I think I want to buy an Airhead - Which one?

[markjackson]

I'm thinking I may suit an R80GS or R100GS, but would appreciate words of experience/sarcasm/bitterness/regret or even advice from those in the know (or anyone really).

I've got an old Bonnie (a proper one, from Meriden), but don't want anything that slow or likely to fail at the roadside.

I'm used to 4 valve GS's (1150/1200 and currently HP2e) so don't want anything too slow on sub 100mph roads.

I like to take them on twisty roads, off road, off camping and off to drink tea at Squires.

I like the look of the Basic and early G/S simplicity far more than the Paralever P/D stye, but assume I'll want 1000cc to drag my lardy butt along at the speed my friends ride their newer stuff. I'm also fat and tallish, so a Monolever G/S may be a bit small?

I think what I need is a big bore R80 basic in perfect nick, ideally 5 miles from York, but I haven't really a clue as I've only ridden one airhead in the last ten years, and it was a very slow R65 katana thing.

I can spend anything up to £12k in theory, if I sell the HP2 and its spare wheels and stuff, so I guess (within reason) the world's my Lobster.

So… Any suggestions?

(Other than the usual "Lose weight, tubby")

 

[Rob Farmer]

The 800 engines only put out mid to high 30 bhp at the back wheel so are an acquired taste and are pretty tedious on anything other than A roads. I'd blah a go on one before you buy one.

 

[peepingtom]

you want to sell an HP2 to get an R80gs???? confused: i think you need to sit down and think about this a bit more

but you can get a seriously nice basic as you say but id be reluctant to sell the hp2 before id test ride an airhead they're a lot slower (A LOT SLOWER)etc.

 

[markjackson]

I'd blah a go on one before you buy one.

I like that idea

So who has a tuned 1040cc R80 basic I can have a go on? (Usual "5 miles from York" rules apply, obviously)

 

[Nutty]

you want to sell an HP2 to get an R80gs???? confused: i think you need to sit down and think about this a bit more

but you can get a seriously nice basic as you say but id be reluctant to sell the hp2 before id test ride an airhead they're a lot slower (A LOT SLOWER)etc.

My thoughts exactly. Surely this is an alcohol related thread.

 

[Fanum]

(Usual "5 miles from York" rules apply, obviously)

"ADVENTURE BIKE SUITABLE FOR LONG DISTANCE RIDING REQUIRED......Must be local so I can see it "

 

[markjackson]

you want to sell an HP2 to get an R80gs???? confused: i think you need to sit down and think about this a bit more

I suppose I was hoping that:

a) A really unfettered (with fairing and shizzle) one would be a little lighter than the HP2 (205kg with a big HPN tank and just a little fuel).

b) A decent engine spec would close the gap a little

c) At least a slower bike would give me an excuse to be left behind (when really it's a lack of skill)

 

[markjackson]

"ADVENTURE BIKE SUITABLE FOR LONG DISTANCE RIDING REQUIRED......Must be local so I can see it "

I suppose I could travel a little further, but remember I don't have an Adventure fairing, or 'winglets' so I'm not going past Leeds

 

[fayeslane]

Go out for a brisk walk and if you enjoy that start looking for an R80 -similar experience As Rob says they are an acquired taste.

 

[markjackson]

Surely this is an alcohol related thread.

No wine, no beer Just Ice cream!

 

[Rob Farmer]

I have a tuned 1000cc basic clone but alas am more than 5 miles from York.

Lots of people like the idea of an airhead but the reality is often a bit if a shock. Especially if you're an ice cream junkie from Yorkshire who probably needs a few extra cc to haul his fat ass down the road.

 

[bumpmuncher]

Tell you what, I dont normally offer much in the way of practical help. I will bring my 100 GS to you and we can do a swap. It will save you all that hassle of travling and fafing around with ££. PM me your address and I will bring it up tuesday

 

[fayeslane]

Tell you what, I dont normally offer much in the way of practical help. I will bring my 100 GS to and we can do a swap. It will save you all that hassle of travling and fafing around with ££. PM me your address and I will bring it up tuesday

Now there's a bloody good bloke That's what this place is all about - helping others

 

[Wreford Miles]

....IMO not such a bad quest, if you find the right (modified) Airhead.

But it's not an HP2 replacement other than it's another motorbike
However the Airhead delivers in 'satisfaction' areas that the HP2 cannot - in my case that means I can go out for a blast on the Airhead and feel that I making the most of the 45 BHP at the back wheel most of the time. On the HP2 I only occasionally get to use what it can deliver

 

[markjackson]

Tell you what, I dont normally offer much in the way of practical help. I will bring my 100 GS to you and we can do a swap. It will save you all that hassle of travling and fafing around with ££. PM me your address and I will bring it up tuesday

D'oh!

I'm having my hair done that day. Shame

 

[peepingtom]

Go out for a brisk walk and if you enjoy that start looking for an R80 -similar experience As Rob says they are an acquired taste.

 

[markjackson]

. in my case that means I can go out for a blast on the Airhead and feel that I making the most of the 45 BHP at the back wheel most of the time. On the HP2 I only occasionally get to use what it can deliver

It is sounding like ye olde airhead has more in common with my olde bonnie (tuned, low geared and on knobblies, slow but captivating and fun) than a modern speedy unit, but can't they be fettled a bit, to get more reasonable (80bhp?) power to drag along a tubby northerner and his box of pies?

Or is tuning to that level very expensive/destructive/impossible/daft?

 

[Wreford Miles]

It is sounding like ye olde airhead has more in common with my olde bonnie (tuned, low geared and on knobblies, slow but captivating and fun) than a modern speedy unit, but can't they be fettled a bit, to get more reasonable (80bhp?) power to drag along a tubby northerner and his box of pies?

Or is tuning to that level very expensive/destructive/impossible/daft?

Go knocking on Riche Moore's door with£6500 and he'll build you a fire breathing, spitting and farting engine: http://www.moorespeed.co.uk/

...and a full on Riche Moore bike will be a wonderful thing and if I had the dosh Id have one but!

On the other hand that's a lot of money to spend on a boxer engined bike that is fast off-road, the cheaper option for me was to buy an HP2

IMO opinion if you want to make an airhead hat is nearly an HP2, stick with an HP2

I suspect I'd need to spend a couple of grand on mine to get another 20 BHP at the back wheel but it's very rare that I feel the need for more power and besides mine has the high torque cam so what I don't have in BHP I have in very low down grunt.

 

[Garry H]

I just don't get this more power thing
A Airhead is what a Airhead is
Thats what makes them great
If you are a FB or want to use it 2 up get the 100
I like them all and accept each one as it is....It's called character

 

[litelfun]

jeh thats how I see it if i want more power i just wheel aut my hp2 but thier is some thing intreging and challinging for me to modifie Bracking and handling of the bicke on a a air head well its the same with my hp as well because thier crap box standard ok its a bit licke having a wife and a misstress so you have the best of both worlds

I just don't get this more power thing
A Airhead is what a Airhead is
Thats what makes them great
If you are a FB or want to use it 2 up get the 100
I like them all and accept each one as it is....It's called character