Endurast Starter vs Motrrad Electrick's Nippondenso

OK, I was just looking around for other parts for the refresh of my 88 R100 RT and noticed that Motorrad Elekrik's replacement starter is http://www.motoelekt.com/starter.htm about 3x as expensive as Euromotorrad Electric's https://www.euromotoelectrics.com/Starter-BMW-R-Airhead-9-Tooth-BMW-STR1-p/bmw-str1.htm. At 35 years old, my starter still works, and could last another 35 years or give up the ghost tomorrow. And, I'm in no rush to replace it. I've heard nothing but good things about the Nippondenso starter from Motorrad Elekrik, but I'm curious what people's experience has been with EME's replacement starter.

A $60 Caltric starter from eBay has been working fine for me for many years.

88bmwjeff said:

OK, I was just looking around for other parts for the refresh of my 88 R100 RT and noticed that Motorrad Elekrik's replacement starter is http://www.motoelekt.com/starter.htm about 3x as expensive as Euromotorrad Electric's https://www.euromotoelectrics.com/Starter-BMW-R-Airhead-9-Tooth-BMW-STR1-p/bmw-str1.htm. At 35 years old, my starter still works, and could last another 35 years or give up the ghost tomorrow. And, I'm in no rush to replace it. I've heard nothing but good things about the Nippondenso starter from Motorrad Elekrik, but I'm curious what people's experience has been with EME's replacement starter.

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I've had one of the EME starters on my R90s 15 years now. Only issue I've had was it started to get a little noisy, which a clean and lube rectified. Glued in magnets have held, also.

When my 1988 R100RS starter quit the first time, about 18 years ago, I went up to EME when they were in Monument, CO. Had that starter for >70,000 miles and lots of 8-10 mile commuting trips in CO and NM.

Last year it finally quit. As I was at Matt Parkhouse's home, I had him replace it with whatever he had on the shelf, which has worked just fine ever since.

I suggest being at a fellow Airhead's home that is well stocked with parts and tools when the occasion of any of your bike's components decides to quit.

If you want to consider rebuilding the OEM starter, check out the Airhead starter links in this link:

https://forums.bmwmoa.org/showthread.php?75891-Online-Maintenance-Videos

Thanks Kurt. That just reminds me why I've never done it. If and when the starter dies, I get a new one, which seems to be an easier and less expensive option.