BMW Airhead Road Trip: DC to Savannah

[@bunshoft]

Thanks for taking us along on another true adventure. I appreciate how you worked through the mechanical issue, improvising a temporary solution and making it to Boxerworks. It's nice to be a part of a airhead family no matter where you find yourself.

[@ihutch92]

I only worked through it with some help haha. Like you said, nice to be a part of the group when you’re stuck! :)

[@sillybirdy1994]

These videos are seriously criminally under-watched and appreciated. I love how much effort you put into editing and talking through this. I'm 28 and am saving up to buy one of these airheads later this year, and I'm living vicariously through you in these videos. Keep making them! There's lots of folks like me who love watching this stuff :)

[@ihutch92]

Hell yeah, you’ll be one of us soon! There’s such a great community around them, you’ll meet all sorts of characters by dint of owning one of these machines haha

[@tonnynijholt7090]

Totally agree with this. Found your videos when looking into airheads! Dreaming of trading in my Tracer 700 for a R80GS 🤗. Your videos bring such calmness and I can’t wait for myself to start planning these kind of trips to get away from all the routines of life at home. Keep it up, I’m going to watch your latest video now 👌🏻

[@MichaelFrandsen911]

I ride a Moto Guzzi MGX-21, while it is not a airhead, I do appreciate your ride. I live in Northern California. I have ridden up to the Canadian border, up to Mt. Rainier, and enjoyed the freedom of riding. Love your storytelling. I am envious of your eloquence in your words and videography, I would like to video my rides, but lack the skill to make a coherent video. I ride for the solitude and pure joy of riding, it gives me the stress release I need from my job as a trauma RN. Keep riding and sharing the joys and beauty of the ride. PS. I too only use the Aeropress, except I use the Jetboil for my stove, it is the best portable coffee maker.

[@ihutch92]

Thanks man! I do love the aeropress, it’s a good coffee machine for the road for sure. And I’m glad you find that solace in riding, I can only imagine it’s hard to disconnect and relax with a job like that. Thanks for doing it though, folks like you do important work. 🤝

[@keithallan8200]

As usual, beautifully filmed, gentle and captivating.

[@ihutch92]

Very kind of you. :)

[@wltrlg]

So nice these kind of adventures on a charming classic motorcycle, rather then the cold modern tech-loaded new ones. Enjoyed the video!

[@ihutch92]

Keepin’ it simple’s the way to go. 🫡

[@patryk65]

Another relaxing and entertaining video! Love the purple socks, Spark Plug Wire Boy! :-)

[@ihutch92]

Clean socks are the most important part of a travelers wardrobe 🧦

[@JoshGilley]

my wife and I love Savannah. I have also been to Brewer Cycles many times.

[@hansmonitio7462]

Love these video’s ! Riding an airhead is a nice and easy way to travel. Old bikes have issues from time to time. The upside is that you can usually fix it yourself and sometimes you need a little help from your friends. Can hardly wait for the next video.

[@billfish5913]

I have a 1986 BMW R80RT. The nice thing about a bike without a computer and all kinds of tech is, you can usually figure out a way to keep your bike going until you can gets some proper help. The new bikes with loads of tech either work or they don’t. And when they don’t you have to pay big $$ to have a shop hook it to a computer to figure out what is wrong. And then charge more money to fix it. Tech is nice when it works and a PITA and expensive when it doesn’t. IMHO. That said, I have a new truck and a new SUV that have tech. I don’t trust them. But I’m 70, I like what is familiar. Keep the shiny side up!😎

[@ihutch92]

Yup, being a stingy DIY bastard is the character trait that’s helped me most in keeping this thing running hehe. Ride safe!

[@naradm3945]

An airhead adventure with mechanical challenges adds to the excitement and memories. Thanks for sharing.

[@toddtonis]

Great video Ian. It's always comforting to find good people along the way who are ready to help when you need it. What year is your bike? I have a '78 R100S and I'll probably never get rid of it. One of the best bikes I've had that seems to have a soul.

[@ihutch92]

It really is! One of the best things about the airhead community. :) And mine's a 1980.

[@onefastmini]

@toddtonis I just bought a 78 R100S from the original owners widow, it's been a dream bike of mine since watching a childhood friends dad on his. I love hearing people tell how they love them, it helps with the anticipation to ride it once the restoration is complete.

[@richardsalsman1069]

Great vid! Oxford heated grips, just put a set on my R100. Solution to cold wet hands

[@ihutch92]

@@richardsalsman1069 I’ve considered those before, not sure how much I can load my feeble charging system with though haha

[@angof]

Fantastic video, thanks for taking us along.

[@dennismorey2320]

I've had a 78 r65 for 30 yrs. Great bike

[@jaapbruijn1300]

We were in Savannah in 1997. loved it.

[@ihutch92]

It’s a beautiful city!

