That airhead sound - Page 2

AnnapolisAirhead · 10-28-2009, 03:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by R80andR100RT

+1 Brett, I've decided when I finally have to sell mine, I,m going to write a short summary, coil it up and put it in the frame tube under the seat.

...now THAT'S an innovative idea! Log trips, troubles, good times and all. Message in a bottle.

geisterfahrer · 10-28-2009, 03:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tthouses

are you a ghost rider?

I started using that screen name when I bought my VW Jetta TDI. I didn't have any motorcycles at that time.

Geisterfahrer is 'ghost driver' in German, and over there it really does not have a good connotation. Something about people driving the wrong way on the autobahns in the middle of the night. But I thought it sounded cool, so I picked it up. I'm not sure what 'ghost rider' would be in German.

Any deutsch speakers out there?

stkmkt1 · 10-28-2009, 04:12 PM

I know my new hex motor is not the same as the old airheads, but the sound of that motor is sweet to me. I love the sound of it as you pull away from a stop. It just kind of chugs a bit and slowly begins to increase in speed. At 4,000 it just purrs. At 5,000, it's starting to yell. I have not ridden it at 6K as I am not that type of rider. I really like the sound of the motor the most when it is running around 2-3K, which is not really a good speed to hold it at.

I have a friend who has a newer GS and a realatively new LT. He says that every time he rides the LT, the motor is so smooth, that he tells himself he is going to sell the GS with its rough-running two-cylinder motor. But he never does. Each time he gets back on the GS and takes it for a spin, he falls in love with it again.

habdala · 10-28-2009, 06:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by geisterfahrer

Okay, I admit I am a total Beemer Airhead Newbie. And, I have lusted after a Beemer since I was a teenager. But...

Does anyone else just crave that boxer twin sound?

I have to admit I sometimes go out to the garage and start the bike just to hear the motor running. I LOVE THAT SOUND!

It's even better when I am cruising down the road.

And yes, I know it is not good for the engine to run it that way. Keep the flames in check, please! I will get over this phase quickly.

So, how many of you have had this affliction, and how long does it take you to get over it?

I second that!

CTellman · 10-28-2009, 07:22 PM

I have ridden airheads since 1972. I have never had a different marque.
I am not power hungry and find that each has had plenty of git up and go.
I am older now (62) and never used earplugs until this bike. It makes driving so much more pleasant. I can still hear my environment but when I drive it is like sitting on a well oiled sewing machine.
It feels like I am on a turbine. I will have this R100RT until I can ride no longer and I will always be thankful for the simplicity and refinement.
Campbell Tellman II
'93 R100RT

rogermansfield · 10-28-2009, 08:35 PM

I love listening to other people's airheads as they go by at rallies,etc. I can never hear my bike the same way!

Rapid_Roy · 10-28-2009, 10:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yarddog

Welp...seein' as how I gotta Harley panhead, I sure as HECK didn't get a BMW for the sound! Nope! I got it for it's sewin' machine feel... and it doesn't hurt that the GF thinks it's extremely comfy...but the sound? Now, that's the weirdest thang I've ever heard! No offense...

If we have to explain.........

My brothers got a few beemers and a panhead. Willie G calls him "Sidecar guy."

jamesdunn · 10-28-2009, 11:11 PM

I like sound of my airhead because it is an airhead! Pretty much like everything about the old bike.

lenmcc · 11-03-2009, 05:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by geisterfahrer

I have to admit I sometimes go out to the garage and start the bike just to hear the motor running.

i have to admit i'd do that when i first got mine. and i'm sure i'll do it again when i get her running again!

BexBmr · 11-03-2009, 07:06 PM

There is nothing like the sound of firing up the bike after a long winter (already I am dreaming). I'll never get sick of the sound of my old airhead!!!

What's really cool is cruising along and crouching down just above the gas tank to hear the tick-tick-tick inside your helmet.

mmmalmberg · 11-03-2009, 08:04 PM

The absolute best sound for me is in the middle of the night when you've been working on it for months, perhaps you've not even ever heard it run 'cause you bought it broken, and you fire it up for the first time. Maybe some flames fly out the tailpipe 'cause the timings not really set or something. But it's 2 a.m. and it's the best sound in the world. Miller time

9842 · 11-03-2009, 09:23 PM

hey guys
Got three air heads- 2 /5's and an rs. I like the sound of my 73 lwb with dunstall pipes. Sounds like a motorcycle should sound. The other two have stock pipes and it's a nice sound but the dunstalls are a litter sweeter.
later
Brian
9842

wezul · 11-03-2009, 10:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crazydrummerdude

Haha. You gotta listen close, but the sewing machine does make a reassuring sound.

So true. Even with my late model bikes I get the "nice sewing machine" from the non-BMW riders.
It's OK.
I tell them, that's the sound of precision.

