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SuzukiSavage.com
/cgi-bin/YaBB.pl General Category >> The Cafe >> Going Hunting /cgi-bin/YaBB.pl?num=1519667535 Message started by Dave on 02/26/18 at 09:52:15 |
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Title: Going Hunting Post by Dave on 02/26/18 at 09:52:15 I sold my Honda NT700 and the fellow is picking it up this afternoon. It is a great bike for a single rider or riding double on local roads - but the passenger seat had very thin padding, and the luggage space was a bit limited for touring with 2 folks. I didn't take a financial beating as I bought it used and took good care of it, and it only had 6,500 miles on it. The bike weighed 560 pounds with fuel and ready to ride....it is 65HP. So the bike I am looking at has twice the HP and only 60 more pounds, and it is still a twin cylinder bike. It will be used bike, it has 125HP, weighs 620 pounds ready to ride, has a much cushier back seat and plenty of luggage space, and even has front and rear seat heaters! (I hope I don't have to buy any turtleneck sweaters or matching jackets/helmets for the wife and I). I have always thought I would own a BMW motorcycle at some point in my life......it is time to do it before I get too old and weak! https://www.cycleworld.com/2015/07/09/2014-bmw-r1200rt-long-term-test-wrap-up-sport-touring-motorcycle-review-specifications |
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Title: Re: Going Hunting Post by Gary_in_NJ on 02/26/18 at 10:31:23 Dude, that's an all-day comfort bike, for you and your wife. Every now and then I start thinking about getting one of those - and I always have the same argument with myself. It goes like this: I NEED a BMW R1200/K1600... I can only use it 7 months out of the year... My wife may or may not warm up to that type of travel... I should probably just get a Miata, same money, 12 month use... I would get horribly sun burnt is a convertible... Wife wont want to deal with the messy hair of a convertible... She doesn't like helmet hair either... But we wont get sun burned in all of our gear... I need to think about this I've been having that circular discussion with myself for a few years. Eventually I'll get a K1600 or R1200...I don't know why I keep putting it off. But I can only use it 7 months......... |
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Title: Re: Going Hunting Post by springman on 02/26/18 at 10:32:51 That BMW is a nice looking bike. I hope you do get one and that you and your wife enjoy it thoroughly. |
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Title: Re: Going Hunting Post by sjaskow - FSO on 02/26/18 at 10:35:59 You may want to watch https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=2&v=Of2saG9sQ8A before you get too enamored of a 1200RT. BMWs aren't exactly the definition of user friendly. That being said, a K1600B or a K1600 Grand America would make a good Vision replacements should I ever decide to do so. |
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Title: Re: Going Hunting Post by Dave on 02/26/18 at 11:23:36 61787361797D65120 wrote:
I have been wrestling with that idea for a long time......and the cost of parts and/or trained BMW dealer mechanic labor rates. (BMW oil is $15 a quart). BMW's are reported to be very reliable, and folks claim they are durable and built to go 100,000 miles easy/peasy....but then I see the listings where the current owners states "$4,000 of service just completed" or "clutch just replaced" or similar. I saw that the pre - 2009 bikes had an issue with the oil seal being on the outside of the rear wheel bearing....and bearing failures occurring - but in reality very few bikes had problems and those folks might be pressure washing the bearing. I do believe I can save a lot of money by doing the brake pad, oil change, tire change kind of maintenance myself. The reality is that I probably will never need to pull the engine apart, as I likleyl won't have enough riding years left to wear it out. And......a used replacement engine would be easier than a complicated rebuild. https://www.ebay.com/itm/2017-BMW-R1200RT-Engine-Assembly-w-6-Speed-Transmission-OEM-LKQ/192461462192?hash=item2ccf98dab0:g:0rQAAOSw-v5ajCz3&vxp=mtr https://www.cycleworld.com/2015/07/09/2014-bmw-r1200rt-long-term-test-wrap-up-sport-touring-motorcycle-review-specifications https://www.cycleworld.com/2015/07/09/2014-bmw-r1200rt-long-term-test-wrap-up-sport-touring-motorcycle-review-specifications |
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Title: Re: Going Hunting Post by stewmills on 02/26/18 at 11:50:41 Drats...I like that bike! Smooth riding for a little guy like me. If we could have figured out a way to sneak it in the shop without my wife ever seeing it I would have taken it. "The gold Honda? Honey, I have had that one for a long time, you don't remember? ;D ;D ;D ;D |
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Title: Re: Going Hunting Post by Dave on 02/26/18 at 11:57:21 636475677D797C7C63100 wrote:
It was red......you don't remember? |
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Title: Re: Going Hunting Post by engineer on 02/26/18 at 13:26:29 Congratulations on the sale of your old bike, that's always the hardest part, buying is easy! I know a couple who have the BMW 1200 sport tourer and they travel all over the USA on theirs and in all sorts of weather. The man is in his early seventies and his wife is a little younger. She loves the bike and said it is the most comfortable ride they have ever owned from her point of view. They use heated vests along with the heated seat and grips. In his younger days he did some road racing so he likes to move along down the road and the 1200 BMW keeps him happy. The only problem they've had is that the heated seat died on them at the end of the last season and they are having a hard time getting it repaired or replaced. |
