Is this the Bike that invented Sport Touring ?

We look at Dave's fantastic 1975 Daytona Orange BMW R90S

[@RG-500]

Great video, guys! This is the bike my dad bought new in 1976. He took me for rides when I was 4 or 5 years old. I got to sit on the tank, feet on the carbs and holding on to the handlebar. Years later, after I got my own m/c license I practised on that same bike. My dad passed away in 2020 but our daytona orange R90S is still in the family and it will be forever. Great memories!

[@waveydavey750]

Lovely memories Rolf, glad you enjoyed the video, thanks.

[@peugeoted]

This is such a great review of an iconic motorcycle. I bought my R90/s in 1979 from Gus Kuhn Motorcycles in South London. I rode it around Europe and brought it back to Australia. I still have her and it’s only traveled 51000 miles. My gearbox has /7 internals and drive shaft which makes gearshifts smoother. I’m inspired by your review to get back on the saddle again.

[@billfish5913]

I remember in 1974 going to the Yamaha/BMW dealer to look at Yamahas, and being enchanted by a new Daytona Orange R90S on the showroom floor. I was a college student with new Honda 350, and had fallen in with a BMW group riding from Huntsville to Houston on the highway. I admired the riders and their bikes. So this R90S caught my attention. I still ride my 1986 R80RT. The old Airheads are charming and you can easily maintain them. Congrats on your new bike!😎👍

[@waveydavey750]

Thanks Bill, hopefully rack up some miles on her this Summer, that's what they're for!

[@swampy6194]

I too went to a dealer, but to buy a John Player Norton Special. They showed me the groundbreaking new '75 R90S & explained all the mods & updates. The JPNS just couldn't match the R90Ss specs. So I bought the best bike I have ever owned, the R90S.

[@BreakStuffClub]

Yamaha/BMW dealer? What a weird combination

[@billfish5913]

How about KTM and CFMoto for strange combination. I’m really interested to check out the 2023 CFMoto 800 MT Adventure with the old 790 KTM engine. And the 2023 KTM 790 Adventure with the revised 790 engine built for KTM by CFMoto.

[@michaelripplinger2169]

Good to have you back. You and Doodle have the best bike videos. Keep up the good work..

[@phxazcraig]

Love it. My first BMW was a 1976 Dytona Orange R90s I bought new in 1976 in San Jose, CA. I loved starting it up and hearing the tight engine sound. Felt like I was flying a Cessna with those cylinders sticking out. I rode it from San Jose to Indiana, and later from Indiana to the coast of North Carolina and back, and from Indiana to Colorado and back. Took it to the 3rd annual BMWMOA rally in Colorado Springs in 1977. Toured on it 2-up the whole time I owned it. Unfortunately the bike was totaled in 1978 when a car pulled out in front of me.

[@cw7422]

When I was in the US Navy in Scotland at Edzell in 1975 a friend and I when to Reading to pickup his brand new R90S. What a machine.

[@murdocampbell4858]

OMG, that’s lovely! One of my early bikes was a new R80/7 with that same cockpit fairing. It was black with a gold metalflake. No test ride, and I traded a Yam XS750 for it. Spent the first two days thinking “What the hell have I done?”, and then it clicked on a run from Inverness to Skye. I grew to love it intensely, and had airheads for the next 30 years. Wish I still had them all! 😩🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@johncranwell3783]

Great you had an R80/7 mine is a 1980 model which I still have and what a brilliant bike…. So rare to hear of another having had one of these early 800s

[@DARisse-ji1yw]

I bought a r80rt in 85.... Still have it and my xs650... we're all vintage now !

[@jamesrafael6794]

This machine won the Isle of Man.

[@collyernicholasjohn]

Loved my 90s. Low, low, stable, and fast. And comfortable.😅

[@ianross225]

I’ve had several airheads (actually, still have) but never this one. The front brakes are aesthetically pleasing whilst being pretty poor as brakes despite twin discs. Some versions had only one which beggars belief. A bike you learn to appreciate with time and certainly first impressions (I know!) aren’t always great. I love the clock but back in the day BMW we’re actually criticised in the biking press for this indulgence. How times have changed……… I love the build quality on what are really agricultural but lovely machines. Great to see this one in action. Best, Ian

[@frankmarkovcijr5459]

When BMW was going to discontinue the airhead, the traditional customers who wanted the old bike simply told them we won't buy the new one keep making the old one, and the Airhead BMW outlasted the engine that was supposed to replace it. 85% of all BMWs constructed since the beginning are still in existence, they continue to make parts for the Airhead motorcycles according to the demands that they see for them. My last BMW 1000 had half a million miles on it at the time of its demise, and it was a great running bike and I had done everything short of repainting it. Losing motorcycle is better than losing your life. Love the videos. Cheers from America.

