceptable, the R80 even ridden solo was dismal at best. If you can live with the dismal performance of the R80, buy it.

    I also owned a new Concour in 1990. The performance level between the two is very different. The Concours is a sport car and the R80 a 4 door, 6 cylinder family sedan. If you ride a motorcycle to get smile when you twist the grip buy the Concour. If performance isn't important buy the Beemer. If future resale is a factor the BMW will have an edge.

                                                                          Pat

[ConPilot1]

Years ago I got an opportunity to ride an R100S and R80RT. The power of the R100 was acceptable, the R80 even ridden solo was dismal at best. If you can live with the dismal performance of the R80, buy it.

    I also owned a new Concour in 1990. The performance level between the two is very different. The Concours is a sport car 1982 Crown Victoria and the R80 a 4 door, 6 cylinder family sedan. If you ride a motorcycle to get smile when you twist the grip buy the Concour. If performance isn't important buy the Beemer. If future resale is a factor the BMW will have an edge.

                                                                          Pat

FXT.  

[Roadhound]

I rode BMW airheads from 1977 thru 1989 an R75/5, a R90/6, R100S.and 2 R100RS. I've been riding Concours ever since, IMO if you really to hit the road and ride, buy the Concours, solid
dependable scoots which with a few cheap aftermarket items can be made to handle and stop very well. I've owned a 1986, a 2000, and now ride a 2006, I've enjoyed all 500,000+ miles I've racked up between the 3 of them.  Just don't buy one that has been owned by the Frenchman.

[Kneescrubber]

 

Last I saw it, it was owned by a guy who also owned a Road King. It had 69xx miles on it when I unloaded it. He said he put about 300 on it and couldn't wait to get rid of it. It left him stranded a couple of times.

I'm sure he was talking about the Harley.





 

[ConPilot1]

Never understood how a descendent of Gimli could handle one of those tall top heavy bitches anyway.  

Yeah they are pretty unreliable. My kickstand was getting sticky from all the mud and I had to spray WD-40 on the pivot today.

Fucking Connies.

[cbsnbiker]

Here are a couple other considerations:

Do you plan to operate the bike using a bunch of electrical accessories, such as heated grips, aftermarket lights, heated vest, etc.? The R80 has a 280 watt alternator. You can run a heated vest, but I wouldn't run too much more. I don't know how powerful the alternator is in the Connie, but I assume it's higher.

What are the load ratings on the two bikes? That's a factor if you plan to carry a passenger and/or lots of cargo.

Finally, if you've had some down time, consider signing up for an MSF BRCII (formerly known as ERC) course. It would be a great way to get used to your new bike and brush up on some rusty skills.  

[ConPilot1]

Here are a couple other considerations:

Do you plan to operate the bike using a bunch of electrical accessories, such as heated grips, aftermarket lights, heated vest, etc.? The R80 has a 280 watt alternator. You can run a heated vest, but I wouldn't run too much more. I don't know how powerful the alternator is in the Connie, but I assume it's higher.

What are the load ratings on the two bikes? That's a factor if you plan to carry a passenger and/or lots of cargo.

Finally, if you've had some down time, consider signing up for an MSF BRCII (formerly known as ERC) course. It would be a great way to get used to your new bike and brush up on some rusty skills.  

I'm not sure of the wattage output of the Connie, but I've run my Gerbings, gloves, GPS, and auxiliary 55w driving lights all at the same time without a problem.
The only time you see a noticeable drop on the voltage meter is when I have all that shit on, stopped at a red light with the high beams on and maybe a turn signal blinker going.

[sagerat]

I had a '74 R90/6 that I put 3K on back when I had a four-bike stable and I've put a couple of hundred miles on first-gen Connies.  The Connies can buzz and the exhaust note is out of "The Jetsons" but even with all that, I'd go with the Connie over the airhead.  

[Limeymike]

I had a '74 R90/6 that I put 3K on back when I had a four-bike stable and I've put a couple of hundred miles on first-gen Connies.  The Connies can buzz and the exhaust note is out of "The Jetsons" but even with all that, I'd go with the Connie over the airhead.  

No, the St1300 'owns' the Jetsons sound, very sad.

[DeansZG]

 Bought my '99 C10 brand new back in '99, it now has almost 150k on it. I don't buy my bikes for investments, I buy them to ride/enjoy them!
Sold an '80 R100RT beforehand, owning it about 3 yrs... Happiest day of my BMW ownership was when I sold it. Fine german engineering my ass! Piss poor performance, it spark knocked even though I ran a half tank of hi-octane race gas every other fill up, irregardless of timing & valve clearance settings, not real accomodating for two-up touring, excessive fork dive under heavy braking(real exciting during the nite rides through the twisty stuff), darn near blistered my ankles during stop-n-go traffic one 90+ degree day, very seldom was fuel mileage over 40....... The one positive thing was; it sure LOOKED nice!

[Dragonknee]

I had a Bmw Rt 100 and being 6'1" tall and weighing 240 the bike was just to small for me... Ive had 3 connies and they have their faults but seem to be able to do all that is asked of them. I can ride the corners and take my wife with me and load it up with stuff and ride all day on it.. Im looking for another one....Bmw stands for barvarian mechanic wanted...not really.... just kidding... Either way you should enjoy either choice

[photojojo]

I had a 78 R100 that had 180,000 miles on it when I upgraded. I've had a few bikes since then, some airheads, some not. The airheads are definitely different and almost always a conversation starter so it really just boils down to what you want to do. FWIW I sust bought an ST1100 and am VERY happy with it.

[sagerat]

No, the St1300 'owns' the Jetsons sound, very sad.

The ST13 doesn't make any sound.  Every time I ride my buddy's I catch myself doing 20 mph+ more than I thought I was doing.