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Title: Re: Going Hunting Post by stewmills on 02/26/18 at 15:09:03 43787562737F646279717C63100 wrote:
It was red......you don't remember?[/quote] Hahaha. I am a little color blind. |
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Title: Re: Going Hunting Post by MMRanch on 02/26/18 at 17:54:43 Dang Dave ! Are you still going to be able to ride with the "Savage's" if ya have a BMW ? :-? Looks like a nice bike ... for a BMW and all ... ::) If only you could get by with only 90 HP .... 30.1" seat , 4.8 gal./55mpg , 473 curb #. https://www.bmwmotorcycles.com/en/models/tour/f800gt.html |
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Title: Re: Going Hunting Post by Dave on 02/27/18 at 03:18:48 MM: I will still be bringing my Savage Cafe' when we go riding in the mountains.......I still love my little Savage and it makes me smile every time I ride it. (It can't haul and luggage and when it rains I get water thrown all over me). If it was only me riding the bike - the F800GT would likely be a very nice bike. There was a local Honda dealer that had a used one and they just kept lowering the price....and I was so tempted to buy it and replace the little Ninja 150 (thankfully they sold it and my temptation went away). Like other used bikes - the used prices seem to drop pretty quickly after about 3 years - and used F800's can be bought at pretty reasonable prices. (I have a good friend that rode the Dual Sport version of the BMW 800, and he said he didn't like the bike as his hands went numb after 30 minutes of riding it....hard to believe it would have that much handlebar vibration on a modern bike). The F800 doesn't look like a comfortable bike for my wife to ride on. (We are going to visit family over the weekend to celebrate my mother's 90 birthday......and we are going past a BMW dealer on Friday and will sit on the F800 and see.) If it was only a bike for me (and limited double up riding), the smaller bike would likely be a nice bike (so would the Honda CB500F). I want/need a bike that is comfortable for my wife if I want her to go riding with me.....and one that has enough luggage space if I can talk her into overnight/weekend trips. It is a bit of a shame that you have to go do a 1,000+cc and 600+ pound bike to get one that is "all day" comfortable for a passenger. https://cincinnati.craigslist.org/mcd/d/2007-bmw-f800st/6499220441.html https://lexington.craigslist.org/mcy/d/2009-bmw-f800st/6507286284.html |
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Title: Re: Going Hunting Post by Gary_in_NJ on 02/27/18 at 05:13:28 576C6176676B70766D656877040 wrote:
Not exactly true. Listen, there is no doubt that the big BMW's are the ultimate touring bikes. But you pay dearly for that privilege and you pay again and again for every bit of maintenance. If you want a less expensive bike that you can easily maintain, there are plenty of great options out there - thanks to the proliferation of the Adventure bikes. Here are a few examples: Kawasaki Versys 650 |
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Title: Re: Going Hunting Post by Gary_in_NJ on 02/27/18 at 05:16:34 Honda Africa Twin (998cc) |
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Title: Re: Going Hunting Post by Gary_in_NJ on 02/27/18 at 05:18:58 Triumph Tiger 800 (shown without bags) |
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Title: Re: Going Hunting Post by Dave on 02/27/18 at 05:25:36 One of the problems I have the the adventure touring bikes, is the tall seat height. I have a 30" inseam, and I don't want a bike that only allows me to touch with my "tippy toes". I had a friend who owned a V-Strom 1000 that he and his wife had ridden double on a 6,000 mile trip out west - and when I took it for a ride I could only touch with my toes on one side of the bike at a time! (He and is wife are currently looking at a Triumph 800 Low that has a low seat height and is a potential candidate - however his wife is concerned that the tall pillion seat on the low model is going to put her up high into the wind. The other issue that is of concern is the wind protection and seating comfort for my wife. On the ST1100 that I had the seat was long and I needed to sit up front near the tank as I am short....and she would sit back and lean against the top box for back support (no handlebars to hold onto), and being all the way back on the seat allowed her knees to be less bent and more comfortable - the problem is that there was about a foot between us and the wind would get between us and beat her up - I could hear the buffeting wind over her helmet radio and it often sounded like she was being hit by a hurricane, and the situation was the worst when there was a cross wind blowing. The R1200RT with the adjustable screen allowed me to raise the windshield when we were on the highway and keep the wind off her, and then lower the windshield when we were in town and wanted a bit more air flow. (It doesn't look like the adventure touring bikes provide a lot of wind protection.....although there may be optional windshields that could help). When considering providing "all day" comfort for the passenger......I still believe you need to buy a large sport touring bike like the Concours, FJR, R1200RT, Goldwing, etc. before you get a passenger seat/peg location that doesn't fold the passenger up into an uncomfortable position....I have posted a photo of a Versys 650 being ridden double......that just doesn't look like rider comfort to me (my wife and I are both senior citizens and not as flexible as we used to be). And lastly.....the Adventure Touring bikes just don't visually get me excited. ;) And although I might like riding a crotch rocket...the public image of being a potential "Squid" doesn't appeal to me....and the current naked bikes just aren't "pretty". |
