At least these posts are in the "other motorcycles" area although they are on the BMW page.
Could be just self-justification on the forum for going over to the FJR or whatever bike fits one's new needs. I traded in my Honda Magna for my NT, the sole reason for better motorcycle technology. The thing is that I no longer NEEDED a "fast" bike that lacked sufficient stopping power or "old" features. To tell you the truth, at times, I "feel" bad that I didn't buy one of these other machines that are "so great," instead of my NT, whenever I read about them on this forum.
charlie b
Guest
You can argue all you want about value and whatever.
I still want a bike under 600lb 'loaded', ~500lb dry and bare or less. Needs to have as close to 100hp as I can get, 90 would be ok. I'd really like to be under 500lb loaded, but, that just isn't going to happen if I want to keep the shaft drive.
Nothing else will do it for me. The NT was as close as I could come with the then available bikes and I really thought it would be the bike for me. If it had the extra 20hp I'd probably still have mine. The Norge is a runner up. If they would 'disconnect' the control panel from the engine management computer I'd buy one. It is still a little heavy, but, closer than most others.
Until someone comes up with what I want I'll keep my Goose. My wallet thanks me too
FWIW, I agree the FJR is a smoking deal, if you want a heavier, high hp touring bike. I don't. I have to admit that I almost succombed to the 'little bit' syndrome. It's ok if it's a 'little bit' heavier and has a 'little bit' more hp and is a 'little bit' more expensive. Then I came to my senses
I still want a bike under 600lb 'loaded', ~500lb dry and bare or less. Needs to have as close to 100hp as I can get, 90 would be ok. I'd really like to be under 500lb loaded, but, that just isn't going to happen if I want to keep the shaft drive.
Nothing else will do it for me. The NT was as close as I could come with the then available bikes and I really thought it would be the bike for me. If it had the extra 20hp I'd probably still have mine. The Norge is a runner up. If they would 'disconnect' the control panel from the engine management computer I'd buy one. It is still a little heavy, but, closer than most others.
Until someone comes up with what I want I'll keep my Goose. My wallet thanks me too
FWIW, I agree the FJR is a smoking deal, if you want a heavier, high hp touring bike. I don't. I have to admit that I almost succombed to the 'little bit' syndrome. It's ok if it's a 'little bit' heavier and has a 'little bit' more hp and is a 'little bit' more expensive. Then I came to my senses
Point #1: There are already two, good, active FJR forums. I don't think we need a third. I am just happy that you NT folks haven't kicked me out of the pool. Plus I like the people here a little better.
Point #2: Although I like my FJR1300, if an FJR900 had been available, I would have bought it. I do not think it needs a reverse gear. I am always conscious of how to get into and out any place I choose to park. But then, I did he same with my much lighter GPz.
Point #2: Although I like my FJR1300, if an FJR900 had been available, I would have bought it. I do not think it needs a reverse gear. I am always conscious of how to get into and out any place I choose to park. But then, I did he same with my much lighter GPz.
charlie b
Guest
I think an FJR900, an NT900 or similar would be just the ticket. I still wish BMW had sorted the F800GT a bit better (and it wasn't so expensive). I really did love that engine and transmission.
Because the NT is no longer produced, I would like to see Honda replace it and my Wee with the CrossRunner. Hope Honda decides to import the CrossRunner to the US in a couple of years.
charlie b
Guest
Add a decent fairing to it and I would buy one.
Charlie,
Have you taken time to do a search on Ducatie's, light weight good italian workmanship like your Goose, plenty of ponies and chain drive is the only negative other than dealers are a ways from you. Some of their prices are not that bad if you don't think super bike$$.I think they could be modified with more upright bars and a better wind screen and luggage as well
Eldon
Have you taken time to do a search on Ducatie's, light weight good italian workmanship like your Goose, plenty of ponies and chain drive is the only negative other than dealers are a ways from you. Some of their prices are not that bad if you don't think super bike$$.I think they could be modified with more upright bars and a better wind screen and luggage as well
Eldon
Phil Tarman
Site Supporter
Crossrunner's still chain drive. :-(
Yes , but so are a number of other motorcycles in many brands and horse power dimensions, LOL my old 600 cc side valve 1950 BSA singlewas a Libyan PD side car machineand still had side car gearing on it, top end of maybe 60MPH on a good day with a down hil grade to help it along, but it would see 0 to 50 quiet rapidly
charlie b
Guest
Yep looked at all brands. Fairings. The only ones worth anything are on the sport touring bikes, and many of them are minimal, like the NT.
You can argue all you want about value and whatever.
I still want a bike under 600lb 'loaded', ~500lb dry and bare or less. Needs to have as close to 100hp as I can get, 90 would be ok. I'd really like to be under 500lb loaded, but, that just isn't going to happen if I want to keep the shaft drive.
Nothing else will do it for me. The NT was as close as I could come with the then available bikes and I really thought it would be the bike for me. If it had the extra 20hp I'd probably still have mine. The Norge is a runner up. If they would 'disconnect' the control panel from the engine management computer I'd buy one. It is still a little heavy, but, closer than most others.
Until someone comes up with what I want I'll keep my Goose. My wallet thanks me too
FWIW, I agree the FJR is a smoking deal, if you want a heavier, high hp touring bike. I don't. I have to admit that I almost succombed to the 'little bit' syndrome. It's ok if it's a 'little bit' heavier and has a 'little bit' more hp and is a 'little bit' more expensive. Then I came to my senses
Have you looked at the 2015 Versus 1000 LT? 123 hp, 549 lbs. Includes removable saddle bags etc Does have a chain.
charlie b
Guest
Not a decent fairing.
