[Roy L.]

Took a Suzuki 800 Intruder for a test run today.
Should have been a Honda VTX1800, but the dealers sold it on Saturday.
Anyway. The Suzuki. Oh boy, what a disappointment.
The most uncomfortable position imaginable for a 6ft2in guy.
Performance was terrible! I thought an Enfield E5 shook at 80kmh!
Brakes were nothing great. And the handling..

I am looking for a new bike. My son's getting my Bullet when he gets out of the Finnish Army next year.
I'm now looking at a 1976 BMW R 75/6.
https://www.nettimoto.com/en/bmw/r/2494572
Anyone ever had one?
Very soon end of the season here until April. Bikes are going quite cheaply.

[olhogrider]

Took a Suzuki 800 Intruder for a test run today.
Should have been a Honda VTX1800, but the dealers sold it on Saturday.
Anyway. The Suzuki. Oh boy, what a disappointment.
The most uncomfortable position imaginable for a 6ft2in guy.
Performance was terrible! I thought an Enfield E5 shook at 80kmh!
Brakes were nothing great. And the handling..

I am looking for a new bike. My son's getting my Bullet when he gets out of the Finnish Army next year.
I'm now looking at a 1976 BMW R 75/6.
https://www.nettimoto.com/en/bmw/r/2494572
Anyone ever had one?
Very soon end of the season here until April. Bikes are going quite cheaply.

First of all I should caution you that "dark side" when used in conjunction with motorcycles has a specific meaning, that is putting a car tire on a bike. This will generate more controversy than "which oil should I use". A couple of weeks ago I bought a BMW. It is only the second one I have ever owned because the first one, a 1984 R65, was so bad I swore I'd never own another. So, if you you find a deal on an R65, DON'T! Sure, like anything else in life you will find someone who loves them but that's only because we have closed down so many mental health facilities. Any other model should be a good choice. Older machines, especially more expensive ones have had any bad parts fixed by now.

BTW, I love this R1200GS! So many people comment on the weight but as soon as I twist the throttle all that weight disappears.

[cyrusb]

Take a chance, but my vote is no

[axman88]

Took a Suzuki 800 Intruder for a test run today.

They haven't gone by that name here in the US for about 15 years.   What year was the one you rode?

[Roy L.]

dark side.... putting a car tire on a bike

I didn't even know that was possible!!

Hmm.. Thanks for the opinions everyone. My father particularly admired anything BMW, so I guess that's my attraction. The bike is from a dealership and they say they've overhauled the engine. I need to read up more on these.

The Intruder was 9 years old. Interesting to ride one of these cruiser bikes for the first time, but that position is really not for me.

[Stanley]

FWIW,
My longest trips around western Canada and US were on an R75 that was solid and tireless. The torquey jacking of the rear was then a feature of the marque, not a defect. Tuneups couldn't be easier and valve adjustments were a breeze.
Years later I rode a K75s that was almost as fine but for a loose wire in the fusebox and a one-dollar pilot shaft o-ring. The great thing about these bikes was the parts availability and quality.
If health allowed, I would love another airhead.

[Bilgemaster]

I never owned one, but learned to ride on a motorcycle courier buddy's early '60s R69S. Thing about Airhead Beemers is that while they may not be "Bad Boy Sexy", they're kinda like the one that lucky or smart gals marry: reasonably handsome, solid, reliable, and competent.

[Guaire]

The oldest BMWs I owned was a /7. Just make sure you can stop with whatever front brake you have.