What's the better BMW's to go for?

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Newtsalad
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What's the better BMW's to go for?

Post by Newtsalad » Sun Jul 17, 2016 10:05 pm

After admiring Vic's Brick at Rhayader last weekend, (That's BRICK with a B, before nasty rumours start circulating...)

I might have to do the BMW thing. I'm doing the Harley thing already, just to show how little shame I have! :P

Anyways, I had a conversation with one of our esteemed veterans today, who knew all about which BM's, which ones were ok and which weren't, but unfortunately I made no notes, and it's all gone right out of my head.

So what's a good value for money, touring BMW? Thinking of a 1200.....

Ta! :D

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fatboytours
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Re: What's the better BMW's to go for?

Post by fatboytours » Sun Jul 17, 2016 11:32 pm

Newt, I've ridden my Brothers K1200RS, very nice and the blood bikes I ride are 1200RT's, both air cooled and liquid cooled. The liquid cooled being pokier. And of course I borrowed my mates 1200GS for 6 weeks.

I prefer the 1200GS if yoiu can live with the image.

What about an older 1150GS?

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Re: What's the better BMW's to go for?

Post by horobags » Mon Jul 18, 2016 7:04 am

r800 airhead, the r00 rt is a big heavy beast but a great mile muncher. There are still some nice boxers about. Saying that the short stroke r45-650 also have a certain charm, its the thump of the engine that does it for me.

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Re: What's the better BMW's to go for?

Post by Bogger » Mon Jul 18, 2016 1:21 pm

I've owned a BMW R1100RS an F800GS and currently have a BMW R1200ST. The F800GS was purchased new. A big mistake. It was an awful bike. Snatchy horrible fueling, dreadful screen and the worst seat ever manufactured in the world, ever. After 40mls in the saddle I was nearly in tears. In two years I did under 2,000 miles and I forced myself to do those :cry: . However, I would recommend either of the others as both were/are great bikes. The 1200 is very much the same as the 1100, only every thing is that little bit better on the 1200. There again my 1200st cost over three times what I paid for the 1100rs. The 1200ST is probably the comfiest bike for touring on that I have ridden. The boxer twin is a great engine, with loads of character. Whichever one you choose, make sure it has the full luggage system.

Bogger

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Newtsalad
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Re: What's the better BMW's to go for?

Post by Newtsalad » Mon Jul 18, 2016 1:26 pm

Thanks chaps! :D

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Re: What's the better BMW's to go for?

Post by fatboytours » Mon Jul 18, 2016 1:30 pm

Whichever one you choose, make sure it has the full luggage system.
I would second that, luggage bought seperately seems to be an expensive option

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Re: What's the better BMW's to go for?

Post by BenB » Mon Jul 18, 2016 1:33 pm

Don't shoot me....

(Try a GS. Very comfortable riding position. Easy to ride fast. Loads of choice second hand.)

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Re: What's the better BMW's to go for?

Post by johnxl » Mon Jul 18, 2016 1:36 pm

R100RS Mono, , best fairing ever and krauser panniers. The thinking mans tourer.

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Re: What's the better BMW's to go for?

Post by Sundayrider » Mon Jul 18, 2016 1:43 pm

I have an old oil head, boxers or K feel different so would recommend a test ride.

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Re: What's the better BMW's to go for?

Post by knapdog » Mon Jul 18, 2016 2:29 pm

I've had my 1200RT for 10 days now and I love it. I previously had the air cooled version three years ago.
With everything on it and full with petrol it weighs 274kg but despite a huge fairing, all the weight is low down. When you sit on it it seems very light to flick side to side and to lower on to the side stand.
I sat on a FJR1300 and it weighed a ton. Just bringing it to the upright position from the stand was hard work. I told the salesman I wasn't going to test ride it as I'd drop it. I don't find the RT like that at all.
I'm 5'9" with a 29.5" leg. Ive got the lower seat and my feet are flat on the ground.
Mine was not cheap. It's only 9 months old with bags of warranty on it but it's one of my joys. I don't spend money on cars. My Civic is now 12 years old and bullet proof but I change my big bikes every year to 18 months.
The RT really is like buying a german car. The gearing is like a cars. After all it's a long distance tourer and will munch the miles. The tank range has to be close to 300 miles.
You won't be tootling along in 6th gear in a 30mph zone on this, you'd have changed down to 4th, unlike my cbf1000 (which is now on ebay and possibly the best bike I've ever had but I'm due for a change. Quick plug: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/291817100035 )
The RT is extremely comfortable and I love gear shift assist which is changing up and down the gears without using the clutch. It's very refined and should be a dream for a pillion passenger who won't be sticking the nod on you from behind.
Despite the rt's reputation for a mile muncher I'm already loving the 10 mile trip into Cardiff for work with a smile, ear to ear, as I'm walking to the garage (bit like the cub really).
On the motorway the electrically operated screen can be brought up to give you virtual zero buffeting.
Plus, not forgetting, heated grips, heated seats, cruise control, hill start assist etc, etc.
I've got no intention of dying of rust and one day these sorts of bikes will be too big for me and I'll be solely on the cub.
I can't really fault the RT but obviously with so much on it, there's more to go wrong. A week after selling my last RT the new owner phoned me to say the starter motor had gone and I never had a problem with it. If I may be so bold, I'd say they're more reliable than Harleys!
There are some good reviews on youtube.
The latest, water cooled version, has been out since 2014.
I don't know much about other beemers apart from the fact that I can't understand those buying the 1200GS and they're never taken off tarmac. Pure image thing if you ask me.

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