And in with the new. My beloved BMW R1150RT that I’ve had this past twelve years is now officially on notice. I’ve just ordered one of these.
Well, it’s give the money to the nice folks at BMW or let the hmrc get their avaricious hands on it. No contest, really.
Not matt black enough, forks to short, FAIRINGS!!?? What are you, a sissy? No KQ seat, no sissy bar. No dents in the tank, no rust on the chrome work, (it HAS chrome!!! fer fucks sake!!!!)
No motorbike.
I mean it even LOOKS new!!
heh! Mine’s in metallic black. As for fairings, I love ’em. So, yeah, I’m soft in my old age.
There’s no chrome at all. Hate chrome.
I’ve just picked up a ‘new’ bike a 1980 twin cam 750/4 Honda, all original with little more than running in mileage on it for about 1000 times less than your new beemer, which as remarkable as they are somehow seem have lost the essence of what motorcycling is all about, in times gone by it was the skill of the rider that set people who rode bikes apart, now anyone of the most mediocre character can ride a large capacity bike by relying on all those electronic gadgets, even in the wet or in difficult conditions, I would like to see how the new generation of armchair bikers would handle the dreaded legendary Kawasaki Z1 headshake TM. as once in one, shutting the throttle was NEVER am option! ( I know, I own one )
I would hardly consider myself an armchair biker. I ride high mileages in all conditions (except snow). Would I go back to some of the bikes I rode in my youth? The appalling handling Jap bikes of the late seventies and early eighties? No chance. Bad handling is not character, it is bad handling. Modern bikes are great – and as far as I am concerned, I’ve earned those little luxuries. I am in command of my machine – those electronic gadgets simply make the ride a more pleasant experience. I don’t want to have to fight the machine and i don’t want to have to put up with piss-poor handling and braking and nor should I. None of the essence has been lost with modern innovation, excellent handling and braking for example – it is enhanced. The new Boxers are lovely machines to ride with fine handling, plenty of grunt and powerful brakes with plenty of feel, so this one will be better still.
Yes, I loved some of my old bikes, but I don’t want to go back to them. Not even my Laverda, which out handled and braked most of its contemporaries. Shame about the build quality…
Couldn’t agree more:- I bought my first bike in 1966 – it was far from new then. Modern bikes are a revelation, and the concept of just enjoying the ride without having to constantly worry about little (and not so little) quirks makes for a more enjoyable experience. That’s why I have a MacPro instead of a Windows PC.
And with a car, would anyone really want to go back to carb ticklers, advance/retard lever on steering wheel, starting handles, dynamo electrics, very narrow tyres, etc., etc.?
Of course not. So why suggest that the Brough Superior/Vincent Black Shadow/60’s Bonneville were the last ‘real’ motorcycles?
I’d love another bike now, but Madam thinks that as I’m almost 64, I wouldn’t last ’til I’m 65 if I had one.
A biker who’s into cats?
You’ve gone right up in my estimation!,
One extra advantage with the larger beemers is legroom. They and Triumph seem to be the only people who cater for an inside leg of more than thirty inches. Everyone else, including Harleys (Agricultural junk) seem to build for jockeys. Good choice.
They also come with adjustable seats.
Wouldn’t be seen dead on a Harley.