Can't part w/roadster

[Acpantera]

I've had my roadster for 5 seasons and 30,000 miles now, and I still love it. Everytime I go test ride a new bike I get back on the R1150R and say to myself...................what were you thinking!!!!!!!!!!!sure the RT,ST,k/r and the k/s look and ride great and also have alot of neat features, BUT my roadster still makes me very happy. Even right after a test ride, I ride away thinking that my bike is not lacking anthing substantial enough to make me desire another model. I'm truely in love. What a nice feeling to finely buy something that doesn't envoke buyers remorse...........ride on

[Guest]

Funny how it works. That's why salesmen try to make a sale in the here-and-now, relying on buyers' impulse and sell on the basis of emotion. Or lose a sale if given time. I lusted after the K1200R when we were finally bombarded with the news. Looks? Mmm, yes and no. But I let my brain get things back on track. I have a Rockster which is offering me all I need for how I ride (talk about favorites, my '99 R12C Cruiser is still tops, doing just about everything I want, esp crossing state lines on those 700 mile days). Yes, I do strafe apexes and have beveled the R12C's pegs, and that's where the Rock comes in handy.

Enjoy!

[R4R&R]

I don't even have the urge to test ride anything else. I'm completely happy with my bike.


....But I still have the desire for a Buell.

[DG02]

I also still don't like anything better than my Roadster, although of all the bikes I've owned, I miss the F650 that I traded on it most of all.

So to scratch the off road itch, today I put a deposit on a Honda CRF230F with a Dakar dual sport kit. Since Honda only warantees dirt bikes for 6 months I'll pick it up in the spring to have coverage for the riding season.

Man, this is going to be a long winter.

[wncbmw]

I understand. While shopping a BMW dealer Saturday for some winter gloves (none my size in 3 different brands ), I looked over the bikes and didn't have the urge to do more than look. For now, the Roadster does what I want so well, I don't feel any need to go in debt more for something else. I still love the bike!

[socalrob]

I've recently tested out an RT, ST, GS, & K1200S. All of them skirted around the perfect ergos / sport combination that I get out of my RR.

Here's hoping the new R1200R is just right!

[leno]

I've recently tested out an RT, ST, GS, & K1200S. All of them skirted around the perfect ergos / sport combination that I get out of my RR.

Here's hoping the new R1200R is just right!

If there is a new one! I'm watching close in case I have to buy one of the last R1150R. The new one might also be spolit from my point of view. The 800 S is the only one I would like to try.

[gel9001]

What about 2 bikes, keep the roadster and buy another BM. I'm looking to buy a 1200 GS. I was thinking about selling the R, but thouht again. No way, the bike is a classic will look hip 20 years from now. Will be my long term relationship gal. At the same time the GS calls to me "buy me, ride me, take me on dirt roads in your tuxedo, ravage me..." Sorry bout that, got carried away.

Anyway the new bikes like the GS look way different with their "exo-skelletons" Jap type frames, where's the engineering? Yet the GS will be a great second bike and will buy soon.

some thoughts,

Gene

[Guest]

I feel the same way. I lust for a new Triumph Bonneville to ride locally, but won't give up my Roadster in order to get the Bonnie. Perhaps I can afford both at some point. What a great pair of bikes that would be, for me at least.

BB01

[vintagecycle]

Ditto! Some of you may have read my post about test riding a Buell Uly and taking a ride on Pat's ultra-fun Bonnie. But "at the end of the day"..the R is a great bike for all-round use. I just wish I could find a good set of handle bars for it that fit me. Other than that it's almost perfect.

[marko]

I can't see myself trading my R in on anything in the foreseeable future.
Of all the bikes i have owned their has always been a niggle on all of them --even if only small. The riding position was slightly wrong, the luggage carrying sucked etc etc. but i can truly say that this bike suits me 100% Maybe because it is my first beemer and they do most things well, but looking at the flimsy new luggage on the 1200's and so so styling on all the new BM's (from the fugly 1200ST to borderline styled R1200R to barn door front 1200RT and the horrendous change over costs for any bike, i can't see anything that will even tempt me.....apart from maybe the 1200RS.....but even that is plastic fantastic compared to the lovely 1150GS.
Maybe i just need a couple of more years to get used to them.

[Pat]

You wanna hear from somebody who put a quick 60,000 miles on an R1150R, sold it, and bought another bike (two actually)?

D'OH!

I have the attention span of a Beagle..... I often wander from the original path, seeking instead a new and different one. The irony is in so doing, I complain of never knowing "contentment"..... I may have visited it, but I seem never to recognize it?!?!

- Stupit, stupit, stupit! -

Fortunately for me, I like change for 'change' sake. And in THIS instance, one appreciates more what one once had..... when he no longer has it. The Roadster is and does soooo many things soooo well, that it is easy take it's talents for granted. And because it does it all with absolutely NO DRAMA, a guy can find himself bored with it..... because it's 100% on top if it's game.

