Are V11 Airheads?

[Guest mspa]

Hello gents, I am not a V11 owner, but I came here hoping to get some good advice as I seriously consider the V11 as my next bike.

 

About me, a little bit anyway. I started off on a street trail bike, a Suzuki TS100 and learned how to ride in the dirt. After college, I stopped riding bikes. I have no idea why. I suppose other more interesting things happened. When I hit 50, and the kids were out of the house, I realized there was no reason to keep myself from enjoying the wind in my face again.

 

With a budget of about $3200, I bought my second bike, a monster compared to that TS100. Wanting a good mix of classic style, reliability, and being able to work on myself (intermediate at best), I bought a 1978 BMW R100S. It's really a "bitza", being all the components/engine off a R100S (with bent frame), on to a good 80/7 frame (same year).

 

I bought this bike two summers ago and have really enjoyed it. With the money I've put into my bike, plus the money I need to invest to make it a 100% solid performer, I'm considering the V11 may be a better option. I can only justify one bike at this time, and so the airhead may have to go.

 

But then, isn't the V11 an airhead??

[jwh20]

I'm no BMW expert but I would say the V11 is more "oilhead" than "airhead".

[fotoguzzi]

the heads are air cooled so yep it's an airhead.. there is a radiator but just to cool motor oil.

the V11 is the perfect jump up from a R100.. a lot more of everything and easier to work on.

[docc]

An R80 with a 100/7 engine? Kind of a hot rod, yeah?

 

Fun thing: the V11 comes pre-hot rodded!

[Guest mspa]

How is the V11 for 2-up riding with the wife? I think I saw a post on this forum where somebody commented that with panniers, it is tricky for some. But since my wife will only go on short rides around town, maybe it doesn't matter. I see the foot pegs are higher up, compared with my airhead.

[docc]

Maybe a little pic of how the set-up on the airhead turned out; sounds like it might be revealing. And help you figure out which model V11 suits you.

 

Once you hook a ride on one, you'll want to keep going back for more . . .

[canada goose]

I rode a R100RS for many years, then a R100 set up like a "S", and I still have a GSPD, which I ride regularly. As good as they are, I never really bonded with any of the post airhead beemer boxers, and I also tried many other bikes, unsucessfully looking for a replacement, until I found my V11 LeMans, eight years ago. No BMW boxer, of any vintage, is as fun to ride as a V11. For me, it just never gets old. In stock form, the airheads are more comfortable than a V11, but V11 ergonomics are easily modified, and mine is now very comfy for solo sport touring. Unfortunately, there is not much you can do for the passenger. The pillion position is what it is. If you've been doing your own airhead maintenance, you won't have a problem adapting to V11 maintenance.

[Guest mspa]

FYI, the R80/7 and R100S share the same frame size. The only advantage I see with this arrangement is the bike is insured as a R80/7 due to the VIN on the frame.

 

Here is a link to a bike that represents my original intention for this bike, obviously only for me (not 2-up).  http://www.bikeexif.com/bmw-r100rt-custom

 

with fairing:

 

 

without fairing:

 

 

 

iPhone today:

 

[docc]

So, you're thinking faired V11 (LeMans/Rosso Corsa/Nero Corsa/Tenni), or "naked, " perhaps a little bikini faring (Sport/Rosso Mandello/Ballabio/Coppa Italia)?

[Guest mspa]

Yep. I took the fairing off my bike due to having the wrong kind of "blast" on the freeway. With a taller/wider fairing setup like the Lemans, I "assume" the blast would be significantly less. If it's less than with no fairing, then that's great. I'm enjoying my bike without the fairing now. Cruising around town, off the freeway, is perfect for going "naked".

 

Can you remove the fairing on the Lemans for "naked mode"? I'm guessing it is a PITA, and possibly goofy looking . . . if the instrument cluster, etc is different. I don't know, buy you guys do, right?

 

Ultimately, I want a bike that feels like my body and it are "one", so that no matter how I ride it, and especially, going into and through turns, and other types of aggressive riding, I won't feel like I'm sitting on it, but rather "we" are one. Make sense?

 

I found a review online where the writer said something about having a problem down shifting to a stop in 3rd gear. I know on my airhead, you have to get used to shifting up and down, but once you get the hang of it, you don't need much clutch handle to do the deed smoothly.

