What to look for?

[Duane Ausherman]

I think it fair to say that the R45 owns all of the Earles fork singles. I have only seen a couple of the R45 and begged a test ride on one. It exceeded my expectations, I am pleased to say.

It was even worse than I imagined.

[Major Softie]

Hey it OWNS all R45's!

Hmm, that got me thinking. Does a R45 OWN all /2's?

Of course /2's are antique motorcycles, so it may not be a fair comparison.


Ken, feeling good now about my R75/6 in Oklahoma

Certainly not an R69S, and probably not an R50S. But, from what I've seen of the power and performance specs, they would own both the R50/2 and the R60/2 - although the R60/2 probably feels faster than the low power version of the R45 in everything except top speed.

[barryh]

It's no use expecting an R45 to be as fast as bigger airheads or any faster than 35HP will allow. BMW made sure R45's got a bad press by jetting them wrong. Well maybe not wrong because I'm sure they knew what they were doing but the fact is stock R45's with the needle in position 2 are very weak in the mid range. Period road tests describe a flat spot between 3000 - 3500 RPM and sure enough a stock bike behaves the same way today. Raise the needle to position 3 and they are a much nicer bike to ride although still only 35HP fast. In one period road test of an R65 and R45 ridden back to back the tester actually preferred the smaller bike for it's smoother engine. What the baby BMW really needed though was a lot less weight.

[Deleted User 287]

What the baby BMW really needed though was a lot less weight.

I think that is why I am satisfied with my 23.7 HP CBR250R.
I was never big on big bikes (a waste of insurance premiums, IMO), which is why I was happy with a R65 for my first BMW.

The Honda is light, low, and no required useage of the centerstand (which it does not have). Maybe no more hernia surgeries?

[dougie]

The Honda is light, low, and no required useage of the centerstand (which it does not have). Maybe no more hernia surgeries?

So Rob - you still really, really, really like it?
You're not one of the countless CBR250R riders that are trying to figure out how to get more power or trade it after a few months for a 600?
With my tiny workspace, I am constantly taking the R100RS and Honda Hawk GT out and back in, switching places to fiddle with one or the other, or show the BMW to a possible buyer.
When I move the Honda - "Nice!"
When I move the Beemer - "You pig!"

[Deleted User 287]

So Rob - you still really, really, really like it?
You're not one of the countless CBR250R riders that are trying to figure out how to get more power or trade it after a few months for a 600?

Well, I haven't ridden it since October, so I cannot honestly answer that question. But I know to whom you are referring! lol!

I don't need more power, this will get me fines just fine. And I mentioned my philosophy on engine size/insurance costs and how cheap I am when it comes to paying insurance in another thread.

Ask me on 21 May after I have done two hard days returning from Ken's. Hopefully with a tailwind.

And I am still waiting to see that 70+ MPG (US) that everyone brags about. I can't imagine I am doing anything wrong.
64.7 is the best I have seen. http://www.fuelly.com/driver/cbr250r/cbr250r

[melville]

An update: I met the widow selling with the widow (81 yo!) who wanted to buy it. It was perhaps the sweetest 30 year old one owner RT available, and worth the full $3600. The widows came to a deal on Sunday, but then the buyer caught wind that her nieces and nephews (grand nieces and grand nephews?) had bled her sister dry in her (the widow's) absence and she'd need to get her sister caught up with creditors this summer, so no fun money for an RT this year.

If I could stand owning something that needed no work (and I could get it past Mrs. melville) I'd be buying it myself.

If there's any interest out there, send me a PM and I'll put the seller in touch with you.