35 replies to this topic

[darcym]

Not that I don't like the TDM, he's just getting a little long in the tooth as they say. He's also half apart in the garage at the moment waiting for the front forks to be rebuilt. Meanwhile I'm having to drive around in a cage while the sun's out and I'm getting the heebie jeebies.

So I'm looking at a couple of BMW bikes. I can't ride the GS, it's too freaking tall. But I've got my eye on a couple of fine looking lads from 2004 that might make for a dependable long haul touring mount. Wish there were some new TDM's out here, it would make the decision much easier.

(note that since I'm a lady my bikes have always been gents, just to keep things even )

I'll let you all know what happens when the deal goes down

PS: I'm keeping the TDM, it's not worth selling and it will still make a dependable commuter and canyon carver.

[duibhce Kaelann]

I hope you find what you're looking for and have loads of fun with the -soon to be- new bike.

Personally there is only one BMW I would ever consider buying (if I ever had the money to): a K1200R

[nitram]

How about the SV650 from Suzuki, I know it's a more sporty looking bike, but I know they sell it in the U,S of A. One of my workmates has one and after changing the OE tyres he's well pleased with it. Not too tall either.
They also do a TDM'ish version with the 650twin lump in, the DL650. here you go Another of my workmates has the DL and it's his commuting tool as his weekend bike is a gsxrrrr1000rrrrrrrr. He toured Europe with his wife on the back of the CL, did 2500 miles in 4 weeks without a hitch. Cheap to buy, insure and run too

Edited by nitram, 07 July 2006 - 05:42 pm.

[darcym]

After owning a Suzuki once, I probably won't again. I also don't want to get something that would just copy the TDM. Finding I want to get something a little different, and also a little more popular so that finding parts later on down the road won't turn out to be so difficult.

[sidestand]

Why don't you try out a BMW K1200RS Darcy ?

They're cheap as chips at the moment, as the owners trade up to K1200R's & S's & they really go well.
A bit on the heavy side, & they look a bit dated now (but you must be used to that with a mk 1)
But they really do go, & they handle well

[tdm850rider]

Not that I don't like the TDM, he's just getting a little long in the tooth as they say. He's also half apart in the garage at the moment waiting for the front forks to be rebuilt. Meanwhile I'm having to drive around in a cage while the sun's out and I'm getting the heebie jeebies.

So I'm looking at a couple of BMW bikes. I can't ride the GS, it's too freaking tall. But I've got my eye on a couple of fine looking lads from 2004 that might make for a dependable long haul touring mount. Wish there were some new TDM's out here, it would make the decision much easier.

(note that since I'm a lady my bikes have always been gents, just to keep things even )

I'll let you all know what happens when the deal goes down

PS: I'm keeping the TDM, it's not worth selling and it will still make a dependable commuter and canyon carver.

As long as you are keeping the TDM you are not really going over to the dark side...
Best luck with whatever you choose. Expect to see you in here on a regular basis tho miss.
The BMW parallel twin looks good on paper, hear they affect your eyesight tho.

[darcym]

Been having fun doing research.

Sat on the SV 650 today, don't like it. It's out.

BMW. Can't wait for the BMW 800, it's not here yet and it's unknown when or if the GS version will come to the USA. Given that the local BMW dealership is filled to the brim with the other GS versions, which must be selling like crazy, it would be stupid of BMW not to bring it over here. But we'll have to wait. I don't really care for the sport versions, styling wise, and size and features it's too much like the TDM. It might be the call if they did it up in the CS style like the little 650 thumper. I like the looks of that, plus it's got funky written all over it with that cargo hatch fake tank. But that and the F 650 GS are too small I think to work as a long haul touring bike over freeways. The GS 1100 is just too damn tall.

I've never liked the K version bikes, too much plastic adornment. Mostly I don't care for the purely sport bike versions. I like a naked bike.

I just did an insurance comparison on similar years of the BMW R 1150 R and R 1200 C. The Cruiser version has annual premiums more than half what it would cost for the Roadster. I've always fancied the 1150 R, but may go for the Cruiser to have lower operating costs and lower seat height. Both feet on the ground. How weird will that be.

Oh, and the R 1200 R that was just introduced? SWEET! But no way I'm getting a new bike, too many deals on used bikes to pass up.

Edited by darcym, 08 July 2006 - 12:48 am.