 

One "airhead" thing I've read about and have thought of is head heat. Having the heads up by your knees has to be warmer, right? Just wondering if the oil cooler helps keep heat down. Do you guys ride with jeans, or usually with thicker riding pants?

 

Another comparison I'm curious about is rider sizing . . . I know some bikes "fit" certain size guys, where you can be too tall, or too short to ride a bike as-is, without mods to the seat or suspension. I'm 5'10" and 160 lbs, so average I guess. I'm assuming I would fit this bike well? I did see a post on here where someone over 6 foot mentioned being at the edge of comfortable. Maybe I misread. 

[Guest mspa]

Some of my airhead buddies are warning me of one issue that concerns parts. I'm wondering how you guys deal with this. And that is part availability and cost. 

 

I was at a Triumph dealer in Beaverton, that used to carry MG's. That's originally why I stopped by for a visit. However, they ended their business relationship due to issues they had with newer bikes, getting a gas tank from Italy. It took months, and at one point, the same tank was returned not fixed. I guess it represented some similar scenarios that led them to avoid the possible upsetting of customers.

 

This is one thing I like about older bikes. At least I know with my airhead, I can walk into the local dealer, or go online, and buy 85% NOS parts. I don't see many V11's, usually only online, but Moto International here in town shows a ton of parts at good prices. I didn't look for everything, but I got the idea that MG is similar on parts. I would love some input from you guys.

 

Speaking of gas tanks, am I correct in believing the V11 tank is plastic?

[fotoguzzi]

Moto International is a Premium dealer.. they will fix you right. parts no problem, cheaper than BMW.

 

the V11 6 speed is wonderful.

 

I'm 5'10" and it fit me perfect once I added bar risers.

 

it's not a simple deal to remove the Lemans fairing but you won't want to, it works!

 

no you don't get too hot from the heads or anything else really (try a Buell if you want to know heat) I wear (experienced) Roadcrafter always.

 

you can become 1 with a Lemans.

 

sadly I don't have mine since this spring (traded for a Miata) my Uly has more of everything including character.

 

[docc]

+1 on all fotoguzzi's comments. Plus: yes, plastic tanks, all. Probably some kind of roto-molded polyamide . . .

 

besides the full "leMans style" fairing, there are several smaller offerings - some fork mounted like the early Sport and others frame mounted like the Ballabio/Café Sport.

[canada goose]

I buy both my airhead, and V11 parts, online. On average, neither one is any more dificult than the other. I don't know too many "walk-in" BMW dealers that stock a wide selection of airhead parts anymore. They just keep the common maintenance.stuff.......filters and such. I recently had to contact 3 different places to find a rear main seal on the shelf. If I was fortunate enough to be living close to Moto International, I'd be running 2 Guzzis.

 

As for ergonomics, I'm 67.5" tall, with 29.5" inseam. The stock LeMans / V11 Sport clip-ons are too low and far away for me. My bars are about 2.5" higher and 2.5" closer. Stock length wires and brake lines are routed under the top triple clamp. My Buell footpegs (direct replacement), have a 1" drop. It's a comfortable set-up for me. LeMans and V11 Sport (naked) with clip-ons, are made for long arms and short legs. Cafe models (tubular handlebars / bikini fairing) are made for regular arms and short legs. Try this site: http://cycle-ergo.com/

 

Engine heat is about the same overall as an airhead, but at the end of the season, your riding boots won't end up looking like a dried out roast turkey, The LeMans fairing works very well. I get very little wind on my chest, and my helmet is in fairly clean airflow. Twisted throttle sells a taller MRA windscreen.

[Guest mspa]

fotoguzzi, your red/silver is just like a local model up for sale. I like that color combo. Actually, I haven't seen a Lemans I don't like  

 

C'goose, my inseam is 32 and my upper body is longer (short legs), so maybe that would work fine to start. 

 

Good to hear about parts and Moto Int's great rep. Dave seems like the kind of guy any bike lover would want their local dealership to be like. So in that sense, I certainly know I can trust him to give the best possible service. With the trade in's they get, I assume he has many repeat customers. And being only 35 minutes away, certainly can't complain.

 

Comparing both airheads, you bring up a great point about lower vs. upper heat. I can see preferring no heat around my feet. The only argument in favor of the BMW is lower center of gravity. But I realize that is something with a short learning curve to avoid tip overs in parking lots.

 

I am curious, C'goose, if you run your GSPD off-road most of the time.