Feb 19, 2015, 12:56 PM
Last edit by: IB Advertising
2015 BMW R1200RT or 2015 Road Glide
http://www.hdforums.com/forum/new-ru...oad-glide.html
ISSUE
A member is asking the community which is the better touring bike, the 2015 BMW R1200RT or 2015 HD Road Glide.
To learn the differences between the two bikes, and which one the community would prefer, read below for full discussion…
http://www.hdforums.com/forum/new-ru...oad-glide.html
ISSUE
A member is asking the community which is the better touring bike, the 2015 BMW R1200RT or 2015 HD Road Glide.
To learn the differences between the two bikes, and which one the community would prefer, read below for full discussion…
2015 BMW R1200RT or 2015 Road Glide
Road Master
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 783
Likes: 1
From: Oxford, GA
All other factors being equal, if you plan on venturing very far from home here in the US, you will appreciate the larger dealer network and quicker repair turn-around offered by the MoCo. I lost use of one of my Japanese bikes for two months because of the failure of a $2 plastic part. This well known brand also had a very extensive dealer network but made very few of the model I had. They had no safety stock of the part I needed and had to wait for some supplier to mold the part in Japan before they could ship it to me. I'm glad I was close to home when this failure occured. I'll stick with HD first because I like the ride, then second because they have the best repair network. Good Luck!
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 2,674
Likes: 84
From: New Jersey
I've owned BMW's. I always check out the R line at the shows. Really nice bikes. I'm a BMW fan and a Harley fan and a Ducati fan. I want one (or two) of each.
But no one can logically compare the two (Harley and BMW tourers). Their strengths and weaknesses are too far apart. If you can only buy one, you have to ask yourself which one speaks to you more.
Right now, my 2014 Limited speaks to me more than an RT tourer. That could change in the future.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 1,745
Likes: 36
From: Lafayette La
ok then, you could save yourself some money and probably get more sleep if you get the bemmer. caus your going to love the Harley so much you'll stay up late researching exhaust systems and air cleaners and tuners and cams and lights, windshields, and seats. so the smart choice would be the BMW...:-)
Last edited by Gwaxley; Jan 24, 2015 at 05:50 PM.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 2,674
Likes: 84
From: New Jersey
ok then, you could save yourself some money and probably get more sleep if you get the bemmer. caus your going to love the Harley so much you'll stay up late researching exhaust systems and air cleaners and tuners and cams and lights, windshields, and seats. so the smart choice would be the BMW...:-)
I owned my BMW K75RT for 12 years and only changed the seat.
I've lost track (on purpose) of how much I've spent on the 2014 Limited in a year and a half. The 2002 Fat Boy was even worse.
Sent from my iPhone using IB AutoGroup
Last edited by offthewall; Jan 24, 2015 at 05:58 PM.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 44,807
Likes: 29,745
From: PNW
ok then, you could save yourself some money and probably get more sleep if you get the bemmer. caus your going to love the Harley so much you'll stay up late researching exhaust systems and air cleaners and tuners and cams and lights, windshields, and seats. so the smart choice would be the BMW...:-)
http://www.touratech-usa.com/Store/539/Engine-Exhaust
A friggin exhaust is 2 grand. BMW owners invented the term "farkle". I believe that's German for massively over-priced bits of aluminum. An aluminum oil filler cap (to replace the junk plastic oem piece) is 70 bucks!
My BMWs were easily as big a drain on my wallet, if not more so than my Harleys. And their clothing makes Harley branded stuff look like a bargain. Eight fifty for a Rally jacket - not leather.
Don't even get me started on the cost of the requisite Meerschaum pipe and cherry flavored tobacco!
Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 1,745
Likes: 36
From: Lafayette La
Hah! I invite you to have your mind blown by perusing the Touratech catalog.
http://www.touratech-usa.com/Store/539/Engine-Exhaust
A friggin exhaust is 2 grand. BMW owners invented the term "farkle". I believe that's German for massively over-priced bits of aluminum. An aluminum oil filler cap (to replace the junk plastic oem piece) is 70 bucks!
My BMWs were easily as big a drain on my wallet, if not more so than my Harleys. And their clothing makes Harley branded stuff look like a bargain. Eight fifty for a Rally jacket - not leather.
Don't even get me started on the cost of the requisite Meerschaum pipe and cherry flavored tobacco!
http://www.touratech-usa.com/Store/539/Engine-Exhaust
A friggin exhaust is 2 grand. BMW owners invented the term "farkle". I believe that's German for massively over-priced bits of aluminum. An aluminum oil filler cap (to replace the junk plastic oem piece) is 70 bucks!
My BMWs were easily as big a drain on my wallet, if not more so than my Harleys. And their clothing makes Harley branded stuff look like a bargain. Eight fifty for a Rally jacket - not leather.
Don't even get me started on the cost of the requisite Meerschaum pipe and cherry flavored tobacco!
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 24,682
Likes: 9,162
From: Snow Hill, NC
When I test drive any adventure tour bikes or a same type seating position, I find myself bound, my mid section starts to tire a lot...I don't do any 1000 mile days anymore and dont see myself starting anytime soon either... My FLHTC is plenty omfortable for 700 max per day, usually 500 max. I wanted a Buell Ullysses so bad when they were making them and ride one for about 30 minutes and my body rejected it...I guess that is the best way I can explain the position I was in...
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 44,807
Likes: 29,745
From: PNW
When I test drive any adventure tour bikes or a same type seating position, I find myself bound, my mid section starts to tire a lot...I don't do any 1000 mile days anymore and dont see myself starting anytime soon either... My FLHTC is plenty omfortable for 700 max per day, usually 500 max. I wanted a Buell Ullysses so bad when they were making them and ride one for about 30 minutes and my body rejected it...I guess that is the best way I can explain the position I was in...
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Cruiser
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 158
Likes: 8
From: Decatur Tx
I more or less switched from BMW to Harley for that very reason. Contrary to what has been said, my long legs hated the BMW after a few hours in the saddle. I made numerous changes to the bikes to stretch out the position. I recall riding back from the Black Hills and seeing mostly Harleys on the road and thinking - "Gee, they look really comfortable on those bikes.". It dawned on me that everything I was trying to make my BMW do, the Harley already had. It wasn't long after that, that I rented an Ultra Classic. The rest is history.
My 14 Limited is really just as comfortable but I don't enjoy it as much when I get to the mountain roads or other sporty riding destinations. My GF can sit on the back of the Limited all day and never complain. We do 500 mile days all the time. Having her with me is awesome. She LOVES the Harley, thinks the BMW is the ugliest motorcycle ever made.
Having 2 completely different motorcycles is great for me. Harley doesn't offer anything I like for 1/2 of what I do, and BMW doesn't offer anything that fits the other 1/2.
Banned
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 678
Likes: 1
From: LA
I think a problem for a lot of riders is not the bikes but that they are not keeping themselves fit, and so the lower back issues etc mentioned (which are at least half caused by not having gut muscles). I accuse myself here.
One of the reasons BMW stuff is more expensive is that it is made by Europeans in developed nations with good human and workers' rights and so on (Germans tend to prefer 35 hour weeks, paid holidays and healthcare), rather than by exploited Asians in sweatshops.
Unfortunately you've got to pay them wages.
What would be interesting to look at would be the difference in profit margins between the European made stuff and the Asian made stuff. I'd guess the Euro guys are making much less.
Having said that, if I won the lottery I'd go for a Road Glide too ... but would not spend money on a new one. The Japanese build better high speed tourers more cheaply.
Why the choice between BM and HD ... is it a status thing, like buying a Jaguar or Mercedes?