Time for a change

[Harvo]

Hi Guys,
New member to this site. I live in Edmonton. Please no jokes. lol...
I have been riding my 2001 Vtr since new. Its got 77,000km on it. Great bike. Wish they still had the RC in production.
I am at the point that if I don't get my liter bike this year then I may change from sport to sport touring next year. Oh No !!
I really love the new BMW 1000rr. Price is high but you sure get your money's worth with all the goodies. So what else do I want.
Which brings me the Honda 1000rr. The shop has a 2008 rr selling for 12,000 plus tax. It comes with 2 year Wty. They also have a 2009 with the Abs for 16,200 tax included plus the 2 yr. Wty.
Does any one have the Abs model. Any concerns. With the 2008 I heard there were bikes that burnt alot of oil. Any one with one of these.
I really LOVE the BMW, but for $5,000.oo less I could get the Honda.
Don't really want a Duke due to its riding position and maintaince costs.
Sorry about the long thread. But I've been researching this stuff for a very long time. And I need some Canadain imput. The Yanks and British riders all seem to have the Hondarr burners.
Thanks for your time.
Harvo:o

[yzf1000jon]

No other manufacturers in your options? Suzuki's GSXR will keep with Honda RR and cost less just because it doesn't have a wing on the tank. Sport tourers are for putting serious miles on, an RC really isn't. What'll you be using it for? Ducs have higher maintenance for sure, but the real problem is with the limited, read p*ss poor, dealer network for service (same for BMW around here).

[Viffer]

Guessing by my Name I Vote VFR Insurance doesn't require k-y lube, Still goes like a skinned cat, and comfy.

[TimP]

Here's the plan: Buy the BMW. Move fast because it may be true that they aren't bringing in many the first year - you may already be too late. If not, ride it. Then get it serviced. If the first service cost doesn't give you a coronary, you are BMW's kind of guy. Enjoy the bike. You won't regret it. BMW's last forever and you will surely get a LOT of miles out of it, even if it's the first year of production. Tell all your friends what a marvellous piece of German engineering it is, and bone up on David Robb's design rationalizations so you can respond to the critics, who don't know squat anyways. BMW riders know you've made the right decision, and that's all the support you need.

If, on the other hand, the servicing makes you weak at the knees, sell the bike for the cost of the Honda plus something for your trouble (ie. as much as you can get). You won't have difficulty shifting it because it's still high on the curiosity list and, so I've heard, they aren't bringing many in. Then go and buy the Honda and tell all your friends what a piece of overpriced junk the BMW was and how they just aren't worth it. You're a Honda guy through and through, after all. Your Honda buddies won't hold it against you.

You won't be the first, or the last, to use this motorcyclist DNA matching technique to find out where your bike preferences lie.

Then write a big post here telling us all about it!

(Uwe, start another pool. If he can afford anything in this climate I say he goes with the BMW)

[YellowDuck]

If you can afford it, buy what you really want, not what you think the numbers say you should get. It's a toy, remember? It's supposed to make you happy. Deleriously happy. You kept your last one for 9 years, so what is the extra 5,000 really going to look like 9 years from now?

Read Neil's editorial in the current issue of CC, and then buy the beemer. Duh.

[Neil Graham]

As motorcyclists we're very fortunate. For unlike cars or real estate, any motorcycle is within the reach of anyone with a half-assed decent job and good credit. Get the bike you want and skimp elsewhere. As my father used to say, "you're a long time dead, live a little."

Neil Graham

[Battleax]

snip
BMW's last forever and you will surely get a LOT of miles out of it, even if it's the first year of production. Tell all your friends what a marvellous piece of German engineering it is, and bone up on David Robb's design rationalizations so you can respond to the critics, who don't know squat anyways. BMW riders know you've made the right decision, and that's all the support you need.
snip



Hmmm, not sure about the "last forever" thing, maybe that could be said in the 70s and 80 but now there isn't many bikes out there that won't last as long or longer than any BMW. By today's standards there's nothing special or high quality about a BM over any of the Japanese big four. I would certainly say Honda beats BMW in the quality and engineering department.
I personally know 8 people with BMWs, all less than 4 years old. Every one has been in the shop more than once for warranty repairs, it's a running joke in our riding group.
I expect the RR will be the same. If you do get it be sure to get a small trailer to transport it to the very few competent dealers for the warranty work

[jimo]

I would go for the Honda over the BMW rr, but if you were buying the Honda ABS model, I would seriously look at the K1300S, comes with ABS, heated grips and shaft, and still very sporty. I think the BMW rr is going to have some recalls, all new model BMWs seem to. I just got back from the Cycle World International Bike show and managed to sit on the new BMWrr, RSV4, new Multistrada and the new VFR with dual clutch. I liked the K1300s for my type of riding.

