Bike choice - some advice please
Discussion
Good afternoon all.
I'm looking at getting a new bike when it gets a little warmer, something along the sports/tourer line (I've a NSR250R for the sporty type stuff). So I've shortlisted either a BMW R1100s or a Moto Guzzi v11 Le mans.
Anyone out there with any experience of these - cost, reliability, you know all the usual stuff. Any views would be welcomed.
I'm looking at getting a new bike when it gets a little warmer, something along the sports/tourer line (I've a NSR250R for the sporty type stuff). So I've shortlisted either a BMW R1100s or a Moto Guzzi v11 Le mans.
Anyone out there with any experience of these - cost, reliability, you know all the usual stuff. Any views would be welcomed.
Can’t comment on the Guzzi but the BMW is a good bike. My brother had one for a while and it was a good performer and very reliable. It would easily keep up with just about anything else on the road. I also saw one of these at the Nurburg Ring a couple of years ago. The Ring was closed to recover a Porsche GT3 that had “reversed” into the Armco. 
When the Ring re-opened it was like a Le mans start as bike after bike (‘Blades, R1s, GSXRs, 996s, 998s etc.) and car after car (Porches, Ferraris, Loti etc.) went through the barriers as quickly as the barrier arms would move. The first vehicle back was a BMW R1100S which was 45 seconds ahead of the next vehicle (a Porsche) and 55 seconds ahead of the next bike! 
You may also want to look at a Duke ST4S, A Honda Firestorm or a Suzi SV1000. All are slightly sportier but still offer good sports touring potential and should be pretty reliable.
When the Ring re-opened it was like a Le mans start as bike after bike (‘Blades, R1s, GSXRs, 996s, 998s etc.) and car after car (Porches, Ferraris, Loti etc.) went through the barriers as quickly as the barrier arms would move. The first vehicle back was a BMW R1100S which was 45 seconds ahead of the next vehicle (a Porsche) and 55 seconds ahead of the next bike! You may also want to look at a Duke ST4S, A Honda Firestorm or a Suzi SV1000. All are slightly sportier but still offer good sports touring potential and should be pretty reliable.
All riding will be solo (billy no bird), Europe wide, maybe some camping gear. Budget up to about £6000, so it's not going to be new.
I've thought about the Honda and Suzuki v-twins, but I really like the look of the Guzzi and BMW. Are the Guzzis still bothered by electrical/mechanical problems, I recall that this seemed to be an issue. The BMW on the other hand is bulletproof. It's looking like the BMW, no wait it's the Guzzi.........
I used to be indecisive.
I've thought about the Honda and Suzuki v-twins, but I really like the look of the Guzzi and BMW. Are the Guzzis still bothered by electrical/mechanical problems, I recall that this seemed to be an issue. The BMW on the other hand is bulletproof. It's looking like the BMW, no wait it's the Guzzi.........
I used to be indecisive.
Not sure if you have tried either the Guzzi or the BMW. I would strongly recommend that you do try them both before deciding. (And, perhaps, some of the other options listed.) If you’re not used to big twins or shaft drive, you may be in for a bit of a surprise. Likewise, the Telelever front end on the BMW might take a bit of getting used to.
If you use the NSR250R often you may find that something on the touring side of sports/touring may not give you what you want. It can be very frustrating to cover large motorway mileages quickly in order to get to roads that offer high fun levels only to find your “touring” bike is not really very good in the twisties!
If you use the NSR250R often you may find that something on the touring side of sports/touring may not give you what you want. It can be very frustrating to cover large motorway mileages quickly in order to get to roads that offer high fun levels only to find your “touring” bike is not really very good in the twisties!
I’ll start by saying I have a Honda VTR1000F so I am biased!
I think they are brilliant for European sport/touring but, and it’s a big BUT, ensure your budget includes a suspension upgrade (had mine done by Revolution Racing) and be willing to accept the useless tank range. (I swapped my tank for an enlarged Harris unit). The good thing is that they are cheap enough that, even with this extra expenditure, they still are no more expensive than the alternatives.
