Hmm, which is funnier-looking...

[Roadstergal]

the K1200R or F650CS Scarver?

I find myself really liking the Mad Max styling of the K1200R. The F650 is interesting, but much goofier. But my feet will very likely be dangling off of the ground on the K1200R.

http://www.bmwbobs.com/motorcycles/images/2005/K1200R-lg.jpg

http://www.suburban-machinery.com/K1200R2.jpg

vs.

http://www.bmbikes.co.uk/photos/paintphotos/F650CS%20Ginster%20Yellow.jpg

http://www.pacificyamahabmw.com/BMW-CAT/images/F650CS_Graphite.jpg

[Jason C]

I like the F650 better if it's in a dark color (metaliic grey or jet black).

I wish it had a detuned inline 4 instead of that lawnmower single.

[Roadstergal]

The single is great. Simplicity, efficiency, easy service, and a small package, none of which you get with a 4.

[Jason C]

The single is great. Simplicity, efficiency, easy service, and a small package, none of which you get with a 4.

Yeah, I know. :P

But it doesn't sound as nice.

[Optimus Prime]

I gotta go with the 163 hp, duo / para suspension, electric on-the move suspension setup, and mad max styling. :devcool:

[Roadstergal]

electric on-the move suspension setup

Things like that and the swank servo brakes, etc., all just make me think of more things to go wrong and more things to service... ideally, I'd like a package like the CS with styling like the K.

[dredmo]

K1200R by far IMHO.

[JST]

the K1200R or F650CS Scarver?

I find myself really liking the Mad Max styling of the K1200R. The F650 is interesting, but much goofier. But my feet will very likely be dangling off of the ground on the K1200R.

http://www.bmwbobs.com/motorcycles/images/2005/K1200R-lg.jpg

http://www.suburban-machinery.com/K1200R2.jpg

vs.

http://www.bmbikes.co.uk/photos/paintphotos/F650CS%20Ginster%20Yellow.jpg

http://www.pacificyamahabmw.com/BMW-CAT/images/F650CS_Graphite.jpg

They're both goofy, but the one on the bottom is less goofy.

I like this one better than either:

http://www.orangecountychoppers.com/allbikes/scrollpics/catbike/catbike_ex.jpg

[bren]

I like this one better than either:



That could be the first OCC chopper that I actually like. :eeps:

[ride365]

which is funnier-looking?

the carver.

which would i rather use?

the carver.

[John V]

Any specs? Or are they just concepts?

Haven't ever been much of a fan of BMW's bikes - their multicylinder jobs are way too heavy. I rode an R1100RS about four years ago. It was .. a little dull. No personality.

JV

[Optimus Prime]

Any specs? Or are they just concepts?

Haven't ever been much of a fan of BMW's bikes - their multicylinder jobs are way too heavy. I rode an R1100RS about four years ago. It was .. a little dull. No personality.

JV

The 650cs has been around for a while. The K1200r should be here in the states in June. It's a naked version of the K1200S. 163 hp, about 500 lbs. I heard the K1200S does the quarter mile in 9.9 seconds.

http://www.bmwk1200s.com/ridefast.htm (the k1200r is a slightly detuned version)

[Roadstergal]

The K1200S did the Nurburgring in under 8 minutes. There's a vid at face-the-power.com.

I love the looks of the multicylinders in general, but physically, they don't work for me. I love the feel of the 650s.

[SCA]

The only new BMW motorcycle I like is the K1200S. :) I'd take a used R1150RT or R1100S though.

[John V]

The K1200S did the Nurburgring in under 8 minutes. There's a vid at face-the-power.com.

I love the looks of the multicylinders in general, but physically, they don't work for me. I love the feel of the 650s.

Is that fast? I have nothing to judge it against...

I think the problem I have with BMW's bikes is that for what I'd buy the Bimmer for I could get a sportbike AND a sport tourer that do each of those things better than the BMW.

[Optimus Prime]

The K1200S did the Nurburgring in under 8 minutes. There's a vid at face-the-power.com.

I love the looks of the multicylinders in general, but physically, they don't work for me. I love the feel of the 650s.

Is that fast? I have nothing to judge it against...
Very fast. IIRC, the k1200s had a lap time about equal to the Enzo.


I think the problem I have with BMW's bikes is that for what I'd buy the Bimmer for I could get a sportbike AND a sport tourer that do each of those things better than the BMW.