[@LemonDrizzleGang]

Thanks for the comments

[@splodge5714]

Great bike, nice colour but looks like all boxers of the period. As an owner of a Bonneville, Commando and Le Mans in the 70's the BMW's were always thought of as an old mans bike. Now a nice classic to own as we grow older. Good that the series has returned, cheers.

[@waveydavey750]

Yeah I had the same perception Splodge, having owned the same bikes as you (and still own two of them in the other LDG videos). I think it was partly their gravitation to the "touring" end of the sport/touring spectrum and a lot to do with the price, it was only older guys you saw on them as it was only older guys who could afford them, hence it became a self-fulfilling image? Thanks for watching.

[@ianlaker6980]

He answered the question why I wouldn't invest in British bike. There unreliable over distances greater than the Tesco visit. I own classics that are rideable without worrying about things leaking or dropping off. 89 Lemans V5 Ducati 888 Modern BMW 2005 Boxercup & 07 GSA

[@m0ogy]

Another top video......plus the only BMW I would ever buy myself

[@craigstuart3186]

Had a R100 in Oz , a R80 in the UK then a R65 in New Zealand My favorite was the R65 . It came alive over 5000 rpm . It just fit me

[@waveydavey750]

I remember riding a friend's R65 back in the day, my first flat twin experience I think? I was really impressed with it, nice and wieldy and quite revvy., great fun! Thanks for watching Craig.

[@davgb7904]

As a young man, I had a 74 R90S (in the proper colour, TT Silver Smoke :-) ) I had it for many years, miss it terribly and would have another one new in an instant. The video comments towards the end are spot on. It was up there with the very best of the day and on a long run would hold it's own against anything. Not only that, but after a days riding you'd get off ready to do hundreds more miles. Even today, it would give anything a run for its money - and that includes any modern BMW. Quality - it dripped off every nut and bolt and the reputation they had then is what they live off now, sadly overtaken by many other brands. On mine, I trained new riders in town, despatch rode for a few years, hundreds of miles a day every day and pleasure rode it outside all of that - never let me down. I rode hard at times with others. It was as swift as anything else I tried - and there were lots. LeMans, 900SS, Laverda, CBX, XSs...fabulous machines but I'd never trade the 90S. It was more than capable of holding three figure speed for hours on end with minimal fatigue to the rider and none to the bike. I now ride a Z900RS, the first bike, since the 90S, I've fallen in love with. An interesting situation since the Z1 was often the comparison sports-tourer of the period going head to head with the 90S. Back then, and now, I'd pick the 90S against the Z1 any day. An R90S - as it was then - new now, against todays Z900RS. Close call - it can still hold it's own against all that development.

[@LemonDrizzleGang]

Thankd mms forbthe great comments

[@LemonDrizzleGang]

Sorry I am on a bus trying to type :-)

[@stewy62]

You promised that an R90S video was coming and this didn’t disappoint. Two lovely colours but my favourite was always the Silver Smoke (just). Looking forward to your Morini video, back in the day I hankered after the 31/2 Sport but you can never have everything!

[@LemonDrizzleGang]

the morini video should be released by the end of this week

[@Slash7FPV]

Beautiful motorcycle, an icon of it´s time! All in all the R100S is the better "90s" i think but that comes down to little details inside the engine and it´s carburators. The beautiful colorscheme of the 90S is what you might like more off course. I´m on R60/2 1968 since 1994, R80/7 1977 (my travelling bike, no problem to do 900km+ on a excessive riding day) and a R100/7T 1978 for fast riding and beautiful sundays to the meetings with the boys ;-)

[@jurgentreue1200]

Hans Muth also designed the BMW R65LS. I've owned two Hans Muth designs, an R90S and R65LS. The R65LS was the most reliable bike I've ever owned.

[@bav114]

Beautiful bike. I’ve always loved that colour 🧡

[@christiancassidy1806]

Never had an R90S, but did my longest-ever single day’s ride on its younger cousin, an R100T - 700 miles, and was perfectly comfortable at the end of the day. Enjoy your BMW!

[@jeromebreeding3302]

That BM'r has a lively exhaust note. I personally like the color scheme. Bought an 81, 1000cc. RT in 86 for three grand. It had a full fairing and the luggage type bags. It also had a volmeter, and quartze clock as you mentioned. Handling was nice, and performance respectable. Winter riding in the Northeast US was bearable thanks to the full fairing. Nothing but pleasant memories with it.

[@simonwiltshire]

Thanks guys that bike brings back fond memories of when i worked at george whites motorbike centre swindon in the 1980's they were a dream bike for a lot us.