A non-BMW, sub-liter, shaft driven sports-tourer? I'd look pretty close and think really hard.
A Ducati? Based on an admittedly limited sample of Ducati riders that I have talked to, no.
My local dealer dropped Ducati because of terrible warranty / spare parts issues and that created bad feelings between the owners..There is virtually no Ducati or Guzzi dealers and very few BMW anymore...so I am totally on board with the Sub liter shaft drive lightweight sport tourer theory..currently there is Nothing available...and as good as the new Maxi Scooters are..seems to me they are too cumbersome and heavy...I really rather not have one...
Eldon,
The local BMW dealer here in Baton Rouge is currently selling BMW's of course, Aprilia, Moto Guzzi, Piaggio, and Vespa scooters.
In talking to Jimmy Whitehead, who manages the dealership, he said he is dropping the scooter lineup because too little money to be made per sale, and they do not sell enough of them to be profitable. They are also, unfortunately dropping Moto Guzzi this year.
They are the only Guzzi dealer in the region. Sad. I really like Guzzi's. Especially the V7.
They will keep the Aprilia lineup for the time being.
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Tim, I agree wlth you with the sad, I did test ride the new version of the Bergamn 650,I found it interesting, but not enough so to buy one. compared to NT it didn't tivkle my whistle at all. The one thing I did like about the Burgie was that it could turn a full 180 in much less space than the NT.
If I had the storage space for it a small displacement scooter might be interesting
to play with , but for small displacement touring I like my CRF 250 that has definite off - road capabilities, economy and is very nimble as well, and has good luggage capacity once a luggage rack is added.
Eldon
If I had the storage space for it a small displacement scooter might be interesting
to play with , but for small displacement touring I like my CRF 250 that has definite off - road capabilities, economy and is very nimble as well, and has good luggage capacity once a luggage rack is added.
Eldon
OP
OP
teaspoon
Guest
Gosh, what was the question? I've gone and bought myself a '97 R1100 RT, and so far I pretty happy with it. It does need a little work, but nothing that I can't handle.
It's the same challenge to man-handle as the NT and handles better at low speed. It does not vibrate like the NT except over 4000 RPM, and I think a tune-up may help that. The torque and gearing can comfortably keep you below 4k at legal speeds. The posture is more sit-up and I put almost no weight on my wrists. The windshield does a great job (probably too good in summer) shedding no turbulence even around trucks on the interstate. It handles beautifully in curves.
And it's blue. I like blue bikes.
It's the same challenge to man-handle as the NT and handles better at low speed. It does not vibrate like the NT except over 4000 RPM, and I think a tune-up may help that. The torque and gearing can comfortably keep you below 4k at legal speeds. The posture is more sit-up and I put almost no weight on my wrists. The windshield does a great job (probably too good in summer) shedding no turbulence even around trucks on the interstate. It handles beautifully in curves.
And it's blue. I like blue bikes.
Y Our R -1100 RT is probably a better choice that a 1150 would have been. worst thing on any of that vintage is the disassembly required to do the CLuch shft lubrication. If you have a good shop / garage so you can take your tiem doing it and have the service manual y ou will be OK. If you are unfortunate and lose the final drive , Good luck. I had a R850 , s 96 version little brother to the !!RT. a good bike but I never got to where I trusted it and after 10,000 miles it found a new home. But I kno it has added another 15 K to the clock since and has not failed seriously.
OP
OP
teaspoon
Guest
I had a surprising January commute today on the Beemer. The morning temp was in the low 30s, but I was bundled and was comfortable.
As much as I yearn for the Honda wing on my bikes, I would look for a later R-RT to replace what I have. It's a comfy bike, handles great, and has more power than I'll ever use. In ten years on the old Nighthawk I never got pulled over. After two months on the BMW I got popped. The power of 1100 ccs and the protection of a fairing lets me drift into speeds that get me into trouble. I must be more aware of the speedo.
The BMW requires maintenance that the Honda never dreamed of. This is an older bike with 66k miles, and some things need replaced. The ABS is a PITA because it's overly sensitive to the battery voltage, but the bike does have ABS - something I like. It has great wind and rain protection. It vibrates - not as bad as the NT but worse than my four cylinder Nighthawk. AFTER the fairing is off, maintenance is simple. For the BMW, the throttle and choke cables are maintenance items. ***? And the throttle bodies have to be synchronized every time a tail light is replaced.
I wish that Honda could have made the NT with a smoother boxer (or four cylinders) and a little more upright posture, but that isn't an option. If Honda made money with an American NT, it would still be selling them here.
As much as I yearn for the Honda wing on my bikes, I would look for a later R-RT to replace what I have. It's a comfy bike, handles great, and has more power than I'll ever use. In ten years on the old Nighthawk I never got pulled over. After two months on the BMW I got popped. The power of 1100 ccs and the protection of a fairing lets me drift into speeds that get me into trouble. I must be more aware of the speedo.
The BMW requires maintenance that the Honda never dreamed of. This is an older bike with 66k miles, and some things need replaced. The ABS is a PITA because it's overly sensitive to the battery voltage, but the bike does have ABS - something I like. It has great wind and rain protection. It vibrates - not as bad as the NT but worse than my four cylinder Nighthawk. AFTER the fairing is off, maintenance is simple. For the BMW, the throttle and choke cables are maintenance items. ***? And the throttle bodies have to be synchronized every time a tail light is replaced.
I wish that Honda could have made the NT with a smoother boxer (or four cylinders) and a little more upright posture, but that isn't an option. If Honda made money with an American NT, it would still be selling them here.