Airhead vs Oilhead

[barryg]

I've all ways looked at BMW motorcycles generally as being the best that was available in any given year. I have mostly airheads, but also have a '87 K100 and a '94 R1100RS, which I consider to be my late models. Basically 20 and 25 years dated. Everything I have I consider a good bike. When I ride the newer bikes to bike nite they barely get a second look. Older airheads are held in higher esteem and receive favorable comments. So, ride the newer machines and enjoy the modern ride, and ride the older airheads to get the compliments and high fives.

 

[happy wanderer]

I have a question for "oilhead" owners, who were former "airhead" owners. I'm considering updating my 92 R100RT to an oilhead, and for budget reasons, probably the 1150 series. Later did you regret the move to an oilhead? Would you have rather kept your airhead? Are the improvements significant enough for a change?

I know the best advice would be to keep an air and oil machine, but I have two other bikes and the Mrs. will not allow 4, I've tried, wasn't pretty.

Thank you for your insight!
Denny

To answer these questions is tough and comes down to individual taste, experience and in the case of airheads a healthy dose of nostalgia.
- Would I regret the loss of my airheads if they were gone and I was left with only my oilhead? Absolutely yes.
- Would I have kept my airheads? Absolutely yes.
- Are the improvements significant enough for a change? Absolutely yes. The improvements found in oilheads are very significant in all aspects. It's all been mentioned already but the one that impressed me the most was the telelever design with the engine used as part of the bikes frame. Handling improved like never before.

All of this said I think you need to find a buddy with space to keep a couple of bikes for you. Pick a place the wife will never visit and keep the old bikes you love.

 

[MarkM]

....bike, it would have to be an R1100S. The perfect motorcycle. And the guys who ride them? They're the coolest of the cool.

(apologies for thread derail. I could not resist. )

Well-played. And not a bad idea!

 

[sdpc2]

If i may chime in here

***** updated almost 4 1/2 yrs later....

Maybe it has something to do with age, but the light weight of my airheads has become more and more appealing to me. I find that I am just about as comfortable for a trip on one of my airheads as I am on my oilhead or camhead. Although each as their advantages.



I have owned plenty of airheads and oilheads.

When i had my R100GSPD, that was the bike that i took 90% of the time that i went into the garage. But when i was touring, or going for a long ride; it was my last choice. Like so many people have said, airheads are wonderful machines. But oilheads (hexheads, camheads, wetheads, etc) are far superior machines in every way, but one.... they will never have the SOUL that a well-tuned airhead has.

For that reason, i will always have one in my garage.... but it's my bike for 200 miles or less. Not for long-distance touring on.

 

[HOBARTER]

Airhead vs. Oilhead

I have a question for "oilhead" owners, who were former "airhead" owners. I'm considering updating my 92 R100RT to an oilhead, and for budget reasons, probably the 1150 series. Later did you regret the move to an oilhead? Would you have rather kept your airhead? Are the improvements significant enough for a change?

I know the best advice would be to keep an air and oil machine, but I have two other bikes and the Mrs. will not allow 4, I've tried, wasn't pretty.

Thank you for your insight!
Denny

Interesting - I've had airheads for the last thirty-five years - '71 R75/5, '69 R69S (25 years with this one & sold like a dummy), and until last year a '92 R100R (sold with 65K on it) - I only have one bike at a time, so when I sell one I then buy the next - This makes me find the best overall ride for my riding style (a GS may be in my future someday).
I rode the R100 from MI to CA & back two summers ago - The drive shaft broke in Nebraska (another story) & the Omaha BMW boys were great in fixing it, but that got me seriously thinking @ age/fatigue/etc. - That's why I sold the R69S as well (only one bike at a time)
Which brings me to my current ride - a 2002 R1150RT. I rode this machine (named "Agnes") on a two month Four Corners USA trip last Fall & still can't believe how utterly bulletproof it has been (so far, knock on wood) - Agnes used @ 3 quarts of oil for the entire 13,000+ mile trip around the country (plus two oil changes) - She handled the Rocky's twisties, the heat of Texas (115 degrees), city driving, and everything else the journey threw at her with amazing aplomb, muscle, and delicacy - Every area is significantly improved from the 1992 (except, of course, the nostalgia factor) - Maintenance was a bit easier on the airhead, but once you've removed the tupperware it's not that huge of a difference - I do tune-ups, valve adjustments, & other basics myself.
Every bike has its inherent ghosts to deal with, but my move from airhead to oilhead cut a lot of those out of the picture -

