moshe_levy Posted August 28, 2012 Posted August 28, 2012 So, my current lineup of running bikes consists of my 2009 RT commutermobile and my 1977 R100S, which I use for the rare Sunday backroads blast. Here she is: Gorgeous, isn't she? Not a scratch or a mark anywhere, and she runs like a top thanks to the great Tom Cutter. Great fun, and the sounds and smells of a 35 year old machine definitely take you back in time. I was only 2 when this bike was made! I love her. I really do. And yet... Two weeks ago, for some ungodly reason, I got bitten by the Sportster bug AGAIN. This time an 883R caught my eye, and I haven't been able to get it out of my mind. 883Rs are sort of rare and quite nice in Orange: What is it about THIS Sportster? It is crude and agricultural, devoid of any creature comforts and about as sophisticated as Larry The Cable Guy. And yet.... I know it like the back of my hand, because I built my 1998 Sportster from the ground up myself before I got heavily into BMWs. I put 60,000 miles on that bike, 40,000 of which were on an engine I built, that put 96HP to the rear wheel. Something about that bike.... So in looking at the values of my R100S, I could sell it, get an 883R with about 3k miles on it (like new), and make the engine mine all over again. It wouldn't cost me anything when all is said and done - other than losing the R100S! Then I'd have a crude Harley and my RT, instead of my RT and its grandfather, the R100S. I think I am making a stupid mistake even thinking about this. I think it is a trade down. It is irrational and illogical to consider this. And yet.... -MKL
Paul Mihalka Posted August 28, 2012 Posted August 28, 2012 "I think I am making a stupid mistake even thinking about this" I think the two bikes should not be mentioned on the same page. Just my opinion, and everybody has one...
cruisin Posted August 28, 2012 Posted August 28, 2012 IMHO; you would be trading WAAAAAAAAAAAAAY down. That R100S is one of the most sought after old BMWs ever. I think it would be a huge mistake making that trade. Now; if you could find a way to keep the R100 the RT and get the sportster, we might not have to send out the guys with straight jackets to bring you back to your senses.
Effjay Posted August 28, 2012 Posted August 28, 2012 What the others said... Wow, love that pic in black/white monochrome. Nice with those rare Lester wheels too! (I even have an original BMW R100S brochure )
Quinn Posted August 28, 2012 Posted August 28, 2012 Any chance you could just rent a new Sportster from the local Harley dealer and scratch that itch for a weekend? Otherwise, I'd try to talk my best buddy into buying the sportster and letting him trade off with you on weekend rides. Last thing to mention. What would be the replacement cost of the BMW? Could it ever be replaced? Without a complete re-build and lots of big bucks? -----
krussell Posted August 28, 2012 Posted August 28, 2012 Go for the Sportster, they are great bikes. The R100S is really going to be hard to move, given options like the Sportster are on the market as well. I'll help you out, give you a great deal, just let me know. :-) Seriously though, if the Sportster is what MOVES you, then go for it. AFAIC if it has two wheels and a motor, we are good.
Smoky Posted August 28, 2012 Posted August 28, 2012 We all wish we could have that one bike back. Your R100S, will be that bike. Don't sell it. Find another way.
kmac Posted August 28, 2012 Posted August 28, 2012 DUMB A$$ for even considering this toilet flush of a downward spiral. Nothing personal here, I just hate everything HD anymore. the scene is so irritating for me. This is coming from a guy who used to LOVE his HDs. It is SO over played. Keep the R100S or save up and buy an 883 and build the R replica if you must, or buy an 883 and push it off a cliff....your call.
mbelectric Posted August 28, 2012 Posted August 28, 2012 The only HD I'd even consider as a trade would be a XR1000. Value considered, the 883 is worthless. Your R100S even non original will always be worth more in the long run. There is NO market for the 883. When you tire of it you will have to give it away. So what's left is how much you enjoy the ride. And there are far more bikes of the same displacement which are more fun. Good luck MB.
