Considering going over to the dark side

[nitram]

Nice looking bike I'm getting fonder and fonder of the Beemers. I saw a F800 the other day and it's the same price new as a TDM9, plus it'll hold it's value more.

[Guest]

Why don't you get a TDM 900. Had a TDM 850 which I loved, but the new bike is so much better. Quicker, easier in corners, 6 gears, 20K lighter. Others - the Varadero is ugly, and not very good (good engine though). The BMW 1200 Gs is great but tall and hugely expensive. You could go the Duc Multistada route, its a more exciting bike than the TDM, but probably less useable. KTM 950? - apparently a great bike, but is it just me that finds it ugly?
What did u eventually decide?

[Guest]

<!--quoteo(post=11540:date=Thu 20th Jul 2006, 08:38 PM:name=Brizo)-->QUOTE(Brizo @ Thu 20th Jul 2006, 08:38 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->Why don't you get a TDM 900.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
They dinnae have it in USA.

[darcym]

<!--quoteo(post=11540:date=Thu 20th Jul 2006, 12:38 PM:name=Brizo)-->QUOTE(Brizo @ Thu 20th Jul 2006, 12:38 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->Why don't you get a TDM 900. KTM 950? - apparently a great bike, but is it just me that finds it ugly?
What did u eventually decide?<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->

Like Emmett said, the 900 isn't in the US, and the 850 hasn't been here since 1993. A lot of cool standards and naked bikes aren't available in the USA, even ones from the big Jap Three. Went with the 1150 R because it's been around awhile, and should have a lot of years of aftermarket bits available because even though it's not the most popular Beemer, it's still got a reasonable following. I like the KTM 950 but it's probably as tall as the Beemer GS (too tall) and I was looking for something that has a good reliable support structure locally and widely spread across the US. Like Moto Guzzi, there's parts of this country where you'd be SOL if you needed a mechanic or spare bits in a pinch. Not so with BMW.

The TDM has been difficult to find aftermarket bits and pieces for ...

This post was last modified: 21-07-2006, 02:14 AM by darcym.

[TDMTAM]

<!--quoteo(post=10227:date=Fri 7th Jul 2006, 04:32 PM:name=darcym)-->QUOTE(darcym @ Fri 7th Jul 2006, 04:32 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->So I'm looking at a couple of BMW bikes. I can't ride the GS, it's too freaking tall.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->

What about the R1150 rockster they are not to bad a "fun" BMW and you can still get the BMW luggage for them .
TAM

[wicklamulla]

<!--quoteo(post=11591:date=Fri 21st Jul 2006, 07:04 AM:name=TDMTAM)-->QUOTE(TDMTAM @ Fri 21st Jul 2006, 07:04 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->What about the R1150 rockster they are not to bad a "fun" BMW and you can still get the BMW luggage for them .
TAM<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->


ahhh i kinda loikes the funky looks of them too, but oil bet that enjun is a bit flat compared to a TDM.

[AL-58]

<!--quoteo(post=11537:date=Fri 21st Jul 2006, 05:10 AM:name=darcym)-->QUOTE(darcym @ Fri 21st Jul 2006, 05:10 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->oh yeah, the R 1150 R is just the ticket. A lot of the naked bikes you guys get in the UK aren't available here. This one is an '04 with less than 2500 miles on it, practically new. Still have a year's worth of warranty too.


I've just replaced the back seat with the plastic bit that bmw sells, and added the luggage rack that the previous owner didn't have installed. I've got a line on some used side cases for cheap (relatively - all the bmw bits are $$$ !). It's been a fun commuter while the TDM still sits in pieces. Hope to do a canyon run this weekend if it's not too hot.

Oh, some of the tech bits -- it's got ABS brakes (they make a funny whirring noise but the brakes on this thing will stop a frieght train),<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->

That noise is the boosters, the brakes are very good aren't they. My wifes got one of them, but in Red. I do like the brakes. You either like the linked brakes or not, I have no problem with them at all. Back brake works alone, front brake applies some rear also.