[@LemonDrizzleGang]

Same here great to finally get to ride one thanks for watching

[@billymania11]

Back in the day, the BMW R90S was considered royalty. Nobody could afford it but we all liked it even though it was rare as dragon's teeth.

[@owenfarmer4197]

These videos are great, easily the most relevant content for me on any channel. Thanks

[@tiberius8256]

The bike that got me into BMW in the first place and there started a long EXPENSIVE journey. Some great background info' Dave. A top job lads.

[@LemonDrizzleGang]

Thanks .... yep feeding that passion is never cheap

[@carlbrnn5909]

Same for me. I traded my beloved Yamaha XS2 650 for the third from last R90S in the US in ‘75. Still have it and still love it. Reliable as an anvil and much more attractive. Still miss the 650 though…

[@geneahart5607]

That's the best sounding BMW I've ever heard!

[@GPSKULING]

Love the sound of that bike !

[@LemonDrizzleGang]

Sounds great riding it as well

[@bikerjock2654]

I occasionally found myself following an older chap on one of these. He was (haven’t seen him for a few years) a super smooth rider. I could keep up with him on the straights on my Aprilia Falco, but he’d always lose me on the twisties. He just didn’t seem to slow down on bends, but also didn’t look like he was trying. Super smooth. I now have a BMW R1200S, but as age catches up with me, I might look for something more comfortable, like an R90S. It looked plenty quick enough in the video. That was a very interesting look at the R90S.

[@kevinfletcher7471]

I love these steps back in time , thank you

[@LemonDrizzleGang]

Thats why we do it we have been mates since we were teenagers and we are just reliving our youth and have found a way of sharing it thanks for watching

[@peterrestaino7047]

i have a1971 r50/5 . slowest bike in the world but i love her.

[@brianperry]

These are beautiful Bikes. I owned an R100RS in 78/79.. a couple of guys in the local BMW club owned 90S's, we rode all over....it was great. You didn't mention that the 90S was equipped with accelerator pumped Dellorto Carburettors instead of the usual Bing carbs...I believe it was the only BMW so fitted. I had similar carbs on my Guzzi.850 Le Mans The pumps would freeze in cold weather causing the bike to hesitate and run rough at lower speeds....Great Bike the 90S, wouldn't mind owning one now

[@johnlenart597]

I've owned many S & RS's since 1985. Just an interesting story, every Daytona Orange was hand painted. Seeing many lined up together at a MOA Natl. Rally and not one is identical. So even if a repaint is needed, it will be reminiscent to an original factory paint job. 👍👍🏍🏍🏍🙋‍♂️

[@waveydavey750]

Thanks John, I think the pinstriping on mine isn't quite "right", no kink in the bottom sweep, but I've seen photos of a few others like it!

[@rogerramjet5302]

You've nailed the onboard - no airblast, informative conversation and that lovely boxer engine.

[@dannyhampshire2825]

Great to see the old bikes on the road thanks

[@johnmoulton7942]

I had a smoke grey R90S on road test from BMW when I wrote for the Cheshire Observer in Chester.I rode it to South Wales and back two up through the Welsh Marches one day and wasn’t at all tired when I got back to Chester. I remember it as a bike that seemed to make me a much better rider than I actually was with its ability to effortlessly maintain high speeds.

[@martiniv8924]

The 90/6 and R90S beautiful bikes , great for all round and long distance work

[@antoniog.z.4372]

Beautiful bike, one year younger than my TT. If I had to say what I like most, I would say the sound. Thanks for the video!

[@davidlake4826]

Brilliant film. Dave’s knowledge & passion is clear to see. A lucky bunch of guys to have kindred spirits & riding buddy’s like the LDG. This sort of piece makes a nonsense of the main stream magazine’s and their pc correct attitude to manufacture’s. Keep it up👍

[@waveydavey750]

Yes I'm very lucky to have Mike to show me how it should be ridden, ha ha! Thanks for your comments David.

[@LemonDrizzleGang]

@@waveydavey750 Yes you are very lucky David

[@roverchap]

A most welcome addition to the LDG fleet! And a beauty, too. I am lucky enough to own a very early 1973-built R90S, in Silver Smoke, of course. The early bikes like mine do have a rather clunky gearshift, you have to avoid rushing the changes and use the clutch properly. From '75 I think they improved it. You're spot on about this being a long-distance machine. It's only after the first 5 to 10 miles that the engine is really warmed up and the whole thing starts to settle into stride like an old thoroughbred out for a canter. Despite that giant fuel tank they only tip the scales wet at 215kg and will run for 250 miles without stopping. I also own an early K100RS 'flying brick' which feels decades more refined despite being only 10 years further on. The airhead boxers ooze character, though. Looking forward to your further coverage of this machine.