John Bentall Posted August 28, 2012 Posted August 28, 2012 Hi Moshe, What is it that you associate with the period of your Sportster ownership that is missing at the moment? If you can answer that question clearly, then you will know whether it is madness or not. HTH, John
tallman Posted August 28, 2012 Posted August 28, 2012 Sort of like swapping your wife for Joan Rivers. One needs plastic surgery, the other is perfect the way it already is. Change isn't always good. No one, and I mean no one in their right, left, or no brain mode would even consider this. If you were closer I'd have you Baker Acted... You aren't getting to ride ride much anymore. Do you really want that orange monstrosity sharing garage space and polluting the environment your children are raised in? Think of all the negative aspects on your family. Not to mention in the HD world you'd be viewed as a poser whilst beemerphiles will recognize you for the intelligent, discerning cognistacator you must be. Mad? Maybe not now. But you will be later.
moshe_levy Posted August 28, 2012 Author Posted August 28, 2012 C'mon guys, tell me how you REALLY feel! Yes, I know all of this. I'm usually a pretty rational guy. I don't even know what's "missing" when I ride the S - nothing's missing, really. The Sunday rides are short - over to the local MC hangout for breakfast and back. Mostly old bikes so it fits right it, looks nice, sounds nice, runs nice.... An 883 is just another 883 and the "Harley scene" is about as far from my personality type as it gets. BUT I really like that bike, for some reason. I do have another bike I own, but it's in pieces. It's been in pieces for over 10 years! It's a 1973 R75/5 LWB. When it's reassembled it will be a cafe. I actually have all the parts - everything totally repainted, all the parts refinished or new. Been sitting there for at least 4 years now actually ready to put back together. Once that goes together and I get that here, maybe then my mind will have completely changed, and I will miss the S terribly. It's not like you can just go find one in this sort of condition on every street corner, as you can with a Harley. Y'all are right about this, of course. It really is like trading from Bar Refaeli down to Joan Rivers. I have no idea why this voice in my head is trying to justify this nonsense. Got to slow down before I do something irrational here. -MKL
OoPEZoO Posted August 28, 2012 Posted August 28, 2012 If I was going to put something in the garage from HD, it would have to be this
rd400racer Posted August 28, 2012 Posted August 28, 2012 I have a terminal case of "the grass is always greener...". Here is a list of the bikes that I have bought and sold IN THE LAST 24 MONTHS! Honda CBR900RR Honda CB1 Yamaha XS650 Yamaha SR500 Yamaha FZR750 MZ Skorpion Why did I do this? Because they were bikes that I always thought that I wanted and I had to get them to see if I really did. My stable (not including racebikes) is down to my R1100RS and a Ducati Monster. And to be perfectly honest, that is all I really need. I will admit out of that above list, I would really like the CBR900 back, but the way I look at it is there are plenty still out there and if I get the urge (and some extra money) I'll buy another one. (Plus now I have a Jones for your R100.....an absolutely beautiful machine you have there!)
taylor1 Posted August 28, 2012 Posted August 28, 2012 Moshe, I certainly would not give up that beautiful R1000S, but on the same hand, there is nothing wrong with wanting the feel of a Harley. Hopefully you will be able to spoil yourself and find a way to have them both.
moshe_levy Posted August 28, 2012 Author Posted August 28, 2012 Keith, I agree with you on the XR. Problem is the plain 'ol Sporties are so plentiful and cheap, that for the price differential I can make a bike that would run from the XR - full engine and suspension prep, just like mine used to have. It's a pie in the sky - who the hell needs ANOTHER bike now? I barely ride the ones I have! :-( -MKL
outpost22 Posted August 28, 2012 Posted August 28, 2012 Moshe, I checked the calender. It's NOT April 1st. What gives? Don't worry,my friends have saved me from even worse decisions.
George S. Posted August 28, 2012 Posted August 28, 2012 Add me to the chorus of people saying YES, you are mad. And I did own a Harley, a Dyna(Defender, police bike) The other day, there I was on a highway, almost no traffic on the road and I'm tooling along about 5 over the limit in the right lane. A Harley guy just has to pass me and he lingers for a bit in the left lane next to me and a bike's length ahead as if to say, "Yeah, take a good look at my sweet ride." I did look. You know what I saw? I saw his license plate, rear fender and other parts vibrating so rapidly that they were a blur! It made me smile as I motored along smoothly on my R1200. I was actually feeling sorry for him and thinking: "Poor dumb bastard probably has to retrace his route every so often to look for parts and fasteners that fall off!"
lkchris Posted August 28, 2012 Posted August 28, 2012 If I was going to put something in the garage from HD, it would have to be this Yes, the only really interesting HD. The 883 is a cheapo special, nothing more. And, I think the original poster should commute with the 100S and use the RT for highway carving.
