OT - BMW motorcycles
#16
I own a 2001 BMW R1150GS. I have put 16K miles on it. It can Cruise on the Highway at 85 or better or adjustable suspension that will allow you to ride on fire roads, gravel, or limited off road. (585 lbs dry) ABS Brakes are fantastic.
#17
Here are some of my past and current bikes:
78 Suzuki GP100, a two stroker that took me through my undergrad years. Still have it at my parents house. Still ride it when I am vacationing at my parents house.
87 Honda Hurricane, my first bigger bike. Reliable except that the battery is too small. If you dont succeed starting the bike in your first two tries, you have to push start it. Sold to get the K75S
88 BMW K75S, owned it for 12 years. Good and reliable bike. Nice touring bike but too cumbersome for the tight curvy stuff. Plus its kinda underpowered. Sold to get the Triumph
99 Triumph Speed Triple. Nice bike for the curvy stuff with very good/fat midrange power. Sitting position is pretty upright (so no back/neck or wrist problem here). Have the usual oil seepage from the crankcase (typical british bike) but nothing major. Brake feel and performance is amazing. Engine sound like there are some loose screws in the engine though (everyone sound like this)
03 HD V-Rod. It is a relatively light cruiser bike (590lb) and it will keep up with some sport bikes in the curvy stuff or acceleration dept.
I considered and tried the 996 but my back, neck and wrist protested too much. Also the R1200 at one time, beautiful handling cruiser but underpowered.
The BMW that I would strongly consider would be the R1100 Boxer cup replica. Best way to know which one bike is for you is really to try them out (extensively is possible).
78 Suzuki GP100, a two stroker that took me through my undergrad years. Still have it at my parents house. Still ride it when I am vacationing at my parents house.
87 Honda Hurricane, my first bigger bike. Reliable except that the battery is too small. If you dont succeed starting the bike in your first two tries, you have to push start it. Sold to get the K75S
88 BMW K75S, owned it for 12 years. Good and reliable bike. Nice touring bike but too cumbersome for the tight curvy stuff. Plus its kinda underpowered. Sold to get the Triumph
99 Triumph Speed Triple. Nice bike for the curvy stuff with very good/fat midrange power. Sitting position is pretty upright (so no back/neck or wrist problem here). Have the usual oil seepage from the crankcase (typical british bike) but nothing major. Brake feel and performance is amazing. Engine sound like there are some loose screws in the engine though (everyone sound like this)
03 HD V-Rod. It is a relatively light cruiser bike (590lb) and it will keep up with some sport bikes in the curvy stuff or acceleration dept.
I considered and tried the 996 but my back, neck and wrist protested too much. Also the R1200 at one time, beautiful handling cruiser but underpowered.
The BMW that I would strongly consider would be the R1100 Boxer cup replica. Best way to know which one bike is for you is really to try them out (extensively is possible).
#18
I've always liked Beemers but never got around to owning one, I'm too hung up on performance numbers.
'04 R1100S - 98hp, 500 lbs, $15K, average handling, average reliability
'04 Yamaha R1 - 180hp, 370 lbs, $11K, race bike handling, excellent reliability
I had a deposit down on an Aprilia Tuono R, but cancelled it to get my 993. I will probably end up with either a Tuono or Norton 952 this spring to replace my current Superhawk.
It's all good though, NOTHING on 4 wheels touches a spirited ride through beautiful scenery on a good sport bike.
'04 R1100S - 98hp, 500 lbs, $15K, average handling, average reliability
'04 Yamaha R1 - 180hp, 370 lbs, $11K, race bike handling, excellent reliability
I had a deposit down on an Aprilia Tuono R, but cancelled it to get my 993. I will probably end up with either a Tuono or Norton 952 this spring to replace my current Superhawk.
It's all good though, NOTHING on 4 wheels touches a spirited ride through beautiful scenery on a good sport bike.
#19
Originally posted by PeterS
...'04 Yamaha R1 - 180hp, 370 lbs, $11K, race bike handling, excellent reliability...