[@LemonDrizzleGang]

The gearbox is really good on this bike I didnt do it justice with my mic placement

[@eurospec]

I love both the airheads and the bricks. My experience is similar to yours, the K100s that came shortly after the R90S are immensely more refined, but the airheads "ooze character." Important to have at least one of each in the garage ;)

[@richardsimpson3792]

In answer to your title question...Vincent Black Knight, surely? Big powerful engine and full bodywork. About 50 years ahead of its time

[@claretbuck1882]

Cracking bike cheers gang 👍🏻

[@markb3180]

Keep up the good work gents and if you're ever in the area Caffi Castell Harlech serves up the best lemon drizzle cake!

[@LemonDrizzleGang]

Thanks for the tip I am down the coast in Northop

[@stephendecker8371]

Well done guys!! Lovely bike, lovely roads and really great discussion about the R90s! I’ve sold my old airhead, but I’m on the look for another to fill the void. Such wonderful bikes. You’ve certainly added fuel to that fire!! Thanks again Mike

[@LemonDrizzleGang]

thanks for the comments I think Dave has some connections if you need

[@ErgonBill]

Glad you are all well now, and getting ready for some decent riding weather. Looking forward to what you have for us this season.

[@LemonDrizzleGang]

Thanks lets hope we have a decent summer

[@kdsowen2882]

Beautiful bike Mike. I 'almost' bought one a couple of years ago , it was a bargain too . I had a 73 600/5 for 12 years and a 79 R80/7 .Dave owns some well-sorted machines and really knows his stuff . This has been a trying-year (got over covid, then got a lousy flu ) Looking-forward to Summer ! Dave NZ

[@sussaxonsarthois6815]

Not only feel like you can go to south of France but that's just what I, among others, did. All the equipment and the luggage for a nice holiday and (the biggest reason I bought a BMW) shaft drive! It doesn't need adjusting or lubing every few hundred miles and eveything doesn't get covered in filthy chain grease. (But I'm with Lutz and Muth on the Smoke Silver)

[@mikemcallister757]

Glad to have you back! Hope everybody is well. Thanks for the great video on the R90S. Iv'e always wanted one, but they priced them selves out of my market. I've owned a couple of Airheads and miss them. Sorta looking for a R75/6, but where I live in the PNW of Washington state the prices have gone up considerably as every where else I guess. Thanks again for your videos!

[@LemonDrizzleGang]

Our pleasure yes we are back fit and healthy with a full list of bikes to video

[@grahamt33]

Another fantastic episode - a bike program like no other - I love you guys !!!

[@LemonDrizzleGang]

Thank you that means a lot to us

[@elijames3041]

That is an nice bike

[@richardjohnson3463]

Great to see you boys back and glad to hear you're all well, looking forward to you sharing more classic machines with us in 2022

[@LemonDrizzleGang]

Thank you

[@kasperkjrsgaard1447]

Somewhere in the back of my mind, I’m convinced that I’ll one day will be the happy owner of an R100RS. I ride a Suzuki DL 1000 that I’ve owned from new and so far done 157.000 mostly happy km on - but that BMW is spooking my mind.

[@jimbob67]

It sounds fantastic 😍

[@loop1479]

Bought a rough 90S in the 90's and travelling home on my last afternoon shift at 1am on long straights at 90mph for ever. Really looong legs. Not great around town, a bit heavy and clunky, but a beast in the open. Bought an '85 R80 in '01 for $1500 and road it until about 2018 and stripped it down to put a Siebenrock 1000 kit on it. Bores, pistons, shell bearings nearly like new but cam lobe worn and valve seats a bit buggered. Couldn't see any evidence engine have been down before, so not bad for 33 years, and considering the bloke I bought it off said he used to cane it's arse to try to keep up with his mates on big block Harleys. Never going to make it pretty, it is a work horse that gets the maintenance it needs, when it needs. It's now going as a thousand and does perform better than an 800. Love airheads, easy to maintain, easy to put on the miles. Great channel. Keep pumping them out.

[@a13bkd62]

Love the review chaps and the colour..best choice for me. Great stuff.

[@davemitchell2401]

Love your work guys and love that R90S also an old fav of mine although I never owned one, it was an expensive dream machine to me back then :) Keep up the good work lads.

[@waveydavey750]

I remember working out one of the last T160 Tridents was a year's wages when I was an apprentice. Suspect the R90S would have been two! Thanks for watching Dave

[@toddtonis]

Wonderful interview and great coverage of this great bike. I have a "78 R100S and will probably never sell it. The bike is so well balanced and the engine has just the right amount of feedback to the driver. I wanted to say that I didn't know that BMW made this bike in green. I've never seen one.