"Contentment"....... it's a state of mind, and I didn't recognize nor appreciate it when I had it. Oh well, life goes on. (I wonder if my allusive Golden Chalice can be filled with that Kawasaki Ninja 650 parallel twin?)

[CycleRob]

Acpantera,
A lot of us seem to know exactly of what you speak. I feel the same way. The 50R is just like a really good wife - - - I have one of those too. You can look at other models, but the one you have is so very much more than the sum of her parts.


BTW, My new unlimited long distance phone plan has pompted me E-Mail and then call board members I've always wanted to talk to. Over an hour each with Pat and DeansBMW was time well spent with friends.

Pat, . . . . when are you gonna come back and straddle another OilHead? You know it's the right thing to do and you must remember that you only live once. Rockster - - - barbacks - - - Lo-seat - - - you're there!

Dean-O, It was great talking to another retired old guy TechHead RedNeck like me. Hearing Rush Limbaugh in the background just made my day too.

We members really should talk more.

[Bud]

Ditto's to all of it. I rode the K1200S and have to admit it was absolutely incredible....really, really quick and a gas to ride. When I got back on my 'R' it was like firing up a tractor...the sound and the roughness of the twin. But then on the way home all of the things that indear the bike to me became quite apparent; the upright seating, lots of torque, "acoustic" shifting (clank-clank) and the wonderful feel of the 'R' riding back over the hills to Livermore.

I'm in Arizona now and not supposed to ride her until they "fix" my neck but couldn't resist riding to Tucson last Thursday. Talked to another rider who told me to ride back through Sonoita which is through some hills East of Tucson to get home. Beautiful road, no traffic and the 'R' performed perfectly. What more could I ask for? You are right, the bike does a lot of things well and has no bad habits.

Bud

[saguaro777]

Same goes for me. I've only had my roadster for about 2 yrs and 12k miles. Which means I use it as more of a commuter than anything, but what better machine could you pick to ride to work on, and then take on a nearby canyon ride for a little playtime? Someday I may even put more time in the saddle and take it on a long jaunt. Its affordable, clean looking and fun.

[bakernks]

Now that I've moved up to the 2 spark R1150R from my first go around with this model, and have the new bike fixed up the way I want, it's difficult to think clearly about trading it for one of the new Hexheads. I know I want one of them. I already am fortunate enough to own a fabulous 2nd bike, the F650GS 2 spark. I like the capabilities so much of the F650 that I have no plans to ever part with it. But can I rationalize owning 3 late model BMW motorcycles?? What am I, a display location for BMW AG?? I'd like to have 5 or 6 late model motorcycles, but can't justify doing that money-wise, I should be thinking about replacing my go-to-work GMC truck that has 135,000 miles on it, for starters.

Enter the R1200GS. I want this bike. It will do all the road work my R1150R does. It's been out 2 years now, so there's plenty of farkles to pick up for it.

If I trade the R1150R I keep costs down. But then, no 2 spark R1150R. Should be interesting later in the year to see what I've done. I don't know which way it'll fall.

[MidlifeMark]

I can't think of a good reason to trade in my Roadster for anything else. I don't ride aggressively enough that I'm exceeding its capabilities, and the latest technology doesn't really offer anything sufficiently earth-shattering that I think I'm missing out. The Roadster does what I need it to do, and does it very well, as long as I don't need to ride it in the winter.

My airhead, on the other hand, is another story. It has its own charm and personality, but the bottom line is that the brakes and suspension do not compare favorably with what is available today. If I had more space in my garage and more disposable income, I'd probably entertain the thought of adding an R1200RT or possibly a K1200LT to the stable. But since the airhead is paid for, and is a very competent foul-weather ride, it will be hanging around for the foreseeable future.

[yjleesvrr]

I have three bikes and the Roadster is the centerpiece of my stable. I enjoy my SV, and there is nothing that feels like a Harley (in a good way, you wise crackers!), but the Roadster is the companion of choice in strange far-away places.

No way I'm getting rid of mine. She and I have breathed the air of 12 states so far. That kind of companionship you hold on to.

[NZPOM]

When I bought my Yellow/Ferro with ABS 3 years ago, I told my dealer that I'd put at least 100,000km on it before changing. It's currently got 45,000 on (well, I was off the road for six months!).

It probably took the best part of 20,000 for me to really get settled (first boxer) but now each ride is more and more sweet. If I don't refuel at least once each ride I feel a bit cheated.

Mid-January me and a mate are spending a day blagging test rides on whatever semi-exotic machinery we can. He's keen to change his 900 Hornet (3 years and 11,000kms - what does that tell you!). I'm keen to try a Monster S2R and an 1100 Breva. The 1200GS has already sparked some interest, although I'm more into road riding than expeditions.

Do I actually plan to trade my beloved Roadster so soon? No. But I do reckon it's gonna take me quite some time to decide on my next mount because it will have a very hard act to follow.

Oh so looking forward to those next 55,000kms!

Ride safe and far.

Martyn

[acejones]

some folks just like the chase and not thr goal. They like the thrill of accumulation. I'll be sticking with my '03 R1150R for a long time. It does most of what I want to do well.