...'04 Yamaha R1 - 180hp, 370 lbs, $11K, race bike handling, excellent reliability...
#20
At the crank (180) on the R1, the result of more torque
and higher revs.
Who really cares? Any good rider on any good bike,
even at Honda 600 F4i, can smoke are R1 or GSXR1000
on the tight twisties in the canyons of Malibu (Latigo) in
SoCal or on the Carmal Valley Rd in NoCal. It's always
very easy to twist that throttle in the straights, but much
harder to corner fast in the twisties.
Have Fun
Loren
'88 3.2, '04 BMW BCR, '02 Yamaha YZF600R
and higher revs.
Who really cares? Any good rider on any good bike,
even at Honda 600 F4i, can smoke are R1 or GSXR1000
on the tight twisties in the canyons of Malibu (Latigo) in
SoCal or on the Carmal Valley Rd in NoCal. It's always
very easy to twist that throttle in the straights, but much
harder to corner fast in the twisties.
Have Fun
Loren
'88 3.2, '04 BMW BCR, '02 Yamaha YZF600R
#21
Originally posted by Lorenfb
...It's always
very easy to twist that throttle in the straights, but much
harder to corner fast in the twisties...
...It's always
very easy to twist that throttle in the straights, but much
harder to corner fast in the twisties...
#22
Originally posted by Lorenfb
At the crank (180) on the R1, the result of more torque
and higher revs.
Who really cares? Any good rider on any good bike,
even at Honda 600 F4i, can smoke are R1 or GSXR1000
on the tight twisties in the canyons of Malibu (Latigo) in
SoCal or on the Carmal Valley Rd in NoCal. It's always
very easy to twist that throttle in the straights, but much
harder to corner fast in the twisties.
At the crank (180) on the R1, the result of more torque
and higher revs.
Who really cares? Any good rider on any good bike,
even at Honda 600 F4i, can smoke are R1 or GSXR1000
on the tight twisties in the canyons of Malibu (Latigo) in
SoCal or on the Carmal Valley Rd in NoCal. It's always
very easy to twist that throttle in the straights, but much
harder to corner fast in the twisties.
Of course, the R1 is also one of the best handling bikes out there too, so aside from the truism that it's the rider/driver more than the bike/car, I'm not sure what your point is.
#23
No question the R1 is a great bike, but many other bikes handle just
as well for 95% of the typical R1 rider. If it's an ego problem at the
Luguna Seca parking lot, then let's all get an R1. At the Cork Screw,
though, the R1 lacks the low end torque of the Ducs & Aprillas and
will get smoked until after turn 11.
Living in Santa Cruz you must be familiar with the Camel Valley run.
I doubt that an R1 would provide much benefit over even an RZ350
with a good rider. You'll need to take the R1 out on the 101 to really
press most good sport bikes no matter what engine size over 500cc.
Bottomline: It ain't always the spec numbers!
Have Fun
Loren
'88 3.2, '04 BMW BCR, '02 YZF600R, '85 K100, '78 RD400
as well for 95% of the typical R1 rider. If it's an ego problem at the
Luguna Seca parking lot, then let's all get an R1. At the Cork Screw,
though, the R1 lacks the low end torque of the Ducs & Aprillas and
will get smoked until after turn 11.
Living in Santa Cruz you must be familiar with the Camel Valley run.
I doubt that an R1 would provide much benefit over even an RZ350
with a good rider. You'll need to take the R1 out on the 101 to really
press most good sport bikes no matter what engine size over 500cc.
Bottomline: It ain't always the spec numbers!
Have Fun
Loren
'88 3.2, '04 BMW BCR, '02 YZF600R, '85 K100, '78 RD400
#24
I have a lot of respect for the bike's specs and the engineering behind it, but I personally have no interest in an 1000cc inline-4.
Like I stated above, I have an Aprilia or Norton coming as my next bike, and I ride a Superhawk now, and have owned an RZ350 in the past. The RZ was a blast, if I could get in front of my buddies I could get away in the smoke screen.
