1980 BMW R65: The Everyman's Airhead

[@altoncrane9714]

My touring buddy and best friend( RIP Dennis ) rode one of these back in the mid to late 80's in B.C. Canada. It was well suited to him, and we traded rides a few times. I am 68 years old and a life long rider since 13, had many, many bikes, and must say the 81 R 65 was boring to ride. But it was nice to know that my friend was on a reliable machine, as he rode very, very not-so-great, and I only had to worry about his riding, not his ride.

[@ihutch92]

Sorry he’s no longer riding with us. :( You’re not wrong though, it’s not a fast or exciting bike! But it gets you amiably from place to place and that’s all I need. :) ride safe!

[@JR-bj3uf]

I worked as a mechanic at a BMW dealership in the 80s. There were great little bikes except they seemed to have clutch trouble and they were hard on timing chains. We had a customer come through on an R45. She was riding around the US and had shipped her bike, an R45, over from Switzerland. She was not even a quarter into her trip and that little under powered bike was worn out. She had been trashing it hard. The timing chain was shot, the rods had lose big ends, and the pistons rattled. My boss did the work for free to get her back on the road. He swapped out some 650 cylinders (they fit and I have no idea where he got them.) and he fixed the rod knock. She sent us a nice letter detailing her trip when she got home.

[@ihutch92]

I think I'm due to replace my timing chain sometime here soon as well, it's only got 40K on the clock, but the idle is a bit uneven, though it runs like a top at speed. Love to hear stories of shops getting roadtrippers back on the road though. :)

[@JR-bj3uf]

@@ihutch92 If you need a timing chain it will let you know. It will be noisy and cluck and slap.

[@paulcrackton7064]

I never thought I’m gonna drive a r65 or even a bmw. But one came to me. sitting in my street for six years never been driven. The owner gave it to me for a good price. It’s the most fun bike I ever had. I don’t know why but I love to drive this thing. I think I’m gonna keep it till I die.

[@Spartansrule118]

how is the reliability/maintenance?

[@irenehelsen7666]

In 1979 I took driving lessons on a r45 and r65. Passed my driving test on the r65. Groningen, the Netherlands

[@davidreynolds8054]

An R65 was one of the few motorcycles I bought new. It was smooth and flowed along, it wasn't made to thrash or ra e with. It was a cruiser from which you enjoyed the air passing over you, the smell of ther foadside [ or someones dinner as you passed by]. This was a lovely experience. Unfortunatel, children needed to go to school and thay couldn't all join me on the Beemer, so it got traded for a very ordinary car... So many guys can relate to that!

[@ihutch92]

Shoulda gotten a sidecar for the little ones. :)

[@cayote1]

My cousin has a Motoguzzi 850T with a Russian sidecar. It has a ragtop and two little opera windows! Really kool.@@ihutch92

[@ΚωνσταντινοςΑναγνωστοπουλο-χ2υ]

I was a motorcycle journalist for a few years in Greece and I have to say that you have a talent to make a real motorcycle review…keep doing that..

[@cabbey8374]

Thanks for taking us along for the ride. Your words ring true. Someday, before I’m too old, another airhead will be in my garage.

[@ihutch92]

No time like the present! :)

[@nickwass9700]

I used one of these as my commuter in and out of central London for a long time. Perfect for the job. Simple to maintain and reliable. I miss it even now.

[@ihutch92]

It’s a great commuter bike! I just rode mine in today, a nice ride across the Potomac and past the monuments to get to work in DC. Can’t beat it. :)

[@flyingbrick219]

I have '87 BMW K100 aka Flying brick which was ahead of its time in mid 80's with einspritz, 1000 cc and 90 hp for a naked bike, but these classic boxers are just beautiful machines! 😍

[@oldgreenwichhoney7460]

I love my R65. I have had it for over 24 years. The previous original owner only put 7k miles on it so I have a gem. Perfect for around town and short rides in the country to renew my love for riding.

