Help me choose a new motorcycle!

scoutpilot

10-Year Member
Joined
Apr 29, 2010
Messages
4,479
I'm on the fence between the naked middleweight, a BMW F 800 R or the naked heavyweight, a 2011 Triumph Speed Triple.

The BMW has 87 bhp @ 8000 rpm, 63 lbs-ft of torque @ 6000 rpm from a two-cylinder vertical twin. Water-cooled. Wet weight is 439 lbs. It has heated grips and ABS and a computer with digital gear readout. The tach and speedo are analog. The fuel is under the seat not in the "tank" so the CG is very low.

2011-BMW-F800R-Photos.jpg




The Triumph has 133 bhp @ 9250 rpm and 77 ft-lbs of torque at 7750 rpm from a three-cylinder inline. Water cooled. Wet weight is 479 lbs. The model I looked at had no ABS, heated grips are not offered. It has a computer but no gear readout. I rode it again this afternoon and the power is impressive.

146_1101_02_z+2011_triumph_speed_triple+left_side.jpg


Both are shown in the colors I would buy.

Thoughts? Anyone owned a BMW? I had a Triumph cruiser. Good mechanically, but finicky fit/finish. The finish on this bike seems a bit cleaner, though. Oddly, both have mechanical clutches.
 
Our parents club is going to raffle off a Harley. I think you should just buy some tickets from me for that one.
 
Just what it says....

Look up the Ducati Superbike 1198 SP

That is what I would have if the Doctors would let me ride again....:mad:

Sorry, boss, I'm not much of a Duck fan. Plus I'm not into supersports overall. I don't plan to race much, and the riding position gets to be a bit much after awhile.

The 1198 SP is a gorgeous piece of engineering though.


If I was to buy a superbike, I'd buy this:

BMW_S1000RR_Colour.jpg
 
Bikes

BMW with only slight hesitation. Of course I fell in love with the BSA A7 but they're rather rare now.
 
BMW with only slight hesitation. Of course I fell in love with the BSA A7 but they're rather rare now.

Why the hesitation? Power? The twin has that raw growl that you usually get from a BMW boxer. But it vibrates a LOT at high RPMs.

I will say that the wail of a triple is sexy in a snarling, visceral way. The torque curve is table-top flat. I pulled the front wheel inadvertantly on the test ride. I say inadvertantly because that type of riding is NOT my style. I prefer backroad sprints and cruising around town. Stunting and speeding aren't so much my thing. My wife's an ER doc, so there's plenty of lecturing in our house. :wink:
 
Just a thought...

get a fising boat. i have worked emergency rooms for 25 years, just before i would get a bike a motorcycle wreak would come in. i just hate compound fractures that are sticking through your skin.
 
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