[@rob2475]

Good to see you back chaps! I was wondering when your next offering would come along. Funny what time does for you. Back in the day I wouldn’t have given an R90S a second glance but I truly appreciate them now. Yours is a beauty. Great sounding stuff to come. Looking forward to your 16ers vid. 👍🏼

[@LemonDrizzleGang]

So am I we are just looking at the 16ers not riding (prob a good thing for the mopeds)

[@oompah_your_dupa]

Great review! And kudos for the sound quality during the riding portion. Getting to hear that engine sing (instead of a bunch of wind buffeting) really brings the video to life.

[@LemonDrizzleGang]

+matust97 thank you lot of work and multiple mics, audio is by far the hardest thing to get right in these videos

[@frankmarkovcijr5459]

Peter Egan Cycle World Fame was riding a brand-new Triumph on the Pacific Coast Highway and traded bikes with a guy on a brand new BMW. After a mile the guy wanted to change bikes again because he didn't like the triumph. He told Peter Egan can every British motorcycle riders life here comes time for a BMW. Truer words were never spoken.

[@J_BONDMI5]

Great video of the 90s 👍⭐️

[@jrbmr9139]

Before you do the riding part of the video maybe a small section of the bike idling on the center/kickstand would be awesome. Great video guys

[@LemonDrizzleGang]

Great idea maybe we do a start up after the chat bit thanks

[@edwinthompson159]

Out of more than fifty bikes of many makes/models through the years, the R90S' I have owned were my favorites. I have had to move on to a R1200R whiich also shares the heritage/feel of the R90S. I just keep coming back to BMW sport tourers. This featured R90S sounds great; really nice POV of the ride footage, good sound. Very nice video and a great bike!

[@johnmcclain3887]

Actually watching this bike run on the road is rather impressive. I've never ridden one but had friends who did, and this moves very nicely. Something about big twins. Thanks for sharing.

[@jiltedjohn9294]

I had the smoke grey version, it was in roughish condition when i bought it, but was even rougher when i sold it on, as i rode it to work through a few winters. I had a problem with my foot tangling with the left hand carb when changing gear mainly due to having big feet.

[@LemonDrizzleGang]

I found that a bit when I started riding it but soon got used to it but at first I panicked as I couldnt find the gear lever

[@geoffozevans4500]

Lovely paintwork, nearly bought one in the late 70s but got a Jota instead 😉 😀

[@LemonDrizzleGang]

Have you seen our Jota test ?

[@geoffozevans4500]

@Lemon Drizzle Gang yes I watched it, you're doing nice videos, it's a good channel 👍👌👌

[@LemonDrizzleGang]

@@geoffozevans4500 Thanks Geoff

[@frankmarkovcijr5459]

You should join the Airhead BMW Club they have a monthly newsletter, Tech days so people can help you learn how to work on your bike. And chapters have events all over the world. I had a BMW r100 / 7. At 100 miles an hour in the slow lane on the interstate it would read 5,000 RPM. It's all day cruising speed is 6250 RPM. That is still 1200rpm short of Redline. I used to challenge the Harley guys with your biggest Motors to go on the interstate and cruise at 125 and see what happens. I know the BMW can do it. No one takes me up on my challenge. That was my fastest bike in my collection until the lady stopped at the stop sign and pulled in front of me and gave me all of 2 ft to stop in. My nurse came in my hospital room and said I saw that not a lot left of your motorcycle. But when I lay in the road bleeding and screaming all I could think about was I'm Not Dead! AirHeads forever forever airhead

[@JukeboxGothic]

I've owned two, both smoke silver. Both sold to buy Laverdas. I was told once that the crank bearings are the same as the 6 cylinder car which went some way to the longevity of the engine. Also some of the frame tubes are actually oval to improve rigidity. Who would do that now. They are lovely bikes that can be used.

[@waveydavey750]

Yes the crank bearings and the conrods were utilised from the cars! Also correct on the (argon welded) main frame tube. I think Laverdas were one of the few manufacturers to approach BMW's quality of construction, I'm sure others will disagree! Thanks for watching.

[@alanfoster2271]

Hello. found you tonight 04/04/22 And fantastic show. I had an 1984 R80RT in the late 80s my first BMW and not my last. but i went on a trip from Leicester down to Cornwall for the day. Seen some of my family down there and come home just under 900 miles and got off the bike feeling as if i had been for an afternoon run.Fantastic bikes.

