Used BMW as an intermediate tourer....which one?

[GooseMan]

I'm looking to upgrade from my Bandit 400 (first bike) to something bigger next season, so I can focus more on touring. Love my Bandit, and I personally dont think I need something bigger/faster, but lets face it, the baby Bandit is pretty useless when it comes to touring.

I really like the F800 series, as it seems nice, light and not too powerful, and much more comfortable than my Bandit. But, at $13K CAD, it's pretty pricey, and I'd rather get a slightly used VFR for less than $10K at that point.

Still, I like BMW's, and I really wouldnt mind a nice used one. I'm pretty familiar with all their current models (the K1200GT is sooo hot!!!  )...but know nothing of past models....there are SOOOOOO many different models out there, especially looking in the last 5-6 years! You guys are the beemer experts, would you be able to recommend a good used BMW from 2000+ for around $10,000?

Something semi-light, comfortable, ABS equipped and NOT insanely fast (I think 100hp is more than enough).

Is there anything to look at? Or should I just stick with a VFR?

Thanks!

[BobW]

http://www.ibmwr.org/market/

http://www.k-bikes.com/forums/cmps_index.php

http://bmwsporttouring.com/index.html

Some great BMW sites. I love my Sprint, but also love the BMW pre 05 RS/GT bikes. The newer 1200 twins are great bikes too. If no test drives (BMW is usually pretty good about allowing rides) at least sit on as many bikes you are serious about, regardless if Honda, BMW etal. They all have +s/-s, dealership numbers, cost to maintain, type of riding/roads you do most of the time and ERGOs, both 1 and 2 up.

Fun to go shopping for a new bike. Good luck.
Bob

[TWI]

The R1100RS has a good reputation for sport/touring.  A bit newer would be the R1150R which can be fitted out for light touring.  Different ergos:  The R1100RS is closer to a VFR in body lean while the R1150R is more of the sit-up-and-beg.

[Yankee Dog]

for 10,000  you should be able to find an 1150RT.  ABS.  Fairly light as tourers go.  95 ponies.  very comfy.  will haul a ton and handles great.  

just look around your local area and see what is available.  Plug the model number into Google and read what it tells you.  

yankee Dog

[ElTigre1]

Funny you should ask.  I sold my very nice '02 Sprint ST a couple of weeks ago and have been searching for its replacement.  Tonight just after the witching hour, I board the big Greyhound from the friendly confines of Tallahassee, FL to tiny Baker, LA - just northwest of Baton Rouge, and eight hours by bus - to pick up my new ride.  It's an '05 BMW R1200ST which I am paying $9,800 for.  It's silver and has heated grips, a Rick Mayer saddle and bar-backs.  I think, and hope, it will be an ideal mount.  I'm known to have slight chicken strips and like to take 100-mile jaunts weekly with a few long tours thrown in.

I'll put close to 500 miles on it tomorrow and get back to you.

[Mrs. DantesDame]

Here's an idea of the great deals that are to be had out there:

Craiglist link

[jsanford]

If you're not stuck on the ABS, my bike does quite well as a tourer for one.

Two-up? Probably not so much, but it could do it.  Friend of mine did WA to CA via all dirt roads two-up, loaded, a couple of years ago on a F650GS and had a blast, though.

My bike is more comfortable to operate for three hours' straight than my cage.  

[sagerat]

GS's make great touring rigs due to the combo of comfy seating position, bulbuous tanks offers good leg protection, and the handguards are nice, too.  

Or you could go old school and get an airhead like an R100RS or an R90S.  Fun bikes, light and still have enough power to motor right along.  Brakes are not the greatest, though.

[LordSmoke]

I have no experience, but you might want to check out the K75:

4-5k USD. Well respected. Cool bikes, and the couple I've seen in person looked sweet and comfy.

[GooseMan]

Hmm...I'm starting to dig the R1150RT.....but moreso, I really like the R1100S....this thing is pretty sweet!  

[Tar Snake]

I have no experience, but you might want to check out the K75:

4-5k USD. Well respected. Cool bikes, and the couple I've seen in person looked sweet and comfy.

The K75 and K100 models are great bikes, but they are getting to be 20 year old bikes. No problem if you don't mind dealing with the "issues" of a high mileage older bike or a low mileage model that has problems from sitting a lot.