[@Woutair]

From another young silver R65 rider across the Atlantic pond; incredibly good videos! Keep it up; this low amount of subscribers and this good quality is unheard of!

[@danielbarnes6025]

Keep up the great content, love watching your travels ,especially with it being on an old air head ,always adding to the adventure 😀

[@frfrpr]

I’ve always wanted a R65. Being able to “ride along” with someone who has one has been great. Well written and well filmed journey. Thanks!

[@ihutch92]

Hopefully it inspires you to get one! :) glad you enjoyed it.

[@p4pacrust]

So cool to see you make it all the way down to athens and teach me about such a cool place even after i lived there for years gotta add a counter to these videos to see how many times "local" is said lol

[@ihutch92]

@@p4pacrust yeah, those guys are awesome! And hehe okay okay I’ll break out the thesaurus hahah

[@jamesmorris9056]

Nicely done! Very much enjoyed riding along.

[@jdsalinger73]

5:36 love the lines of the exhaust pipes

[@CAP10CAVEMAN]

When you exit Skyline at Thornton's Gap, recommend lunch at "The Corner Store" in Sperryville. There is also a brewery across the street and Copper Fox distillery just down 211.

[@ihutch92]

Always love a good recommendation, I’ll have to check it out. :)

[@terencehamill4192]

Great report, really enjoyed it. Thanks for taking the time to put this together!

[@patrickposey5284]

I was wondering when you were going to wake up the R65. Thanks for bringing us along on another journey. Our north Georgia mountains are very entertaining even for old airheads. Cheers

[@DispatchMoto]

Ian, this was great. I love a good road trip video. I'm in North Florida and would have loved to drive up to Savannah, also documenting the adventure. If you ever want to something collaborative like that in the future, let me know. Always looking for the next adventure.

[@ihutch92]

I’ll hit you up next time I’m down that way. :)

[@rickz9495]

Love your video's, makes me want to do another road trip on mine. My 86 r65 had a horrendous cold start isue right before a 2200km road trip lol, So i know your pain. atleast mine stayed runing. turned out to be a slightly broken ignition coil(the infamous gray coil).

[@jdbmoto]

Have a 1250gsa and have been looking at getting one of these old airheads. What a great video and series. Thanks for sharing.

[@ihutch92]

Can't speak highly enough of them, if nothing else because of the great community around them!

[@jettaylor1286]

I recently bought a 1995 R100RT Classic precisely because of the LACK of technology. It seems manufacturers today don't want us to be able to do any mechanical services ourselves. My BMW is approaching 50,000 miles so i know it needs rebuilding and i will have a professional do the work so it will become my primary, if not my only bike. I am approaching 70 myself and the simplicity of an air-cooled bike is very appealing to me. My rear brake drum is past its service limit so i guess i need a new wheel too. Thank you for your channel and stories. New subscriber.

[@mark-lj5dc]

Really enjoyed this. Thanks for going to the trouble of making it - hope the new job is going well

[@ihutch92]

no trouble at all, I find the process soothing. :) And it is, thanks for the note!

[@denox420]

youtube recommended this to me right before my big motorcycle trip i'm about to set out on next week! it's got me so pumped! stay safe out there!

[@ihutch92]

Hell yeah! Have a safe trip!

[@tomcutter-d2o]

What a surprise to randomly stumble upon your video! I was further shocked to see myself in it! Thank you for visiting, (sorry for the potty mouth.)

[@ihutch92]

Oh that’s fun! Who are you?

[@tomcutter1069]

@@ihutch92 Tom Cutter...

[@tomcutter1069]

@@ihutch92 Tom Cutter here...

[@stevep9739]

You have an air of petrolicious about your videos,as someone else has mentioned its criminal how few subscribers and views you have. The highest rating of one particular vlog has "BMW R65 Airhead" in the title,perhaps if this were headed on your next videos there may be more hits,I'm thinking out loud here. None the less they're Beautifully presented and I have subscribed,From over the pond!

[@ihutch92]

That’s high praise, I appreciate it! And you might be right, I may have to try some different titles. I have a trip planned to Michigan later this year, we’ll see. :)

[@francescosalvioli]

Hi Ian, as usually, my very best compliments to you for the rides you're uploading on KZbin...i just bought a book with suggested trips in Tuscany - Italy and i would do some of these next summer...with my bike, is not an airhead but a K75 will be fun however! thanks again! keep riding

[@arthurcayer6630]

Good stuff.

[@onefastmini]

Great video, Ian. I live in central North Carolina and have been to or around all the places you've visited here, but sadly not on a bike as I tend to head west to the Smokey Mountains or north into the wonderful little southwest corner of Virginia. If you haven't been to West Virginia yet, it's definitely worth a trip. I've only done weekend trips with lodging but plan on some 3-4 day adventures with camping this summer.

