Sport-touring bike opinions?

[Marcoose]

Dan,

Good luck with the choice, purchase and the new bike.

I'm more or less in the market for a sport tourer. Let me know what you do with the ST.

Marc.

 

[3B43]

It's all what YOU are looking for in a m/c. Maybe I'm lucky, but I've ridden all the bikes that have been mentioned, due to buddies having them. Ridding being spending an hour plus in the saddle. Several disappointed me, with the one that stands out being the C14....stunning motor and handles beautifully. IF I was buying a bike that big/heavy, that'd be it. A buddy offered his C14 to me 'to test' on a 10 day/4000 mile trip I took last year. I appreciated his offer, but rode my bike. Try to ride 'em all and buy what makes YOU happy!

 

[WWWobble]

The first-gen is the only one I've ever ridden (a few years ago). What's your impression of the new one so far? Any comparison to the intervening generation, 2006-2012? I ask because there's a new 2012 available locally.


I have a Gen II FJR (2006 model), 77,000 miles

I use it as my "go places" machine. I'll define "go places" as rides that take me a couple days away from home. When I get two states away, I find I ride more conservatively, don't know the roads, have no friends nearby etc. Ergos, reliability, and familiarity become more important to me the further away I ride. So given that:

I call it "the Hammer." It has been 100% failure free. (it replaced a 2000 BMW K1200RS which was disappointing in the number of component failures mine had). Routine maintenance on the FJR is simple. Oil and filter can be changed without removing any plastic. Coolant easy to get to. Rear drive fluid change easy. Valve checks not bad, and required at 26,000 mile intervals. Mine have been checked twice and have not moved. NGK Iridium plugs good for over 30,000 miles. Air filter easy access via side panel.

For distance riding, I like that the bike doesn't have the mass -- or the feeling of mass-- that some of your other choices exhibit. I do wish the FJR was lighter, and have spent some time on a BMW R1200RT which while a little bit lighter seems to have more front end mass, and the engine is not as nice in my opinion. Less power, and it seems to me less torque. Better fairing protection though, I'll give it that.

Most FJR owners don't mind having a wider ratio 5 speed. There is so much torque the engine can handle it. I find mine to have a slight, I can notice it but it doesn't bother me, buzz at about 70mph. Below is smooth. By 78 the engine is smooth again. I think this varies by model, and maybe throttle body synch can make a difference. It's in it's element at 80 or 85 indicated, smooth, responsive, stabile, and still returns 42mpg on Regular fuel.

The new Gen III model improves many little niggles just a bit. Throttle return spring lighter. Two modes of throttle response. Improved fairing. Heated grips standard. More info on info screen. Easier to deploy center stand. Slightly stiffer suspension. Cruise control.

All nice incremental improvements, but none of these are "must haves" for me, and the Gen II is still a nice traveling machine. I'll probably put a Penske shock on the rear of mine and keep it for a bit longer.

Hope this answers some of your questions about the FJR, and whatever bike you choose, chances are it will be a pretty good machine. All on your list have lots of good points!

WWWobble

 

[Kornholio]

I'm an unabashed RT fan, currently breaking in my 3rd, and find it uniquely appealing. It doesn't have the widespread fanbase of BMW's GS bestseller, but for all intents and purposes it is a GS with sportbike-sized wheels/tires, firmer suspension, better wind protection, larger fuel tank, more gadgets, better two-up accommodations, and a couple dozen more pounds on-board. What's not to like?

I would try to test ride the ST and the FJR. They are the easiest to work on and the price tags won't break the bank.

By the time you get all the plastics off the ST or FJR just to get to the engine, I've already finished the full 6K service on my RT. It takes less than an hour with basic tools and requires no removal of fairings.

I'll agree with you on price...but IMHO, good things cost money and of course, you get what you pay for. The ST and FJR aren't exactly making the top of the sport-touring bike-of-the-year list these days.

For long rides they provide the most protection and comforts (electric windshield) heated grips, large side cases.

The RT has all of that...and more.

I have heard good things about the Multi-Strada. A friend has one, and use to own an ST1300. he misses the wind protection on his legs and windshield.

A major reason why the Multistrada just doesn't do it for me. I take long trips...I need protection. The Multi just doesn't have it compared to the bikes on the OP's initial list.

Power is not everything ...." You can only go as fast as your speeding ticket"

+infinitybillion

You can get 30 opinions, but your type of riding, comforts and budget will decide the rest.

+infinitybillion

 

[Papi]

The K1600GT is likely the heaviest available in the sport-tourer realm, and it only has 150 pounds on the RT.

hey A- I always liked your RT setup, one of the reasons I bought mine was after seeing how yours a few years back was tricked out. But I thought you went to the K16 a year ago? Am I wrong?


DataDan- If you want to do a bike swap and spin my Wing around the south county loop, just PM me. I'd be happy to ride around with you for a couple hours.

 

[Ready to Ride]

Tiger 1050?

You might consider test riding a Triumph Tiger 1050. The 1050 triple is a wonderful engine. Same as in the Speed triple.
The Tiger is comfortable, can be loaded up and can be ridden quite aggressively. Very reliable and reasonably priced.