[@ihutch92]

Glad to hear that others are still out there bringing people joy! :)

[@mcgeemcgee7534]

Ive had my R65 for over 20 years never let me down now only use it for club runs just a nice bike to ride

[@ihutch92]

@@mcgeemcgee7534 they’re a great little work pony

[@dertechniker8867]

After finishing my engineering education I worked in the BMW factory in Berlin-Spandau from 1987 till 1990 and have seen those airheads the whole day. At this time when I was a young man, I hated them. And now, 32 years later, I love them. Nice video - thanks a lot 👍🏻

[@ihutch92]

That’s really cool! I’d love to hear more about what it was like to work at that plant. Would you be open to chatting with me about it sometime?

[@dertechniker8867]

@@ihutch92 hello Ian. Yes sure - feel free to contact me. Greetings from Jörg

[@ihutch92]

@@dertechniker8867 could you send me an email? :) [e-mail]

[@ou7shined972]

Couldn't agree more. I ride an old '83 R80 as my daily - they share many characteristics

[@johneastman1905]

Own a 1984 R65 and ride it weekly through the Maine’s three seasons - Agree totally !

[@Hundaco]

I bought my R65 new in 1984, the last model before the monoshock. I rode the bike around Australia and clocked up over 60,000 kilometres in 4 years touring and commuting. The only issue I had was the original exhaust system rusted out and I replaced it with an after market stainless system. I wish BMW would make a small boxer again.

[@ihutch92]

60k in 4 years! Damn that’s some mileage. I just brought mine back from about 1,200 miles to Michigan and back. Served me loyally the whole way. :)

[@damiancaesar1686]

Loved all my R65s, great memories and kms. Thanks. R80 now keeps me smiling.

[@iangill4410]

I have an R65 live in Barydale in the Western cape South Africa lovely rides around here and love the bike.

[@ihutch92]

Bet you've some stunning scenery out there! Ride safe

[@bengerrits183]

Great video - I own a 1979 R65 with 14k original miles. I'm looking forward to cleaning it up this winter and riding it next year.

[@ihutch92]

Hell yeah, keep ‘em breathing

[@sflexusford]

Had one, a must experience to appricate its uniqueness

[@BeeArtful]

I just bought a black '83 R65, my first BMW, a few weeks ago, and as a woman, its just my size which most airheads aren't. :D It only has $16k orig miles on it and very fun to ride! No big issues so far but trying to trouble shoot why the running and tail lights don't work. The headlight, brake and turn signals work at least but I'd like to ride it on trips and at night so anxious to fix them.

[@ihutch92]

Ooh yeah definitely get that fixed, that could be dangerous haha. I’d recommend joining one of the airhead clubs (MOA, Airheads Beemer Club), lots of folks would probably be happy to help you troubleshoot, could be as simple as replacing a fuse or patching a wire! Check your fuses first-one might be blown. :)

[@BeeArtful]

@ihutch92 I did find one fuse blown but that didn't fix it. Still checking & cleaning all the various connections along the way to the front.

[@BeeArtful]

@@ihutch92 Thanks for the suggestions. We got it sorted out this morning. Checked every connection from front to back, replaced a tail light bulb and both fuses. Also cleaned the contacts on the ignition which was half the issue. Now I just need some cooler weather to ride in! Stay safe.

[@keithallan8200]

What an engaging, relaxing and enjoyable video. Thanks for that.

[@yves2348]

When the BMW R1100R got a little sister, the R850R, it was again proof bigger isn´t always better. The two were identical apart from the cylinder capacity AND a shorter final drive. The result was a bike that was driving way smoother than her big brother and did everything you asked her to do. I drove both, the 850 was absolutely my favorite.

[@madogblue]

Curious what type of riding you do? WHat type of roads?

[@norberthaase1697]

Die Erfahrung habe ich auch gemacht.R850 R läuft ruhiger.