G_Thomas · 11-04-2009, 07:59 PM

I have to admit, my first experience with 'that BMW sound' left me dazed and confused. It was only about 2 years ago when I went to look at buying my first one, an R80 mono that I still have. The owner fired it up for me and I remember thinking to myself what a strange and alarming sound it made compared to the Honda GL500 I rode up on. The only immediate comparison I could make was to the 70's VW beetle my sister had when I was a kid. Even the starter sounded so "unmotorcycle" to me...and it sounded as if it had enough torque to be a winch on a tow truck or something. The overall clatter and clunk and whirr of the engine was like nothing I'd heard before. Later, when I test-rode the beemer and heard all those same sounds from the cockpit, I fell completely in love. What a symphony!! When I rode my Honda home that night it felt so boring and quiet and lacking in character. I rolled into my driveway, parked it, and never rode it again. Within a week the Honda was gone and that R80 was mine!! And I love her still. Everytime I ride that bike, I love it more. My wife gets jealous.....

keelerb · 11-06-2009, 08:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by G_Thomas

I have to admit, my first experience with 'that BMW sound' left me dazed and confused. It was only about 2 years ago when I went to look at buying my first one, an R80 mono that I still have. The owner fired it up for me and I remember thinking to myself what a strange and alarming sound it made compared to the Honda GL500 I rode up on. The only immediate comparison I could make was to the 70's VW beetle my sister had when I was a kid. Even the starter sounded so "unmotorcycle" to me...and it sounded as if it had enough torque to be a winch on a tow truck or something. The overall clatter and clunk and whirr of the engine was like nothing I'd heard before. Later, when I test-rode the beemer and heard all those same sounds from the cockpit, I fell completely in love. What a symphony!! When I rode my Honda home that night it felt so boring and quiet and lacking in character. I rolled into my driveway, parked it, and never rode it again. Within a week the Honda was gone and that R80 was mine!! And I love her still. Everytime I ride that bike, I love it more. My wife gets jealous.....

Don't ever get a Guzzi Eldorado. Or if you do, get a good divorce lawyer lined up first.

10-28-2009, 04:12 PM	#18
stkmkt1 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Tremont, IL Posts: 251	I know my new hex motor is not the same as the old airheads, but the sound of that motor is sweet to me. I love the sound of it as you pull away from a stop. It just kind of chugs a bit and slowly begins to increase in speed. At 4,000 it just purrs. At 5,000, it's starting to yell. I have not ridden it at 6K as I am not that type of rider. I really like the sound of the motor the most when it is running around 2-3K, which is not really a good speed to hold it at. I have a friend who has a newer GS and a realatively new LT. He says that every time he rides the LT, the motor is so smooth, that he tells himself he is going to sell the GS with its rough-running two-cylinder motor. But he never does. Each time he gets back on the GS and takes it for a spin, he falls in love with it again. __________________ '09 BMW 1200 GSA '09' V Star 950 '09 Honda Rebel (wife is learning) '77 Honda 750A

10-28-2009, 07:22 PM	#20
CTellman Registered User Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: North Carolina Coast Posts: 170	My Fourth Airhead . . . . . . I have ridden airheads since 1972. I have never had a different marque. I am not power hungry and find that each has had plenty of git up and go. I am older now (62) and never used earplugs until this bike. It makes driving so much more pleasant. I can still hear my environment but when I drive it is like sitting on a well oiled sewing machine. It feels like I am on a turbine. I will have this R100RT until I can ride no longer and I will always be thankful for the simplicity and refinement. Campbell Tellman II '93 R100RT

10-28-2009, 08:35 PM	#21
rogermansfield beemerfield Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 120	I love listening to other people's airheads as they go by at rallies,etc. I can never hear my bike the same way! __________________ beemerfield

10-28-2009, 11:11 PM	#23
jamesdunn Mountain King Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Des Moines, Iowa Posts: 941	I like sound of my airhead because it is an airhead! Pretty much like everything about the old bike. __________________ 1994 R1100RSL, '78 R100RS "Time to get low. Time to get fast." ( Will Smith, "Independence Day".)

11-03-2009, 07:06 PM	#25
BexBmr Life is _________________ Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Menomonee Falls, WI Posts: 94	There is nothing like the sound of firing up the bike after a long winter (already I am dreaming). I'll never get sick of the sound of my old airhead!!! What's really cool is cruising along and crouching down just above the gas tank to hear the tick-tick-tick inside your helmet. __________________ "Two bikes are useful because at least one can be raided for parts at any given time." - Author Unknown 1977 R80/7

11-03-2009, 08:04 PM	#26
mmmalmberg Registered User Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 181	The absolute best sound for me is in the middle of the night when you've been working on it for months, perhaps you've not even ever heard it run 'cause you bought it broken, and you fire it up for the first time. Maybe some flames fly out the tailpipe 'cause the timings not really set or something. But it's 2 a.m. and it's the best sound in the world. Miller time __________________ 1993 R100R to R100S pre-op. prior beemers r50/2, r80st, r100rs twinshock, swb r75/5, r80/7, r1100rs, r100rs mono rennsport. others?

11-03-2009, 09:23 PM	#27
9842 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 44	airhead sound hey guys Got three air heads- 2 /5's and an rs. I like the sound of my 73 lwb with dunstall pipes. Sounds like a motorcycle should sound. The other two have stock pipes and it's a nice sound but the dunstalls are a litter sweeter. later Brian 9842

11-04-2009, 07:59 PM	#29
G_Thomas Registered User Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 13	I have to admit, my first experience with 'that BMW sound' left me dazed and confused. It was only about 2 years ago when I went to look at buying my first one, an R80 mono that I still have. The owner fired it up for me and I remember thinking to myself what a strange and alarming sound it made compared to the Honda GL500 I rode up on. The only immediate comparison I could make was to the 70's VW beetle my sister had when I was a kid. Even the starter sounded so "unmotorcycle" to me...and it sounded as if it had enough torque to be a winch on a tow truck or something. The overall clatter and clunk and whirr of the engine was like nothing I'd heard before. Later, when I test-rode the beemer and heard all those same sounds from the cockpit, I fell completely in love. What a symphony!! When I rode my Honda home that night it felt so boring and quiet and lacking in character. I rolled into my driveway, parked it, and never rode it again. Within a week the Honda was gone and that R80 was mine!! And I love her still. Everytime I ride that bike, I love it more. My wife gets jealous.....