Make the move - It's definitely worth it -

 

[markaz]

I'm glad to have found this thread as I too am thinking of moving to an oilhead (probably an 1100 or 1150 RT) from an airhead (or maybe in addition to my airhead). Mainly, I'd like to do some two-up with my wife and there just isn't enough room on the old RS for both of us (I'm 6'5" and my wife is about 5'9"). I've seen lots of 1100s and 1150s on Craigslist & IBMWR for what appear to be reasonable prices...very tempting. What scares me the most are the horror stories about the splines wearing out. I'd hate to buy a nice looking 1100 or 1150 and have to have the trans rebuilt a couple months later. How inevitable is the spline failure? Is there any way to get an idea of how badly work the splines are without using any tools? What other issues might be likely with a late 1100/early 1150 with 30k to 50k miles?

 

[jammess]

I'm glad to have found this thread as I too am thinking of moving to an oilhead (probably an 1100 or 1150 RT) from an airhead (or maybe in addition to my airhead). Mainly, I'd like to do some two-up with my wife and there just isn't enough room on the old RS for both of us (I'm 6'5" and my wife is about 5'9"). I've seen lots of 1100s and 1150s on Craigslist & IBMWR for what appear to be reasonable prices...very tempting. What scares me the most are the horror stories about the splines wearing out. I'd hate to buy a nice looking 1100 or 1150 and have to have the trans rebuilt a couple months later. How inevitable is the spline failure? Is there any way to get an idea of how badly work the splines are without using any tools? What other issues might be likely with a late 1100/early 1150 with 30k to 50k miles?

Well Mark you hit the old proverbial nail on the head when you describe your RS as being too cramped for comfortable 2 up touring. I have an '81 R100RT that is just as you describe. I also have a '93 R1100RSL and an '04 R1150RT and for my money I would ride either oil head two up any day over the airhead. The oil head brakes and suspension systems are just light years ahead of the '81 and then there is the power factor. I still can't part with the airhead. If I could only keep one of the 3 it would be the '93 R1100RSL as I just like the handling compared with the '04RT and I like the RS riding position. The '93RS also has that light weight low center of gravity feel much like an airhead. Also, the pre-servo and linked ABS brakes are much more sensible on the 1100 series machines. So, long and short for an oil head I would prefer an 1100 and probably the RS.

 

[globalrider]

I have both, a couple of airheads (R80 G/S PD and R100 GS) and an oilhead (R1150 GS Adventure).

If one type had to go, the oil head would go.

I got my airhead out for the first time since 2002 which is when I started riding my new 2003 R1150 GS Adventure the following year. All I can say about the R100 GS is it felt like a real motorcycle and a real GS. It does everything my oil head does.

Too many riders get wrapped up in what they are riding instead of motorcycling itself and the places you get to see.

 

[71243]

I have both, a couple of airheads (R80 G/S PD and R100 GS) and an oilhead (R1150 GS Adventure).

If one type had to go, the oil head would go.

I got my airhead out for the first time since 2002 which is when I started riding my new 2003 R1150 GS Adventure the following year. All I can say about the R100 GS is it felt like a real motorcycle and a real GS. It does everything my oil head does.

Too many riders get wrapped up in what they are riding instead of motorcycling itself and the places you get to see.

This is an observation...not a bash.

But I have noticed this mostly among the HD crowd. They can name & recognize every model made by HD. But ya mention any thing else ? and they know little to nothing about them. I had a Kawasaki Nomad for a-bit. An HD guy actually thought [because of the radiator] that it was a version of the V-Rod.

Not dissin' anyone,...I just don't understand the 'tunnel-view' ?

 

[globalrider]

This is an observation...not a bash.

But I have noticed this mostly among the HD crowd. They can name & recognize every model made by HD. But ya mention any thing else ? and they know little to nothing about them. I had a Kawasaki Nomad for a-bit. An HD guy actually thought [because of the radiator] that it was a version of the V-Rod.

Not dissin' anyone,...I just don't understand the 'tunnel-view' ?