I tried my brothers BMW R1100S and the Firestorm was just as good at the distance work, was almost as comfortable but was much more fun to ride. Even though my brother offered me a very attractive price on his R1100S (he bought a K1200S) I still have my Firestorm! In either the “smiles per mile” or “smiles per pound” rankings it’s a very hard bike to beat!
Check out www.old-gits.org if you want to see the sort of trips it has been used for.
I think they are brilliant for European sport/touring but, and it’s a big BUT, ensure your budget includes a suspension upgrade (had mine done by Revolution Racing) and be willing to accept the useless tank range. (I swapped my tank for an enlarged Harris unit). The good thing is that they are cheap enough that, even with this extra expenditure, they still are no more expensive than the alternatives.
I tried my brothers BMW R1100S and the Firestorm was just as good at the distance work, was almost as comfortable but was much more fun to ride. Even though my brother offered me a very attractive price on his R1100S (he bought a K1200S) I still have my Firestorm! In either the “smiles per mile” or “smiles per pound” rankings it’s a very hard bike to beat!
Check out www.old-gits.org if you want to see the sort of trips it has been used for.
I had a VTR1000, agree that it's a comfortable yet capable bike - an ideal sports tourer, I never upgraded the suspension but I can see why you would - the front end's too soft, biggest criticism though is as mentioned poor tank range due to a combination of small tank and big thirst, mine was completely standard and 80 miles was about all it would do - a larger tank would be a huge benefit.
But as mentioned it's a fun bike that does everything you would ask of it from track days to touring Europe (just plan your petrol stops in advance).
But as mentioned it's a fun bike that does everything you would ask of it from track days to touring Europe (just plan your petrol stops in advance).
dp1 said:
What sort of range do you get on the standard tank and is the Harris upgrade an off the shelf item?
Regarding the tank range, as with all such questions, it depends .......
My bike is a 1998 and the 2001 on bikes had a larger (by about 2 to 3 litres) tank as standard. From the standard tank I got anything from 85 to 120 miles of "normal riding" before the light came on and I've done as much as 25 miles with the light on (though they were very gentle miles as I knew the next petrol station was a long way!) I plan to fill up every 100 miles or so.
The Harris tank was a standard catalogue item when I bought it (1999) although I had to wait while it was built. It was expensive though! (Around £600 all in) It gives me between 140 and 160 miles before light on then over 30 miles with light on. You occasionally see them on e-bay so there may be an option there.
What is worth noting is that on the European runs I have done, the Firestorm drinks the fuel at almost exactly the same rate as a friends Ducati ST4S and an Aprilia Futura. Only the BMWs (R1100S, R1150RS, R1100RS) used less fuel so it is not the mpg that's the issue, only the tank capacity.
I've been running a V11 Le Mans for the past two and a bit years and have put 18k on it in that time. After looking at a number of websites I was a bit sceptical about build quality but loved the styling and the fact that you just don't see many of them around. Their lack of mass market appeal means that they're also pretty cheap in comparison with BMWs. If looking at new ones you should be able to find a good deal at this time of year. If you want a nicely run-in second hand one let me know! I've got a bit of a fleet at the moment and something has to go.
The only problems I have had are a mirror falling off (replaced under warranty) and a bit of engine paint flaking (a common problem with 2002 bikes I gather). Other than that it has been totally reliable (in fact the most reliable bike I've owned) and a great 'real world' bike.
Check out www.v11lemans.com for masses of info on this bike and what to look for in a used one. They're a good bunch on there and will be able to answer any questions you have.
The only problems I have had are a mirror falling off (replaced under warranty) and a bit of engine paint flaking (a common problem with 2002 bikes I gather). Other than that it has been totally reliable (in fact the most reliable bike I've owned) and a great 'real world' bike.
Check out www.v11lemans.com for masses of info on this bike and what to look for in a used one. They're a good bunch on there and will be able to answer any questions you have.
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