New airhead owner questions

[revorg]

I am a long time rider but new to the brand, I bought a '92 R100RT last fall and have been shaking the bugs out of it this spring. I am sure I will have more questions later but the big ones now are:

(1) What kind of mileage should I expect from this bike ?
I have only been getting about 35 mpg... seems a bit thirsty to me.
This is normal riding... light on the throttle, 50 to 60 mph.
She seems to run fine, perhaps a little numb on the bottom end but plenty of power at road speeds.

(2) Does anybody make a longer adjustment rod for the shifter linkage or am I going to have to fabricate one ?
I have the foot pegs adjusted down and back as far as they want to go (I'm 6'2") and I could use a bit more room for my size 11 boot under the shifter.

I posted a picture of my girl in the sticky thread. :bikes

[GlobalRider]

What kind of mileage should I expect from this bike ?
I have only been getting about 35 mpg... seems a bit thirsty to me.
This is normal riding... light on the throttle, 50 to 60 mph.

Stock 1990 R100 GS at 65 to 70 mph, my usual cruising speed...39 MPG (US). Looking at my fuel consumption records, thats what most of my fill-ups read.

I think the GS has different final drive gearing making it rev higher at any given speed.

[shire2000]

Congrats on becoming an Airhead. You will either love it or hate it. Just think of it as a very simple machine that will give you lots of miles and smiles.

As to your gas mileage, a properly tuned R100RT, driven as you state, should give you around 45MPG. I would suggest a good overall tuneup, valve adjustment and balancing of the carbs. Also, check your tire pressures. I find mine handles best at around 38Lbs rear and 34Lbs front. I am 220Lb and do most of my riding on secondary roads. Not all that light on the throttle. Don't be afraid to get those revs up, these bikes can move out quite well for their age and design. No crotch rocket, but still quite respectable.

As to the shift rod, many have made their own longer ones themselves. Years ago Luftmeister made some, including some rear-sets for the RS (fit any R100). But I haven't really seen any in a long time. Once in a while some of the rear-sets come available on Fleabay.

Don't listen to the naysayers that will tell you that airheads require lots of maintenance. They require the same if not less than any other bike. Just set it up properly the first time, and take care of it. Then it will take you wherever you want to go and always bring you back. Extreme reliability is it's forte.

Dave
:ca

[EXR911]

I am a long time rider but new to the brand, I bought a '92 R100RT last fall and have been shaking the bugs out of it this spring. I am sure I will have more questions later but the big ones now are:

(1) What kind of mileage should I expect from this bike ?
I have only been getting about 35 mpg... seems a bit thirsty to me.
This is normal riding... light on the throttle, 50 to 60 mph.
She seems to run fine, perhaps a little numb on the bottom end but plenty of power at road speeds.

(2) Does anybody make a longer adjustment rod for the shifter linkage or am I going to have to fabricate one ?
I have the foot pegs adjusted down and back as far as they want to go (I'm 6'2") and I could use a bit more room for my size 11 boot under the shifter.

I posted a picture of my girl in the sticky thread. :bikes

I made a different shifter linkage rod to get more clearance after fitting a set of footboards to my '78 R100/7. Took about an hour in the shop.
With the 3.2:1 rear and small carbs of the R100 I routinely get 50 mpUSg but then I am a notorious short-shifter and top-gear rider on the country lanes around here.

PT9766

[mymindsok]

You mileage seema a bitlow but if thebikes not in tip-top tune, youre in the lower ballpark. Tune that sucker up!

The only advice that I'll give, based uppon your question, is to let the engine rev. Air cooled engines live on revs and I (At the advvice of my pro mentor.) seldom run mine below 3000 RPM.

Keep your bike tuned-up, change the oil frequently and keep the revs up and it'll last a lifetime.

Well... 40 years anyway!

[88bmwJeff]

Congrats on the bike. I have an 88 R100 RT, which is very similar to yours. I am 6' 1" with size 12 shoes, and have had similar problems with the shifter.

First on the mileage. This is a HOTLY debated item. The older dual shock models with 40mm carbs get better gas mileage than us with the 32mm carbs. That being said gas mileage in the mid 30's is typical for our bikes. How one rides a bike can have affects on the mileage.

With regards to the shifter... The type of boots can make a difference. My current boots make shifting easier than my previous boots. Also, the left foot peg should be angled down in the front so the top is not parallel to the ground. That helps a little. If you do make an extension rod, let me know how it worked.

[MIAirhead]

I have an 84 RT I ride it a little faster then then post speeds. I usually take 2 lane roads. I get 40 I figure most of the time. At 16O I start looking for a station.

[R80RTJohnny]

Not wanting to step out of line too much but is your odometer correct?

[revorg]

Thanks guys. :thumb

Beautiful day here in Central Maine so I ducked the honey do list and put 120 miles on the bike. Filled the tank just before coming in... figures out to 43 MPG this time... I can live with that. :whistle

This bike sat in a garage for over 10 years... a BMW nut I know tracked it down bought it, replaced a bunch of rubber do dads... lubed the splines rebuilt the carbs and gave it a general once over. He road it a bit last year for old times sake (he had one in the 90's) and after much harassment agreed to sell it to me.
Probably about 500 miles on her since the reserection... and she really came around today... and turned 6k.

I am Loving this bike. :bliss

[88bmwJeff]

Probably about 500 miles on her since the reserection... and she really came around today... and turned 6k.

At 6k, your bike is barely broken in. Enjoy, you've got a nice looking bike there (I saw the picture you posted)

[osbornk]

You just need to ride it and put some miles on it. It has been sitting a long time and miles will only help it.

[revorg]

I don't imagine the decade it spent in storage did it any good.

I am somewhat mechanical and do most of my own maintenance on my bikes, cars and whatever... but this airhead is going to be a new learning curve for me.

I bought a Clymers that seems pretty good.
I will welcome any leads on where to source my parts from.
I have got to get that aftermarket 'old man' windshield cut down a bit.
I have to make a longer shifter rod... 'cause my feet is bigger than German spec. ;)
Got to look into seats too, that Corbin has my kiester a bit more forward than I would prefer.

I am here to tell you though... that is some machine. :thumb

What took me so long ?? :scratch

[Rod Sheridan]

but then I am a notorious short-shifter and top-gear rider on the country lanes around here.

PT9766

I had my suspicions as to what you were, have to admit, those weren't them!:laugh