Time to Grow up?

[smallj]

I have this bad habit. I ride a bike for about 10K miles (one year) then I trade it in for a new one. My R1100S was the only bike I kept longer, and at 35,000 I didn't really want to sell it but I did.

Fast forward to today. I'm on the K1200S which is simply fantastic, I smile every ride and the power is amazing. A wonderful bike, the only thing I have considered as a replacement is an R1200S. I was going to reserve any judgement on that one till I could ride it.

Now, my wife wants to go on another cross country bike trip this summer. While I dont think there is a better bike on the planet than the K1200 for cross country solo trips, I cant subject my wife to the back seat of the K for 10 hours a day for a week.

I cant afford to own two BMW's. Not enough cash. I could howerver pick up a used Honda VTX 1300 for cross country duty and hang on to the K. Or I could trade the K in on a R1200ST or a R1200RT. As Fugly as I think the ST is, I think it's a bike that I would like better. I think the RT will be better for the wife.

It is time to grow up and buy a bike that is reasonable? I dont think that anyone could argue that a K1200S or R1200S are anything approaching reasonable or practical. The ST looks like a great all-arounder while the RT is better but bigger, and bigger is not better (make sense?). The ST is somewhat sporty while keeping the ability to 2-up tour. The RT is not nearly as sporty but will 2-up with the best and has cruise control so I can sleep through Kansas. If I got an RT I would probably end up with a cheap SV650 type to beat on when the mood grabbed me.

What to do?

[repoe3]

never being short on words...i voted for option D, as that is what i would probably end up doing with my SO...maybe.

gosh...tough choices. if you settle, you will never be happy. dont make a big change just for one trip. heck you could rent a BMW of your liking for the trip...or take on of the edelweiss tours. plenty of temporary options. you choce one woman to be with for the rest of your life...you dont have to do that with the bike.

repoe3

[SergioK]

I say pick up a 2nd bike for the trip (used Honda). I do not recommend picking up a second woman for the trip as that would further complicate matters.

[smallj]

What I really want is for the wife to ride also so I can ride solo and still get credit for a vacation with her! I really did like my 1150 RT and did quite a bit of commuting on it.

I must say, the more I look at the ST, the more I want an S. The RT doesn't really pretend to be a sport bike so I dont really compare it to one.

[DanGreene]

After trying several bikes I now have an 04 R1150RT and an 04 R1100s. I picked up the RT with only 2,220 miles on it for a pretty good price and bought the S new. It is my third S and I just couldn't do without one. It seems a perfect mix for me. The RT really does most things well and is great for two up riding. My wife flew out to N Mexico last summer and I picked her and her helmet up at the airport and dropped her off ten days later and she flew back. Worked great for both of us. I like the long days going cross country and she does not. She likes the 300-400 mile days at most... I tend to do 600-800 when going across. I guess if I were only going to have one bike, I would keep the K1200S and pick her up at the airport and see how the trip goes.

[SCOTTinNJ]

I rode a Honda VTX 1300 once and consider it almost unsafe. The brakes were wooden and the suspension sucked. If you're not going fast or leaning, I guess it would have been OK. I wouldn't ride that thing around the block again, let alone across the country.

To each their own though . . .

[ExarKunONe]

FJR 1300 is a great sport touring bike bike too

[718Rider]

Why not rent a goldwing for the trip and keep your K12S?

These guys rent bikes all over the place . .
http://eaglerider.carrentalexpress.com/vehicles.php

[bradzdotcom]

Greyhound has some good deals....

what's she look like? could she hitch-hike?

i'd suggest treating her like a factory pro racer.
First, get the bike where the fun stuff is.
Then fly her in.
Neva know. Ya might get lucky.
(meaning she can fly home too and have a scrumptious meal awaiting your return).

[roger albert]

> the more I look at the ST, the more I want an S


That's both hilarious and perfectly understandable.
They guys preaching rental for a single trip make a lot of sense.
I'm not a rental guy in general, but this is economically tough to
argue with.

I'd also explore trading with a trusted buddy for a week or two.
Doesn't get any better than that.

I and a friend are doing that with a truck so we have a really big truck to tow to barber in may. Should be fun, and no money changes hands.

[bikerfish1100]

haven't ridden either the R12ST or the R12RT, but all reviews make it sound like the ST is a waste of money- the RT is the apparent = on the sport side, and that much better on the tour side. what about a new seat for the K12S? or is it more than that?

[hawkeyejohn14]

I voted for the ST it will give you the sport of your old S w/o the good looks of course and two-up touring. There is nothing like taking a trip with your spouse if they enjoy it. It will be good for the marriage and she will prabably let you get the R1200S later.

[acidburn]

Pretty simple really, keep the k12s and get a new r1200Rt, then your perfect.

[motoman]

Originally posted by acidburn
Pretty simple really, keep the k12s and get a new r1200Rt, then your perfect.

+1

The RT really is a great looking ride...

[Moki]

I'd keep the K and find an used sport touring capable bike (like a good used Honda XX, Kawasaki ZX11, or Yamaha FJ1200 ...). They can be had for cheap in the winter. May be the wife will can ride the new used bike for the trip.

You can then sell the bike after the trip, may be even make a little money, if you keep it clean and shinning.

[BMWSaint]

Years ago, my wife took the motorcycle safety course with her best friend. Neither of them were thinking of riding their own, they just wanted to learn more about riding.

Three months later her friend bought a bike. My wife's response was: "wait a second, I did better in the course than she did!"

You've still got time to arrange a similar scenario - then she can ride the Honda - you take the K!

[lennie]

I think option 'D' myself.

Growing old is mandatory.

Growing up is optional.

[acidburn]

Originally posted by motoman
+1

The RT really is a great looking ride...

And it rails pretty good once it is set up.

[shovelstrokeed]

Pick up a used Honda Blackbird.
1000 bucks for a pair of Givi 360's for the sides and a 460 top trunk for her to lean on. Will give you all the luggage capacity you can ask for and the bike has a good deal of very satisfying performance. It is roomy enough and the stock seat is good enough for long days in the saddle.

Chain maintenance is 10 minutes in the parking lot at the end of a day, they don't use oil and don't break.

I'm so pleased with mine I'm strongly considering cleaning out my garage and keeping only the Blackbird and the VFR. That way, I'll have some bux left over for a SV650 track bike.

[smallj]

I took a look at the ST and the RT last weekend on my way up to Detroit. The ST seemed like a compromise at just about everything, but the RT really impressed me. The only thing I did not like was the seat height because I am so short. Everything else about the bike was simply amazing. It was suprisingly light, very easy to put on the center stand, the seating position was better than the old RTs and the fit and finish is quite slick. I am definately keeping the RT in the back of my mind, but for now I am keeping the K.

I also threw a leg over a used R1100S. After all the fond memories I have of that motorcycle, it felt very heavy and wooden after riding the K (even though the K weighs a bit more) Maybe getting the K was a good thing after all.