My current two-up bike is a 1997 BMW R-1150RT with 36,000 miles on it.
I also have a BMW R-90. I don't get these Germans, leave 'em alone for two or three weeks and they pout, bitch and the battery is dead. Do they have so many electrical chachkas that it gets drained easily? Yesterday I charged the R-90 and went for a ride. This morning I charged the RT and went for a ride, constantly blipping the throttle so it doesn't idle and stall. A block away from the house I had to stop fast, stalled it; pushed it home.
Bike is for sale; should be $3500 - $4000.
We'll talk later .....
My friend Pete has a K-1200LT that Mrs. 914 really likes.
...REALLY likes.
With the experiences of the RT and R-90, I'm a little apprehensive.
GoldWings don't do anything for me. My apologies to Dr. Hess and Fox, but Harleys don't turn my head either.
I like Honda's ST-1300, a sport touring bike, but not sure how the back seat would feel about that.
Given a budget of ~$12,000 but can negotiate a bit higher, what would you bring home?
Please RSVP with why or why not.
Thanks, Dan
This is an LT.
I've got an R100RS that is sitting idle for a fair amount of time between uses and I haven't had the sort of problem you describe. I'd look into what's draining the battery rather than discount the whole brand. I've owned Ks, Airheads and Oilheads, and I've not run into this issue.
At least early STX-1300 appear to have a issue that a certain combination of speed, surface and not having retorqued certain bolts five minutes ago can cause high speed wobble that can be bad enough to lead to a crash (several police motorcyclists came off the bike at speed in the UK because of that). I assumed they fixed it by now but it's something to keep an eye out for it: http://www.st-owners.com/forums/showthread.php?100889-03-ST1300-High-speed-wobble
If you can find an ST1100, I'd look at that. Passenger accommodation is great on those, especially with a Corbin seat. An 1200 LT is certainly worth looking at, bikes don't get much more comfy this side of a Harley Road Sofa or a Goldwing.
914Driver wrote: My apologies to Dr. Hess and Fox, but Harleys don't turn my head either.
RMD rides a Harley, too. 
Curious as to why they don't turn your head? Is it the style? The stigma? The loud exhaust that many owners put on them?
Have you ever actually ridden one?
Stigma, noise, price, [bear with me on this part]; arrogance? If you don't ride one you are less worthy.
Yes, I've ridden a few. BMW seats are adjustable for rider height. I rode my brother Bob's Road King and asked how to move the seat, I'm taller than him.
"Give Mr. Corbin $900."
Miata is not the answer for me either. Sorry.
Dan
RealMiniDriver wrote:
914Driver wrote: My apologies to Dr. Hess and Fox, but Harleys don't turn my head either.
RMD rides a Harley, too. Curious as to why they don't turn your head? Is it the style? The stigma? The loud exhaust that many owners put on them?
Have you ever actually ridden one?
The shaking, the overpicedness (HD owner even admit this on parts), the riding position...It's all preference. As a biker myself, all I care is that you ride.
Just don't push your brand/style on me. I even looked hard at a Buell Lightning XB12s, but couldn't stand not being able to see the mirrors at idle.
The 85mph wheelie was mildly addicting though.
Dan, Have you looked at the Concourse 14? I've heard that the pillion can be pretty comfortable. Not Goldwing, but quite nice.
For touring AND passenger comfort, a GL1500 is tough to beat. The 1800 handles more like a sport bike, but at a loss of legroom, both passenger and driver. The earlier 4cylinder wings can't compare to the 6s. I considered the ST1300, but the inherent issues scared me off. A Kaw Concours might suit you, and prices are good, but a passenger really needs a backrest at the minimum.
FJR1300 ticks all my boxes for fast, comfortable 2up sports tourer, YMMV.
I looked at the Concourse quite a few times in the last ten years. It's very similar to the RT with luggage and all. Because I have more than one, I want a tourer Wing thing.
Though I don't need it, I almost hopped on that $1000 1975 wing in the other thread.
Dan
I'm going to look at this.
http://albany.craigslist.org/mcy/3885071081.html
WIth that LT, make sure it's had all the required brake services - IIRC there is a pretty strict schedule for changing the brake fluid in the various circuits and if you don't do that by the book, you'll find out just how expensive fixing the power brake/ABS combination can get.
A friend has the Yamaha, and it gets the best mileage of any bike that he has owned. 50 MPG going back and forth to work. Granted, this is at reasonable speeds, and very little stop and go, but still very good mileage for a not so little bike. Comfy for both rider and passenger, though he said his wife likes it more with either a top box or his backrest installed.
Much as I like the Concourse 14, it just looks too small to be comfortable for 2 people for a long period of time.
Compared to something like a Star cruiser, you sit in the bike not on it, and you have so much more room.
Just my $.02 but a modern metric cruiser is the best bet for 2-up long distance riding. (skipping the Goldwing option which would be the best.)
ValuePack wrote:
FJR1300 ticks all my boxes for fast, comfortable 2up sports tourer, YMMV.
I rode one of these with the wife a few years ago and it was sublime. Really nice touches like adjustable windscreen and a top box for her to lean against/throw the purse in. It made us both happy.
Stout, stout and fast motor. Did I say fast? I've heard rumors of guys using these to bait squids and I'd believe it after twisting the throttle.
