Thanks for the comparison. I like all bikes, and have owned most of them. I rode a Honda ST1300 as a commuter bike for 5 years, which was nice as far as the big alternator, adjustable windscreen, and loads of power. Trouble is, my right hand would go numb riding. Never happened on my Road King.
Big issue for the BMW is the maintenance costs and lack of dealer network. Also not keen on the single plate dry clutch. Over the road, no issue, but in the city, can be an issue. Our BMW police motors gobble clutches.

 

Mr frikken open mind, you hate Harley riders who dont like other bike brands, real open frikken mind man. You are a hypocrite. This is America, he can dislike anyone race color creed or bike brand he wants.

 

I grew up on dirt bikes in the late 60's and had some Yamaha's in the 80's. I kinda thought that the 1980 BMW R100 style bikes were cool. Saw one on e-bay that if I had a few grand to buy it I would just for nostalgia, but that's me.
I have always liked the old school knuckle head/shovel/pan HD's, that's just me.
If I had a boat load of cash- I'd have a bitchn man cave heated shop with a few of those
scoots in it-
I ride an HD because, it's just me.

 

Love my Harley's but I am fortunate enough to have spent 16 days and 2100 miles in northern Italy, Sardinia and Corsica on a RT1200.

Total different ride and feel - the shifter was so subtle, instead of the reassuring clank into the next gear that is so familiar, I was unsure I had actually shifted - until I got to understand the difference in the RPM whine. The more rearward footpeg position was unsettling at first, but after two plus days, I have to say it was no less comfortable than my Harley's. Never did like the non-canceling turn signals, but that's minor.

We rode two up with a "top-case" as they call a Tour Pack, and my wife was just a comfortable as on my Road Glide - and believe me if that were not the case, I'd have known about it, and then some. Having that back support negates that passenger-forward lean you see in many photos. And even though the seat looks and its surface feels unfriendly, it was just as if not more so comfortable than any of my seats whether HD stock seat, or a Sundowner, or a Corbin.

Dampening of road noise was remarkable, way better than either my Fatboy or the RG, and leaning into turns with the radius of a soda can, turn after turn, hour after hour, day after day (sorry Tail of the Dragon, you are not even a fraction of one's days turns, much less eleven full riding days of non-stop turns). Here, the RT puts the HD to shame, with it's sheer quickness and ease of flipping the lean over and back again.

Rode the engine hard, harder than I would have pushed my own bike, constantly down-shifting to limit speed before getting into the turns, pushing it well above 4500 in second gear. Really glad it was someone else's bike...

With all this, I was aching to get home and back on my "Kids". And no, I have no interest in getting a BMW now or ever in the future. But it was a great experience on a different but in every way, a worthy bike.

 

I enjoyed your comparison. To me it doesn't matter what forum you post personal bike 2 bike opinions on. My friend is buying the GTL and will appreciate reading this.

 

X100 !!!

Thank you for putting that so well
I hate those over-priced krout cans!!
The cars too !!!
I'm German (1/2) so I can say krout.

 

Thanks for saving me the trouble of saying this--I think if someone is even CONSIDERING the BMW as opposed to the Big Iron, then he should get the BMW,'cause he ain't Harley material.

 

My stepfather has a 1600GTL. It is a rocket ship. Handles great. He loves it and wouldn't own anything else. I enjoyed riding it. It's not my cup of tea. I don't like the look and the comfort. I had just gotten back from a 2000 mile weekend and I couldn't see doing that ride on that bike.

 

 

Why exactly would someone be "not Harley material" if they owned another bike? It amazes me how short sided, narrow-minded, and simple some people can be. Does it make someone like Harley's any less because they like and/or own another brand of motorcycle? The answer is NO it doesn't.

Enjoy your ride, and let others enjoy theirs, whatever make/model they ride.

mikebaby

mikebaby