I have my friend's 2004 BMW R1150GS ABS in the garage and have had it since new for about 1.5 years. He bought it wanting to learn but hasn't been back for it. He's busy sailing since he's now retired. He's finally given me permission to sell the bike since he realizes he's too old to learn and that he doesn't have the time. The wife (mine) wants only ONE bike in the garage not two.
So, I've taken care of this GS and have carefully broken it in like it was my own. I have it, and my 2004 VTEC ABS. And, now I have a decision to keep one or the other. They're both tremendous bikes. I let one of our forum members, GArider, test it out while I test rode his VFR prior to buying my own. He didn't like the vibration in the seat (twin), but you can't really judge the bike until you've taken it for one seriously long ride.
So, I have to sell one and keep the other. Both are brand new and beautiful, and beautifully equipped. WERA910 and WERA803 have seen my VTEC and can attest to its condition.
I guess I should be thankful that I have a choice to make rather than no choice at all ;) .
Of course, financially the BMW makes more sense from a retained value perspective. The GS also gets the nod for comfort - huge difference.
Feedback welcome. I had a choice to ride one or the other yesterday and I chose the VTEC.
Hey Jim, gotta agree, it's good to have choices :) I think it all comes down to "do you do more touring or more sport riding?" They are both world class bikes. Myself, I have way too much fun getting leaned over, that's just a rush I couldn't do without, so I'd go with the one that does taht the best.
Let us know what you decide, and have fun either way :)
Quite a dilemma! BMW makes a nice motorad, although if I had a choice, I would keep the VFR. I am biased however. My buddy has a Rockster that is really nice, and I actually considered buying one. Just convince your wife that you need both! :beer: I know this doesn't help much.
kinda tough place to post such a question isnt it? vfr forum will likely tell you to keep the vfr.....bmw forum will tell you to keep the bmw! personally faced with such a dilemma id sell the wife. tell her if you only can have 1 bike she can only have one pair of shoes. box all them up and tell her to pick one. might as well do the make up and dresses too while your at it. perhaps also ask her if your only allowed "one" mistress too? have multiple children??? ask her which one she's keeping! :beer:
Just reading your post. I would think you should keep the BMW. Your gut feeling is that the BMW is more comfortable. That's a biggie. As for manufactures I think Honda has better standards, engineering, & service. I can not believe the BMW will be cheaper to keep in the long run regardless of the resale value.
vfrvtecdave, Feb 27 2005, 04:18 PMQuite a dilemma! BMW makes a nice motorad, although if I had a choice, I would keep the VFR. I am biased however. My buddy has a Rockster that is really nice, and I actually considered buying one. Just convince your wife that you need both! :beer: I know this doesn't help much.
Dave. :wheel: :D
Nah, I believe I can get unbiased feedback. What bike would you be riding of all machine's available if money, insurance rates, skill level, etc. weren't factors in your decision making process?
X-Euro-Snob, Feb 27 2005, 05:08 PMNah, I believe I can get unbiased feedback. What bike would you be riding of all machine's available if money, insurance rates, skill level, etc. weren't factors in your decision making process?
I would agree with VFR03silver's post........which is more important to you, sport or touring? Sport =VFR, Touring probably favors the BMW.
As for your question on which bikes would I own regardless or price, etc.......one of them would still be my VFR ;)
It all depends on the type of riding you do most. The VFR will certainly be the better bike for twisties, and the BMW would excel for long hauls.
My opinion would be to keep the VFR. The VFR can do anything that the BMW can. The only difference would be long haul comfort, which can be improved with a couple of simple mods such as a new seat and Helibars. The BMW can match the VFR in most every category except sport riding. so I think the VFR is one up on the BMW. Add to that Honda refinement and build quality and I think the VFR is the better choice. My two cents worth.
Those that have ridden the GS, KTM Adventure, Triumph Tiger, etc., please chime in and let folks know about the cornering prowess of these types of bikes :P . No, you're not as close to the ground while cornering, but that's because there's no need to be. These bikes casually cruise through corners, making it seem to others quite effortless. Yes, the weight will catch up to you, but the GS really isn't all that much heavier. It's all about ground clearancer and low-center of gravity, which the GS gas in spades.
The ILLUSION of speed in the corners is greater on the VFR in comparison to one of the bikes mentioned above.