[@hdan1867]

Like all your video's, these are really EPIC. Love to see more in 2024... Cheers, H.

[@ihutch92]

Will do my best to provide more fun stuff this year. :)

[@briangtester2536]

R80/7 owner here. You've got valid a point, and the video's very poetic. the main point though are valid for any newer R 45/65/80/100 :-) love my old clunker (and changing the oil on 4 different compartments (engine, gearbox, drive shaft, and final drive). Best thing though is that the design (aircooled flat twin, shaft drive (crank orientation) still holds in modern Motorcycle design today (R nine T)

[@ihutch92]

The points are indeed valid to all the airheads. :) I think it would be fair to accuse me of favoritism, since this one is the one that sits in my garage.

[@ireneusjustinpolicarp8628]

I love my ‘87 R 65. Great way to escape from everything.

[@girlinagale]

After having no motorbikes for 20 years, just walking and cycling, I got an r65. I left a petrol station, rode for 10 minutes and realised I'd covered 10 miles. I was mind blown after the sedentary pace I was accustomed to.

[@ihutch92]

I love riding my bicycle too, but yeah the motorcycle travel really lights a certain fire that other kinds of transportation just don’t. :)

[@caoimhin7122]

I have ALWAYS wanted one of these. When I first started becoming aware of motorcycles when I was a little kid, these were rolling around brand new, even the older model airhead BMWs were. The BMW R series, the British twins, the Kawasakis imitating the BSAs, the BSAs, Nortons, etc. were my idea of what a motorcycle was. They weren't loud, they were all metal and chrome, smelled of oil, grease, and gasoline. They usually had a dashing young man on them, perhaps going to class at university, going to work, whatever. I fell in love with motorcycles from the moment I saw motorcycles like this. Why can't they make them today? I know it is emissions, and safety regulations. But gosh darn it, engineers are clever people! Surely we can make simple machines that ignite this joy in people in the same way, are easy to repair yourself, and still meet all the regulations! Let's face it, regulating motorcycle emissions is a tiny, miniscule drop in an ocean compared to other modes of transport. Come on BMW, bring back the R65, the R50, the R75! I'd buy one in a heartbeat if they did. And I would ride it until it died or the heat death of the universe, whichever came first. My money is on the universe going first. 😀

[@ihutch92]

I had a similar experience, there was a guy with a silver chrome tank /5 at my university that I would see and that was what first tuned me into airheads especially. :)

[@koreanature]

My best friend, that's a great video. I will always cheer for you in Korea I'm looking forward to a great video. Have a nice day.

[@ihutch92]

감사합니다!

[@joelom]

i had an 82 as my first bike. that thing was so much fun. i miss it so much. and yes, the suspension did have me feeling a little unsafe in corners...and the brakes in general haha

[@ihutch92]

Yeah the brakes don’t inspire confidence haha. I ended up replacing the rear springs and shocks on mine with some Progressives and it definitely was an improvement on corner stability. Still won’t be touching any knees down any time soon though haha

[@rallenrallen]

Nice one! Very tasteful text, picture and narrative.

[@ryankosztya3616]

I have an '81 r65 that is next in line to get up and running later this year. I have gone back to this video many times; in part, inspiration; in part, ratification of my own thoughts on all Airheads that I cannot articulate as well...

[@ihutch92]

If I can provide even a little bit of motivation to keep an old bike on the road, it’s a win. :) Keep ‘em breathing!

[@jamesonpace726]

35 years ago, when I were jest a boy, R65 was the most boring ride ever. I'd kill for 1 now, though....

[@Roger_Ramjet]

Nit quite as boring as the R45...

