Cheap sport? touring bike

greglepore · 03-04-2008, 04:28 PM

Looking for a cheap 2 up touring bike. Something like this:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/BMW-R1100-RT-R1100RT-Touring_W0QQitemZ280205995286QQcmdZViewItem?hash=i tem280205995286

My spouse has bad knees, so the pillion has to be reasonable. Ideas, particularly available bikes on the east coast, would be appreciated.

dd74 · 03-04-2008, 04:30 PM

Isn't 100,000 miles (99,000 in this case) a lot for a motorcycle? Just curious...

greglepore · 03-04-2008, 04:40 PM

Which is why I'm soliciting opinions. Yeah, it is, but you routinely see boxer bmws with 140k plus, so... . My wife has decided to try to ride with me in order to share a passion of mine, but I hate to buy into a 10k plus 2up bike to find out she's not able to tolerate it, so I'm looking for something to ride for a season or two an figure it out.

Rick Lee · Rick Lee's Garage

That's a lot of miles for a bike, and especially so if its final drive has never been replaced. Might be fine for riding around your area. But I don't know that I'd want to get too far from home or a dealer with that one. I'm riding my GS to Jacksonville on Friday and then from Phoenix to San Diego a few weeks later. If you want to do that kind of riding, you may need to spring for a lower miles bike.

Chocaholic · 03-04-2008, 05:06 PM

Seems like a great choice. 100k is not excessive for that bike considering its age as long as it's been maintained. Should be comfortable and a good experience for your better half for a few bucks. And, it's not a disposable Japanese bike. Hold your head high and buy the beemer. Check records to see when shocks, brakes, battery, etc., were replaced. If well maintained, you may have a winner.

Rot 911 · 03-04-2008, 05:11 PM

I'm selling my 2001 VFR if you are interested. 5800 miles in like new condition. $4500. You can get some soft bags and a tail bag for another $150 and you are into reliable sport touring fairly cheap.

Highlander179 · 03-04-2008, 05:40 PM

I'd buy it if you can get a good price. I wouldn't worry about any lack of maintenance issues. If the guy was slack, he wouldn't have gotten those miles out of it. Looks solid to me and will fit the bill for the mrs. in the cush factor.

If you go to look at it, put it on its center stand and check the rear wheel for play. That would be my only concern with any BMW.

Steve Carlton · 03-04-2008, 05:47 PM

VFRs are outstanding bikes. For many years on the top-10 lists. The boxer BMWs can last a long, long time if well maintained. The 1150s are nicer than the 1100s, with the 6-speed. When it bites you, it'll cost a good bit. The 2000-2003 BMW K1200RS is a nice bike, too. Goldwing smooth.

Joeaksa · 03-04-2008, 05:55 PM

Agree with Steve, if its been taken care of, a good BMW will go 250,000 miles with few issues. This bike has around 10,000 miles a year and thats nothing for a BMW boxer.

Get the history and maintenance records and go from there. Do not buy the first year of anything.

Joe

greglepore · 03-04-2008, 05:57 PM

Love the vfrs, but more a one up bike than a tourer for a neophyte. Based on Joe's advice, might bite on this one...

Porsche-O-Phile · Porsche-O-Phile's Garage

My Katana has 60,000+ miles. The only problem I have right now is a bad ignition switch, which I'm in the process of replacing. Aside from that all I've ever had to do to it is a few chain replacements, new brakes and the usual tune-ups/adjustments.

Laneco · 03-05-2008, 04:24 AM

In your situation, I would definately NOT buy a bike. Lease a bike, rent a bike or better yet, rent a series of bikes until you both find one you like.

If your wife hates it, just return the bike and be done.

angela

Tim Hancock · 03-05-2008, 04:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kurt V

I'm selling my 2001 VFR if you are interested. 5800 miles in like new condition. $4500. You can get some soft bags and a tail bag for another $150 and you are into reliable sport touring fairly cheap.

Damn Kurt! I did not need to see that! What kind of gas mileage does it get when not beating on it?

Rot 911 · 03-05-2008, 05:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tim Hancock

Damn Kurt! I did not need to see that! What kind of gas mileage does it get when not beating on it?

Mid 40's if I am riding somewhat agressive. Over 50 if just cruising around.

greglepore · 03-05-2008, 05:34 AM

Kurt, that's a very fair price, esp. with the saddle etc. I did bite on the Beemer, thinking that it was cheap enough that if Terri didn't like it, I could sell or part it for what I'll have in it.

Rot 911 · 03-05-2008, 06:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by greglepore

Kurt, that's a very fair price, esp. with the saddle etc. I did bite on the Beemer, thinking that it was cheap enough that if Terri didn't like it, I could sell or part it for what I'll have in it.

And I love the looks of that Beemer. I bet you end up being happy as hell with it.

Dana Norris · 03-05-2008, 11:28 AM

Greg, Not a bad looking bike, a bit of rash but what can one expect from 99,000 Miles. Ask the owner if he had the splines of the output shaft lubed one or more times in its life, if not than expect some drive line snatch on upshifts and downshifts. The drive train will get a bit sloppy if not lubed on a regular basis. I have owned 3 R Series bikes through the years and 1 K Series, great bikes very reliable if maintained properly. If you have never ridden a bike with ABS you are in for quite a suprise, absolutly wonderful technology ( it works ) In 2000 I purchased a 1999 K1200LTC fully loaded with 1386 miles, first heavy rain storm on my way home from work I took the bike up to 65mph and layed on the brakes full hard, the bike came to a stop arrow straight without a twitch, wonderful feeling. anyway I now have a 2004 R1150 RT Again fully loaded and a great bike, wife loves it and we are in our late 50s, I have been riding since 1966, my wife had never been on a bike before 1983, when we met I told her that I loved motorcycles, and asked her if she had a problem with that, Guess Not.
Anyway if you have any questions about R series BMWs feel free to PM me.

Rick Lee · Rick Lee's Garage

I have wrestled with ABS on a bike. Yes, seems like a super technology. But the systems don't seem very long lived on the 1200GS and they are crazy expensive to repair when out of warranty. I rode to work in the rain today and sometimes wish for ABS. But I don't want the maint. issues or repair bills.

Dana Norris · 03-05-2008, 11:51 AM

Rick Lee:
I never had a problem with the ABS on the K1200LTC up to 18000 miles when I sold it, and no problems on the R1150RT with 20,000 miles from new. Did you ride your GS off road much?
(May be a dumb question) but had to ask anyway.....

1986 944NA

Rick Lee · Rick Lee's Garage

No, the closest I've come to offroad is gravel roads. Though that will change when I get to AZ in two weeks. I don't have ABS on my GS. Didn't want it. And watching the repair and maint. DVD on bleeding the ABS system, I'm glad I don't have to deal with it. I'm not experienced enough to know how to handle ABS on a bike and, for some reason, they are particularly problematic on the GS. Dunno about the other series.