What bike (again?) - Sports Tourer style - apologies
Discussion
Slaav said:
... I have decided that I may get away with returning to the fold and buy myself a new bike; well not brand new 
....
Was going to buy a Blackbird a few years back but bottled it - wasn't allowed ....
quote=vonhosen]The K13 is over, they aren't making any more.....
Was going to buy a Blackbird a few years back but bottled it - wasn't allowed ....
spareparts said:
I stand corrected - certainly not at their peak torque rpm. But the Boxer Twin delivers more, earlier than the K13. And with shorter gearing than the K13, the R12 is never lacking in real world riding - it certainly feels livelier off the bottom end.
This debate on the merits of the R12 vs K13 never ends amongst BMW riders. Fact of the matter is that the K13's days are numbered, and the R12 remains the biggest seller in Europe amongst tourers - and for good reason.
The debate is a good one -- I spent much of yesterday on my R1200R (air, not LC) and much of today on my K1300S :-) This debate on the merits of the R12 vs K13 never ends amongst BMW riders. Fact of the matter is that the K13's days are numbered, and the R12 remains the biggest seller in Europe amongst tourers - and for good reason.
black-k1 said:
Slaav said:
... I have decided that I may get away with returning to the fold and buy myself a new bike; well not brand new
....
Was going to buy a Blackbird a few years back but bottled it - wasn't allowed ....
....
Was going to buy a Blackbird a few years back but bottled it - wasn't allowed ....
vonhosen said:
The K13 is over, they aren't making any more.
A new bike wasn't the requirement. 
In the face of imminent pish taking and possible ridicule..... I am preferring the 'more' faired in look rather than what I would call a 'naked' bike.
I remember the first time I sat on a Monster at my rugby club beside my CBR and whilst lovely, I couldn't imagine clocking up motorway mikes clinging on for dear life. (The 600? Was too small as well)
I remember the first time I sat on a Monster at my rugby club beside my CBR and whilst lovely, I couldn't imagine clocking up motorway mikes clinging on for dear life
. (The 600? Was too small as well) I'm 6'2" and eighteen stone (ish, first think in the morning anyway, while still dehydrated) and I started out on a R1200GS. It's a terrific all-rounder, but I did find myself hankering for a bit more oomph. I rode a Multistrada, (a lot of fun), and a K1300S (too close to a sportsbike position for my knees) before making a choice.
May I point you in the direction of the K1300GT? There are a lot of fans of the 'S', for very good reasons, but there doesn't seem to be anything quite like the GT being made any more. It has the same mill as the S, but tuned for a little less outright power at the top end, and more torque lower down. This, with a slightly more upright riding stance (I have some bar risers on mine), electrically adjustable screen, and the ability to hang panniers on when required, makes it a very comfortable all-day cruiser that is also great fun for a Sunday blast. Best of all worlds.
Not many of them around, and they're not getting any younger, but I genuinely don't know what I would replace it with.
May I point you in the direction of the K1300GT? There are a lot of fans of the 'S', for very good reasons, but there doesn't seem to be anything quite like the GT being made any more. It has the same mill as the S, but tuned for a little less outright power at the top end, and more torque lower down. This, with a slightly more upright riding stance (I have some bar risers on mine), electrically adjustable screen, and the ability to hang panniers on when required, makes it a very comfortable all-day cruiser that is also great fun for a Sunday blast. Best of all worlds.
Not many of them around, and they're not getting any younger, but I genuinely don't know what I would replace it with.
The k1300gt is a good call if you want a good sports tourer.
The 13s I would say is roomy up top but does get cramped on the leg dept, I'm 6'1 with 33" inside leg. The gt feels much more pleasant and is still bloody quick. Yes LC 1200 boxer is an impressive engine but the fuelling is still questionable imo and its soulless to ride.
The 13s I would say is roomy up top but does get cramped on the leg dept, I'm 6'1 with 33" inside leg. The gt feels much more pleasant and is still bloody quick. Yes LC 1200 boxer is an impressive engine but the fuelling is still questionable imo and its soulless to ride.
Baryonyx said:
spareparts said:
Fact of the matter is that the K13's days are numbered, and the R12 remains the biggest seller in Europe amongst tourers - and for good reason.
Because bikers are fatter, lazier and more fashion conscious than ever! 
but it doesn't change the fact that the R12GS is still a better all round touring machine than the K13S spareparts said:
Baryonyx said:
spareparts said:
Fact of the matter is that the K13's days are numbered, and the R12 remains the biggest seller in Europe amongst tourers - and for good reason.
Because bikers are fatter, lazier and more fashion conscious than ever! but it doesn't change the fact that the R12GS is still a better all round touring machine than the K13S spareparts said:
Baryonyx said:
spareparts said:
Fact of the matter is that the K13's days are numbered, and the R12 remains the biggest seller in Europe amongst tourers - and for good reason.
Because bikers are fatter, lazier and more fashion conscious than ever! but it doesn't change the fact that the R12GS is still a better all round touring machine than the K13S To be honest, I am unlikely to do a weekend with the Mrs in Italy on it! The most would possibly be a weekend at Le Mans or similar.
Sports Tourer was the initial requirement for many reasons but a week's touring in Euro wasn't actually one of them bizarrely - although the idea of a weekend or 4 day trip with mates does appeal
black-k1 said:
spareparts said:
Baryonyx said:
spareparts said:
Fact of the matter is that the K13's days are numbered, and the R12 remains the biggest seller in Europe amongst tourers - and for good reason.
Because bikers are fatter, lazier and more fashion conscious than ever! but it doesn't change the fact that the R12GS is still a better all round touring machine than the K13S Mastodon2 said:
It's got to be the K1300S or a ZZR1400, if you're getting a tourer you might as well have some excitement too.
I do like the look of the ZZR to be honest! Almost bought a ZZR1100 years ago.....And it just feels slightly less 'safe' and middle aged than the BM
Will speak to Metropolis in Vauxhall re riding a few unless anybody has a good recommendation for a multi franchise dealer?
Thanks again for all the comments....
Cant recommend a multi dealer franchise in Bristol, but Bristol Kawasaki and Riders (Ducati) in Bristol were both helpful for test rides, and there is the BMW dealership at Cribbs Causeway (never used them) and Bath Road Motorcycles in Bristol (BMW independent who again were ok for test rides).
Slaav said:
Mastodon2 said:
It's got to be the K1300S or a ZZR1400, if you're getting a tourer you might as well have some excitement too.
I do like the look of the ZZR to be honest! Almost bought a ZZR1100 years ago.....And it just feels slightly less 'safe' and middle aged than the BM
Will speak to Metropolis in Vauxhall re riding a few unless anybody has a good recommendation for a multi franchise dealer?
Thanks again for all the comments....
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