Those that have ridden the GS, KTM Adventure, Triumph Tiger, etc., please chime in and let folks know about the cornering prowess of these types of bikes :P . No, you're not as close to the ground while cornering, but that's because there's no need to be. These bikes casually cruise through corners, making it seem to others quite effortless. Yes, the weight will catch up to you, but the GS really isn't all that much heavier. It's all about ground clearance and low-center of gravity, which the GS has in spades.
The ILLUSION of speed in the corners is greater on the VFR in comparison to one of the bikes mentioned above.
sportrider, Feb 27 2005, 08:57 PMIs it a straight trade? Is your friend is happy with the $ from either the VFR or the BMW sale?
It would be close to an even trade. I'd have to sell the VFR and then buy the GS from my friend, who would discount it for a number of reasons. I've stored it for 1.5 years and have maintained it as well. If I sell it, he'd pay me a commission as well. But, he'd rather see me keep the bike.
I think he just wants out, so I'd likely get a good deal. I'd probably have to come up with $1,500 to $2,000. Afterall, the bike new is over $15K. He might just take the payoff amount.
Can't make a bad choice, but I'll make three observations:
Keep the one you enjoy more. A good deal is only good if you'll enjoy riding the one you're left with. Otherwise you'll hate yourself every ride.
If you could be happy with either, you may try to sell the VFR while you can command a premium, ride the BMW for a year, sell it for what you have in it (or for more) then buy the new super-duper new release VFR/Blackbird combo.
But I couldn't imagine only being able to choose one bike. You need a bike for the mood you may be in. If you find yourself with to many bikes and some aren't getting ridden then you sell them.
Both are extraordiary machines. You and the wife need to meet somewhere in the middle.
The RT was surprisingly fast and could corner better than you would think, but to keep it in the 5-7000 RPM range it sounded like it was going to throw itself apart!
I almost always wear earplugs, and the few times I'd ride a short leg with out them , I'd end up riding really slow as it sounded like the bike was suffering!
I'm sure it was not, but it just didn't seem to enjoy 7000 RPM.
I don't need to say how happy the VFR is when squeezed hard! :)
Actually the GS is an amazingly capable bike, it's like being on a big dirt bike. You sit straight up and with the wide dirt bike handle bars you have increadble leverage and can make the bike do anything ! But, if your going to do a GS go for the 05 GS 1200, it's much better in many ways, 60lbs lighter and 100 HP, otherwise keep the VFR ! :) :beer:
gr8vfr, Feb 27 2005, 06:27 PMI know you don't want to hear this...
But I couldn't imagine only being able to choose one bike. You need a bike for the mood you may be in. If you find yourself with to many bikes and some aren't getting ridden then you sell them.
Both are extraordiary machines. You and the wife need to meet somewhere in the middle.
Hurricane249, Feb 28 2005,02:08 AMIs that a 240z in the back? :huh:
1975 Datsun 280Z It is one of those hobbies I used to be interested in... However, after you restore a couple, it starts to get old. That car has been in my garage like that for four years. I just lost interest. I probably have 3000.00 already sunk into that money pit. And I haven't even started rebuilding the underside.
Sad thing is I have a 1977 and two 1978s rusting away outside.
I did just buy a new work truck. I love those Nissans.
Gr8vfr- it's hard for you to decide how many tape measures you need too. I counted 4! :huh: Lots of Duct tape, I guess you can never have too much duct tape. :unsure: :unsure: Hey where's the VFR?
gr8vfr, Feb 27 2005, 09:46 PMSad thing is I have a 1977 and two 1978s rusting away outside.
I've got an 86 300ZX that's been sitting for the last 5 years out back as well. Always had a thing for the Z's. Wish I never sold my 93.
Back to Jim's question. The BMW did feel like an overgrown dirt bike to me. It's not that I didn't like riding it, I just didn't like it as much as my VFR. Not being one who has ever been able to part with a bike (see what's in my garage) I can understand the delima. Keep the one you want to ride the most.
What ever you choose, your welcome to meet up with us for a ride. Does March 14th, 15th, or 16th work for you?
garider, Mar 1 2005, 09:14 PMWhat ever you choose, your welcome to meet up with us for a ride. Does March 14th, 15th, or 16th work for you?
Could do. We talkin' dirt bikes or VTECs? Also, are you planning on attending this VFR thing in the vicinty of Deals Gap on I think April 27th, 28th, and 29th?
End of thread · 30 posts recoveredWayback Machine snapshot 15 Mar 2005
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