Terry,
The thing that really sticks in my craw (always wanted to use that expression
) is when you think about the technology that comes standard on the BMW, and the fact that German manufacturers have a cost disadvantage, and then compare features and prices with the offerings from H-D, it becomes even more obvious just how much the MoCo is screwing us. I was looking at the 1200LT, which is their "equivalent" to the Ultra, and in terms of technology, standard equipment, and performance it totally blows the Ultra away. Many of the items that Harley only includes on the CVO version come standard on the LT, with an MSRP of $21,700.
Oh well, that's my "rant for the day".
Got to go out to the garage and turn some wrenches on my overpriced and underperforming Harley.
Jerry
No doubt, Jerry...just before I took delivery on the Ultra, Suzanne and I were at the BMW/Ducati dealer here and looked at the LT. When Suzanne saw the price, she asked "Now why are we getting a HD?

) I told her my feet wouldn't touch the ground on the LT. Half truth. And it's got no "soul". So we pay over 10K for something we can't see or put our hands on. Love the Ultra though, but at some point in the future, it may get retired to lighter duty and something like this Beemer would be my choice over a Wing.
You are correct though...many, many more standard goodies on almost any Beemer. At least as much luggage capacity, heated grips that actually WORK, decent seats, great com system and stereo, electric windscreen. I rode an RT1150 a while back, and that electric windscreen is a cool as chit feature. Even that bike would haul butt and handled great. I hadn't been on a bike in 15 years at that point and it took me about 5 minutes to get completely comfortable in the twisties I test rode it through.