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R60/2 or R60/5

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Steve@draketx.com
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Joined: Sat May 22, 2021 11:12 pm

R60/2 or R60/5

Post by Steve@draketx.com »

If you could have one perfectly restored bike to own and ride you prefer a BMW R60/2 or BMW R60/5? My initial thought is the R60/2 has more value but the R60/5 is an improved bike to ride. Thoughts are appreciated.

xackley
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Re: R60/2 or R60/5

Post by xackley »

I have a 1958 and a 1972.
I would sell the /5 without a second thought. The /5 may be more advance motorcycle, but technical advancement seems to always remove the charm and personality.
1958 R69, 1972 R75/5, 1980 XS650, 1982 GL1100, 2003 guzzi ev, 2017 guzzi V7!!!
All on the road, going no where in particular in the Finger Lakes of New York

kfelt
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Re: R60/2 or R60/5

Post by kfelt »

My '56 is way more fun to ride than my '71.

cwf
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Re: R60/2 or R60/5

Post by cwf »

Hello, I've ridden a lot of post-'69 Bmws and have been riding a /2 for the last year. There are definite improvements in the later bikes: better brakes, better suspension, better gearchange, electric start, more comfortable seat, better centre stand. The older bike is lower, lighter, simpler and, as they say above, has more 'character'.
If you're choosing the bike for the simple pleasure of riding, rather than to do something, like cover long distance, it's down to the subjective elements. Modern bikes are better for modern circumstances but older bikes are more fun.
75/7+ offroad sidecar; 50/2; R 35; XR125V; XR200A; Solex; 1939 Hillman Minx DHC.

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schrader7032
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Re: R60/2 or R60/5

Post by schrader7032 »

Back many years ago when I just had the /7 and the R69S, I can really the times when I'd suit up and go for a ride. I'd first ride the R69S on my usual around the countryside route and then return home. Since I was in my gear, I figured what the heck, jump on the /7 and take it for a spin. With the rides so close, I was amazed at how much nicer, powerful, smooth, etc., the /7 was. It was like going from a bi-plane to a jet. Clearly the engineering was better on the /7...and it had twice as many miles on it.

I like the R69S and it's fun to ride some history. But making that switch to the newer bike was an amazing leap.
Kurt in S.A.
'78 R100/7 '69 R69S '52 R25/2
Fast. Neat. Average. Friendly. Good. Good.

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miller6997
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Re: R60/2 or R60/5

Post by miller6997 »

I almost feel disloyal to the /2, but I have to echo Kurt's point of view. I had an R75/7 that was the smoothest, most trouble-free bike I've ever owned. I sold it around 1987 and have regretted the loss ever since.
Last edited by miller6997 on Fri Oct 29, 2021 1:38 am, edited 1 time in total.
Jon Miller
'67 R69S
'13 F800GT
Altadena, California

xackley
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Re: R60/2 or R60/5

Post by xackley »

put a bench seat and wixom fairing on a /2 and you have everything you need to tour north america.
For 5 years in the late 70s and early 80s my r69 was my transportation for 9 months every year. Traveling where ever the work was from Maine to Virginia to Ohio. Only once while working near Springfield Mass did I have a problem. I burnt up the generator. The points in the regulator stuck, and I kept on going.
That was with a 20 year old bike, the OP said with a /2 restored as new.

Don
1958 R69, 1972 R75/5, 1980 XS650, 1982 GL1100, 2003 guzzi ev, 2017 guzzi V7!!!
All on the road, going no where in particular in the Finger Lakes of New York

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