Not a frequent poster here at all, but figured this was the best place to ask.
I have had four airheads. Now I have my “dream” bike, an ’89 R100GS (hence my name on this forum). I love it, had it for about five years, changed fluids, rebuilt the carbs, adjusted stuff, replaced the steering head bearings, etc. Has been reliable, starts right up, idles and accelerates well. All in all a great machine. I haven’t put a ton of miles (5-6k in four years) on it. One, I live on the eastern end of Long Island where going out for a drive can be usually not too interesting and sometimes hazardous. Two, family obligations (kids’ stuff mostly). Occasionally I can string together a few days to go up north. We have a small place in NH.
My main issue with it is a high speed wobble. Speeds on highways local and traveling north can easily reach ninety miles per. My GS can go that fast, but will wobble much above eighty, particularly behind or around “dirty” turbulence. It got better when I replaced the steering head bearing and torqued the swingarm bearing to spec (yes, I know replacing them is in order).
The other issue I have is the buffeting. Wind blast/buffeting, which I have tried to fix with several different positions of a Nation Cycle deflector shield, including no fairing at all, has not been resolved. Even without the little black stock wind deflector the “fuh-fuh-fuh” is no fun at all. Wind blast, buffeting, rain, etc., never bothered me when I rode my ’72 Tiger all over, but that was forty-plus years ago.
Finally to the RT in the title. I have an opportunity to buy a stock 1986 R80RT for 2k. I haven’t seen it in person yet, but current owner says about 42k and running and driving well.
I have owned two prior RTs, an ’82 R100RT and an ’85 R80RT. I didn’t put many highway miles at all on the ’85, but I took the ’82 to Newfoundland and other trips. The question. Will the R80 do an occasional 85+ mph on the highway, for 5-10 minutes at a time, without difficulty for me or the bike. I’m 180 pounds, won’t be carrying a ton of gear and never travel two-up. My wife loves me, but not motorcycling at ALL.
Or should I buy it and Siebenrock it and get a different final drive?
As I said, a first world dilemma.
I look forward to all the good and wise advice you all have to offer.
Josh