[TimP]

there isn't many bikes out there that won't last as long or longer than any BMW.

So, of the two camps I suggested, we can chalk you up to the Honda camp. Fair enough.

Personally, I've owned three BMWs and three Hondas. Not a huge sample, but enough to agree with you that no one brand has a lock on quality or reliability. They've all been great and none has ever let me down. They're good bikes.

We "pays our money and we takes our chances". Justification comes from overall satisfaction - and the ability to crow about how right we were in the choosing - or from slagging the brand that did not satisfy.

As others here have already suggested, pick the one that makes you smile. Odds are, if you thought about your choice and if you then look after it, you'll still be smiling years from now. I wish you well in your purchase and your choice.

[Battleax]

So, of the two camps I suggested, we can chalk you up to the Honda camp. Fair enough.




Who's "we" ?

[yzf1000jon]

It's the Royal "WE"
Sounds like you were already decided before you asked.

[Viffer]

Hi Guys,
New member to this site. I live in Edmonton. Please no jokes. lol...
I have been riding my 2001 Vtr since new. Its got 77,000km on it. Great bike. Wish they still had the RC in production.
I am at the point that if I don't get my liter bike this year then I may change from sport to sport touring next year. Oh No !!
I really love the new BMW 1000rr. Price is high but you sure get your money's worth with all the goodies. So what else do I want.
Which brings me the Honda 1000rr. The shop has a 2008 rr selling for 12,000 plus tax. It comes with 2 year Wty. They also have a 2009 with the Abs for 16,200 tax included plus the 2 yr. Wty.
Does any one have the Abs model. Any concerns. With the 2008 I heard there were bikes that burnt alot of oil. Any one with one of these.
I really LOVE the BMW, but for $5,000.oo less I could get the Honda.
Don't really want a Duke due to its riding position and maintaince costs.
Sorry about the long thread. But I've been researching this stuff for a very long time. And I need some Canadain imput. The Yanks and British riders all seem to have the Hondarr burners.
Thanks for your time.
Harvo:o

I run Honda, My Brothers have a 1200ks BMW, 1000GSXR, KawiZX14,Suzuki Hayabusa(big family). BMW has been very reliable and so has mine. Really Doesn't matter what you choose as long as your happy with what you own. I love my Honda and have been loyal to them since my motocross years( pain even remembering those years), but I have to admit BMW treats there customers Like they are of Value. Double header at mosport is a good example. you may pay a little more for the Beemer. but it seems they reconize your value as a customer,more than the other brands.. I tried to get test rides from Honda, and Ducati, but BMW was the only one that brought enough bike for rides as for the amount of spectators at the races, then they feed you and get you a Good Discount into the races:D. I rode one of the big twins very nice bike it just wasn't for me..
Would I by a BMW Probally...1000rr but I Would still keep my VFR.:D
UNFORTUNETLY My Insurance man Still wears the pants in this relationship..:eek:

[Harvo]

Wow, thanks for the advise guys. I am leaning on the Honda. But has anyone heard that the 08's had problems with oil consumption??
I am a hair over 50. been riding for 45 of those years and don't really want to spend my first season relearning how to ride with all that electronics from the Beamer. But they sure a nice:rolleyes:
Thanks again
Harvo

[Rocking Couple]

Hi Guys,
New member to this site. I live in Edmonton. Please no jokes. lol...
I have been riding my 2001 Vtr since new. Its got 77,000km on it. Great bike. Wish they still had the RC in production.
I am at the point that if I don't get my liter bike this year then I may change from sport to sport touring next year. Oh No !!
I really love the new BMW 1000rr. Price is high but you sure get your money's worth with all the goodies. So what else do I want.
Which brings me the Honda 1000rr. The shop has a 2008 rr selling for 12,000 plus tax. It comes with 2 year Wty. They also have a 2009 with the Abs for 16,200 tax included plus the 2 yr. Wty.
Does any one have the Abs model. Any concerns. With the 2008 I heard there were bikes that burnt alot of oil. Any one with one of these.
I really LOVE the BMW, but for $5,000.oo less I could get the Honda.
Don't really want a Duke due to its riding position and maintaince costs.
Sorry about the long thread. But I've been researching this stuff for a very long time. And I need some Canadain imput. The Yanks and British riders all seem to have the Hondarr burners.
Thanks for your time.
Harvo:o

Your VTR must be a 1000 right? Many moons ago they made a 250. But since you said it's an 01 then must be a 1000. But you then you said "if I don't get my liter bike this year" so this confused me. I guess you mean that you are planning to get a newer litre bike with fewer or zero miles, or maybe you meant one last kick at the can with an extreme sport ride? I've been there and done that.

