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Sport-touring bike opinions?

Tharkûn said:
Your mirrors are uneven /OCD
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Damn you, quick pang of OCD fear! :) (handlebars appear not completely straight ahead, by looking at the grips over the low mirrors, I think things are lined up when those are straight)

DataDan said:
Also, anyone know if the RT is a 50-state bike? I.e., are the ones sold in NV CA-legal?
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AFAIK, all BMW's sold in the US are 50-state legal. I think those wonky 450's a few years back may not have been, but the rest of the lineup has been that way for awhile.

No getting around the fact that the BMW costs more with the gadgets that most riders would want. Keep in mind that when you sell it a bunch of years from now, you'll still get a few thousand more for it than the other bikes you are considering, so that does lower the overall cost of ownership a small amount.
 
louemc said:
Safe to assume that you have read the April Motor Cyclist ?
Feature article of comparisons of the BMW-Kawasaki-Triumph-Yamaha, Sport-Touring bikes.
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I think that article was a mismatch, honestly. The K1600GT is not in the same class as the other three bikes. They should've used the RT instead, as the K1600 is more like a luxury cruiser (read: Gold Wing) than it is a sport-touring motorcycle.
 
Latest Rider mag has a ST shootout worth reading. Hard to go wrong with any of em, but they liked the K1600GT best. Coming from a Honda V4 you may like the new Trophy best, triples are almost as smooth as V4.

Edit: maybe Motorcyclist mag.
 
Kornholio said:
All RT's I've ever seen have at least the standard equipment package which adds heated grips, the on-board computer and dual accessory power sockets. That runs $595. You CAN find RT's with just this option package alone at dealers and thus the price will be $17,945. However, most RT's are ordered by the dealers with what is considered to be the full "Standard Package" which includes the standard options plus cruise control. That package runs $18,295.
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For what it's worth, the GT has cruise control, and I find that I like it much more than expected. It's great for the long droning blasts down I5, and ensuring that the speed doesn't creep up past 80 when I'm not paying attention.

I definitely like having the trip computer.
 
Burning1 said:
For what it's worth, the GT has cruise control, and I find that I like it much more than expected. It's great for the long droning blasts down I5, and ensuring that the speed doesn't creep up past 80 when I'm not paying attention.

I definitely like having the trip computer.
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Agreed. I have cruise on my RT and it's worth every damn cent. :thumbup

I just read in that Motorcyclist article that the FJR's cruise control is limited to 82 MPH... :wtf
 
Ummm, Kornman, This might be overly difficult for some..But...If a bike in a comparison, isn't within the perimeters..ignore that one..and pay attention to the other three.

And...the individual person that is considering..has to make the distinctions ...
There are a butt load of riders that have 1600 BMW's that wouldn't consider them to be remotely like a Goldwing experience.

I'm kinda sure DataDan wouldn't want a 1600 either..But only DataDan knows, what DataDan would choose.

The 1600 riders I've talked to..Are giddy amazed by them...Effortless is said, over and over.
 
Kornholio said:
I think that article was a mismatch, honestly. The K1600GT is not in the same class as the other three bikes. They should've used the RT instead, as the K1600 is more like a luxury cruiser (read: Gold Wing) than it is a sport-touring motorcycle.
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It straddles both worlds. The GT is cross-shopped with the RT, and the spec sheet has it performing just as well in acceleration, braking, handling feel, gadgets, and comfort. In fact, in sport mode the suspension feels more buttoned down than on the RT. But to your point, if you ride both closer to the sport end of this class, the GT isn't able to completely hide its additional mass.

Kornholio said:
Agreed. I have cruise on my RT and it's worth every damn cent. :thumbup
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Like many gadgets, they are discounted by those who have never used them, but become highly valued by those who have lived with them for awhile. Cruise control on a long-distance bike is table stakes at this point.

Kornholio said:
I just read in that Motorcyclist article that the FJR's cruise control is limited to 82 MPH... :wtf
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Silly lawyers.
 
louemc said:
Ummm, Kornman, This might be overly difficult for some..But...If a bike in a comparison, isn't within the perimeters..ignore that one..and pay attention to the other three.
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I'm not saying I didn't read the rest of the article, I'm just saying that the GT isn't a sport-touring bike IMO. It's a touring bike. I rode both the GT and the RT when I was shopping. The GT is a friggin barge compared to the RT but then again, the RT is lighter than the FJR, the Trophy and the Connie so maybe that's saying something too.
 
Kornholio said:
All RT's I've ever seen have at least the standard equipment package which adds heated grips, the on-board computer and dual accessory power sockets. That runs $595. You CAN find RT's with just this option package alone at dealers and thus the price will be $17,945. However, most RT's are ordered by the dealers with what is considered to be the full "Standard Package" which includes the standard options plus cruise control. That package runs $18,295.

Did you review the accessory spec sheet I linked earlier?
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Yes I did. But in searching the big CA dealers the ones I found listed were around $22K.
 
DataDan said:
Yes I did. But in searching the big CA dealers the ones I found listed were around $22K.
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$17,990...however I'm sure they'd come down a bit. And it has some nice extras.

http://www.sdbmwmc.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=21_26&products_id=10519

med_DSC_7543.JPG
 
I'm just saying you don't have to buy new. That goes for any of the other bikes on your list.
 
K1300GTRoyal.JPG


2009 BMW K1300GT

We have a super clean, great running 1300GT with 13,996 miles. Tires have less than 500 miles on them, 12K service performed NOV 2012. It has ABS, Electronic Suspension, Tire Pressure Monitor, heated grips, custom (and unbelievably comfortable) heated seat, On-Board Computer, Xenon Light, Cruise Control, Remus exhaust, tinted screen, and sidecases (not pictured). The KBB value is north of $17k, so at just $14,997 this is a tremendous value!

http://www.santarosabmw.com/Motorcycles/PreOwnedMotorcycles.aspx
 
IMG_2077.JPG


1969 BMW R60US

Own a piece of history! A classic 600cc shaft-driven Boxer Twin. 4.5 Gal fuel tank and an average 47mpg, this 30hp motorcycle was most noted as long-distance tourer, despite its lack of fairing and luggage. It is still beautiful in every detail, come take a look for yourself!

$11,900 + tax, license & DMV
 
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