[@minutepapillon5060]

​​@@Roger_Ramjet c'est ennuyeux pour les fous du guidon .. je roule avec des anciennes tranquillement c'est une philosophie , voir un art de vivre 😉

[@twinphill900]

Enjoyed this video a great deal. It was a pleasure to watch. Subscribed 👍

[@Tod_Unctious]

Nice video, I have the same bike, unmolested and not chopped like so many. I do like a chopped BMW R bike but original is the exception not the norm these days. Thanks for sharing 👍👏👍👏

[@loui260756]

I rode this Bike for over seven years ... Daily, summer and winter ...

[@turkishsilver100]

Nice video. That was my first bmw. Took it from DC to SF. Great ride. Though I could barely keep up in the western states.

[@ihutch92]

That's the dream, the big coast to coast ride! And I'm in DC now, so I may have to recreate your trip some day.

[@jeffhildreth9244]

I have owned 15 BMW bikes to include 2 R69S , 86 Paris DAKAR. My favorite of all was my R60/5. I also owned a MONOSHOCK R65, apparently one of less than 500 brought to the US.

[@ihutch92]

I’ve seen a good few other R65s, but I’ve actually never seen one of the monoshock models!

[@jeffhildreth9244]

@@ihutch92 Extremely rare. Very good bike but not the feel and charm of an R60/5.

[@richardjones7386]

Great vid. I have a 79 R45. They are very characterful bikes. Enjoy

[@kawasaki200z]

Een heel leuk filmpje 👍. Alleen is de achtergrond muziek veel te luid. Ik hoor liever het geluid van de boxer.

[@ihutch92]

Je hebt gelijk! De boxer is de beste muziek.

[@JobeMI6]

What a beautiful bike.

[@kaleuclint]

Best motorcycle I ever owned!

[@philipmarsden7104]

I've had an RS125 Yamaha, a Honda CB400/Four, a BMW R65 and a BMW K100LT. The R65 was by far the most comfortable and most reliable motorcycle I have had. Not the fastest, that was the K100, but you could, and I did, drive the R65 all day with no annoying handlebar vibration at touring speeds (something that plagued the K100). It might have had less torque than the R80, but it could go ''uphill and down dale'' at around 1000rpm in top gear, with a passenger, all day in mountainous landscapes. The only real pain in the a** was to keep the two Bing carburettors synchronised and the manometer I bought made that an easy problem to solve, and the best investment I made.

[@bubot17]

I love the r65, me and my dad are into the older bmw's r69s and older, and we got hold of an r65 i rode it, and it's really nimble feels like a dirt bike, so maybe that's the same reason why the GS the paris dakar the GS models are so popular

[@tractioncontroldelete]

Excellent narrative and nice use of visuals! Really enjoyed this. Liked/Subbed

[@GrumpyIan]

My dad still has his. Sure it's been sitting in the same spot for almost 40 years but so far it seems to be the only thing to fix is the front and throttle being frozen. I'm hoping sometime this year I can get it running

[@ihutch92]

Definitely give it a go! You should join a club like Airheads Beemer Club, it gives you access to a lot of people with a lot of experience working on the bikes. Most of them are happy to exchange help for a few beers, definitely a good community. I've had great experiences with them. :)

[@reggiechin230]

Nice video Ian, thanks for posting it. I have been thinking about a project Airhead, and the R65 sounds like it might be just the model!

[@ihutch92]

Glad you liked it! An R65 would be a good project bike because they’re cheaper to acquire than most airheads...however take in mind that that’s because they are often the oddball bike for parts that fit most airheads. If you get an R65 be prepared to see a lot of parts labeled “except R65”. 😬 just to keep in mind!

[@reggiechin230]

@@ihutch92 - OK, thanks for the good advice!

[@billgreenman3639]

My first bike. Still kinda miss it. Probably helped make me a better rider without me even knowing it.

[@landmarkadventureco.5519]

Beautiful video

[@xXRoyalNiklasXx]

Very Nice Video. I Love the sound of my two bmw’s. My first one a R45 from 1979 and my second Bike is a R65 from 1980. But one thing.. I’m from Germany and I can say the old German bikes are the best and reliable machines.

