R100GSPD questions

[MisterMo]

I presently ride a R1200GS and all is cool with it. I'm a bit of a sentimentalist and have a fascination, probably described as lust, for the older R100GS's, especially the PDs. I've never ridden one.

Has anyone out there in BMWMOA land had the opportunity to ride both and care to comment on differences?

I have found a tempting candidate and am entertaining the idea of selling my R12GS in favor of the R100GSPD. Is this folly? I don't need the speed of the R12GS, nor do I need the latest/greatest. I DO value reliability, dependibility and comfortable performance.

I've read that the electicals are not so reliable on the R100s. Also, the fork may need bracing. What else might I have to do to get this is happy condition?

Please fire away with comments. I intend to spend part of my day performing more research, but comparisons b/w a R12GS and a R100GS aren't throwing themselves at me. Thanks in advance.

[20774]

Decisions, decisions...why torture yourself... Get both!! :thumb

I've not heard there's anything especifically bad with the R100 electrics...however, in general the Airhead charging system is a weak point. The late GSs have the electronic ignition system which is good. There is an issue with the driveshaft ujoint just aft of the tranny. Anecdotal information says they can fail at 30-40K miles...or they can run from 100K! It has to do with the angle it has to make after the tranny, especially for bikes that are ridden unladen...extra weight on the back tends to flatten the angle.

The Airheads tend to fixable by most people's standards, and with reasonable maintenance, should last a long time. It's a simple design...

I've never ridden an Oilhead, but I think people like the simplicity and classic nature of the Airhead design.

[Polarbear]

The GSPD100 Airheads are classics and have it all over the newer computerized BMW's, imo. Yes, they are older carb tech, basic everything else m/c's, but this is good if one were to want reliability in the outback and something fixable within reason. I am looking to do the same thing and will own one very soon as well. The R100GSPD is a fine bike with a few flaws as all BMW's have, including the new ones! I hear the universal joints are in need of replacement every 25K or so and a weak link in the paralever design. I do not know if a more permanent fix for the joint is available. This is the only thing I've ever heard bad about the older PD's. I've owned BMW m/c's for 35 years now and I can tell you every BMW has some kind of flaw, right to this day. Most are reasonably fixable, however and we/I keep riding them:). BMW holds no magic wand either, as all brands have issues of course. Good luck on the backwards look into GS'dome as you will be shocked just how good the older ones are and simple to work on, if you enjoy wrenching your own bike:). This saves a ton of $$$$$ too. :thumb

[bikerfish1100]

The areas of superiority on the oil/hexheads over the airheads are:
stiffer frame = more precise road handling/less flex in the corners.
FI instead of carb = always corret fueling, easier starting, etc.
600+ wts electricity vs about 280 wts = more than enough electrics to run any and all add-ons you could think of, & far superior stock lighting.
telelever vs fork tubes = superior handling on-road (at the cost of greater weight). built-in anti-dive technology as well.
New Brembo brakes = not even close!

I'll let others continue to weigh in on advantages of an airhead, but it's mostly in the areas of (slightly) lighter weight, and generally easier repair/maintenance (but more maintenance is required of an airhead, so maybe that's an even trade-off).

[Boxerkuh]

I believe the two bikes are totally different and it boils down to what you want, more than anything. I have owned airheads and oilheads, but went back to airheads. The difference is simple for me. The oilheads require much less maintenance, but I could do very little of it. So, I had to ride 120 miles one way to the dealer for it. That was fun at first, but that became old fast and the money that the dealers charge is no joke. The airheads require much more frequent maintenance, but it is easy and cheap. The oilheads rides much smoother, much easier at speeds and is a great bike, but it has left me stranded 3 times. The airhead is rougher, requires more work riding, but has never left me stranded.
Pick your poison, depends what you want, depends what you can afford. BTW, the airhead electrics can be upgraded to a 400 watt system and the u-joint should be done about every 30K, just for insurance (I have been told that if you keep fuel in them, with your weight and luggage on trips it eases the angle a little bit).
Good luck and let us know what you decide....

[sgborgstrom]

I have an R100GSPD and an F650 Dakar that I try to switch between every week or so. Those old airheads have a "feel" to them that keeps bringing me back into the fold...my K100RS has sat idle for months now, as has the R850R I'm tending for my ex-wife.

The biggest "hurdle" that I have in swapping bikes is remembering how much time it takes to get the R100 up and going, full choke, half choke, somewhere in-between, blip the throttle at stops for the first mile or so...remember to turn on/off the petcocks etc. With fuel injection it's turn the key and go, simplicity for the end user with a lot of complexity going on in the background.

I always advocate for multiple bikes.