I hate to disappoint you, but I don't recognize every BMW model from 1923 to present and I do own an oil head.

I just happen to know the advantages and disadvantages of each instead of burying my head in the sand.

There is beauty to simplicity.

 

[happy wanderer]

Too many riders get wrapped up in what they are riding instead of motorcycling itself and the places you get to see.

That's an interesting comment (assumption ?) considering your avatar!

 

[71243]

I hate to disappoint you, but I don't recognize every BMW model from 1923 to present and I do own an oil head.

I just happen to know the advantages and disadvantages of each instead of burying my head in the sand.

There is beauty to simplicity.

You hate to disappoint me? I do not understand ? I was commenting on your last sentence..

"Too many riders get wrapped up in what they are riding instead of motorcycling itself and the places you get to see."


Hence my comment..."

But I have noticed this mostly among the HD crowd. They can name & recognize every model made by HD. But ya mention any thing else ? and they know little to nothing about them."

 

[globalrider]

That's an interesting comment (assumption ?) considering your avatar!

You missed the point and meaning.

I don't go running out to get something new for the sake of something new.

I got my first oilhead some 8+ years after they first appeared and did not get rid of my airhead GS....never will...its not for sale...ever.

BTW, the stock seat on the airhead GS is way more comfortable than the stock seat on my oilhead GSA. Talk about improvements.

To add, I'd buy a Honda like the old Africa Twin if it had a driveshaft.

 

[8ninety8]

The newer bikes with mega HP explode when you nail the gas and can actually scare the beep out of older guys like myself. What I like about my old airhead is when I nail it, it winds out, like my old small block, name yer fav. And the other endearing trait is that after a few decades with a particular vehicle, is that like an old friend, you know exactly what's going on with the mechanicals. Familiarity with a machine does not breed contempt, rather the opposite, if it has a good design. Can't wait for the big thaw, this winter is wearing thin. Negative 13F this morning with a high of zero. OMG, it's like water torture. Projects are in motion however and looking forward to Blind Lizards and the international just down the road.

 

[samo]

I went from a 1980 R100RT to a 2003 R1150RT.I still have the R100RT.The only thing that I like better about the airhead, is listening to it idle. Before I bought the 1150, I thought the airhead was great.

 

[happy wanderer]

You missed the point and meaning.

I don't go running out to get something new for the sake of something new.

I got my first oilhead some 8+ years after they first appeared and did not get rid of my airhead GS....never will...its not for sale...ever.

BTW, the stock seat on the airhead GS is way more comfortable than the stock seat on my oilhead GSA. Talk about improvements.

To add, I'd buy a Honda like the old Africa Twin if it had a driveshaft.

Preaching to the choir. My newest bike is 14 years old, the other two are 32 and 33 years old.

The words on the avatar say "Japan Scrap No Thanks" no? How should one interpret that ?

 

[dennypink]

I wanted to follow up with my original question by saying I am now the owner of a 2007 R1200RT. Wow, what a difference in power, suspension, and brakes! But, the owners manual starts every paragraph with a caution about setting the bike on a level surface before deploying the center stand, then take it to your dealer for any repairs or service. The tool kit has 5 pieces to it. I guess there are advantages and disadvantages to the older and newer machinery.
DP

 

[wvpc]

Just do it...

You made the best choice. Once you set it up it is easier to service than the airhead. Enjoy those Mtn roads..

 

[markaz]

I posted earlier in the thread and have since bought an 04 R1150RT and sold my airhead. The 1150 fits me a lot better and I really like it. I couldn't justify two bikes so I sold my RS to a local guy who had been looking for one. I hadn't ridden the RS for a while and took it out for a last ride the day before he bought it and I almost decided not to sell it. Almost. I don't miss the airhead yet. I just completed the 24k mile service on the 1150 and didn't find it any more difficult to work on than the airhead (well, removing the fairing is a bit more work). Hopefully it'll require less work than the airhead. Anyway, they're both cool bikes but I think I'll stick to the oilhead for a while.

 

[bc1100s]

But, the owners manual starts every paragraph with a caution about setting the bike on a level surface before deploying the center stand, then take it to your dealer for any repairs or service. The tool kit has 5 pieces to it.

You can thank the legal profession for that.

Congratulations on your new bike!