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Title: Re: Going Hunting Post by Dave on 02/27/18 at 07:05:11 The R1200RT is rider/passenger comfy: (These folks look much bigger than Deb and I) |
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Title: Re: Going Hunting Post by Dave on 02/27/18 at 07:05:51 The K1600GT sure looks like it provides a good view for the passenger....but I betcha it sure would be windy being way up there: (This motorcycle is too big and heavy for me). |
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Title: Re: Going Hunting Post by Gary_in_NJ on 02/27/18 at 08:13:42 I sat on the new K1600 at the NYC motorcycle show in December. It's CG is very low and it carries its weight well. My buddy that was with me (Harley Road Glide rider, 5'5" on his toes, great rider) remarked that the bike felt lighter then his bike and said when its time to upgrade, the K bike is on his list. The only down-side to the non-staggered seating is the potential for helmet bumping. BMW makes various seats available for both the K & R bikes so you can get the correct stagger. I've never once given thought to owning something the size of a K1600. But since December I have been giving it serious consideration. I wasn't joking above, it's either gonna be a K bike or a Miata. In the fall we become empty nesters. Our traveling years are upon us. I need to get the wife on one of these and get her opinion. She's never been comfortable on the back of my sportbikes, and if I want to travel via motorcycle in my sunset years, it's gonna be on a rolling couch. |
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Title: Re: Going Hunting Post by Dave on 02/27/18 at 08:21:32 The last week I noticed the foam on the passenger seat of the NT700 was only about 1.5 inches thick. We have helmet radios, and when I hit a bump on the Honda I would hear "Ugggh!" from my wife. The BMW has a much nicer back seat, and on our 2 days on the rental R1200RT I never once heard any grunts from my wife - some of that is likely the result of Tucson not having a lot of potholes. We only had one issue with the BMW. We were riding through the city and my wife was looking over at the side of the road, and traffic suddenly came to a stop and I had to get on the brakes hard. She slid forward on the seat and came to a stop when she collided helmets with me....and she ended up on the lower front seat with me! |
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Title: Re: Going Hunting Post by verslagen1 on 02/27/18 at 09:16:34 12292433222E353328202D32410 wrote:
that's a problem? 8-) |
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Title: Re: Going Hunting Post by Oldfeller on 02/27/18 at 09:45:54 The Infinite Quest for ...... the very best Barcalounger !!! :o :-? ::) It is a rite of passage that all males must go through ..... |
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Title: Re: Going Hunting Post by MMRanch on 02/27/18 at 20:11:34 Dave I worry about all my Friends who ride those Heavy Dangerous Bikes ... There ain't no Man-Handling those Monsters . Be Safe in Choosing ... :) |
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Title: Re: Going Hunting Post by Dave on 02/28/18 at 05:22:16 2F3D2F3D30232C212A620 wrote:
MM: There is no doubt that the bigger bikes have to ridden differently. When we rented the bike in Tucson I was careful to stop in places where I could put my feet down on good footing, and I would have to turn the bike around and get it headed in the right direction before Deb climbed on board. The first time we stopped on Mount Lemmon the kickstand side was downhill and the bike was leaned over pretty far - it took a pretty hard pull to get the bike and Deb back upright when it was time to leave. There is little doubt that if I ride the bike a lot - I will have a tipover at some point. I intend to add the guards for the cylinders and saddlebags to help prevent any serious damage when it occurs. Don't watch the following video if you are sqeumish or easily uspet! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9a4Jtl_ehG8 [media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9a4Jtl_ehG8[/media] |
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Title: Re: Going Hunting Post by Serowbot on 02/28/18 at 06:41:25 He forgot the kickstand... :-? |
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Title: Re: Going Hunting Post by Gary_in_NJ on 02/28/18 at 07:11:48 It's odd that a post-drop inspection wasn't included. I don't doubt that the guards did their trick, but it would have been a strong sell with a pick-up and inspection of the (assuming) non-damage. |
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Title: Re: Going Hunting Post by Oldfeller on 02/28/18 at 07:24:36 Dave, Deb's and your leg is in there somewhere -- some concern for that, too. |
