I have long admired these bikes but never had one and never even rode one until this week when I rode an R1150r briefly. I want one.
I have a 1978 Honda CB750K that was actually gifted to me by pelicanhead Aaron (BlueSkyJaunte) years ago. I had one a few thousand years ago and imagined that having another one would make me feel 22 again. That didn't work, but it is a fun bike and now I want something more reliable and low-maintenance, and one that makes torque below 6K rpm.
I definitely liked riding the 1150.
Advise me. I can afford whatever I want but I am looking at the 1150 series. Lots of MC police guys fell in love with them. They are simple and reliable. Well-understood. I can probably find a decent one with low miles for under $4K.
Later bikes, particularly ones newer than about 2015, make substantially more power and have advanced features, but would cost 3+ times as much. I just wonder whether the additional power and features are worth it. Again, the 1150s make good power and are simpler. More gadgets can be seen as just more complexity, more cost.
Advise me please.
I think I want a non-ABS or, more specifically, a non-servo bike. Apparently, those mechanisms have reliability problems and are spendy to address if they fail. Also, the 1150 I rode lacked these features and had great brakes. Servo brakes take some time to get used to. Non-servo brakes allow the rider to feel more connected. These features were an option for the 1150 series. Some were delivered without it.
Did BMW cease offering this decision? Did BMW just start putting servos on all bikes whether the buyer wanted it or not? If so, then when?
Tell me what I should know about this.
These bikes are considered fairly bullet-proof, but I have just learned of the transmission input spline problem. Some feel this is likely a problem of mis-alignment and, if so, replacing a failed input shaft would not be a permanent fix. It would also be expensive. Tell me how I can avoid this. More specifically, I wonder if this problem is applicable to only certain model years. I know that some 1100s and early 1150s have had this problem, but
I wonder if it got addressed by BMW for later years and, if so, when.
Okay here comes the more controversial question: Everybody seems to think the GS is the greatest model. I don't get it. Why would I pay double just to get a 19" front wheel? The GS seems to be a dirt bike for touring. A touring dirt bike? Really? A tall dirt bike with a hundred HP and luggage? I know I am exaggerating. Caricaturizing. But I really don't get it. My BMW will rarely if ever see a gravel or dirt road. It will have street tires. I do not wish to be riding on streets and highways with knobby tires. Also, I am not tall and GS bikes are lifted compared to the Rxxxxr. I think I am targeting something like a R1150r with windscreen, bags and top bag. A simple bike without all that RT nonsense, but with touring capability.
Tell me what I should know. Everything. Tell me answers to questions I don't even know enough to ask.
I also wonder why modern cars and bikes are so heavy. Technology exists to make them strong and light. Hm. And why do gas tanks come up to our chest now? Hm. These are just examples of me whining outside the topic of buying advice. Forgive me.