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BMW of course..... Posted by Mike Lynch [Email]  (#81) [Profile/Gallery]
(more from Mike Lynch) on Tue, 12 Jan 2010 15:49:26
In Reply to: motorcycle recommendation?, Mike Keller  [Profile/Gallery]
, Tue, 12 Jan 2010 08:09:18
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But first off all hats off to LesH and his post below, his advice is spot on and covers a wide range and I agree with every point he makes.
I'm the sales manager here at San Diego BMW Motorcycles and my personal bike is a 2009 R1200RT, Joan Jett Blue. Just got my 100,000 mile badge, 90k on my old 1999 R1100RT Zelda the Green Hornet and now 13k on my new 09 RT. Go ahead and give me a call anytime (except Wednesdays and Sundays) and I'd be happy to help. 858-560-2453.
A couple of reasons to consider an older less expensive BMW, first ABS brakes. ABS dramatically lowers the fatality rate for motorcycles by 38%!! In a car ABS offers no statistical advantage and when you lock the brakes in a car you simply skid. On a bike when you lock the brakes you crash.
Another reason is heated grips. Kinda' like heated seats in a Saab, people snicker, but once they try them they are hooked. A bike with decent wind protection, not necessarily an RT with a full fairing, but just a larger windscreen on any bike, combined with heated grips will dramatically increase your riding comfort commuting on cold mornings and evenings and extend the seasons you can ride. Heated grips are available on the aftermarket to fit any bike. Most (but not all so double check) BMW's have these two features.
Another BMW advantage is superior luggage and case systems with single keys. It's nice to have a place to keep a rain suit, extra jacket or jacket liner or layer of clothing as well as riding boots or just your stuff. Makes bike travel much more accommodating. And one more BMW advantage is shaft drive on our larger models, no chain lube to apply and then clean off your bike/clothing etc, no chain to adjust or replace.
You didn't mention your riding skill level, bur our entry level bike is the F or G 650GS Single. "GS" is Gelande and Strasse, or trail and street and the GS line of BMW's (G650GS Single, F650GS Twin, F800GS and R1200GS) all have very comfortable upright riding positions with decent wind protection and there's is no downside to the ability to keep going when the pavement stops. GS' are excellent touring bikes, sport bikes, around town bikes, tour-sport-urban-dual sport are the four kinds of riding, and last time I checked 99% of the world was still unpaved. A GS is not a "dirt" bike, but rather a GS doesn't stop when the pavement quits, dirt roads, fire roads, and improved trails and there's quite a lot of that everywhere in the world. They also almost all have heated grips, ABS, centerstands, decent wind protection and lots of available accessories like cases, bags and stuff. The 650GS Single is the smallest least expensive bike on the market with all these comfort and safety features.
One note is that big bikes are as easy to ride as little bikes, they're all held up by the wheels and it doesn't really matter how heavy a bike is once you're going 2 mph and pick your feet up. The controls all work the same way and in many ways it's like driving a big truck or a small car, a new driver can work either. Having said that confidence is extremely important part of safe motorcycle operation and if you don't feel confident on a bigger motorcycle start small. The flip side of that is that if you do start small you may outgrow a smaller bike very quickly.
I also recommend starting with a bike that's inexpensive and pre-scratched, used, that is. Most folks don't get it right with the first purchase so don't layout the big bucks until you've got some experience and know you're gonna' like it.
Check out our website. We've got a good bike for you starting at only $1,995 (I'm adding the little Suzuki GS500 later today so give a little time) and again, don't hesitate to give me a call or email me, motorcycles are my business, I've been riding for 46 years now
San Diego BMW Motorcycles - Used Bikes
, Tue, 12 Jan 2010 08:09:18
, Tue, 29 Jun 2010 13:48:17, Tue, 12 Jan 2010 15:49:26 <-- Viewing This Message, Wed, 27 Jan 2010 20:04:19, Tue, 12 Jan 2010 15:03:03
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