NobodySpecial
Site Supporter
Greetings!
I'm looking for some advice. I'm in the market for a new ride, and after test-riding a whole slew of things* I've narrowed it down to two motorcycles:
- an ST1300 (ABS)
- a "camhead" R1200RT
Now, I've bled Honda red for many years (more than 20), but after test riding a 2007 RT I came away impressed. Not perfect (power below 3000 is non-existent!), but it was very nice. I also test rode a 2004 ST1300 with some touring farkles added (bar risers + Russel day-long) and it was deceptively easy to handle. I've had mostly liter bikes, with one full-dress touring bike ('85 Venture Royale). I don't mind weight, but the ~170 pound difference between the ST and the RT was easy to notice. Due to an injury some years back, I haven't been able to tour (yet), but prior to that I had a few 10-12 hour days. I currently own a truly lovely 99 Triumph Trophy 900, but the triple's vibration causes me numbness and tingling (but comes with a beautiful engine note and incredibly tractable power). Having spent several hours on other, less aggressive Triumph triples, it's the engine, not the riding position.
I have a line on a 2010 RT (although it's *quite* far away from me) at a price comparable to what I see many ST's going for - ~$5500. I haven't been able to ride one of the new (now, previous generation) BMW "camhead" bikes; are they better down low than the prior generation? One thing I really noticed and appreciate about the ST vs the (2007) RT is that the ST will pull itself along at parking lot speeds without any real buck and snort. My carbuerated Trophy is the best bike I've ever been on for truly spot-on fueling, and all fuel-injected bikes feel notchy to me. I enjoy the low-speed parking lot gymnastics as much as the long-haul fun. Would the BMW drive me crazy? Would the weight of the ST?
I don't think many would deny the durability of the Honda over the BMW, but it's also long in the tooth and simply not as sophisticated (adjustable suspension, arguably the best cockpit in the business, cruise control, heated everything, etc..). Clearly, one can add most of that stuff to the ST as well and derive 90% of the benefit. However, I thought I'd ask in this subforum for advice and opinions. My budged has been limited by the CFO. I'm located in Southwest Wisconsin.
I'm looking for some advice. I'm in the market for a new ride, and after test-riding a whole slew of things* I've narrowed it down to two motorcycles:
- an ST1300 (ABS)
- a "camhead" R1200RT
Now, I've bled Honda red for many years (more than 20), but after test riding a 2007 RT I came away impressed. Not perfect (power below 3000 is non-existent!), but it was very nice. I also test rode a 2004 ST1300 with some touring farkles added (bar risers + Russel day-long) and it was deceptively easy to handle. I've had mostly liter bikes, with one full-dress touring bike ('85 Venture Royale). I don't mind weight, but the ~170 pound difference between the ST and the RT was easy to notice. Due to an injury some years back, I haven't been able to tour (yet), but prior to that I had a few 10-12 hour days. I currently own a truly lovely 99 Triumph Trophy 900, but the triple's vibration causes me numbness and tingling (but comes with a beautiful engine note and incredibly tractable power). Having spent several hours on other, less aggressive Triumph triples, it's the engine, not the riding position.
I have a line on a 2010 RT (although it's *quite* far away from me) at a price comparable to what I see many ST's going for - ~$5500. I haven't been able to ride one of the new (now, previous generation) BMW "camhead" bikes; are they better down low than the prior generation? One thing I really noticed and appreciate about the ST vs the (2007) RT is that the ST will pull itself along at parking lot speeds without any real buck and snort. My carbuerated Trophy is the best bike I've ever been on for truly spot-on fueling, and all fuel-injected bikes feel notchy to me. I enjoy the low-speed parking lot gymnastics as much as the long-haul fun. Would the BMW drive me crazy? Would the weight of the ST?
I don't think many would deny the durability of the Honda over the BMW, but it's also long in the tooth and simply not as sophisticated (adjustable suspension, arguably the best cockpit in the business, cruise control, heated everything, etc..). Clearly, one can add most of that stuff to the ST as well and derive 90% of the benefit. However, I thought I'd ask in this subforum for advice and opinions. My budged has been limited by the CFO. I'm located in Southwest Wisconsin.