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Title: Re: Going Hunting Post by Dave on 03/03/18 at 03:28:10 The hunt is over.......I found the "perfect" bike. My wife and I drove north yesterday to come celebrate my mother's 90th birthday, and we made a planned stop at All Seasons Sports in Wooster. On an internet search it showed they had a good selection of used R1200RT bikes from several years, and that would help to see if I wanted a 2014 and later bike - or an earlier oil head model at a bit lower price. The bike that got my attention on their web page was a 2016 with 9,000 miles on it. It had all the good options on it - but the best news is that the bike was owned by their mechanic and he buys a new bike every two years - and they said he is meticulous about maintenance and about half the mileage on it was from him riding to the BMW owners rallies. One of the really cool things is that he took the keyless ignition switch off and installed a key - that is one feature I didn't want as I wanted the simplicity of a key. The bike is a Champagne color and is pretty......and it already has brand new Michelin tires installed. The only things that I need to add is a top box (I have a GIVI I can put on until I find a factory box at a reasonable price). I also want to add the protective bars for the engine and luggage, and maybe a factory GPS.....and a gell seat pad for my wife. It is about a 4 hour drive up to Wooster from my house, and I need to find a day when the roads are clear so I can drive up and get the bike. |
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Title: Re: Going Hunting Post by norm92de on 03/03/18 at 14:40:10 Congrats Dave, that looks like a great purchase. Enjoy! |
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Title: Re: Going Hunting Post by dontwannapickle on 03/04/18 at 13:10:13 A friend of mine was GLAD when a crossing deer took out his front end and finally let him get out of his ownership of a top-of-the-line K1600. I think the rash from elbow to wrist was less painful than the frequent shop visits. |
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Title: Re: Going Hunting Post by Gary_in_NJ on 03/04/18 at 14:20:55 Congrats Dave. I look forward to the ride report. |
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Title: Re: Going Hunting Post by Dave on 03/04/18 at 17:20:19 333839232036393936273E343C3B32570 wrote:
Yep, we have all heard those kind of horror stories - and we hope that we don't end up being one of those folks. I have also heard more stories from BMW owners about how trouble free their bikes have been - most likely the ones with bad experiences are more vocal than the happy folks. There is no doubt that dealer service and parts can be expensive, and hopefully I can do the majority of the service myself (oil & filter, brake pads, tires, fluid changes, etc). The weather looks pretty crappy this week - I believe I will have to rent an enclosed UHaul trailer to go pick the bike up. The trailer is only advertised as #29.95 a day....so it is likely the most affordable part of this whole deal! |
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Title: Re: Going Hunting Post by Dave on 03/18/18 at 17:50:40 252F2B212A23272E707672420 wrote:
Well, the weather in KY is finally starting to allow the riding to resume. Recent rains have washed the salt off the roads, and temps are getting up over 50. Friday night I rode the bike for the first time - just a short ride down the street to St. Joe's to buy the Friday night fish dinners. The heated hand grips were hot in less than a mile - the heated seat barely was noticeable by the time I drove the 3 miles to St. Joes. (I believe my left saddlebag now smells a bit like fish and baked potato). Today the weather was really nice and I squeezed in a couple rides between doing yard work. The heated seat does work - it just takes a bit longer to come up to temperature than the grips do. The bike is not as heavy as it looks, at 610 pounds with fuel and saddlebags, it is only 70 pounds heavier than the Honda NT700....and it is quit a bit lighter than the ST1100 I sold (too heavy and too tall for my 30" inseam). The bike rides really nicely, the engine is smooth and has gobs of torque/HP and is scary fast....it only weights about twice what the Savage does and it has 125 HP.......4 times what the Savage has! This is definitely the most powerful bike I have ever owned or ridden. I have the power setting in the "RAIN" setting and that is the gentlest power mode - and it still rockets away if you open up the throttle (I guess as long as the traction control doesn't sense wheel slip it allows a bunch of HP to go to the rear wheel). I absolutely love the bike - and as long as the bike proves to be reliable and affordable to maintain - I will keep it as long as I can still ride it safely. I am going to continue riding my Savage Cafe' bike, and I likely will be able to keep riding it longer than the new BMW......these two bikes will stay with me until I just can't ride them anymore. |
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Title: Re: Going Hunting Post by springman on 03/18/18 at 18:10:09 Congrats Dave, that is a nice looking bike. I hope you enjoy it for many years. |
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Title: Re: Going Hunting Post by MMRanch on 03/18/18 at 22:48:29 Dave , good luck in keeping all the neighborhood cats off the saddle bag ! ;D Glad ya like it . :) |
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