 

[aciurczak]

hey A- I always liked your RT setup, one of the reasons I bought mine was after seeing how yours a few years back was tricked out. But I thought you went to the K16 a year ago? Am I wrong?

I put a couple thousand happy miles on the K16, punctuated with one quite unhappy last mile on it Jan 1st of this year. Fun bike, but they crash quite expensively. I replaced it with a new RT, which I found to be more fun. The K's an impressive bike, but will take a couple generations to be as dialed in as BMW's R line. I liked it, but never loved it. Just finishing up the gadget setup on the new RT, and it's coming along:

 

[Kornholio]

I've never understood why people don't find the stock mirrors on the RT to be adequate.

 

[Jiggles]

K1300S, a better all around bike there is not

 

[Papi]

Just finishing up the gadget setup on the new RT, and it's coming along

Your wizardry with e-farkle always intrigues me Alex.
I need to cut you loose on my wing. arty

 

[iehawk]

Aciurzak... if I were you I would go with bar-end mirrors... unobstructed rear view.

Otherwise, yea, while being a bit different placement, I actually like the mirrors on the RT. not having to clear widest part of human body (shoulder for most people) and being farther forward, they have quite good coverage.

 

[aciurczak]

I've never understood why people don't find the stock mirrors on the RT to be adequate.

Otherwise, yea, while being a bit different placement, I actually like the mirrors on the RT. not having to clear widest part of human body (shoulder for most people) and being farther forward, they have quite good coverage.

I don't mind the stock mirrors on the RT either. I'm going to be using a mongo sized tankbag for the iron butt this year, and some folks have said that with a very large tankbag, the view down to to the low mirrors can be obstructed. So I ordered those additional mirrors, they are the OEM BMW mirrors for the F800GS/F650GS line. Sitting on the bike now, I'm not sure if there ever would have been an obstruction, but the high mirrors work just fine as well. If I ever find them annoying or superfluous, removal only involves unscrewing 'em.

 

[iehawk]

I rode with 4 mirrors briefly before.

Anyway, back to Dan... What's the verdict? Maybe top 3 finalists?

 

[Tharkûn]

Your mirrors are uneven /OCD

 

[JPK]

I'm an unabashed RT fan, currently breaking in my 3rd, and find it uniquely appealing. It doesn't have the widespread fanbase of BMW's GS bestseller, but for all intents and purposes it is a GS with sportbike-sized wheels/tires, firmer suspension, better wind protection, larger fuel tank, more gadgets, better two-up accommodations, and a couple dozen more pounds on-board. What's not to like?

Since you brought up the GS

I know we're talking about sport-tourers but I'll just throw this out there anyway. Feel free to ignore it. The RT does definitely have advantages over the GSA in wind protection, gadgets and 2-up accomodations, but the GSA definitely addresses the fuel capacity and and wind protection shortcomings (if you want to call them that) of the GS. Plus, IMO it gives you some added flexibility on where you choose to go vs. the RT. Headed out to Fresno this past weekend, I decided to make a little detour through the dirt part of Panoche Rd. Not to say you couldn't do this road on an RT (or even a sport bike) but dropping an RT on a road like this is a much more expensive proposition than dropping a GSA (which I've done twice in the dirt now for a grand total cost of one scratched up handguard).

Just sayin' If no dirt is in your forecast, or lots of 2-up riding is, then ignore this.

 

[Kornholio]

GSAs...

 

[DataDan]

Thank you for all the replies. Very helpful info.

Anyway, back to Dan... What's the verdict? Maybe top 3 finalists?

At the moment, it's: 1) FJR; 2) C14; 3) RT.

There's a lotta love here for the RT, and it has been high on my list all along. But I'm a bit twisted off about BMW's pricing. While MSRP is competitive, they apparently sell very few at that price. If you want anything extra, like heated grips, you can get it only with a $4K package that includes electronic suspension adjustment, traction control, top box, etc. The FJR and Connie both come fully equipped. If I've got that wrong, please edumacate me.

Also, anyone know if the RT is a 50-state bike? I.e., are the ones sold in NV CA-legal?

 

[Mr Pepsi]

The C-14 comes with heated grips, but no cruise.

 

[Kornholio]

The RT is a 50 state bike.

You may as well pitch the base MSRP pricing out the window only because no RT comes like that unless you order it from Germany that way. Just like literally every car/truck sold today, there's always a base equipment package that is added...and you don't get the option to buy it without that. 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?

http://www.bobsbmw.com/motorcycles/images/lineup/R1200RT/2012RT.pdf

 

[louemc]

Thank you for all the replies. Very helpful info.


At the moment, it's: 1) FJR; 2) C14; 3) RT.

There's a lotta love here for the RT, and it has been high on my list all along. But I'm a bit twisted off about BMW's pricing. While MSRP is competitive, they apparently sell very few at that price. If you want anything extra, like heated grips, you can get it only with a $4K package that includes electronic suspension adjustment, traction control, top box, etc. The FJR and Connie both come fully equipped. If I've got that wrong, please edumacate me.

Also, anyone know if the RT is a 50-state bike? I.e., are the ones sold in NV CA-legal?

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