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[RedDevil]

I can't comment on the 1600 as I haven't ridden it yet.  I can comment on BMW motorcycles though as I owned, for a short time, the original, first year, K100LT.  With that one and all subsequent BMW K model touring bikes that I sat on or had the chance to ride, the riding position for me was too cramped.  (I'm 6'4") For the most part, the peg position pushes my knees into the fairings lowers, and leaves me no "wiggle room" to change position.  As far as technology, you'll be hard pressed to beat a Beemer.  Even GW's can't beat them (owned one of them too).  I would be seriously tempted to make a 1600 another bike in the stable, but it appears they still haven't made the "cockpit" big enough for me yet.

[FXDRYDR]

Lots to like about BMWs.  I too, went by the dealer to see the 1600 and have been looking hard at BMWs - but used ones mostly for the depreciation.  As I've aged, the "locked-in" seating position of the sport tourers might be a problem on a long haul unless I stopped regularly.  Like being able to move around a bit too. 

What I've come to question is - "How much technology do I really need - and how much is it worth to me?"  All I need is a reliable, decently-engineered, comfortable, well-made, powerful-enough-to-not-be-a-dog tourer that doesn't require a lot of maintenance and has a decent dealer network.  Period. 

I don't need fly-by-wire or any CAN BUS system, electronic windshields, an alarm system, bluetooth, a stereo, ABS, or any of it.  I also don't want to drop near $30 K on a bike. 

These days, I want simplicity and easy maintainablity so I'm not tied to the dealer.  I look at the new BMW and admire the engineering and technology, but it appears it's at the cost of being tied to a dealer.   I too have issues with HD to the point where I won't buy another new one, but OP hit the nail on the head when he mentioned building his own, as that's what I've been thinking too.  Likely starting with an older RG and re-doing from the ground up.  Putting $20K or so into something like that wouldn't bother me at all.


Have lurked here a while - this thread just hit a nerve.  Hi to all.

[bigdave110]

That's a part of the "Harley thing" that I could care less about though.  Even though we often tend to show off our toys within the group of friends here I can honestly say my bike is for my own satisfaction.  Could care less what anyone else thinks about it.  And when stopped somewhere would be completely happy if all the civilian lookee-loos just stayed the hell away.

Could not have said it better myself.
I, got it and built it for me.
If you like it, that's nice, if not that's fine also.
Most of my Harley riding friends think i'm nuts for thinking that way.
Just glad not to be alone.
Dave

[porthole]

I'm looking forward to a demo ride on this, have been since first reading about it.

[Half_Crazy]

What I've come to question is - "How much technology do I really need - and how much is it worth to me?"

Ok, ya drew me into it...
If I want high tech, wind protection, crash protection, stereo, ABS, traction control, Blue tooth, yards of storage space, drive-by-wire, proximity sensors, yada yada yada, I'll get a Volvo station wagon.

When I'm on a motorcycle, I want the motorcycle experience in spades. Yeah, there's wind, it has some vibration, it's mechanically noisy and the exhaust is loud, you have a limit as to what you can carry, and it doesn't drive itself. You can actually spin the rear tire or pull the front wheel up or lock a wheel with the brakes.... That's exactly the plan.

Standard issue motorcycle, type A, heavy duty, one each. 

[Half_Crazy]

OP hit the nail on the head when he mentioned building his own, as that's what I've been thinking too.  Likely starting with an older RG and re-doing from the ground up.  Putting $20K or so into something like that wouldn't bother me at all

That's the spirit. I bought my 2006 Vic used. I have about 20.5K in it. It EXCITES ME. Makes me giggle like a schoolgirl every time I open the throttle. Carries my stuff, handles like the monorail at Disney World, great brakes, comfortable, easy to maintain, only been to a dealer once since I bought it, and SCARY FAST. Low-tech suits me fine and cheap is good.

[Chains]

seat height is about 3-4 inches too high for us vertically challenged types.  spyder

I am 6 foot tall and I would not like the seat height, but I am certain it is a great ride

[Dr.D]

I am 6 foot tall and I would not like the seat height, but I am certain it is a great ride

I'm 6'2" and ain't met a bike to tall yet. The GW is cramped fer sure so I might have to sit on one of these MBW one day. I did sit on a 440cc Yamaha Dirt bike that was pretty damn tall.

In some circles, where red-neck is the norm this Beemer may get tagged a metrosexual  ride. Just sayin and meaning no offense.

[Twolanerider]

I am 6 foot tall and I would not like the seat height, but I am certain it is a great ride

I'm 5'10" and the height wasn't terrible.  It seemed awkward at first.  But after a couple of starts and stops was ok.  "Great" would be too strong a word.  But it was ok.  Always was down on one foot or the other.  But never had to give it much thought.

Wasn't a long ride.  Regular use might force a rethink.  Same could be said for the riding position.  But in 90 minutes or so on the bike nothing sucked.

[Buy early]

I'm 6'2" and ain't met a bike to tall yet. The GW is cramped fer sure so I might have to sit on one of these MBW one day. I did sit on a 440cc Yamaha Dirt bike that was pretty damn tall.

In some circles, where red-neck is the norm this Beemer may get tagged a metrosexual  ride. Just sayin and meaning no offense.

That's all right doc. I drive a Miata as well so I'm used to the slurs. I'm comfortable with my masculinity.

[Buy early]

I'm 5'10" and the height wasn't terrible.  It seemed awkward at first.  But after a couple of starts and stops was ok.  "Great" would be too strong a word.  But it was ok.  Always was down on one foot or the other.  But never had to give it much thought.

Wasn't a long ride.  Regular use might force a rethink.  Same could be said for the riding position.  But in 90 minutes or so on the bike nothing sucked.

They do make highway pegs (or slats, or sticks, or whatever you'd call these things) for the touring bikes so you can alter your position a bit. There are also custom seat makers with a fair variety of seat options. Nothing like HD but at least some choices.

[Half_Crazy]

http://www.motorcycle.com/manufacturer/bmw/2012-bmw-k1600gtl-review-90469.html

[Buy early]

http://www.motorcycle.com/manufacturer/bmw/2012-bmw-k1600gtl-review-90469.html

Thanks for sharing the review 1/2! All the bike mags seem to like the beemer. I am still particularly interested in how folks used to riding RG's, Ultras, and SG's compare the bike. The ever present Gold Wing vs 1600 comparisons are out there but I am looking to hear head to head comparisons from the faithful!

Once again - I'm not asking anyone to chose one bike over the other. Most of us have multiple rides (cars, boats, even a few planes). This would be another add to the stable. If I HAD to chose one bike, it would be some form of Harley for all of the cultural, social, generational, artistic, and modification possibilities out there.

[Half_Crazy]

I am still particularly interested in how folks used to riding RG's, Ultras, and SG's compare the bike.

It's sort of an apples and oranges comparison. Yes, both are "touring bikes" but one is the extreme of modern gadgetry and one is the extreme of tradition and nostalgia. Two totally different approaches to touring on a motorcycle.

I took a day and test rode all the BMW sport-touring/touring bikes a while back. Their K/LT was a nice bike and I really couldn't find anything to hate about it... but I really didn't like it that much either.

I'm not a full blown touring bike type of rider. Maybe I'm not ready to grow up yet. Yeah, I think that's it.

[Banana man]

I really want to ride one of these but I am also scared to ride one. I am afraid I will like
the power and handling and the calm windless cockpit so much that I will think I will
have to buy one.

I really like a bike with lots of power and handling that inspires confidence in the twisties
as that's where I ride mostly.

All that is well and good but my wife says only one bike at a time and the banana is staying
in the garage.

Such a dilemma.