Former Airhead owners - why did you sell ?

[Hustler]

This is a total copy of JohnnyBoxer's thread on the HP2 section but for Airhead owners - why did you sell your beloved bike ?

Just wondered really and I reckon it could make for some interesting reading.
Thank you kindly.

 

[(RIP) Proff]

Believe it or not, I have sold 1 or 2
R45 gutless piece of crap.
R100RT did't like the sudden change of direction when passing trucks on the Motorways
R100rs Motosport, coz I was a TWAT !!!! and thought I needed the money


All in the 70's early 80's


Those in last 3 years
80g/s to Monk, coz he's me mate, silly bugger sold it
R100GS PD cos it was a paralever
R80/7 to Sid to allow him to come to Airhead weekend


I will NEVER Sell my R90s, R80g/s or R26.

My Son has "borrowed" my R100cs

 

[Wreford Miles]

Not sure you'll get many answers as most are sold as probate

 

[Ogmios]

i'd be interested too .
as a current Airheader, it has crossed my mind to sell and move upward and onward.
but when i think 'aw, it's slow, old and what if i had to do some real work on it - not just service and keep an eye on stuff......'

but then i think 'slow? but you've never been left behind when in company of newer GSs. you've never had to do any real work on it- and if you did, it'd be easier than a fuel injected boxer....'

brain always wins the argument. wallet helps - as it's stress level is low and heart is still in love with Airheadery

 

[Voyager]

I sold my 1988 R80RT to a mate last year, after spending a fortune on it.

Reason I sold it . . I wasn't using it and I was finding it a bit underpowered & buzzy (kept looking for another gear).

I do miss it though as it was a great bike once I got back onto it and did some distance. I.E. after a run to the shops I thought - its not right for me, but after a 400 mile run I thought - I love it !

That left me with an R100GS, an R1150GSA and a K1200GT - so lots of variation.

Now the GT isn't getting used and is up for sale.

Moral - GS' Rule, They're the best all-rounders

Bob.

 

[nud1e]

this is a bit premature as I can't sell the bloody thing, so I'm raising the price - the '93 R80GS is an appreciating classic after all.
Needs to go as I need the garage space to start working on the R75/6.

Don't use the bikes to commute, except the odd morning very couple of week for a 10/15 minute run.
I use the XT225 if I'm playing in the hills.
I alternate the use of the 80GS and the 1150GS for longer runs.

 

[biggles12]

I've sold two a R80gs to get a R100gs The R80gs was very slow. I then sold the R100gs to get money for house moving.
I done 120,000 miles on it, and was sad to see it go. I now have a R1100gs but am looking for a cheap air head (80or 100), if anyone knows of one.

Pete

 

[MMC]

I've had two R100GSes and two R100RSes, the last of which was a complete beauty.

Why did I sell them?

"Because I'm stupid" is the answer.

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

Because no matter how much you spend, they'll never handle or go, like a more modern GS bike

I had this.............

and this..............

Both highly modified for their intended use

The PD had the pinnacle of what could be done to improve it's chassis for the road, but was still an old dog to ride

They break down regularly, have crap charging systems and electrics and feel hinged in the middle

Jump on a R1100GS and welcome to another world - in 1994 it was a million miles away from a PD

As for offroading ......................this does it all, so much better on the road and the dirt

Chapter closed..................

Airheads have a certain charm........................which is wasted on me - I fecking loathe them

 

[PIGGLET]

I sold both my 100's because an oilhead is more suitable for me as an only bike.
I know this is probably considered blasphemy in here but I find an oilhead smoother, better handling and more comfortable for all year use. Even with with the constant threat of a paralever lock-up (sorry prof)
I'm thinking about another airhead as a second bike/toy which I can fettle and use when I want to as opposed to when I need to.

 

[BillN]

Airheads - In recent years

I sold my R100S when I bought my R90S

I sold my R80ST when I bought another R80ST

Over the years I have sold 3 R100GSPDs but still have two, (one very very good and one not so good)

I sold a R100GSPD and bought a R60/6

I sold a R80GS Basic because I was offered a load of money

I sold another R80GS Basic, (again offered a load of money), and bought a Motorsport R100RS

I still have a R80GS Basic that needs some work

I still have a R80G/S that needs some work

I have a R60/7, R100GS and R80RT as parts Bikes

I have an R80/7 in bits waiting for my retirement

They can become an addiction and as I have got older, (and slower), I am moving towards BMs of the 50s, 60s and 70s and I am looking to sell a couple of my "newer airheads" and buy a 60/2 or R69S

 

[BegesRus]

I had a R100GSPD - really nice but sold it for these reasons
1) I had a Honda VFR a K1100LT as well
2) Used it for Euro bike holidays but my mate packed it in so it never really got used much
3) Wanted space in the garage
4) Money would be nice

After a few years I bought another one which I currently own
Why
because I'm daft but no stupit

 

[Hustler]

I've had two R100GSes and two R100RSes, the last of which was a complete beauty.

Why did I sell them?

"Because I'm stupid" is the answer.

I suspect most of us have sold bikes and then regretted it.
I think it should be given an official illness name and then we wouldn't feel quite so bad as we could say we suffer from bikesellingitus illness.
But I doubt there's a cure.

 

[Crapaud]

Had my first airhead, a limited edition black and gold R100RS at age 18. Only sold it because my boss at work was constantly on at me to sell it to him. Had an original R80g/s in 19982 aged 20. Had that one for many years and did everything on it from off-roading, hill climbing, drag racing (yes, really!) to long overseas trips. I guess I simply got bored eventually and wanted a change. Had beatiful R80RS that I wish I never sold but again it was someone else persuading me to sell it to them. Also had 3 R80/7 and loved all of them. Not missed them as ten a penny and can always easily get another one as I have done.

Now picked up 1980 R80/7 from Proff to allow him to make some space for Airhead weekend. Will spend winter/spring restoring this one to rude health and then wife wants to ride it. May buy an airhead gs if right bike comes along at right price.

They are not as good as a good oilhead eg my 1997 R1100GS which I will definitely NEVER sell. That one will go to the grave with me. Every other bike I could sell tomorrow and not miss but that one is special.

 

[ChasF]

I sold an R80ST back in 1987 and always regretted it. It was too cramped 2up on long continental trips and was replaced with a Guzzi Spada 'Royale' which was also a really good bike. I now have a 1989 R100GS which I've had for 18 years and a R80G/S.

I had an 1150GS for three years but never really liked it and was glad to see it go.

Airhead GS's are far from perfect but for overall ownership satisfaction you cannot beat them (IMHO)

 

[Trippy]

I never really keep a bike longer that 18 months / 2 years (some 2 weeks).
I only had my R80g/s PD for 6 months and really liked it but couldn't keep two bikes and at the time couldn't bring myself to sell the 1150.

The trouble was it was a little too old for me having the weaker front suspension, top yoke and the tubed tyres. I could never see myself coping with puntures in the middle of no-where very well.

I have the Basic now which has the slightly better electrics, suspension and tubeless tyres and its a great retro ride, however the PD was a better looking bike, smaller feeling, no side panels, black frame and more basic than the Basic really.

 

[Vern]

I sold mine because it was shite slow and handled like a dog on lino

 

[Hustler]

...... handled like a dog on lino

Brilliant, I've just added that to my motorbike technical terms list.

 

[Voyager]

Brilliant, I've just added that to my motorbike technical terms list.

I like . . "Handles like a blancmange on a warm plate".



Bob.

 

[Thunder]

I sold mine because it was shite slow and handled like a dog on lino

Won't be buying another one then?