
1982 BMW R65LS
Miles: 32,013
Clean Title
Listed Price: $5,000
Listing Ends: April 20th, 2025
If your idea of a “sport bike” is something with at least 1000cc and 150hp, a bike that can smash its way through 180mph and “outrun turbocharged Lambos,” this BMW R65LS probably isn’t the machine for you. But then again, you’d probably also scoff at the idea of a “sports car” with a solid rear axle, leaf springs, and just 43hp… Although the Austin-Healy Sprite might like to have a word with you. The bottom line is that something like this bike might not have featured headline-grabbing performance, even in 1982, but still offers a sporting experience being, as Cycle World called it, “light, simple, agile, and well-finished,” a “lightweight sport bike for grownups.” It was powered by a 648cc version of BMW’s flat-twin “boxer” engine, with two pushrod-actuated valves per cylinder, backed by a five-speed gearbox. The package put an anemic-sounding 50hp to the rear wheel but, being a BMW, performance was perfectly adequate for the light-touring and generally sporty riding the bike was designed for. Perhaps most significantly, the LS version of the R65 featured very sleek styling for a BMW of the period, here penned by Hans Muth, the designer of the Suzuki Katana.

1982 BMW R65LS. I’ve owned this bike for about 15 years. Great bike; very reliable; traveled far and wide. Well cared for. But now looking to do something different. In the time that I’ve owned it, I performed annual typical maintenance as prescribed by BMW. Tires in good shape. Needs new rear brake shoes which I will happily include with the purchase (uninstalled). Comes with BMW saddlebags, tank bag, and cylinder bars. Mileage will increase as the weather warms.
BMWs aren’t usually my thing and it’s hard to picture myself ever owning one, given my predilection for Italian machinery, but these are so cool and so generally affordable, it’s hard not to think it’d be really fun to own one at some point: BMWs of the period were supremely practical and reliable, with a comprehensive tool kit included with the bike and endless mechanical details clearly designed to make regular maintenance easy for the average owner. The seller is asking $5,000 for this BMW R65LS and, while you can probably find yourself an old Beemer for less, if that strikes you as too expensive, it certainly won’t look this cool.
-tad
Sorry, but a 50HP (when new) bike with granpas briefcases attached to the side is not a sport bike. For 5k you can have this lump or an ’07 V4 Interceptor…
Woo hoo! It’s been a while since we got a comment informing me of the “correct” definition of the term “sportbike.” Jeez, where were you a couple weeks back when I posted up that Honda CB1000? So, as far as I’m aware, “sportbike” is really just a made-up marketing term, intended to convey an image and sell product. It’s not like there’s some sort of official definition, just opinions as to what qualifies. So you’re sharing your [apparently narrow] opinion on what qualifies. Which is fine, but I was quoting Cycle World from 1982 when I called it “a lightweight sportbike for grownups”, so they think it’s a sportbike too. Honestly, I actually think it’s more of a sport-touring bike, just like that VFR you mention…
Robert. Sportbike, Shmortbike these R65LS’ are interesting sporty bikes. Tad explains his case in his write-up. And the luggage is removable. I have a riding buddy who can ride his for all it can muster up. You might have a different view of a “sportbike” when he passes you on the outside of a 30mph corner riding his R65LS . . .
These were Special Bikes. First time wheels were cast with2 different alloys. the outer is a harder alloy and the spoke were a softer alloy to give flex (like a spoked wheel) was also the lightest in the 650 class in 81. Only made for 3 years.