Judge you call it the way you see it....and good for you.
My opinion on the other hand is very different.
I went to buy me my BMW RT and after a two hour test ride: I was not impressed..
My missus didn't like the bikes gear changes and buffeting.
She felt unsure on the back....
I was seriously unhappy as I thought I had lost the ability to ride.
The bike handled vaguely and I wasn't sure of the front end.
Not to mention the idiotic indication system...(believe that BM has seen the error of their ways..the whole world dose it the same way! But it's not safe...)
I was also unhappy as I had to go an look at that Honda tourer after this episode!!!!
Got to Honda, but the ST they had didn't have any fuel/gas in the tank so I would have to ride about half a mile to fill it.
Whilst they were filling it the wife says to me," do we need to go for the ride." That wasn't a question. It was a fact!
There is the world of difference between the two bikes.
I have had 2 ST1300's and they do everything well enough, especially when 2 up and fully loaded or pulling a 6ft trailer!!!
My Conclusion is that here in SA, BM riders pay a lot to impress them selves...
The GS range is very popular here, but most never see the dirt...
May be when there's enough money I would buy one of these to ride in the dirt (after a proper test ride)
Only one thing: Why have a single sided swing-arm when you're not racing...makes no sense.
Most people still come up to the ST and say what a nice B..M..???? er Honda...
And so here it's not a common bike and thus you stand out more.(he-he!)
We should agree on one thing....
Do whatever floats your boat and just don't try an impress others with your decision, do it for yourself...
I even do wheelies etc when no one is watching....:grin::grin::grin:
PS rode with two other guys on RT1200's the other day.
WE filled up at the same places and rode the same speeds (except when they wanted to race...Left them far behind), but my bike used much less fuel than theirs....?
Why would that be? The ST has 4 cylinders...?
Ja so enjoy your BMer Judge, but judge us lesser mere mortals not!:capwin:
PS: The Trailer...
Interesting read. One word....reciprocity.
I particularly enjoyed the part about how I supposedly bought an RT to "impress myself" simply because the RT isn't your brand of vodka. There's some altruistic logic....and lest me not judge?
My reasons for buying vehicles revolve around function..not form, and certainly not a trumped up sense of prestige. I drive a Dodge for Pete's sake, and certainly could afford a vehicle to "impress myself". I suppose if I were a BMW fan through and through, and just had to have that roundel, I would have bought another BMW as opposed to a second rate Yamaha.
I'm glad you like the ST, I still do as well.