[@terry5935]

I agree

[@yamyphil]

Unfortunately the newer ones arnt. This was the era the Germans reputation was built on

[@alfred-vz8ti]

a gentleman's bike, often an old gentlemen's bike. low maintenance, adequate performance, great reliability. ah, the money i've wasted learning this reality.

[@moddude101]

Cool video and well said, on sort of the black sheep of the Airheads.

[@jonathan-qf4ws]

Great video! 100% correct. Love my 40 yr r65 to death and the old bastard would probably out live me

[@cemkomsuoglu7919]

Well said. Unfortunately new bikes full of electrical gizmos and makes really difficult , problems to troubleshoot and repair. Also all of them weighs a ton. ( to gs lovers 😭) Oldies are always perfect.

[@alloomis1635]

lessee, smooth, reliable and fast enough for all practical purposes. low maintenance thrown in. there must be a market for that.

[@rensgreuter8152]

Nice video!

[@PabloCruise1]

Bring this bike back!

[@ursus8068]

Nice Video. Thank you for that. A little history lesson though: West Germany still exists. It swallowed former East Germany in 1990. Nowadays Germany is West Germany, we still have the constitution. Keep filming your trips please. The are great to watch.

[@Sassenhaim]

Exactly the same as my father even the aftermarket saddle 😂 He has a windshield though 🤔

[@ihutch92]

I was riding a few days ago when there was a 25mph wind, I definitely wished I had his windshield then!

[@topfell8277]

Same time as the e21 and the e10 2002 ti simple yet good

[@paulbarber4678]

Hello Ian, I just stumbled across your channel and must say I like your style. I like the simplicity of the BMW ( I have a Royal Enfield Interceptor) and your approach to recording your adventures. I just retired and am looking forward to doing the same. I have no idea of what gear I'll need but if you could offer suggestions, that would be awesome. I just subscribed and am looking forward to exploring your channel.

[@ihutch92]

Congrats on your retirement. :) Honestly a good place to start would be a GoPro with a helmet attachment! You can often find them used for good prices online. If you want to record stuff off the bike you could always just got a little tripod to bring along too, no reason you couldn’t use the same camera. I use a digital camera for the camping stuff, but frankly that’s an expensive road to go down haha.

[@cayote1]

I still have my 1981 R65. I bought it new off the showroom floor in 1982. Paid $3750 with a small cafe' fairing. Upgraded it to a leufmeister factory paint match fairing and stiffer springs in the front fork. Also krouser deluxe saddle bags. It has 15K+ on it and I just bought a 1984 R100 so the R65 may have to go. unless I come into a small windfall. If your interested in the R65 let me know. I may cave...LOL

[@ihutch92]

Sounds like a nice bike! I say keep them both :)

[@cayote1]

it is...@@ihutch92

[@frankgoth2334]

spot on !!

[@ttony680]

Dare I say? This video has a bit of @Petrolicious quality about it. Just add some close up’s and slomo shots and it’s there! Perect narrative and easy-to-listen-to voice. Please do give the world some more of these videos!!!

[@ihutch92]

That's high praise! :)

[@gaerlan1946]

Own one exactly like yours, same color with 13k on the odometer. Living in Portland OR does not get much of a chance to ride. I guess being the "runt of the litter" makes it the Rodney Dangerfield of airheads. 'Don't get any respect"

[@shingerz]

Totally agree 👍

[@FrankReis-kj7bg]

This R65 make even more fun with a 860cc-kit (siebenrock) on it. I like the R65 but not the R45 , especially with the 27 hp here in Germany. We called it "Wanderbaustelle" wich translates to a Moving-Construction-Side on a highway.

[@Crowbar6006]

About to pick up a barn find of one of these. Gonna be a garage build. Where can one find the service manual?