[duibhce Kaelann]

I did some k's on the 650CS. It's great fun and the 'tankbox' you can get with is is a nice feature but it's not the best option for touring and highway cruising. Perfect city bike though.

I haven't had the chance to testdrive the F800 series personally yet, but I listened very carefully to people that did. Seems it's a good all-round bike, quite comfy, good for touring good wind protection, adequate steering and brakes. But the engine seems a tad boring. It's always predictable and when you give it the hardest twist of the wrist the throttle allows you it doesn't give you the kick in the butt you would expect from a bike like this.

But if you like 'm naked, how about a KTM superduke

[ChrisG]

Mostly I don't care for the purely sport bike versions. I like a naked bike.

I was quite impressed with a mates CB1300. Looks good in a retro kind of a way and goes like sh!t off a shovel.

[ChrisG]

What about this one, if you like nakeds

Looks a lot better in black and yellow if you ask me

[laughin in a windstorm]

What about this one, if you like nakeds

The cb1300 is nice too, but go for the red and white one, not the black one (sorry Bondys Brother)

crikey was the rider badly hurt in that accident, the bike's a real mess.

[duibhce Kaelann]

What about this one, if you like nakeds

that's the K1200R I mentioned earlier

only downside: it's very heavy for a naked. and bloody expensive too

[Guinness]

-//-

-//-

everytime i see that i expect it to stand up and "morf" into a robot
very "robocop"ish

[tdm850rider]

It is a bit strange looking in a sexy kind of way.... but hey! we ride TDM's we should be used to strange.

BTW Mr G, like the Carpe Sticker.


Staff gets the first one free right? I think I read that someplace.

[darcym]

Well, I've been having withdrawals since the TDM is still in pieces in the garage as I'm waiting for parts and help with the fork seal project. Then it'll be on to the carbs.

Meanwhile, I got a can't pass up price on a 2004 BMW R 1150 R in Ferro Metallic (Blue), with all the extras less luggage. Bought it. Pick it up this afternoon.

I'll still get the TDM sorted out and it'll be my usual commuter unless I can't get it sorted. Pretty happy with having a stable of rides to choose from.

I'll post pics soon ...

dm

[Nosaj]

everytime i see that i expect it to stand up and "morf" into a robot
very "robocop"ish

people tell me the TDM is an ugly bike, but that thing is ugly

TDM = Kate Moss

BMW = Margaret Beckett (ugly bird in the British Parliament)

[Minty Hippo]

Well, I've been having withdrawals since the TDM is still in pieces in the garage as I'm waiting for parts and help with the fork seal project. Then it'll be on to the carbs.

Meanwhile, I got a can't pass up price on a 2004 BMW R 1150 R in Ferro Metallic (Blue), with all the extras less luggage. Bought it. Pick it up this afternoon.

I'll still get the TDM sorted out and it'll be my usual commuter unless I can't get it sorted. Pretty happy with having a stable of rides to choose from.

I'll post pics soon ...

dm

Good for you. I've always wanted a boxer twin, had a look at a R1150 R a few years ago but they're quite pricey second hand here, even with high miles on them. Lot of people put screens on em, makes them a bit more usable long distance. Does it burn oil?

[darcym]

oh yeah, the R 1150 R is just the ticket. A lot of the naked bikes you guys get in the UK aren't available here. This one is an '04 with less than 2500 miles on it, practically new. Still have a year's worth of warranty too.


I've just replaced the back seat with the plastic bit that bmw sells, and added the luggage rack that the previous owner didn't have installed. I've got a line on some used side cases for cheap (relatively - all the bmw bits are $$$ !). It's been a fun commuter while the TDM still sits in pieces. Hope to do a canyon run this weekend if it's not too hot.

Oh, some of the tech bits -- it's got ABS brakes (they make a funny whirring noise but the brakes on this thing will stop a frieght train), heated grips, dual spark (new for '04 to cure supposed surging problems), blacked out engine, shaft drive, accessory electrical port (like for a heated vest), dinky fly screen (doesn't do much except keep bugs off the instrument chrome). I added a Kissan signal minder which automatically turns off the turn signals - a neat feature; the signal minder also does a fast flash when you hold down the turn signal switch, good for getting attention for lane changes.

Edited by darcym, 20 July 2006 - 07:31 pm.