[willtraubel]

I have a 92 PD which I bought used about 7 years ago and have taken it many places and many miles.. finally gave into the lust for a new GSADV this Fall .. 2007 and beautiful. I did, however, keep the PD... just can't let her go...
The differences: airhead is simpler, and I do all my own work, but needs constant tweaking, which is fine since I can do it myself. Replaced the charging system with one from Euromotoelectrics a couple years ago... makes all the difference. Also run a Fox Twin Clicker on the back, fork brace, K+N filter, Supertrapp exhaust, re-jetted carbs.
Yet even with all the improvements, she still handles like crap in the corners, knocks pings and whines when I need a good dose of horsepower, rattles my fillings even with a fresh carb-synch and tune up, and my driveshaft blew apart at 50k miles even though she sees largely paved roads and always has luggage on the back (just got back the beautifully rebuilt one from Brunos in Ontario). So, she has character and I know her, but....
The new ADV is generations beyond... so much smoother, safer and handles like I never thought a bike like this could. I can go all day without an ache and hit some dirt like it was pavement. Truly a magnificent bike... then again, I haven't had to fix or service her yet... and when it comes to that.. I can see that she won't be hard to service myself, and even repairs won't be any more or less difficult then any other new bike..
Guess what I'm saying is... for slower paced not so far riding, you can't beat the PD.. sort of like taking an old Jeep for a tour.. it'll get you there, just beat you up a bit.
The ADV is the Land Rover... a fantastic long distance ride, but not as repair friendly.
If you want to ride with a friend, get the PD, just avoid anything resembling highways or panic stops, and set aside some time for repairs and upgrades. If you want to simply ride, get the ADV, set a turnaround point of 300 miles for a day trip, and set aside some money for repairs..

[lkchris]

If you had both for a while, you could then compare them.

If you don't like the Airhead, it will still be easier to sell on than your R1200 anyway.

[MisterMo]

"If you had both for a while, you could then compare them."

"Decisions, decisions...why torture yourself... Get both!!".


Thanks for all the comments. I have decided to get both, at least for awhile. I've bought the PD but haven't picked her up yet (Denver). I live in the frigid midwest and am in no hurry to bring her home so I'm having some work done. Namely a transmission/driveshaft inspection and I'm also replacing the the charging system with the Euromotoelectrics system just like willyt suggests. (BTW, I had a black lab named WillyT. He was named after the first black driver in the Indy 500: Willy T. Ribbs)

I'm familiar w/ the R12GS and am looking forward to the comparison. I think I'll pick up the PD in January and, weather permitting, head south to Austin, TX where I can store her til Spring. Then, I think it would be fun to dip down into Mexico for a week or so.

I'm fairly mechanically inclined, but have never wrenched an airhead. Can anyone recommend a good book/DVD/manual that covers the basics?

Thanks again to all.

[Boxerkuh]

Having an Airhead really almost requires becoming a member of the "Airhead" Club. Lots of good information. I have three mannuals, the BMW owners manual, the Clymer, and Haynes. All have their own benefits, but the most accurate is always the Airhead guru's... Congrats on both bikes...

[GlobalRider]

I DO value reliability, dependibility and comfortable performance.

You must be talking about an airhead GS.


I've read that the electicals are not so reliable on the R100s.

So have I, yet in the 17 years that I've owned my R100 GS, I have yet to have a problem with any electricals. I even run a heated vest and gloves.

In fact, the original Mareg battery finally failed in the middle of the 9th year. I don't think my oilhead GS battery will last anywhere that long. Thats progress. :laugh

Bottom line: I have two airheads GSes and two oilhead GSes. If I had to sell two of them, both oilhead GSes would go.

[ssls6]

I own an 07GSA and two R100PDs. If I could only have one, it would be one of the R100PDs. Not because it is better than the 07 (performance or reliability) but because it is simple and fun (remember fun?).

[MisterMo]

I own an 07GSA and two R100PDs. If I could only have one, it would be one of the R100PDs.


Bottom line: I have two airheads GSes and two oilhead GSes. If I had to sell two of them, both oilhead GSes would go

That's what I want to hear! I'm a bit of a minimalist and the airheads appeal to my minimalist senses. However, I've now got two motorcycles and feel a little guilty about it.

You have a GSPD Classic?!? I love the looks of those! My PD is the gawdawful lavender/white color. I'd love to paint it the Classic black, but don't wan't to look like a poseur. Part of my reason for riding to Austin after I pick it up is that I have access to some good painters there. I intend to give it a repaint and would like to paint it black, but not try to make it look too much like a Classic. It's a '93 and has the old style round covers on it now. I'm contemplating going back to the '93 square covers just so that it looks appropriate.

Please, please, please post a pic or two of your Classic. Or for that matter any other GS or PD.

Haynes and Clymers will soon be ordered. I also found this DVD on ebay:
http://cgi.ebay.com/BMW-R100GS-PARIS-DAKAR-ROAD-TEST-DVD-VIEW-TRAILER_W0QQitemZ190139304686QQihZ009QQcategoryZ76 120QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

[GlobalRider]

Haynes and Clymers will soon be ordered.

See if what you are looking for is listed on the RepairManualClub dot Com (http://www.repairmanualclub.com) site.

They have countless OEM manuals for FREE download. You're looking for the BMW R80GS R100R Repair Manual...it is listed there.