[@ihutch92]

I was just riding through WV a few months ago! Beautiful riding, though I did get caught in some nasty weather haha

[@Chaziedaa]

LOVE these videos. i’ve got an old R65 and want to go on a trip this summer. Just wondering what essential tools etc. you take with you on your trips to make sure youre able to sort any issues with the bike?

[@ihutch92]

Hell yeah, take it out there! It belongs on the road. :) I have a toolkit that I’ve built that I keep on the bike. I’ve built it by doing all my maintenance and keeping the tools I use (bar large, special ones) in my tool roll. It’s wrenches, screwdriver heads, Allen keys, a little ratchet and some sockets, pliers, etc. I also pack spare fuses, electrician tape, zip ties, loctite, patch kit and tire irons, a small compressor, and some other assorted spare parts like points and a few different nuts and bolts. And then of course, the most versatile roadside tool, the phone and credit card combo lol. Let me know if you end up out by DC, we’ll have to meet up!

[@Chaziedaa]

@@ihutch92 Wicked thanks man!! Gunna have to start building my toolkit in preparation! Also desperately need to get an oil leak on the drive shaft sorted asap! Very new to the biking world so trying to learn fast!

[@ihutch92]

@@Chaziedaa honestly the best advice I can give you is to join a club! I like ABC (airheads.org) because it’s cheap, $30/year. It gets you access to a directory of all club members and a bunch of local events. Going to a tech day is so great, you meet loads of airhead owners who know absolutely everything about these machines. One of the best things about airheads is the community, take advantage of it!

[@T7_XR]

What is the Irish link? I've seen an O'Neill's sweater and pretty sure I heard you say "banjaxed" in one of your videos! Love the all the videos BTW! I have a 78 R100RS but not many airheads to be found on this island!

[@ihutch92]

Haha wherever you go around the world, you’ll find a lad in a county jersey! My mom’s from Roscommon, but I actually play hurling here in the states, the O’Neills top is from my club, DC Gaels. :)

[@T7_XR]

@@ihutch92 Ah she cant be from Roscommon cos they don’t even have a maternity hospital 😜 it’s a small world! and crazy to hear there are hurling teams abroad! Looking forward to the next upload 👍

[@ihutch92]

@@T7_XR it was right on the Longford border in fairness! More coming lasted this month hopefully! :)

[@ryanpatton2013]

You inspired me to get my own R65 from 83! I’m fixing it all up myself and I was wondering what handlebars do you have? Mine are very narrow. I figured they were stock but now I don’t know. Great videos and big thanks from VA

[@ihutch92]

That’s awesome! :) so the handlebars came in two varieties, there’s a high and a low. You probably have the high ones, they sweep back further. You can search for low, or low euro bars, should be able to find them. If you swap them though, be mindful of your cables, I think some of the cables are actually specific to the style of bars you’ve got. And what part of Virginia are you in? There’s a few of the airheads guys around VA who are very helpful in case you end up needing tools or advice. :)

[@ryanpatton2013]

@@ihutch92ahh okay I’ll start looking around. Thanks! I just moved to Roanoke from VT. I’d been also following Gold Stroke/Boxer Works on IG for awhile now so it was cool seeing you guys meet up. I’ve been mainly working and riding on vintage mopeds up until now. Still not used to the weight difference yet haha and the R65 needs some tlc. I’ll definitely start looking for some local help this weekend

[@dougmarlow4626]

You should always bring a spare plug wire. That will ensure that you won’t have a plug wire failure and something else that you don’t have a part for will. 😂

[@ihutch92]

I’ve learned my lesson with this one haha I keep more spares on me now

[@marylandflyer5670]

Love this trip but there’s no way I would ride that far without a windshield of some sort.

[@ihutch92]

I almost always just use state roads and backroads, so around 55 I find it pretty manageable! Highway is miserable though for sure.

[@dasboototto]

Mobil 1 Vtwin is fine for airheads and you can get it at your local auto store.

[@ihutch92]

I think that’s synthetic though, I stick to dino. I’ve become a Castro GTX guy, also can be found at the local store! :)

[@dasboototto]

@@ihutch92 Just make sure its SH or SG compliant. You need the old ratings for the lifters. I have a R90S, a R50/5 and a friend is going to give me his R80ST when I get the chance to go get it. I'm envious of the riding on the east coast.

[@pookiewookie7679]

What's your bike's comfortable cruising speed on the highway? At what rpm?

[@ihutch92]

It’ll fairly happily do 75 at roughly 5k rpm or so? The bike is perfectly happy at that speed, it’s just the rider getting the crap beat out of them that’s the impediment to that speed haha

[@exc911ence_channel]

What tent are you using? Must be fairly lightweight to carry on the bike?

[@ihutch92]

Pretty sure it’s a cheapo special I got from Dick’s haha. I recently got a Lunar Solo though, and it’s been great, packs super light and small!