Sport-touring bike opinions?

[bikeama]

Yes I did. But in searching the big CA dealers the ones I found listed were around $22K.

I got my 1600GT for $22K with all the bells and whistles + top box. Found it on Ebay.

If you are coming from a ST1100 you may be disappointed with the smoothness of the RT everyone is pushing. BMW dealers are great about test rides, wish more dealers were. Ride an RT and then ride a 1600. Try the GT if you can find a demo, most dealers have the GTL demo. BIG difference in ride between the two models.

You have a lot of great bikes to choose from, all have their good points and faults. The 1600 is a heavy bike but you do not feel it when moving. You did not say if $$$ is a consideration. $$$ is the main problem with the 1600. Also all of us BMW riders are drinking the Kool-aid to some degree. Check the maintenance schedule of the bikes. I change my own oil, but can not reset the service light it needs go to the dealer to have it done

 

[MCSFTGUY]

Dan,

First, Rider mag just did a review on 4 of the bikes you mentioned. The ST was not in the review this time. Might be a source to review.

I just bought a 2012 Connie... pretty much the same thing as the 2013 and Kawa is dealing on those to move them. I was looking at all of the bikes you mention and ended up going with the Connie basically as a price thing. I was able to deal with the dealership on the price and Kawa was offering 0% financing for 48 months when I bought. Any time I can get free money, I am in. I don't know if that is still being offered.

So, far I like the Connie a lot. My size and I fit on it reasonably well.

From the Rider piece, the FJR only has 5 speeds, so does the 2013 ST, and has the smallest storage space. The new ST was 18+ when I looked at them a few weeks ago. I got the Connie for 14.5K

All of the bikes are good, and I don't think that you can go wrong with any of them. The Connie just had a bit more and was closer to the BMW options wise than the others and for a lot lower price.

Things I don't like about the Connie, smallest gas tank and it burns premium fuel. Also, the grips are so damn hard... still the same stinking think they were use back on the 80 KZ's I rode.

 

[Papi]

1969 BMW R60US
$11,900 + tax, license & DMV

Looks nice Gaj. Would love to have in my pile of heaps down here that never get ridden. I'll bid $500 + a one time used tube of Colgate.

 

[GAJ]

Looks nice Gaj. Would love to have in my pile of heaps down here that never get ridden. I'll bid $500 + a one time used tube of Colgate.

I have no relationship with the dealer other than having bought 4 bikes from them over the years and that their used bikes are always top drawer.

 

[Burning1]

You have a lot of great bikes to choose from, all have their good points and faults. The 1600 is a heavy bike but you do not feel it when moving. You did not say if $$$ is a consideration. $$$ is the main problem with the 1600. Also all of us BMW riders are drinking the Kool-aid to some degree. Check the maintenance schedule of the bikes. I change my own oil, but can not reset the service light it needs go to the dealer to have it done

I ignore mine. 45000 miles, and I've done most of my own maintenance. Unfortunately, the K1300 requires a *lot* of dealer tools. Clutch wouldn't come apart without the dealer holder tool (basket must be removed; the design is inverted, and uses a diaphragm spring?!.) Valve adjustment requires a dealer holder. Brake fluid requires a computer to cycle the ABS unit (although you could do a basic flush without it...)

 

[Outta Control]

What do they say at the BMW LT forum?

Bring More Wallet
Bring Many Wrenches
Big Money Works

 

[Kornholio]

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

 

[GAJ]

And 50 years from now it will still be drool worthy!

The other bikes being discussed?

Not so sure.

 

[Kornholio]

Hey now! My RT has character!

 

[CalBergenser]

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.

Sorry Kornholio, but I have to disagree with you here. The K16 and GW do get compared a lot and they might be similar on cross country freeway trips, but here in the Bay Area and Northern California in general, where the prime riding roads are winding twisties, the Wing feels like a '58 Chevy on two wheels when compared with the K16 bikes.

I can slice and dice Hwy 1 with this thing better than I can with most bikes half its size. That was a pre-requisite before I bought it. It is unbelievably well balanced and nimble; you just think about where you want to turn and it's done. And what can I say about the 160+ hp slant 6...

I had a demo for a long weekend and put 900 miles on it. One test was the Bolinas-Fairfax road which I know well and which I consider a good road to put a bike through its motions. The K16 passed muster with flying colors, so I rode it back the same way I came

The K13 is a good bike too, but too small for my 6'3" frame, plus I like going on long touring trips and the K1600 GTL is well suited for that.

BTW. I like the Gold Wing a lot. It's a great touring bike and very reliable. I met a guy in Wyoming who had over 300,000 miles on his GW.

 

[Kornholio]

Goldwings can "slice and dice" too. There's plenty of evidence of that all over Youtube.

It's more than just handling that goes into what I personally (and I stated earlier it was my opinion) consider to be a touring bike and a sport-touring bike. The wheel base, weight and features of the K1600 make it touring bike more than a sport-touring bike to me. It's just too big to be objectively compared with the other bikes in that article.

 

[GAJ]

Hey now! My RT has character!

And far more utility.

But, sorry, it doesn't look as cool!

 

[Papi]

BTW. I like the Gold Wing a lot. It's a great touring bike and very reliable. I met a guy in Wyoming who had over 300,000 miles on his GW.

300K? Wow, that's impressive. I think I have barely 8k on mine.

 

[Kornholio]

And far more utility.

But, sorry, it doesn't look as cool!

Subjective.

 

[DataDan]

Safe to assume that you have read the April Motor Cyclist ?
Feature article of comparisons of the BMW-Kawasaki-Triumph-Yamaha, Sport-Touring bikes.

I missed it at the newsstand. May is on sale now. But I did find the comparison online here. Thanks, Lou.

 

[louemc]

I missed it at the newsstand. May is on sale now. But I did find the comparison online here. Thanks, Lou.

Glad Ya got after it, one way or the other...I liked the way they presented their comparisons...Figured it would be helpful for what You wanted the bike to do.

 

[ST Guy]

I've asked myself the same question as my 92 ST is getting long of tooth.

I really like the Kawi, but the small fuel tank puts me off. The ST1300 is nice but is pretty old by now. I'd probably go with the Yamaha, though the R1200RT would be very tempting. Especially the new one.

However, I'm still waiting for Honda to redesign the 1300 and I think I'll wait a bit longer.

 

[bikeama]

I've asked myself the same question as my 92 ST is getting long of tooth.

I really like the Kawi, but the small fuel tank puts me off. The ST1300 is nice but is pretty old by now. I'd probably go with the Yamaha, though the R1200RT would be very tempting. Especially the new one.

However, I'm still waiting for Honda to redesign the 1300 and I think I'll wait a bit longer.

May be waiting for some time.

 

[WWWobble]

I've asked myself the same question as my 92 ST is getting long of tooth.

However, I'm still waiting for Honda to redesign the 1300 and I think I'll wait a bit longer.

What would you have then do on a redesign?

WWWobble

 

[Burning1]

Bikes like the ST1300 are great if you don't want to buy new. Lots of parts, good availability, low price for slightly older models.