They are fun to ride though.

[bikerfish1100]

Goose- your thoughts on the R11S are dead on. great bike, will ride most anywhere. many dislike the stock saddle- easy fix with a Rick Mayer. i've done 1,000 mile days, 600 miles in canyons and mntn passes, supremely easy bike to ride at any speed you decide. ABS, heated grips and hard bags all available. some dealers have 2004 models as "left-overs" that are going for around $10K USD.
ya can't have this one (2001 "light" model)- as i'm not quite done with it yet.   only 60K on it, so maybe in another 20 years or so it will be worn out.

[GooseMan]

Sweet! Yeah, I'm stating to like it. I'll have to test ride one at some point. No idea how the BMW boxer will be...but hey, I'm a Subaru guy, so it might be right up my alley! Its like half a Subaru engine!  

[SprintSTboy]

Hmm...I'm starting to dig the R1150RT.....but moreso, I really like the R1100S....this thing is pretty sweet!  

I think this might be your best bet.  You can find one at a very reasonable price.  Just make sure you sit on one first because the ergos are a little cramped for my 5'11" frame w/ 30 inch inseam.  Great bike.  Use the money you save to buy some aftermarket goodies.

[throttlemeister]

I think this might be your best bet.  You can find one at a very reasonable price.  Just make sure you sit on one first because the ergos are a little cramped for my 5'11" frame w/ 30 inch inseam.  Great bike.  Use the money you save to buy some aftermarket goodies.

Cramped? I am 6'2" with a 36" inseam and I have plenty of space.

[Beemerboff]

 Four years ago I was lucky enough to find a  93 VFR with 35000km on the clock for $A5000- , and it has been totaly trouble free in the 65000 km since Even the new chain I fitted when I bought the bike is still OK .
I fitted a Wilbers shock and matching springs , and with careful set up it handles better than any Beemer I have ridden.

Service costs have been low  - the valves haven't been adjusted in 100000 and they are still within spec.

It has been heavy on tires , I get about 8000km out of Pilot Powers, around half that out of touring tires like 020s and Diablos , as they scallop out real  quick.

The last of the Airheads were good bikes too -  The Paralever R100GS  which was around from 87 to 95 is a real nice bike and much better than the early oilheads , or older airheads.
 The Paralever wears a bit faster than the older drive train , but it shares it with most of the later Beemers anyway so shouldnt be a factor .

I've only put 15000 km  on the one I got in February but I have the feeling it will be a keeper.

You should really try and get a good ride on all of the bikes , as the best you have had is the best you know , and there are some real good  cheap bikes out there and some real overblown ,overpriced ones too.

[stubble]

As to which beemer, the 1100 has been mentioned, but the '02-04 R1150RS is something you should look at. It's well within your price range. I suppose it's somewhere between the S and the RT, and is the spiritual predecessor of the current R12ST.  Riding position is more aggressive than the RT, but extremely comfortable. 1000 mile days are no problem, even on the stock saddle (I just use a sheepskin on long days). Neat adjustable windshield, a minimal fairing, same great hard cases as the RT. It's very stable, it loves tight twisties and triple-digit desert roads. It gets a bit heavy on goat-track backroads. I enjoy the versatility, commuting, touring, hooning. I'm 6'4" and it fits me well. I might have purchased a VFR instead, but I found the RS fit my size better.

ps: But first, ride a boxer. I think it's an engine that you have to love before you own. It's got character!

pps: Also, a big plus with the boxers is maintenance: It's a really easy bike to maintain yourself if you're so inclined.

ppps: In the interest of full disclosure: As much as I rave about the RS as a superb all-rounder, I think "my next bike"^(TM) may be more sport-oriented, and may even have three cylinders. It seems that's the direction my soul points. And where your soul points is what matters, I think!

pppps: A couple of RS pics, just for kicks:

[GooseMan]

Man....how many different BMW bikes are there?!   See? This is why I ask you beemer experts!   I didnt even know some of these existed!

So are all the 1100/1150/1200 boxer models essentially the same, but with different fairings/riding positions? They all seem to be pretty similar (at least the sport and tour models). Is the engine excatly the same across the board (all 1100's the same? etc?)