Time for a bike???

I am _thinking_ (or not as some will suggest) about getting a bike. I am looking at the VRod and the BMW F650CS so far.

I want a bike that it water cooled, moderately zippy, comfortable for my 6'4" frame, preferably EFI, preferably ABS, and reliable. I'll be using it for daily commuting plus weekend rides here in SoCal. Safety is important as my last ride on a bike in 1997 nearly cost me my life, and left me with a mangled left leg - 15 surgeries later I can almost walk without a limp....

Thos who ride will know why I want another bike, so to those who don't ride - yep - I'm stupid.

What I'd like to hear is your suggestions and experiences about either of these models, and any other suggestions you may have. My last bike was a ZZR1100, and as much as I like the looks of the new 1200, I know it would kill me - simply too fast. Generally however, I don't like any of the K and R series BMWs...

Thanks, Dave

 

BMW R1100RT, R1150RT, R1200RT depending on budget. Safest bike in the land.

Air/oil cooled but THATS A GOOD THING.

EDIT: these bikes are 1100-1200cc but not like the liter sportbikes in power, not even close. Engines built for durability with relatively low compression and low RPMs.
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I can weigh in on the V-Rod in comparison to a few other bikes (not the BMWs, though).
I bought a V-Rod from another member of the board last year- he had spent alot of dough having the entire bike chromed, installing an adjustable air suspension with on board compressor, aftermarket pipes, and virtually anything and everything else that money could buy. The bike draws attention wherever it is parked.
The first thing I did when I took possession of the bike was put some decent brakes on it- i thought there was something drastically wrong with the brakes until the mechanic -Dave Finn- a well known chopper builder, told me that the standard Harley brakes aren't worth a damn. Brembos it was, and the bike can now stop.
The second thing i did was move the foot controls from the forward position to a mid-position, thanks to a kit from Kosman. I just wasn't comfortable riding with my legs stretched way forward.
Put some sticky tires on the thing, reconfigured the ECU and changed the pipes (once again) to the Vance & Hines equivalent of the Screamin' Eagle pipes sold by Harley (I think V & H make those too) and it's probably as good a V-Rod as there is on the street, on average. It's certainly not the fastest one, but that was not my objective.
THe bike is big, heavy, cumbersome at low speed, has very smooth throttle response, and incredible rev range- it pulls from very low RPMs and at 3 or 4k rpms, you think you are actually starting to move pretty good, until you realize that you've got another 5,000 RPMs of headroom to play with, and you can pour on alot more power. On the highway, from say a mild 65-75 cruise, crack the throttle and keep it open; the thing really moves. A canyon carver it is not. It's fairly comfortable, you sit low (aftermarket seat is recommended), but you are sitting on your tailbone which is not, at least for me, the most comfortable position. And, i find that the foot position, moved mid-bike, is a little cramped (i'm 6'1"), not horrible, but not ideal.
I just bought an MG V11 Nero Corsa, and it is a better compromise. First, for less than the Harley, stock, you get a full OHlins suspension, brembos, etc. The bike handles more like a sports bike- clip on bars make you lean over the tank, but not to the point of torture- and the power comes on smoothly- drive shaft, like the traditional BMW's- but it's not quite as big, powerful or heavy as the Harley. This thing tracks and steers very predictably and much more precisely than the Harley, which, by comparison, feels like a big ol American muscle car; it also feels smaller than it really is. I think it actually takes some decent riding skill to get the best out of the V-Rod, but frankly, i feel like i am riding more aggressively, leaning in, countersteering more precisely, and getting more involved in the ride, on the MG. I would have to assume that the BMW's are every bit as good as the MG V11 that i have, and probably offer better ergos and brakes. I'm not as sure that the bike would handle the same way as the Italian bike, so i'll defer on that. This is not meant to encourage you to consider the Moto Guzzi, but to put my comments about the V-Rod into a perspective that is arguably similar to the BMW.
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If you are 6'4" several of the bikes from Triumph will fit you well.

I'm 6'2" and my Daytona easily has enough legroom and is plenty comfy and fast. The triple powerplant is smooth and linear also, and it has great brakes. You can buy a barely used two or three year old one for under $6k.

 

Respectfully, It seems no matter what question is asked about bikes, we recommend what we have...naturally because we have them, we think they are the best!

But he's asking for a comfy bike for a big guy and safety is very important.

The biggest safety feature has to be predictable neutral and FAST handling. ABS etc contribute as well, so I think if it is looked at logically the BMW are really the best for these criteria for an experienced rider like this.

Just my $1/50.

 

Hate to be a pooper, but getting a bike could very possibly shorten your life span by a few decades. And if it doesn't kill you, you may end up wishing you were dead anyway. Bikes are death looking for a spot to happen.

 

What about a Duc Multistrada? Seems like it's comparable to the models you are considering. Or an ST4

 

Since I can't quote it, maybe it isn't worth a damn... But IIRC it was a statistic that there was an annual .8% fatality rate. Not very high at all, especially when you factor in that 80-90% of the riders out here don't wear protective gear or even helmets...

