Bike Choice - New Bike????
Wed, 25/01/2012 - 19:00
I have been looking for a new bike for around 12 months & have finally got "kitchen clearance" from the wife to buy one this year.
Anyway, I was talking to a good mate of mine at the weekend & he said "why don't you ask motorcyclists on AOB for any suggestions - so here we are!
A few personals:
6ft 3in
Well built - that's 16.5 stone in other words; fairly wide at 44in chest
I've test ridden the following in no particular order:
BMW GS
BMW GS(A)
BMW K 1300S
BMW RT 1200
Honda VFR 1200
Ducati Multistrada
What I'm looking for:
Comfort, decent wind protection at 80-85mph cruising, reasonable performance, some touring capability hard luggage would be handy, but I also go to the IOM TT most years; so whip off the hard luggage & have a reasonable thrash around the mountain course, but I'm not looking to beat the John McGuinness record.
Don't want a Harley, Gold Wing or Victory.
My view on the bikes above:
GS & GS (A)
Excellent bikes, characteristic slight bar wobble at motorway speeds & a bit disappointed by the wind protection. GS (A) probably don't need massive tank capability, but larger screen gave more cruising wind protection.
BMW K 1300S
Excellent bike, probably more performance than I need & very little wind protection for my size.
Honda VFR 1200
Sports tourer - what with that tank & very little wind protection for my size.
BMW RT 1200
Excellent bike, with all of the characteristics of the boxer twin on the GS, very good wind protection at any speed & decent tank capability.
Updated in 2010 with the twin overhead cam & probably going to be updated again in 2013 to liquid cooled?
Getting a little “long in the tooth” or a “tried & tested air-cooled workhorse” depends upon your opinion I guess? Some interesting deals on this [probably] pre-water cooled version from BMW?
Ducati Multistrada
Awesome piece of machinery excellent bike, probably more performance than I need at 150bhp & 150mph+ & surprisingly little wind protection for my size. Wider or higher screen maybe?
Anyway, I would welcome thoughts & suggestions whatever they may be; I’m sure there are lots of other choices I haven’t considered yet!
Kind regards,
Drwoody
Thu, 26/01/2012 - 18:41
#2
Re: Bike Choice - New Bike????
BMWs seem to factor high on your list. If you don't mind a 5 year old bike then how about what I ride. BMW R1200s. A veritable bargain second hand. Sound great with an Akrapovic, look great (I think so, but I am odd). Sporty, but will fit your frame no problem.
Modest sized but good looking hard luggage available. Will have more than enough performance on the IOM. I took mine there in 2009. Fantastic fun and it always drew a crowd wherever I parked.
If you liked the adenture bikes, GS, Multi, then how about hanging on a few months and getting a test ride on a Triumph Exporer? Or KTM 990 Adventure.
I love this, its always really easy to spend someone elses money.
Thu, 26/01/2012 - 19:06
#3
Re: Bike Choice - New Bike????
Herb: "I love this, its always really easy to spend someone elses money."
That's your gender confirmed then!
(politically incorrect quip #1)
Thu, 26/01/2012 - 19:48
#4
Re: Bike Choice - New Bike????
drwoody. Forget the MTS if wind buffeting is a key criteria.
If your happy with a RT have another test ride and decide if you want to wait for the water cooled Star Trek version or get today's proven one at a decent discount.
I do think a minimum four hour test ride helps to understand foibles despite knowing how the bike 'is' after 100 metres.
You need to be comfortable with the low speed handling of the RT, if so then it's go go !
Thu, 26/01/2012 - 20:41
#5
Re: Bike Choice - New Bike????
If you can get a good deal, get the RT. It's probably the easiest bike int he world to cover distance on. And besides.... it's what you know you already want! ;-D
Thu, 26/01/2012 - 21:05
#6
Re: Bike Choice - New Bike????
If you're looking at the big tourers then there's the big Kawasaki 1400GTR, and Triumph have a new one coming soon. Since you're mention the RT, how about the K1600GT or even a left over K1300GT?
As an alternative, why not look into something with a bit less wind protection? I run an R1200R, and having got used to the blast at speed, it does at least have the advantage of not generating the vast amount of buffeting.
If you want more protection on a bike then Wunderlich do some aftermarket parts. These are for the R, but I suspect that there are similar ones for the GS.
Including this very cool retro style for the R1200R.
Fri, 27/01/2012 - 11:50
#7
Re: Bike Choice - New Bike????
Hi drwoody. Just a thought about this wind protection/buffeting thing. I prefer to have a short'ish screen to take wind blast off my body and leave my helmet in unbuffeted air. If you try for a high degree of wind protection you will likely be forever adjusting the screen position/adjusting your speed to achieve nervana and never be satisfied. I know this opinion will bring comments from those who feel they have great wind protection and no buffeting from high screens but maybe you won't be so lucky. For your build I would say a comfortable position on the bike would be a higher priority.
Sat, 18/02/2012 - 22:56
#8
Re: Bike Choice - New Bike????
You don't mention if you intend to carry a pillion. From the test bikes that you feature looks like you may do. But, if not (or not often) then try the new brilliant V-Strom with available accessories. Save yourself a fortune in the process.
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