One thing though, the R1 has MORE low end torque than the Duc, not less. It also has more peak torque. By low end I mean 4K and up. If you're below 4k in the Corkscrew on a machine with a 12k+ redline, you have other problems.
On Carmel Valley Rd, I'd probably take a Multistrada or KTM Duke over anything.
They're all great bikes, I wish I had one of each.
Like I stated above, I have an Aprilia or Norton coming as my next bike, and I ride a Superhawk now, and have owned an RZ350 in the past. The RZ was a blast, if I could get in front of my buddies I could get away in the smoke screen.
One thing though, the R1 has MORE low end torque than the Duc, not less. It also has more peak torque. By low end I mean 4K and up. If you're below 4k in the Corkscrew on a machine with a 12k+ redline, you have other problems.
On Carmel Valley Rd, I'd probably take a Multistrada or KTM Duke over anything.
They're all great bikes, I wish I had one of each.
#25
Hope you didn't think I was being obnoxious?
I just tried to "lighten" it up a little.
If your picture is the Cork Screw, which it looks like, that
last turn is probably a second gear at 3K - 4 K where
Ducs and Aprilias are at the torgue "flat" versus the
R1 still ramping up its torque curve.
Have Fun
Loren
I just tried to "lighten" it up a little.
If your picture is the Cork Screw, which it looks like, that
last turn is probably a second gear at 3K - 4 K where
Ducs and Aprilias are at the torgue "flat" versus the
R1 still ramping up its torque curve.
Have Fun
Loren
#26
No, not at all, I just like talking bikes as much as cars.
That is indeed the bottom of the Corkscrew. In the 993, I'm in second at around 3-4K, I'm usually too busy to look.
On my low-end chugging Superhawk I'm also in second but at around 6k, I imagine most sportbikes will be at higher revs.
The problem with the R1 and other similar bikes is that it has too much power to make efficient corner exits. With a Duc or Aprilia you can whack the throttle open and those sweet, well spaced engine pulses help keep the tire hooked up to the road. Do the same thing with the insanely fast revving R1 and you might lose the rear end and highside into the oak trees.
That's why I love twins. They make less peak power and torque, but you can use more of the power they have at any given time.
That is indeed the bottom of the Corkscrew. In the 993, I'm in second at around 3-4K, I'm usually too busy to look.
On my low-end chugging Superhawk I'm also in second but at around 6k, I imagine most sportbikes will be at higher revs.
The problem with the R1 and other similar bikes is that it has too much power to make efficient corner exits. With a Duc or Aprilia you can whack the throttle open and those sweet, well spaced engine pulses help keep the tire hooked up to the road. Do the same thing with the insanely fast revving R1 and you might lose the rear end and highside into the oak trees.
That's why I love twins. They make less peak power and torque, but you can use more of the power they have at any given time.
#28
Woohooo!! Just picked up a new Aprilia RS250 yesterday! Wow what a bike! I'd forgotten how much fun a two-stroke can be. Its not street legal, so until the next track day, I'm stuck riding it up and down the street terrorizing the kids. There is just no substitute for light weight.
#29
Forget the BMW.
Neiman Marcus is giving you the opportunity to purchase this bike for $555,000.
Additionally, you can get a rebate of $5,000 on the coffin of your choice. It's American made, so there may be quality problems.
http://www.dodge.com/tomahawk/flash.html
Neiman Marcus is giving you the opportunity to purchase this bike for $555,000.
Additionally, you can get a rebate of $5,000 on the coffin of your choice. It's American made, so there may be quality problems.
http://www.dodge.com/tomahawk/flash.html
#30
Originally posted by PeterS
....Like I stated above, I have an Aprilia or Norton coming as my next bike...
....Like I stated above, I have an Aprilia or Norton coming as my next bike...
http://store4.yimg.com/I/norton-merc...e_1764_9080566
So what's it going to be - red, yellow or black?!?