I have a bike and I know exactly why you're getting one. Have fun! , and don't let anyone hold you back!

 

You can also die in the bath tub.
I can't stand it when people say that.
NOBODY thinks about crashing when they ride a bike.
Offer encouragement not negativity

 

Uro- FWIW, i wouldn't consider my review of the V-Rod to be a glowing endorsement, would you?

 

You are describing either a BMW, or a Yamaha FJR1300.

 

Buy a chopper from a company like ww.bigbearchoppers.com Or, just get a Harley and customize it yourself. I have had my Harley Fatboy for over 12 years now and still love it!

 

Choppers nor Harleys qualify as "Moderately zippy, reliable, or nice stoppers".

 

Nope, yer right!

 

I have a 2002 Vrod (late year) and My Dad has a BMW 1100RT.

I bought the Vrod on pure looks and seating position. Traded a sportster in on it. The Vrod is the most comfotable bike I have ever owned (especially after I installed a Sundowner seat on it). It goes way faster then I need it to. I enjoyed the heck out of it when I was in New Mexico and Arizona. Riding it in Houston is exciting for different reasons...a Darwinian survival of the fittest thing.

My Dad's bike is nice. The brakes work so well it is scary. It handles well and sounds pretty good since he put some different pipes on it. It has more whistles and bells then you can shake a stick at.

I think either choice is a good one.

 

i want another bike so bad...! The last one i had, i only rode once... Once...! i had trouble downshifting, but there was a bunch of stuff wrong with the bike... Maybe i just don't know how to downshift properly... i'm thinking about getting one of those little 30mph moped scooters first... Just to get a feel for what it's like to be on the public roads on a bike with other morons in huge, steel, barreling boxes of death and destruction...

 

Gonna spend some time this w/e looking at/testing my shortlist....

BMW F650 CS
BMW R1100 varieties
Ducati Multistrada (probably only the 620)
VRod

The 2 standouts are the F650 and the Ducati.

thanks all for the tips so far.

Dave

 

C'mon, give the FJR a chance...

 

i'd suggest the ducati monster S2R. awesome. though the multisturdle is pretty cool too; tho neither have abs.

 

S2R is very nice, almost got one myself. Personally, I would go for a Moto-Guzzi over the Harley.

 

Ducati Monster with out a doubt. If your just coming back to the cycles, you will find IT is very rewarding with out being demanding of ability.
It rides like a fun upright cruiser , but you can lay into it on the twisters if you want.
It is made with high performance in mind , (and its DNA). so If you only use it for around and cursing , your not even touching the tip of the Ice-burg of its capability, so It will be very stable with what ever you through at it.
the 620 is no slouchier either and I keep up very easily with the BMW friends when I road them.
best of luck... I have 3.! ( 916, M-900 , 749R )

 

The Monster is cool. I would spend some money on the following for it, though:

1. Toss the stock tires. On mine, they were hard as a rock. Sticky tires for several hundred dollars made all the difference in the world in how the bike handled.
2. Stick a steering damper on the bike if it does not come with one. I found the steering on the Monster 750Sie that I had to be very responsive, but not precise, if that makes any sense.

3. Dunno how the stock seats are on the S2R, but a Corbin seat was a real worthwhile investment on the Monster i had.

4. There is probably no need to change the cans on the S2R but on the more standard Monsters, it makes a difference in performance, appearance and sound. (and sound).

5. I found that bar-end mirrors, in addition to looking alot nicer, actually gave far more visibility than the Mickey Mouse ear-style stock mirrors.

6. Fender eliminator kit- get rid of the cheesy plastic tray at the back end of the bike.

That's all i can remember right now- also, look for slightly used examples from reputable dealers, like BCM in New Hampshire, who know the bike's history and will stand behind it.
I like my Guzzi better than the Monster, but that's a whole other story....

 

Get the mothership of bikes Triumph Rocket III. 2300cc Dodge Viper pistons and more grunt than you'll ever need. Awesome bike but not your everyday bike though.

 

Well, I ended up getting the BMW F650CS. For what I want, it is just about perfect. It was also the most comfortable by a long way, and the ABS makes me feel good.

Now, having ridden a bike for the first time in over 8 years, I realise what I have been missing! I predict a 999 in the near future....

Thanks to all for their ideas.

Dave

 

"see what I was missing"
Have fun and be careful of people that don't see you.
Yea , I have fun when my Diablo friend looks at me funny and takes off in a cloud of smoke.
I just tap a quick first gear ,dump clutch, hyper drive till 13k rpms , shift 2 watch as blood goes from vision and road ahead narrows, shift 3, let off now. look in review .... can see a speck, turn head backward coming down from 140, and see way back there as he is still chirping tires trying to make up the block difference..... HA .
Love it..
Good luck Man...
And Keep the rubber side down