So I like old diesel Mercedes cars. They are a joy to drive, solid, dependable, easy to find inexpensive parts for, and when maintained last almost forever. There is a huge following...

Now I want a motorcycle to add to my collection.

Is there a motorcycle that also fits this description?

Everything I see is plastic and seems less than the Mercedes standard.

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JWJ
1983 MB 300D - > 430,000 miles - Deep Blue - Bilstein Comforts - 0-60 in 24 seconds - 27MPG
1985 MB 300TD (wagon) - > 275,000 miles - Manila Beige - Thule rack - 0-60 in 18 seconds - 22 - 25MPG
Biodiesel, Mobil Delvac 1, and Viton fuel lines!

BMW.
As far as easy to find parts, it depends on the particular year and model.
Dependable, absolutely.

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85' 300D No inspection, No registration fees, Cheap insurance
"If my calculations are correct, when this baby hits 88 miles per hour, you're going to see some serious %$&^."

BMW= Bring My Wallet

Parts are dealer only items, and are very expensive. The low resale value of post 1974 models doesn't help much. They require special tools to work on also. My dad had to buy a new $400.00 caliper because BMW does not supply a rebuild kit.

OTOH, a Harley Sportster will keep it's value much better, and you can buy a nice used one for around 4k. Parts are inexpensive and you don't need very many special tools. I can still buy caliper pistons for my 1986 Sporster, from the dealer for around thirty dollars. A simple chain drives the rear wheel, the engine is bullet proof. No fickle carbs to synchronize, no radiator to service.

i really like the looks of the mid 60's bmw's,they just have that timeless design alot like the 60's-early 80's benz.i currently have a 2000 bmw rt-p.this might be a little new for you as it does have it's fair share of plastic,but the features these things have are quite awesome.

Ducati Monster 750 or 900. I've got a 900, but my friend has a 750 which just seems to do more things right. No tank slap under hard acceleration, and more of a joy in the twisties. But the Desmo valves i leave to the professionals come adjustment time. Only bike made today with real character. I've had some British bikes over the years which had too much character, spent more time wrenching than riding.

Japanese bikes are perfect if you never want to break out your tools, but I've always felt like I was on a toy rather than a machine. I ride with about 20 other guys and not only do we seem to rotate our personal collections, we also swap rides every hour or so. If I went Japanese, I'd get a Honda VFR750 or a Kawasaki W650.

BMW's (at least the K's and the latest boxers) have lousy shifters, problematic gauges (moisture gets in there easily, esp on the K's), and too much plastic. The K RT's would be great if they actually left room for your knees (even the 1100 is short on leg room). Every BMW I've had (4) liked to gobble up oil. Seemed like I was always adding a half quart here and there. The fuel injected models are a little quirky thru the rev range, and slow to rev too. But...the ABS will save your hide, and the handling is very Germanic. Despite their faults, i keep buying them.

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'64 230SL

I have a 1982 BMW R100RT with over 60K miles, It doesn't burn oil, only requires a periodic tuneup and always starts. Simple and reliable. You can see the 1930's pedigree in that bike.

You can see by my avitar where my heart is. JH has a good point. If you do the Sportster route, don't go earlier than '86. Before that, it was AMF stuff. I had a '78 iron head that my wife accused me of being married to because I spent so much time working on it. Was fun though.

OTOH, as "cults" go, and a bullet proof machine with easy to find cheap parts that will run forever, those old Honda 750s are making their way back. NO I am not a Honda fan but If I were looking for something like you are, I would give them a look.

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I really gets fun when they all don't run

84 500SL
99 Jeep XJ
93 Jeep YJ
03 Custom Softail

Yeah, and they all seem to come with a nice used skank on the back as well.

Get a Goldwing. They rock.

(sorry)

Check this out, unfortunately Gordon recently lost his life while riding.

http://theroad.mag-uk.org/issue5/features/5/

like t.walgamuth had a 72 R60/5.I had to rebuild mine.I found that not only were parts readily available,but also most of the people selling said parts were willing to lend a hand if needed.Being a rider of 20+ years I definately feel that the BMW bikes are easily as pleasant to work as the benz is.And like these diesels babies of ours,they are not known as speed bikes.Mine only went 91 MPH and that was FLAT OUT(burnt a valve doing it).But the highway cruising and low end torque are unrivaled IMO.Also the only TWO wheeled bike that I ever rode in the snow(6+ inches) and would again without hesitation. ride well and watch for the left turns....

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1984 300D turbo 155k

www.interactivepainmanagement.com

a used skank?

If I have to explain......

I thought that you meet the nicest people on a Honda? I guess it was just advertising hyperbole.

!!!! !!!!

Not just "no", but... "HELL no!"

They are almost as ridiculous-looking as the crotch-rocket crowd's import bikes.

Mike

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1979 300 SD
350,000 miles
_____
1982 300D-gone---sold to a buddy
_____
1985 300TD
270,000 miles
_____
1994 E320
not my favorite, but the wife wanted it

www.myspace.com/mikemover
www.myspace.com/openskystudio
www.myspace.com/speedxband
www.myspace.com/openskyseparators
www.myspace.com/doubledrivemusic

My first bike was a 1984 Kawasaki GPZ550, it was scary fast and everything, but a greybread told me that one day I would learn the error of my ways. I did:

Don't people remember the ad campaign of the mid '70s? "You meet the nicest people on a Honda?". Today, Honda does it's best to imitate Harleys, right down to the bar and shield emblem. They are now selling the Harley image that they once derided.

There was this bar/poolhall that I used to hang out at, they had a Honda hanging from the rafters, and every now and then they would let someone beat the cr@p out of it with a bat. They would lower it a few feet, and some drunk would stand on the pooltable and try to whack it. I liked it better when a couple of drunk girls would dance on the tables instead.

I second this advice.

Mike

__________________
_____
1979 300 SD
350,000 miles
_____
1982 300D-gone---sold to a buddy
_____
1985 300TD
270,000 miles
_____
1994 E320
not my favorite, but the wife wanted it

www.myspace.com/mikemover
www.myspace.com/openskystudio
www.myspace.com/speedxband
www.myspace.com/openskyseparators
www.myspace.com/doubledrivemusic

So you have a Sporty with fuel injection and chain drive?

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'85 300SD (formerly california emissions)
'08 Chevy Tahoe
'93 Ducati 900 SS
'79 Kawasaki KZ 650
'86 Kawasaki KX 250
'88 Kawasaki KDX200
'71 Hodaka Ace 100
'72 Triumph T100R