As i waited at Max's for them to
NOT fix my digital dash I had the opportunity to take a few bikes out. First up:
SKRR!
I didn't take it too far, maybe 15 minutes, but long enough to get the idea. first off it is
SMALL you sit
ON it, and reach
DOWN for the bars, it almost feels like a mini bike in comparison to the R12S. down the road i go in SPORT mode, knees under my chin and hands near my ankles and for the most part this thing feels gutless. at 7000 rpm just a lot of buzz but no real frantic activity. i got it out on the highway and took it to redline in third and it finally came alive around 11,000 rpm, i was probably doing about 120. the bike is very reminiscent of the 125 two strokes i used to race, pretty much all or nothing. as i took it back to the shop i noticed there was quite a bit of heat coming from the bike, a perceptible amount, which i never notice on the R12S. i took it back to the showroom, content in the knowledge that i will never NEED one (meaning convince myself to buy one)
interestingly enough there was an SKRR in the service area that was in need of help, alot of help!
that #1 piston must have really grenaded, the rod had quite a kink in it, and the intake was full of metal chips!
i next took out a 2011 R1200RT. the seating position is very comfortable, and the saddle composition is nice and firm. i actually liked the saddle on the SKRR as well, i need to do something about the R12S saddle, but anyway. the RT feels big because it is, and the fairing lowers whack your shins when your feet are on the ground, wierd! there are all kinds of do dads on the bike; radio, electric windshield etc... i played with the radio, but radio and wind noise are a crappy mix. i played with the windshield and i either got turbulence from the shield or my helmet, but it was far from a silent ride. the motor is very torquey, but nothing to write home about, and certainly doesn't have the snap of my bike. the handlebars are a little strange, and the whole thing feels bulky. i actually had the sensation i was riding a Bergman or some kind of big scooter. after about 20 minutes i took that back, and although that riding position would probably be easier on my hip, it is a BIG tradeoff from what i am riding now!
i didn't take a GS out, but my guess is that it would have been similar to the RT. They didn't have a demo HP2S
but they did have 2 on the floor, although one might be the lemon that just sold.
the HP2S is beautiful, the blue is darker in person than pictures, i actually don't care for it, but it is lightly pearlescent. the CF is gorgeous, and the top triple clamp is offset almost 3" down from the R12S, i am thinking that it might be tough on my hip joints if i had one.
so, bottom line, it appears that the best bike for me in the BMW line-up is the one i currently own! what luck!
