How fast is too fast?

[yjleesvrr]

I took my R in for its 42k service, @ 43k on the odo at Hammersley BMW in Lynchburg, VA this afternoon. During the time it was worked on, I took a R1200RT and a K1200GT for a test spin.

I took the RT first. It's incredibly comfortable on the highway with excellent wind protection. I seriously think you might be able to get away with not wearing ear plugs on the highway if you set the windscreen at an angle suitable for your height. I usually use the amount of wind noise as an intuitive indicator as to how fast I'm going. On one acceleration run, I spun the boxer in 3rd gear to near redline and shifted into 4th. In little time with no indication from the amount of wind swirling around my head, I found myself shocked at finding myself doing over 90 in a 55 mph highway. Handling was good, like just about every boxer bike made. While the saddle height was a tad tall for me, the bike felt light. The brakes on the RT are incredibly powerful - almost grabby really. The first time I braked to come to a stop at an intersection, I found myself jerking forward due to greater than expected stopping power. An interesting thing about the gearing ratios on the RT's tranny is that in sixth @ 72 mph the motor is spinning close to 4k rpm. So the 6th ratio is a little shorter than the tall 6th on the R1150R. Giving it gas in top gear had the RT accelerate a little better than my R does in 6th, but not considerably so. As expected of a boxer motor, the RT's engine had character that belied its smoothness.

After a dozen miles, I ended my test ride thinking the RT might very well be the perfect touring bike to go across the country. I was curious to see what the KGT would be like in comparison.

I hopped on the KGT a few minutes after I returned with the RT. The KGT by comparison felt heavier and longer. I immediate felt that I was leaned over a wee bit on the GT. The clutch didn't engage until near the end of the lever release. The inline-4 had surprising amount of character considering how Japanese 4s tend to feel. When I hit the highway, I found myself giggling like a school girl at the ridiculous amount of power the KGT has. I mean, is all this power necessary for a touring bike?!? Wind protection was noticeably worse than the RT, but a lot better than our Roadsters with the touring shield. In 6th gear, the motor turned 4k rpm at not quite 70 mph. Giving it half throttle at this speed saw a surge begin slowly but after about 3.5 seconds the bike would begin traversing the 90 - 100 mph range awfully quick. I found myself playing with the throttle constantly just to experience the surge in power. I tried the cruise control as well as the adjustable suspension and was quite impressed at how effective both were. In comfort mode, the bike felt like a magic carpet. Toward the end of my ride, I concluded that the KGT is a big sportbike with hard luggage.

As I waited for my Roadster's 42k service to be finished, I came to the conclusion that I'd prefer the RT as a touring platform. If I wanted something as powerful as the KGT, I'd probably opt for the K1200S or even something as light as a GSX-R1000. The KGT is a tour de force in technology and power. Power I would find impossible to resist. The RT would be a saner choice that would be more comfortable on a 500 mile ride.

I was thinking of the test ride while I rode home from Lynchburg via Route 29 through Charlottesville and Warrenton, VA. One firm conclusion was reached over all else - BMW makes the best motorcycles on the planet!

[doylejj]

Interesting write up. I've been lurking here some thinking about getting an R1150R, so I'd be interested in your comparing the RT with your regular ride. I've ridden an 1200RT several times and agree it may be the ultimate long distance touring bike, but I decided to go smaller and lighter. OTOH I didn't like the engine tune in the 1150RT either a couple of years ago when I almost bought one or yesterday when I tried one again.

Thanks

[yjleesvrr]

The new RT is very light on its feet and effortless to cruise on. The R1150R allows you to feel more in connection with your environment and the road. If I had to travel less than 200 miles, I'd prefer riding my Roadster. Any distance beyond that and I would prefer the RT.

BTW, the longest I've ridden my Roadster is 730 miles in one day.