[@LemonDrizzleGang]

+Alan Foster hi Alan thanks for watching have you seen our other bike reviews

[@boblynch7535]

I grew up in that era. After a couple of Commandos I was bitch slapped by a Ducati 750 sport in a showroom. Long story short I bought one in 74. The Conti grabbed everyone’s attention. A friend stuck them on his R90S and the result was extremely gratifying. Just something else to consider. I mean, you already have Italian carburetors. I think it would be a legitimate modification.

[@LemonDrizzleGang]

One of my all time fave bikes the 750 Sport

[@nathanchristopher6121]

Great bike. I remember Cook Nielson and his Ducati but I had no idea Bob Lutz was involved with the 900 S. Now he was a very talented car guy. I think he ended up at GM running the redesign of the Impala.

[@nathanchristopher6121]

Sorry, Cook rode Ducati.

[@davehawes8177]

What a beautiful sound, especially when it gets a wiggle on. Almost a fighter plane sound.

[@lex1945]

Sweet sounding boxer! My boxer is newer, but i'd love to have this R90S instead of my RT. LOL! R90S and R51/3 are my favourite boxers ever.

[@newtonmetres]

Had a 1977 R100S-80 R100RT-84 K100 naked-90 K1: Retired from riding now....

[@paulm.8554]

That is definitely a keeper!

[@josvandencamp8441]

Thank you for the info.

[@tomasellir90s50]

Great video. I have owned a 1975 Daytona Orange R90S for 30 years, and totally agree with your assessment of the bike. An excellent touring bike, and a very practical classic bike to own. I have done some of the gearbox and brake modifications which are on your bike. A slight deviation from factory standard, but worth having better brakes and smoother gear changes. I'm not a big fan of the later model rear light on your bike. I think the original light was a sleeker design which fits better with the overall design, but does little to detract overall from what is a really good looking bike. You have done a fantastic video, with great information. Well researched. I trust you will get as much enjoyment riding your lovely bike in the European countryside as I get going for a quick fang, or a longer tour, in Australia! Thanks Guys!

[@waveydavey750]

Thanks Tomaselli, it's great to hear from someone who's spent half a lifetime on one of these agreeing with us! I've owned a few airheads previously but I'm no expert.

[@digger8180]

The bike I covet, well done lads.

[@MOTOZILIANS]

beautiful machine

[@TAYM]

Marvellous. My dad had the T version in gold.

[@davidburne9477]

Dahne also raced one at the iconic Castrol 6 Hour at Amaroo Park in Australia, which was at the time arguably the world’s premier production race. The legendary Ken Blake came second in 1975 against a horde of Z900 Kawasakis and two Laverda 1000s in the top 10 on a track with only one left handed which caused clearance problems for the Laverdas with their wide right-hand sidecover that was almost as wide as the R90 S pots!

[@waveydavey750]

Thanks David, yes I always wondered why Laverdas didn't do better at the Castrol given the success in UK and Sweden for example? Mike mentions it during his ride. The R90S successor, the R100S did even better there I believe.

[@LemonDrizzleGang]

Have you seen the Kenny Blake memorial in Strathalbyn SA amazing piece of art ?

[@NoelSquitieri]

I've owned four airheads. A 1970 R60/5, a 1974 R90/6, a 1976 R75/6, and a 1978 R100S. The trick to shift quickly and silently, even on the old 4-speeds, is to gently preload the shift lever. Then with the smallest pull on the clutch lever and it will snick smoothly and silently into gear whether up or down shifting. This isn't speed shifting. A slight roll off of the throttle is all that's needed. This was common knowledge back in the seventies, at least in the BMW clubs I belonged to back then.

[@rogerparis]

Wow, so great!

[@dullbrass]

German: 'Eine Runde drehen.' Great video! Cheers

[@boxercup1]

Great video and a nice bike Mike, my 1200 GSA has gone! 🙈 replaced with a 1200 RT…….must be an age thing! 😂 all the best, Howard (must get out with you guys this year)

[@LemonDrizzleGang]

You have an RT ? Good work Yes absolutely The only riding I did last year was the filming I even missed the annual bike trip away Will give you a shout when we are out (plus I have some drone tasks for you 😀😀)

[@yorkshirebiker1293]

Lovely bike , i was a fan of the k100 and the k1100 for me best of the BM's, although never owned a flat twin

[@LemonDrizzleGang]

You should add one to your magnificent collection, thanks for watching we watch your bikes with envy ... Mike

[@yorkshirebiker1293]

@@LemonDrizzleGang if was not so far apart we could do a swaps

[@peterfallows6802]

t’was , yes i remember- ~this’n ❕👍🏻

[@tonebonetones]

I was wincing with the Ker-Chunk of the gear changes lol. Even the modern 2022 derivatives of this quasi agricultural 1930's boxer design have Ker-Chunk gear changes, so,you're kidding no one otherwise. My BMW is a mere 20 years old compared to this, but my 2020 Ducati has a Swiss watch of a gear shift by comparison. I suppose the moral is don't ride anything but BMW and you'll be fine!