I've really enjoyed all the little things BMW does with their bikes that make them friendly to serious riders. The newer Honda's I've worked on and ridden with friends don't seem to be built to ride and service. They almost seem built to ride and then throw away. That bothers me a bit. I bought mine used (2 years old, 10K miles) for 40% of new cost. I had the dealer inspection and the mechanic said, "hey good for you, it's almost broke in". The boxer's take almost 12K to break-in, and a number of the oilhead boxers ('94 and newer) go well over 200,000 miles without needing a rebuild. I don't think there is a better motorcycle value than a 2 or 3 year old BMW that's been properly maintained.

Plus, I have a serious thing for single sided swingarms and shaft drive. That really limits my options.

[Roadstergal]

I think the problem I have with BMW's bikes is that for what I'd buy the Bimmer for I could get a sportbike AND a sport tourer that do each of those things better than the BMW.

For what I want in a bike, nobody makes one that does it as well with the quality of the F650s. Like OP said, it's the little things - fuel injection, gas tank under the seat for better handling, ABS, heated grips with a nice little switch-at-thumb flick, and just the build quality are worth it.

Although I also like single-sided swingarms. I got the GS for the financing deal, but if the insurance settlement pays it off, I'm contemplating swapping to the CS. It has a lot of trick little bits that I like, and the gearing is more suited to 'round-town.

I can't think of any other bike offhand that works as well as a comfy, nimble, light, low enough for me to ride stock, fuel-injected, 'round-town commuter bike.

[ride365]

my problem with bmw bikes (and i do like them for what they are) is that they suffer from the same design philosophy that modern bmw cars do... the idea that excessive weight can be overcome by superior engineering. the thumpers suffer less from this and that's the reason why they appeal to me the most out of the entire lineup.

[TD]

Don't make me rename this forum...

[John V]

my problem with bmw bikes (and i do like them for what they are) is that they suffer from the same design philosophy that modern bmw cars do... the idea that excessive weight can be overcome by superior engineering. the thumpers suffer less from this and that's the reason why they appeal to me the most out of the entire lineup.

I agree.

Sounds like I may have to beg a ride on a single cylinder model. I'm already halfway there now... (went from an inline four to a v-twin and never looked back) :)

I love love love love the SV1000 though. $6800 out the door brand new and it's got fuel injection. The forks need a little tweaking (they dialed in a ton of preload and compression but very little rebound from the factory) and it needs a better rear shock but for my non-track-riding self it's great.

JV

[Optimus Prime]

my problem with bmw bikes (and i do like them for what they are) is that they suffer from the same design philosophy that modern bmw cars do... the idea that excessive weight can be overcome by superior engineering. the thumpers suffer less from this and that's the reason why they appeal to me the most out of the entire lineup.

This is a very good point. BMW's have usually had less power and more weight than comparable models from other builders. However, I think you'll find that the new K bikes and hexhead R bikes have addressed this issue.

They've been dropping the weight by a significant margin while increasing the HP in a similar proportion.

Example: The new R1200ST is 505 lbs with a full tank of gas and makes 110 HP, this is a semi-faired bike that replaces the old R1150RT which was 641 lbs with a full tank of gas and made 95 hp.

Thats a 21+% drop in weight while adding more than 15% in power. Looks like they are on the right track to me.

ps. I've heard the new R1200ST is phenomenal. http://www.bmwmotorcycles.com/machine/models/model.jsp?model=r1200st

[ride365]

Sounds like I may have to beg a ride on a single cylinder model. I'm already halfway there now... (went from an inline four to a v-twin and never looked back) :)


while singles, v-twins and I4s are all unique in their own rights, i think the transition from I4 to v-twin is easy for most people. because of size, power and engine characteristics, i think the transition from v-twin (especially a liter twin) to single would feel like a step down for most people. i disagree, but just know that it will feel very different.

[ride365]

This is a very good point. BMW's have usually had less power and more weight than comparable models from other builders. However, I think you'll find that the new K bikes and hexhead R bikes have addressed this issue.

that's a good point too.

[Roadstergal]

Sounds like I may have to beg a ride on a single cylinder model. I'm already halfway there now... (went from an inline four to a v-twin and never looked back)

Make sure it's broken in - BMW thumpers smooth out drastically after a couple thousand miles. Mine has 4.5K and is dandy.

I've never driven an I-4 bike, but the difference between the V-twin and the thumper is drastic. Very different feel and response. Since you have one power stroke per 720 degrees, it's easy to stall from launch until you get used to it. And it's just not as smooth. But the burblyness is not annoying - to me, at least. ;)

[Roadstergal]

Don't make me rename this forum...

"I WILL stop this... er... vehicle! Don't make me come back there!"