moshe_levy Posted August 28, 2012 Author Posted August 28, 2012 Kent, the Sportster is an interesting bike and a blank canvas with thousands of possibilities. I thoroughly enjoyed mine. Would I want it as a sole bike or everyday commuter? Hell, no! That's what originally motivated me to get my first (2004) RT. But I do like the looks of the 883R, and I have the know-how and experience with that series bike to make it quite capable. You're right, though- I should not sacrifice my R100S for it. -MKL
Paul Mihalka Posted August 28, 2012 Posted August 28, 2012 In motorcycles, like in many other things, some things you do "from your brain", and some "from your heart". Any RT is the right bike "from your brain". Both the R100S and the HD 883 for you would be "from the heart" bikes. Some times your heart makes you do terrible things...
tallman Posted August 28, 2012 Posted August 28, 2012 At least there's an outfit to wear when riding it. cruel (la)
kmac Posted August 28, 2012 Posted August 28, 2012 Gen. 8:21 because the inclination of the heart of man is bad from his youth up. Jerimiah 17:9 9 “The heart is more treacherous than anything else and is desperate. Who can know it? Sorry for bring a volatile, controversial source into the discussion....but if the shoe fits. Just thought these verses fit the the "heart" comments.
moshe_levy Posted August 28, 2012 Author Posted August 28, 2012 See "character" discussion going on elsewhere. Sometimes your head is willing to forgive ALOT to please your heart. I called the seller of the 883R. Turns out there are a few issues not listed in the ad. Made my appetite for it go away. I'll revisit someday, but not now. Let's wait until the R75/5 is done, and see where things fit then. -MKL
CVA-42 Posted August 28, 2012 Posted August 28, 2012 So the issue has resolved itself. As a long-time airhead guy, I was going to say I thought it would have been absolutely the wrong move. They aren't making airheads anymore, and the bike in the pic appears to be an extra nice example. One of the prettiest tanks and rear-end treatments ever produced by BMW, IMO. What a graceful looking machine. Rolling art to me. I was further going to suggest that you wait awhile and see if the jones'n for a Sportster might dissipate before you did anything regrettable. Sometimes that happens. I was actually hot for a Road King Classic about a year ago. You know - - the overall sorta vintage appearance; the great paint and chrome; the whole Harley mystique. A couple of friends have them and love them. Thought it would be a great change of pace. Then I rode one. I don't wish to offend anyone because so many love them, but the ride cured my particular desire to have one. I doubt it will return.
Bill_Walker Posted August 28, 2012 Posted August 28, 2012 And serenity returns... Balance has been restored to The Force.
mbelectric Posted August 29, 2012 Posted August 29, 2012 And furthermore, I really think you should go out and apologize to the "S" for even considering getting rid of her... MB>
moshe_levy Posted August 29, 2012 Author Posted August 29, 2012 I took your advice MB. I got home tonight (took the car to work today - bad weather this morning) and cleaned her with some spray wax. I apologized by osmosis. I think I'm forgiven, but if she leaves me stranded in the near future, we'll now know why. We're back on track, she and I.... -MKL
RSlacker Posted August 29, 2012 Posted August 29, 2012 Maybe you should consider this: that would be an entirely emotional buy. Albeit almost all motorcycle purchases are, think about the long run! A Harley is a Harley, and they tend to do what BMW's don't: die. As of now my '04 1150RS is nearing 100,000 miles. Most guys who ride Harley's and hear this almost dislocate their jaws hearing about this since "a lot" of miles on a Harley is 20,000. While the 883 might turn your wheels for a while, it'll just end up making you regret getting rid of that S... especially when you want to take a turn at more than 20 mph.
Robus Posted August 29, 2012 Posted August 29, 2012 I have fond memories of my Roadster. Would I want another. Doubt it. I did recently buy a Road Glide for 2-up. Fills a different niche than the RT.
biometrics Posted August 29, 2012 Posted August 29, 2012 +1 to what Ikchris said... Keep the beemer and come to your senses... Keith, when your choice of HD came out, I read a review in one of the trade magazines that said that this NEW bike from HD, didn't do anything that a 1983 Honda Nighthawk CB650sc didn't do better decades before the HD was designed. Looks aren't everything... (Of course my ride at the time I read that review was indeed a 1983 Honda NightHawk CB650sc, so as you can imagine, I was quite pleased with my bike!)
RAINEY Posted August 30, 2012 Posted August 30, 2012 You'll probably be disappointed. I have owned 3 of what I thought was nice Harley's over the past 10 years. Sportster 1200, Dyna Super Glide Sport and a Road King. Rode a BMW and will never again own a Harley. Nothing wrong with them and they were great motorcycles, but I really like the way the BMW's handle the road. Harleys are nice to ride around, but the BMW's feel better charging into the turns and rolling on the throttle while into a turn.
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