[@waveydavey750]

It's a lot better than some, no worse than a (good) Guzzi and every old bike has stuff you need to ride round or get used to I suspect? It does sound worse on the video, the mic is about 12 inches from the gearbox! Thanks for watching.

[@karlbishop7481]

An Airhead can be shifted smoothly and quietly, just takes some practice and a little finesse. Some say Guzzis are the same but I can shift them silently also, second to third not quite.

[@tenpole41]

Ive just bought a r1100rt BMW 25 years old. Bit agricultural but very comfortable. Top heavy (it feels heavier than it is if that makes sense)? Clunky gearbox but all in all a lovely bike.Ill be 62 in a few weeks so im old enough to have one😃

[@LemonDrizzleGang]

I bought my first BMW at 44 ride a Ducati now maybe I am regressing

[@fasteddy3661]

Love the sound of this R90S! I had a 2016 triple black BMW R1200GS LC and I did not like it at all, especially not the sound from both the engine and exhaust (didn't get any better with an Akrapovic). Now I have the latest R1200GS airhead (30 Year GS version) and I love it. But the BMW I like most is my 1956 R50/1; those skinny tyres make it so easy around the bends. I also have an R60/5. That said, I am actually a Moto Guzzi afficionado.

[@LemonDrizzleGang]

Thanks for the comments We have 3 Guzzi videos on the channel as we also love a Guzzi

[@audieconrad8995]

What a legend. An innovator not an imitator.

[@lauriebloggs8391]

When Bike Mag put the R90S against the Guzzi 750S3 as two bikes able to maintain a comfortable 90 all day...........that was when the "sports tourer" publicly was born. Although people had been putting varios handle bar fairings on everything before, the BMWs cockpit fairing initiated a massive rise in the popularity of that. The 750S3 in black and red was just sooo beautiful, lol!!! Happy days indeed.....

[@trailingarm63]

"Two of us had COVID, weather's been too bad to get out, spent two days cleaning the bike," Gordon Bennett, you're making the cast of Last of the Summer Wine look like teenage hooligans. However, my own confession is that after two hours on my R1200R ten days ago I came down with a horrendous cold which I'm still trying to get off my chest. Glass houses and all... In the 1970s the R90S was the absolute dog's. But the cost put it firmly into the film stars' category. It was the coolest thing next to a Porsche or a TR6. Dick Emery rode one in many of his rocker sketches. That's about as close as most of us got to one. I would be curious to know how much this one cost! Beautiful colour & great film.

[@LemonDrizzleGang]

Are you calling me Compo ? I really dont know what it cost I was too busy salivating over it Which of us is Nora Batty ?

[@trailingarm63]

@@LemonDrizzleGang If the cap fits....

[@LemonDrizzleGang]

@@trailingarm63 OK sorry about my previous response, just checked and it turns out I do have wrinkled stockings 🙂

[@FunAllDayLong4353]

Sports Motorcycles in Manchester had one of these in the window.

[@LemonDrizzleGang]

We used to go and paw the windows of Sports Motorcycles ourselves when we were young lads (Stew and I watched Hailwood in 78)

[@accobra4272]

Absolutely the godfather of sport touring🤘

[@robertlindstrom540]

"on a private road of course"... sure :)

[@Recycledhooligan]

Very nice machine

[@johnhorner769]

I still remember my first bike mag which had an article on the r90s.

[@davidobyrne9549]

BMW airheads of that era a 'Marmite' bike, you either love 'em or hate 'em. I love them, having owned 6 in total. Current one is a 1992 R100GS Bumble Bee with 100,000 miles on the clock. I've toured all over Europe with it and they really do come into their own as long distance tourers. Strangely though, BMW bikes are not as reliable as the myth would suggest. Quality control at the factory is definitely hit and miss, you can get a good one or a bad one from the dealer's showroom, only the first few thousand miles will reveal which. It took 30,000 miles for me to get everything sorted on the 100GS.... drive shaft failed at 20,000... it had been manufactured and assembled bone dry without any lubricant. The bike used copious amounts of oil until I removed the cylinders and found that it had been assembled with all piston ring gaps 'in line' rather than 120 degrees apart. The cylinders had also been fitted at the factory without any base seals, so I fitted those in the grooves as shown in the maintenance & parts manuals - all of that cured the oil burning. Next was getting the carbs set up properly, not just balanced, but ensuring the mixtures were correct to eliminate a mid range flat-spot. The so-called 'idle mixture' screw needs to be set a quarter to half turn richer than factory settings (which erred on the lean side so that the bikes would pass the emissions tests). The mixture screw actually affects the mixture strength right through the range (it meters fuel, not air) not just at the idle setting. Perseverence is the key to ending up with a sweet running BMW airhead, many owners get totally dissilusioned and downhearted in the first year or so of ownership, and just get rid of the bike.... vowing never to buy another !

