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[Panhead_Jimmy]

I've been considering a GTL for two years.  They (BMW) have the very best ABS on the motorcycle planet!  The GTL handles way better than a motorcycle that weighs that much ever should and goes like stink-fast.  Looks okay without the top box (that's BMW speak for tour Pak).  With the deal you're getting you could buy it, ride it for a year, then sell it for about what you have in it.  Then buy a used CVO from someone on this site and have experienced the best of all possible options.

I was in the market for a new bike back in 1998 and was considering a Road Glide...or something else.  The only non-Harley brand of bike I felt had any class and that I could be seen on within my group of hooligans was a BMW.  I've put about 200K miles on two RT BMRs and they've been excellent bikes.  But, they ain't Harleys.  I've been lucky enough to be able to have had a Harley at the same time, but I firmly believe life's too short to not
experience different things when the opportunity presents itself.  And that is a CHEAP price for that bike.  Buy it.  Ride it.  Sell it. 

[dlaws01]

I'd go with the BMW.  To the wind with all of H-D's hype.  JMHO

[bikerboy53]

A few years ago a friend of mine was fortunate enough to own both a Harley Electra Glide and a BMW RT(Something). He described the ownership to me at one point by saying that the BMW was the bike he would pick for aggressive riding in the twisties, but the Harley was much better for two up riding and a little slower pace. The HD was also the bike his BSR preferred.

He attended a few HD type events, and a few BMW events and thought there were some big differences in the types of people who own both bikes. The BMW crowd was quieter and in addition to talking bikes, they liked to spend time comparing mega-miles ridden per day. The number of miles ridden per day and year seemed to be a big topic of conversation among them. (Mileage snobs?  )

On the other hand my friend said the HD crowd's get-togethers weren't as mellow -they party much harder and seem like they're having more fun while doing it.

It seems like you need to evaluate not only what kind of bike and riding you (and your BSR?) prefer, but also which crowd you want to run with... I've noticed that it looks like our friendship circles are determined in large part by the toys we play with!

[Red Dragon]

C'mon the choice isn't ALL THAT HARD...

Look at 'em together....Now, Really...Which is the R I G H T CHOICE?...





The Harley!...OF COURSE! 

[Robmay]

A few years ago a friend of mine was fortunate enough to own both a Harley Electra Glide and a BMW RT(Something). He described the ownership to me at one point by saying that the BMW was the bike he would pick for aggressive riding in the twisties, but the Harley was much better for two up riding and a little slower pace. The HD was also the bike his BSR preferred.
This is EXACTLY what happened with me and my BMW 1600 GTL.Ended up selling it to a friend for a small loss.Luckily both times I've tried to switch brands, my wife was adamant that we keep the Harley.
He attended a few HD type events, and a few BMW events and thought there were some big differences in the types of people who own both bikes. The BMW crowd was quieter and in addition to talking bikes, they liked to spend time comparing mega-miles ridden per day. The number of miles ridden per day and year seemed to be a big topic of conversation among them. (Mileage snobs?  )

On the other hand my friend said the HD crowd's get-togethers weren't as mellow -they party much harder and seem like they're having more fun while doing it.

It seems like you need to evaluate not only what kind of bike and riding you (and your BSR?) prefer, but also which crowd you want to run with... I've noticed that it looks like our friendship circles are determined in large part by the toys we play with!

I think once you take your test ride, you'll have your answer. Just don't buy the bike because its a great deal.

[RedEagle]

I have told a lot of riders this when they were considering a Harley vs whatever.  Yes both manufactures make a good bike and brand x is less expensive. 
Ask yourself this;  Who throws a better party?  Go on-line and see who and where the rides are sponsored?
The Harley Riders win this hands down!!  On any given weekend in my area there ar 15 to 1  the rides that are HOG type rides.
Ever been to Milwaukue?  Harley rolls out the red carpet to the riders,  does BMW or Honda? Do they have anything that compares with the HOG chapters?
my .02

[screaminCVO]

I think once you take your test ride, you'll have your answer. Just don't buy the bike because its a great deal.

x2. It's about happiness......not the money!