[@ihutch92]

Good luck on the rebuild! I got my service manual from the guy I bought it from, but here’s a link you could use, though with the caveat that some things will be different depending on year-they made multiple changes to the design through the years. vintagebmw.org/library_data/Document_WorkshopManual_R45,_R65_English_1982_Airheads_BMW_601ad7b7668b8.pdf

[@Crowbar6006]

@@ihutch92 thank you!

[@eddyvander1835]

I like my r8o..ex policebike

[@bob-o9865]

Hi, nice video. Can these bikes cruise on the freeway?

[@ihutch92]

The bike definitely can, it's quite smooth and comfortable at 75 or so. Problem at that speed is...you're still on a naked bike, getting the crap beaten out of you. I consider that reason enough to stick to back roads, there's usually more to see that way, anyways!

[@kalanisarpi4731]

Well said

[@jameslaughlin3298]

You don’t need a new bike to be happy.

[@robstahl2531]

My 1980 R65 is sitting in my lounge...perfect 'Bike art'......it has 3528 miles on it.......my retirement ride....soon...

[@gaerlan1946]

And I thought my 1980 R65 had low miles at 13K. Yes, I know the feeling. Thanks.

[@norberthaase1697]

​@@gaerlan1946Meine von 81 hat 87800km.Und sie muss heute noch zeigen was sie kann.😊

[@jochenwagner5170]

Perfekt!! Thank you, is this in Maine? I remember Georgia in a boxer motordriven car… Greetings from Germany.

[@ihutch92]

Nope, it’s in Virginia, just outside of DC!

[@jochenwagner5170]

@@ihutch92 beautifull! I love Amerika very much, especially the countrysides. When I’ve been threw I drove an old Harley. It’s been a very great time! Best regards!🤠🐶🚀

[@norberthaase1697]

Gut gemacht.Aber der Tank sieht in der Nähe vom Benzinhahn ganz schlimm aus.

[@richardr9859]

Are you in Northern Virginia? I thought I recognized some of those roads. I have an R65 from 1976. Great video, really captures the spirit.

[@ihutch92]

Yes indeed, a lot of the video is from Turkey Run Park! And really? I thought they didn't introduce the R65 until 1978! Great bikes though. :)

[@richardr9859]

@@ihutch92 I'm sure you're right. It's a /6, anyway.

[@ihutch92]

@@richardr9859 If it's got two wheels and an engine, it's good by me, whatever it is :)

[@MicroageHD]

3:10 Germany (Bundesrepublik Deutschland = BRD) still exists. DDR = Deutsche Demokratische Republik doesn't exist anymore!

[@RogierYou]

Germany a country that no longer exist?????

[@simonchilli2088]

Great pix of the bike...not.

[@ThoralfHooghoff]

West Germany, the Federal Republic of Germany doesn´t exist no longer? Of course it does. You don´t say West Germany anymore, because East Germany, the German Democratic Republic ended existing in 1990 and became part of the Federal Republic of Germany. There is no need to say West Germany any longer because there is no East Germany anymore. 😉

[@ihutch92]

That is a fair point, I suppose! I stand corrected. :)

[@jonm7272]

Had one, would only ever start if the battery was brand new, even the slightest voltage drop and it woukd barely crank over. Sold the useless pile of crap and went back to Japanese bikes that actually worked.

[@BartholomewSmutz]

The R65 is the ugliest BMW ever made. The unsightly design of the gas tank ruins the look of the whole bike. I had a R60/6 that was a much better looking bike.

[@ihutch92]

The ugliest airhead is still prettier than most bike though in fairness. :)

[@BartholomewSmutz]

@@ihutch92 I totally agree but BMW missed the mark with the R65 I think.

[@benjaminwest2281]

I have an 1983 R65. 5.6 gallon fuel tank. I like the large fuel capacity

[@norberthaase1697]

​@@BartholomewSmutzIch liebe meine R65 LS.

[@williammuir638]

When bmw made proper bikes