[@murrayedgar4791]

I remember standing outside a classroom waiting to be let in to a music lesson arguing with a classmate that this was better than a Z1. Definitely still want the R90S over a Z1 now. Wonder if my new Bonnie should be sacrificed....

[@pashakdescilly7517]

Burning your Bonnie will not get you an R90S

[@frankmarkovcijr5459]

I have been to England. After I did my time in the Air Force serving my country, I went all over back and forth across the country. I went to the temp service that I got work during Christmas Vacation summer vacation excetera. And the lady in the office told me about a great job that nobody wanted which was filling in for a seaman who fell down the steps and broke his leg and they needed somebody to replace him on a temporary basis you would work on the passage over and you would return free of charge in one of the cabins. I went out to Miami had an interview got a passport got a physical. I had the calendar lady in Chicago call one of the girls that was in the calendar. She met me at the Port of Manchester if I remember right. She picked me up at the Port of Manchester took me to her house and showed me the nice Royal Enfield 350 G 1954, that she picked up for me for 250 lb. I rode all over England hung out with a lot of guys from the Triumph. I was kicked out of a hostel. In the pouring rain I was looking for a church that might let me sleep on a Pew to stay semi-dry. I stopped for a guy who had a beautiful 1937 Ruff Superior. He was almost home when his Magneto packed up. I told him I would tow him home no problem. We pulled up in front of this great big manor house and I said wow do you work here? He said no he lived there. He was a member of the House of Lords. He put me up because I had nowhere to go and I was his bike buddy. The next day it was a beautiful bright sunny day and I thought those kinds of days were illegal in England. We rode our bikes all over and he kept the speed down out of respect for the Enfield. Anytime we stopped anywhere my money was no good. When I left he shoved a great big wad of bills into my pocket saying for emergencies or gas money. He said be sure to look him up on my way home. I then took the P&O ferries because back then they were free for motorcycles. I visited my family in Germany and in Malta and then I went to visit my great grandmother's family in Tunis Tunisia. Then I continued on my big trip through the Middle East, and then I took a ship to South Africa so I can railfan the steam trains that they had. Some of the roads were barely enough for a motorcycle nevermind two-way traffic and I love the way people Park half on the sidewalk than half on the road because the road is not big enough for parking. And I love your roads in the country where the car has to pull over to let a motorcycle pass them going the other way. No offense intended or m e a n t. Many of the roads in Europe I say the same thing about because Europe and England was around hundreds and hundreds of years before they invented the stupidity of the automobile. It would be so much nicer in England if everyone still rode a motorcycle or a motorcycle with a sidecar attached. And those bloody roundabout! I see more videos from England with poor SOB's on a motorcycle getting run over because someone didn't see them and they pull into the roundabout and hit them! Well I hope we have everything clear and sorted out. I love watching the videos from the lemon drizzle gang because I love to watch English motorcycles going down places that I did not visit when I was there. Over here I ride my Ural sidecar outfit as the result of being run over by some stupid woman and a car Christmas before last, as the motorcycle is not a Speedster I tend to ride the little Tulane Road out in the boonies away from traffic and trucks and cops. I have a whole collection of British bikes and my auxiliary everyday bike why is my 1965 Triumph TR6 with a half-million miles on her that I have put on in the last 40 years ownership. British motorcycles are made to be rebuildable forever. I have Matchbox cars all over my HO train layout. And I have dinky vehicles on my standard gauge layout. One of my beloved toys is my dinky Thunderbird 2 I loved that show, and Captain Scarlet and UFO and space 1999. I want to live in the world that Jerry and Sylvia Anderson created. Be careful on the roads and stay safe all you guys.

[@arthurclarke7072]

Had a R100 SRS great bike used it go from London to Ireland to visit my parents great distance bike. The brakes where not the best.,🏍️🗻

[@64faffi]

Lovely bike in the best colour. For me, however, the R100RS mark the start of the sport touring era - the S lacked the weather protection one would expect on a sports tourer in my humble opinion. YMMV.

[@LemonDrizzleGang]

Yeah you are right we all agree but it was a good title for the video Had to google YMMV but going to steal it and use it myself 👍