Do you do any of your own work? Oil change, brake fluid replacement, that sort of thing? If so, I suspect that the BMW might disappoint you, both at the inconvenience of having to take it in and be without bike, but also the cost.
It wouldn't surprise me if BM has designed the bike to have to have its brakes bled by a dealer, just as one example. They are known to have done this in recent years.
It seems to have offered a lot of value for the money, but it's probably because we are used to BMW's costing more for similar or even less content at times (although rarely). Their usual practice is to offer a lot (in options also) and chg you royally while they are at it. I hear the dealership experience is, (before and after the sale) usually a good one if not a bit costly. But they treat you right. Something that I have also heard Harley guys like about their bikes. But again, they pd.

Here are some links for a pile of reading on your question. I don't know and have no opinion on the RR's oil consumption. I had a 954, and it didn't suffer that problem, (assuming it is a problem). If there is a problem, then I doubt very much that it can be attributed just to break-in procedure. Has Honda turned a deaf ear to it the way Yamaha did with the valve train issues on the earlier FJR1300's? I dunno.

http://www.fireblades.org/forums/honda-fireblade/66599-2008-cbr1000rr-burning-oil-like-mad-options.html

http://www.1000rr.net/forums/showthread.php?t=52877

http://www.sportbikes.net/forums/general-sportbikes/410581-2008-cbr1000rr-burning-oil-3.html

If flickability is a priority, then maybe you are not ready for a sport tour yet. They will do it, (at least a late model Honda ST will) but it requires some serious upper body influence to make it do it. It will deliver, has impressive clearance and stability, but you can't ever make it feel like a race ready litre bike.
I have to admit that I have enjoyed certain memorable moments on the ST at times when other RR bikes have been around. One time in particular was when coming home from a shopping trip. It was pretty heavy, with milk and fruit and meat in the bags and a 50lb bag of potatoes strapped sideways across the seat resting on top of each hard case. Came upon a few sport type bikes, that were really going a fair bit slower than I wanted, so went around them and continued on my way, but one of them decided to try to up his pace. I saw him go wide in the mirrors, and the second time he did it, I decided to back off so he would not feel the need to kill himself. He was obviously in over his head, and must have figured that whatever a sport tourer can do hauling (a lot of) groceries, he surely must have been able to do better on his race ready bike.
My point is, that if you think you want to finally get a more comfortable bike, then a sport tourer might be the answer. All you will give up is lighter steering and handling. But you will also give up higher insurance costs, and even get way better fuel mileage and range as a bonus.

If you decide on the CBR I very highly recommend the ABS option. It is worth the extra money, and nobody (not even BMW) does ABS better than Honda. And the linked ABS on their bikes is even better still.
Plus, while it is a bit more complicated than a non ABS linked system...you can still bleed your brakes at home. Ya gotta like that. And if even once a car pulls out in front of you in the wet, the ABS might (probably would) make the difference of a T-bone or not. Ya gotta like that too.
(we are similar age and ridden about the same number of years, btw)

[Battleax]

It's the Royal "WE"
Sounds like you were already decided before you asked.

Decided what?


So if TimP decides to put me in some ridiculous category then everyone else on the forum is in on it without question? I've decided that's fucked up.

[yzf1000jon]

I think we were both referring to Harvo, but i did confuse your response as his and made my statement based on that, sorry. Sleep deprivation and typing are dangerous.

[TimP]

So if TimP decides to put me in some ridiculous category then everyone else on the forum is in on it without question? I've decided that's fucked up.

Whoa!

Yes I defined the category (two actually), but you put yourself in it by your response. My post was clearly non-denominational. Go back and read it again, I played no favourites. You did, and that's ok with me.

But, hey, if you want to call it ridiculous, go for it. If you want to call it fucked up, fine with me. I like (and buy) both brands.

You?

As for everyone else, "we" don't really care.

Freedom, baby, yeah!

[Harvo]

hey thanks for all the great imput guys.
Ya my Vtr is a 1000cc. Wish it had the hp of an inline....
I do most of my own maintaince other than valve adjustments. Damn I miss my old 750 honda, I could do those with my eyes closed. lol..
In my research I keep hearing about the 08's having a rather high oil consumption during and after brake in. Is this just a US and UK problem. Or do the Canadain models have this issure too? Honda Canada says they know nothing about this problem!
I would buy the 09 but its almost 3 grand more. All I get is abs for that difference. Plus the knowledge that I can hammer the binders on and not end up on my ass. Which is worth it I guess.
Ya I know its some of the same questions. Sorry. I am stuck on that and its funny looking fairing nose design.
Harvo
:)