I've been looking at an old ,rather derelict R65 and wondering about uses or the possibility of a rebuild .
How many mph or km per h does an R65 do per 1000 rpm , just so I can compare it to my ST .
R65 mph / km per 1000 rpm ?
- Sibbo
- Posts: 5637
- Joined: Fri Aug 06, 2010 3:18 am
- Location: Oz , half way up ,sitting on a wet spot .
R65 mph / km per 1000 rpm ?
"You ain't gonna learn what you don't want to know"
The Grateful Dead
The Grateful Dead
Re: R65 mph / km per 1000 rpm ?
As requested by NC Steve, I went out today and got some speed readings from my GPS receiver and noted the engine speed.
Due to weather conditions, I couldn't take it much above 75, but it appears that 5th gear is 500 RPM for every 5 MPH.
This is a '79 R65 with a 31/9 stock final drive, and Bridgestone Spitfire tires.
3rd gear
30 mph (48.27 kph) = 3000
35 mph (56.30 kph) = 3500
40 mph (64.36 kph) = 4000
4th gear
45 mph (72.40 kph) = 3750
50 mph (80.45 kph) = 4000
55 mph (88.50 kph) = 4750
5th gear
55 mph (88.50 kph) = 4000
60 mph (96.54 kph) = 4500
65 mph (104.59 kph) = 5000
70 mph (112.63 kph) = 5500
75 mph (120.68 kph) = 6000
Due to weather conditions, I couldn't take it much above 75, but it appears that 5th gear is 500 RPM for every 5 MPH.
This is a '79 R65 with a 31/9 stock final drive, and Bridgestone Spitfire tires.
3rd gear
30 mph (48.27 kph) = 3000
35 mph (56.30 kph) = 3500
40 mph (64.36 kph) = 4000
4th gear
45 mph (72.40 kph) = 3750
50 mph (80.45 kph) = 4000
55 mph (88.50 kph) = 4750
5th gear
55 mph (88.50 kph) = 4000
60 mph (96.54 kph) = 4500
65 mph (104.59 kph) = 5000
70 mph (112.63 kph) = 5500
75 mph (120.68 kph) = 6000
- Sibbo
- Posts: 5637
- Joined: Fri Aug 06, 2010 3:18 am
- Location: Oz , half way up ,sitting on a wet spot .
Re: R65 mph / km per 1000 rpm ?
Wow ! that was quick !
Thanks very much Rob , it appears that an R65 is quite a bit lower geared than my ST .Possibly more than I would prefer ,after my ride today I have to admit I'd really like a higher 5th on the ST .
R65 final drive .1: 3.44
ST final drive. 1 : 3.36


R65 final drive .1: 3.44
ST final drive. 1 : 3.36
"You ain't gonna learn what you don't want to know"
The Grateful Dead
The Grateful Dead
Re: R65 mph / km per 1000 rpm ?
I am pretty sure that all 3 generations of R65 ('78-'80, '81-'84 and monoshock) had different final drive ratios.
BTW, that post was from a few years back on the R65 forum, hence the quick reply.
BTW, that post was from a few years back on the R65 forum, hence the quick reply.
- Sibbo
- Posts: 5637
- Joined: Fri Aug 06, 2010 3:18 am
- Location: Oz , half way up ,sitting on a wet spot .
Re: R65 mph / km per 1000 rpm ?
Still quick ! 

"You ain't gonna learn what you don't want to know"
The Grateful Dead
The Grateful Dead
- enigmaT120
- Posts: 3570
- Joined: Tue Aug 03, 2010 12:25 am
- Location: Falls City, OR
Re: R65 mph / km per 1000 rpm ?
I don't remember the rear end ratio of my R65 but I think it's higher geared than Rob's. I think 4,000 rpm is nearly 60, 5,000 is around 70, and 6,000 is a bit over 85 which is as high as mine used to read. I've had it up to about 7200 rpms a couple of times just to see if it would do it.
Ed Miller
'81 R65
'70 Bonneville
Falls City, OR
"Gasoline makes people stupid." -- Chuey
"I'll believe corporations are people when the State of Texas executes one." Bumper sticker
'81 R65
'70 Bonneville
Falls City, OR
"Gasoline makes people stupid." -- Chuey
"I'll believe corporations are people when the State of Texas executes one." Bumper sticker
Re: R65 mph / km per 1000 rpm ?
And keep in mind Sibbo, my road speeds were measured using a GPSr, while Ed's are most likely with the Motometer.enigmaT120 wrote:I don't remember the rear end ratio of my R65 but I think it's higher geared than Rob's. I think 4,000 rpm is nearly 60, 5,000 is around 70, and 6,000 is a bit over 85 which is as high as mine used to read. I've had it up to about 7200 rpms a couple of times just to see if it would do it.
I did see a '82 on eBay - it had a 32/9
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/BMW-Fina ... 0507159480
- Sibbo
- Posts: 5637
- Joined: Fri Aug 06, 2010 3:18 am
- Location: Oz , half way up ,sitting on a wet spot .
Re: R65 mph / km per 1000 rpm ?
That's about 6% higher than the norm ,that would be good !
"You ain't gonna learn what you don't want to know"
The Grateful Dead
The Grateful Dead