Do Airheads Handle?

[Smartbazza]

Evening all,

Been lurking of late and toying with the idea of either a good 1100gs (good ones seem to be hard to get) or airhead - Question is as I do all of my riding on road will I be disappointed trying to tip an airhead into corners in comparison to one of the later models? Genuine question as the market for all GS's in NI is quite restricted.
I think MMC has a 100 for sale at the minute that looks quite nice.

Barry.

 

[judge]

They handle far, far better than you'd imagine, but only someone with far too much tint in their rose lensed spectacles would suggest an airhead would out handle an 1100.

It one ever did look very closely at the riders ability as it would have a lot more to do with it than the bike.

 

[BAKERMAN]

Mines FAR QUICKER and much lighter than my 1150 GS, the rest as above just as Andy says !

 

[Wreford Miles]

the way mine handles was a plesent suprise...

 

[MMC]

If one ever did look very closely at the riders ability as it would have a lot more to do with it than the bike.

Ain't that the truth! Funny thing - mine handled a lot better when Vern rode it than when I do...

But yes, in the right hands (ie - not mine) they handle very well indeed. I followed a chap called Daf Phillips back from an IAM meeting a couple of years ago. I was on a K1200RS, he was on an airhead. I couldn't keep up with him. It's the rider.

You're welcome to come for a play on mine - mind you, it's a bit far to come...

 

[(RIP) Proff]

On my R80 g/s I get left on long straights, but I have great fun on the twisties
On my R90s I can still surprise some plastic fantastic riders

 

[VAL. H.]

On my R80 g/s I get left on long straights, but I have great fun on the twisties
On my R90s I can still surprise some plastic fantastic riders

About five years ago, on a 1984 R80rt with over 80'000 mls on it. I managed to loose my IAM observer several times in the twisty sections without going over 60mph (or under for that matter )

He was riding a GSXR600

 

[Big Jets]

My friend and i had a pair of R80s and the two of us now own oilheads but we still hark back to the fun we had on them,especially on the twisty stuff (thanks to progressive suspension).As the man earlier said get it to 60 and keep it there not an easy thing to do on a real twisty section .PS i think ill get another plus you can fix it when it breaks.

 

[Smartbazza]

Airhead

MMC,

what's it like condition wise?
where are you exactly. might take a look if you'll take a bad price? (joke).
Have you any good quality photos? interested.
Barry.

 

[MMC]

MMC,

what's it like condition wise?
where are you exactly. might take a look if you'll take a bad price? (joke).
Have you any good quality photos? interested.
Barry.

Hi Barry

I'd PM you pics and a description - but I can't as you're not a site sponsor yet...

The best description is "a good, honest bike with some interesting work done" If you're after a concours one, mine ain't it but it's in good cosmetic shape and mechanically A1 with twin-plugging already done as part of the Stage 1 road tune. It's ex-Vern (of this parish) so it's had all it needs done to it and I've serviced it since with new fluids. I'd be happy getting on it and riding to the South of France (if I ever stopped bloody working for long enough). Just had a new set of Tourances on it since the pics.

Cheers

Mark

 

[cookie]

er, no. i'd say they compare favourably to a medium size, late 70's jap bike. they have bendy frames leading to high speed weaving & the nickname of "rubber cow" amongst the german airhead fraternity.

having said that, they are great fun to chuck about, particularly if you were weaned on said 70s bikes & can push along at a surprising rate of knots. they never get out of control, just a general "looseness". modern bikes are very easy going in comparison.

front brakes are sourced from similar vintage italian bikes. sadly, they only fitted 50% of the setup, so stopping can be, er, interesting

so: great for a bimble & fun for thrashing, as long as you accept/ride round their limitations

 

[(RIP) pastyman]

Ive had bms since 1978. and rode them in the job before that. The airheads handled well in comparrison to bikes of that era despite the RTs tendency to weave at speed. On comming down to Cornwall where the roads are narrower and the hedges harder, I swopped the 1100rt for a 100PD and regularly rode with a fast mate on an apprila 1000. no trouble keeping with him on the twisty roads but soon dropped off on the straights. big problem with the airheads are the brakes and as a result I got an 1100 gs. Fantastic bike with decent brakes and excellent handling. that thing could really hustle.
Ive now gone back to an airhead, mainly for the interest and character and have rediscovered the dodgy brakes but the handling is surprisingly good even with the 43lt tank full and big ally panniers.
Hope this helps

 

[Mr K]

1200 owner says: Yes! R100GS handles as long as all relevant bits are in order.

In my day.......etc...

 

[richie]

Only ridden one and it did not, handle that is

 

[judge]

Only ridden one and it did not, handle that is

Crap riding

 

[richie]

Crap riding

anything is possible

 

[ChasF]

I've never really got to grips with my 1150GS in the handling department and much prefer my R100GS. Off road tyres and high front mudguard don't help stability much above 70 mph and I agree with the above re. brakes. It is a bit 'old school' but I find modern bikes much more sensitive to suspension settings and tyre pressures - it may just be a case of higher expectations on my part.

 

[FBF]

speaking on behalf of the 1100gs i can go out for a day of scratching with all the jap sports bikes and although i struggle on the straights, im all over them all on the corners. ive owned probably 25 road bikes and the GS is without a doubt the best lower speed handling bike ive yet ridden. also with a little weight in the panniers i can hold the front up for an age.