[Robmay]

I am assuming you have seen this thread also....

http://www.cvoharley.com/smf/index.php?topic=67554.0

[LRebel]

It would be easy for me.... I would own both.  Not to sound arrogant, because I am not rich by any measure.
However, I do love to ride and I understand that there are different bikes for different types of riding.  I have even considered a GSXR, just for fun 

[Rio]

I am assuming you have seen this thread also....

http://www.cvoharley.com/smf/index.php?topic=67554.0

I didn't but thanks for pointing it out, I read through it, only one guy had the GTL but he said great things.  I'm going to take it for a ride, and check it out.  I had one before and i remember making jokes to my brother and his friends about Harleys.  I remember him telling me a story.  He said theirs something about riding a Harley, it's kind of that 'poser' thing.  You get an I don't care attitude when you get on the bike and ride and often forget who you are by getting caught up in that fantasy.  We had several adult beverages and I almost choked laughing.  A couple years later I got a 2005 Road King, and I'm on my 5th Harley.  I get it, I have a stressful life between work, 3 kids in college, and a wife that wants to make life easy for 3 spoiled kids.  When I get on my HD, I just smile and get lost in the moment.  Hard to imagine having that feeling riding a BMW, but well see!  I have a trip planned 6/6-6/14 to the Ozarks with 9 close friends, 6 HD, two GW, and one Valkrye.

[geezerglide]

Rio,

I feel for you so many choices, I have been riding for over 40 years plus on many brands, however primarily HD> In the past few years beside the HDs, I have ridden R1150 GSA, had on the CVO GTG to Nelson BC due to a blown JIMS 120 in my HD, also F800 GS, too small,2004 K1200 GT could not get used to the sitting position knees and hips would get sore after 400 miles. In Dec. 2012 bought a 2002 BMW K1200 LT great bike, however after a little more research I decided to sell it and bought a 2009 BMW K1200 LT it also a great bike and for now is a keeper. Right now both bikes are in Phoenix.

Rode both the 1600 GT and the 1600 GTL did not like anywhere as much as my K1200 LT. Spoke with other 1600 GTL owners and a lot have said they are looking to go back to their K1200 LTs.

If you can't keep both sell the HD and for the great price you are getting the 1600 GTL for, buy it and ride, if you find for some reason its not what thought it would be, sell it. Low mile 1660 are selling in the $23,000 range and for a little extra you can replace with an HD which you know you like.

I was actually contemplating selling my 2010 CVO ULTRA with the HD 120 Crate Motor and buying a Blue & Black 2004 SEEG and riding both it and the K1200 LT.

Whatever you decide to do will be right.

geezerglid aka now beemerboy

[SBB]

And that is a CHEAP price for that bike.  Buy it.  Ride it.  Sell it. 

I think Jimmy nailed it.
If you ride a Harley for the image keep the Harley.
If you ride a Harley because you love to ride, buy the BMW.
Ride it for a year (or less) then sell it like Jimmy said.
At the price quoted it's a free ride for a year.
You will never have to wonder if you will like it, after a year you will know.
And the experience will be a free one. Look at it from a different perspective, can you do that with a Harley?
Hell no! Buying a Harley and selling it within a year will cost you between $5K and $10K.
Buy the BMW, ride for free, sell it and buy you a 2015 water cooled SERGC.
We will still like you here, hell we still like Rob May and he owned a BMW.
If it's about the thrill and the passion of the ride try the Beemer for a while then sell it, if it's an image thing, keep the Harley.
We love to ride, that's why there is two Aprilia's in the garage.
They are a thrill, but there's no image thing going on when you ride a likker sycle.

 

SBB

[EdKSr.]

I also have a 2011 FLHTCUSE6 and a 2007 R1200RT,  Linda just commented last weekend that she does not enjoy being a BSR on the BMW.   If only the Harley shifted like the BMW and would lift the front end a 30 mph.  It might just go to help me buy a 2013 F350 Platinum Diesel Crew Cab.  I need the 8' bed for the Rampage lift.   Ed

[1sharprdkg]

Well, for me as fine a bike as the BMW probably is, it has no MOJO. I would not trade in my CVO for two BMW's. JMO. The first bike I had was a Suzuki Intruder 1500, fine bike, rode good, looked pretty good, never had any problems with it except almost every time I stopped someone would ask me "what kind of Harley is that." Only took me a short time to get sick of hearing that question so sold it and bought a Road King.   

[funbiker1967]

My wife and I rode one at Sturgis last year during the test ride.  I really enjoyed the BMW but WOW my wife hated it.  She hated the seat, the back rest, the wind.  It wasn't worth the argument to try and talk her into it.  Good luck!