I am going to take a second look at a 1993 R100RT this weekend, which has just over 100,000 miles on its clock, as a potential ride for my wife. The bike has a full complement of maintenance records, with much of the servicing having been done at BMW dealers. My wife does not ride solo very often, and she/we would probably put no more than 1,500 miles on this bike in any one year. I bought my first airhead, a 1985 R65, ten years ago and currently have a 1993 R100R (22,000 miles) and a 1994 R100RT (36,000 miles) so I am familiar with the nuances of owning airheads. However, the prospect of buying any bike with 100,000 miles on the clock is a little daunting. Does anyone have any real world experience that says I should simply budget for a complete overhaul, and have guidance to offer of which items I should budget to include in any such refurbishment? 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As you probably know most of the stuff Mark ... I guess look for the normal wear and tear ... Rear Cowling sides and front right lower fairing that seem to be weak spots and break ( I am about to embark on some fiberglassing repairs myself ). The brushes are probably worn also .. so check the charging . The shock would be near its end of life . Steering bearing should be looked at . Not much sure what else apart from the " Norm "
If they haven't been done, plan for new timing chain and sprocket, new brushes on the alternator, maybe valves/rings. Doesn't take that much investment to get another 100K miles.
While I could come up with a bunch of very well argued reasons, the real reason is because they are mine! No this is a friend of a friend deal in Charleston, SC. First got to see the bike a month or so ago. It was one of those conversations over coffee while visiting friends that went "what we going to do now....hey, my buddy's, buddy, has got an old BMW at the back of his garage under a tarp, let's go and see what it is" which turned into the owner thinking about selling. Heading that way later today for a few days. My guess is that price will determine if the seller, and I, are for real.
My 81 R100RT has 164,000 on it and I wouldnt hesitate to ride it coast to coast. I have done maintenance on it over the years. Review the records and talk to him. In all honesty I wouldnt even sell mine for $3000. its worth more then that to me!