looking for a touring bike ....saw the BMW 1200LT @the Toronto motorcycle show today.Can't make up my mind between the BMW1200LT 2008or the Ultra Classic 2008(wish HD would go to US pricing) Did any of you try both bikes?
I now have
2006 night rod
2007 dyna low(wifes)
2002 buell blast


thanks al

 

Had a BMW GS for a while and loved the bike. Beemers are great bikes. Just switched to the08 UC and picked it up today. WOW! Could only ride it for a few miles but I'm already impressed. It has awesome power and acceleration and is so smooth. Test ride both then make a choice. Me, I'm glad I got the HD so me and the wife can now cruise on those long stretches of highway...

 

I had a 07 bmw 1200rt I traded on a street glide. the beemer was a great bike mechanically i think there one of the best bikes out. but I started getting some lower back pain with the bike also got thrown all over the place when it was windy out. only other thing that had a problem was that beemers are so tall. i did everything possible to lower the seat height. the street glide solved the back pain problem as well as I think its a lot more stable in the wind than the beemer was plus i can glet both my feet firmly on the ground now. dont get me wrong the beemers are nice but im not looking back found the bike that I really feel comfortable with in the street glide. ultra are just as nice no problem there either.

 

I have not had an LT, but lived with an RTa fewyears ago. Great bikes, but the lack of an extensive dealer network and very expensive maintenance let me to sell it and go with Harley-Davidson. You might consider taking a look at the Road Glides - excellent handling and protection from the frame-mounted fairing.

 

The fact that you are posting here, not on the BMW forum maybe tell you something?

They may be good bikes, capable in all ways, but they do nothing for me.

 

You might as well try both of them and then compare. What others think only applies to them and not you. The lack of a dealer network is worth noting, however, the beemers are pretty bullet proof. I put 60 K on an R1100RT and it proved to be a great ride (made a great cross country bike). However, I did all of my own service which saved a lot of $$ and eliminated what the dealer over charges.

 

BMW is a OUTSTANDING BIKE.. Then again so is the GOLD WING.... But they just don't have the Heart - Soul & ATTITUDE as the HARLEY-DAVIDSON does...

 

You need to get on each bike. Rent it, ride it, borrow it, anyway you can. The only opinion that matters is yours.

 

no offense but the bmw bike looks kind of dorky especially when you see some 110lbs guy sitting straight up with some plastic suit cases on the side it just ain't right

 

Haven't tried a Beemer but the BMW riders I know are great riders and put tons of miiles on 'em.They tell me the thing that Harleys have over their rides is that the HD's have a lower center of gravity.On the other hand the Beemersweight quite a bit less.

Best advice as others have already said,try to ride both and also maybe try a Road Glide