Had six BMWs myself though, I don't intend that they get any more of my money for their "dependable" bikes, cost me way to much in driveline repairs over the years. Still got an old K100 tucked away though(had it for 12 years now) once I decide what to do with it, it's a future project.

Hope you enjoy your R1150R, Marie seems to like hers just a bit. Any sidecases from a '93 R1100RS onwards will fit, 1100/1150R, 1100/1150RT, 1100/1150GS all the same except for the small left case on the GS.

Al

[darcym]

I think the TDM is definitely torquer than the R1150R, that can be good or bad depending on how you ride. I'm not averse to being older and smoother. The BMW makes about 10 hp more on paper, and doesn't feel any heavier. But it has a huge gas tank (5 + gallons), so it'll make a nice long distance ride.

<!--quoteo-->QUOTE<!--quotec-->BMWs make good landfill<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->

[nitram]

<!--quoteo(post=11671:date=Fri 21st Jul 2006, 06:42 PM:name=darcym)-->QUOTE(darcym @ Fri 21st Jul 2006, 06:42 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->I'm not averse to being older and smoother.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->

Older and smoother is good

[wicklamulla]

<!--quoteo(post=11685:date=Fri 21st Jul 2006, 08:09 PM:name=nitram)-->QUOTE(nitram @ Fri 21st Jul 2006, 08:09 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->Older and smoother is good <!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->


tutt tutt Nitty and you aint even met the lady

[nitram]

<!--quoteo(post=12026:date=Tue 25th Jul 2006, 01:20 AM:name=wicklamulla)-->QUOTE(wicklamulla @ Tue 25th Jul 2006, 01:20 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->tutt tutt Nitty and you aint even met the lady <!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->

[ROB1]

<!--quoteo(post=11537:date=Thu 20th Jul 2006, 10:10 PM:name=darcym)-->QUOTE(darcym @ Thu 20th Jul 2006, 10:10 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->oh yeah, the R 1150 R is just the ticket. A lot of the naked bikes you guys get in the UK aren't available here. This one is an '04 with less than 2500 miles on it, practically new. Still have a year's worth of warranty too.


I've just replaced the back seat with the plastic bit that bmw sells, and added the luggage rack that the previous owner didn't have installed. I've got a line on some used side cases for cheap (relatively - all the bmw bits are $$$ !). It's been a fun commuter while the TDM still sits in pieces. Hope to do a canyon run this weekend if it's not too hot.

Oh, some of the tech bits -- it's got ABS brakes (they make a funny whirring noise but the brakes on this thing will stop a frieght train), heated grips, dual spark (new for '04 to cure supposed surging problems), blacked out engine, shaft drive, accessory electrical port (like for a heated vest), dinky fly screen (doesn't do much except keep bugs off the instrument chrome). I added a Kissan signal minder which automatically turns off the turn signals - a neat feature; the signal minder also does a fast flash when you hold down the turn signal switch, good for getting attention for lane changes.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->i had a good chat with a lady who had the 850 version of your new mount.the front & rear shock units had been replaced with shorter maxton units to lower the bike.she bought it that way as the previous owner was also female.she loved it & it was her only mode of transport.

[darcym]

The 850 version hasn't come stateside yet. I like the fact that this is a little bigger than the TDM. I wasn't looking to replace the TDM just yet, so getting something like it wasn't in the cards (Plus I think the TDM is a lot better at being what it is than the BMW 850 is, from what I've read).

[iand1947]

<!--quoteo(post=11537:date=Thu 20th Jul 2006, 08:10 PM:name=darcym)-->QUOTE(darcym @ Thu 20th Jul 2006, 08:10 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->Oh, some of the tech bits -- it's got ABS brakes (they make a funny whirring noise but the brakes on this thing will stop a frieght train), <!--coloro:#FF0000--><!--/coloro-->heated grips<!--colorc-->
<!--/colorc-->, dual spark (new for '04 to cure supposed surging problems), blacked out engine, shaft drive, accessory electrical port (like for a heated vest), dinky fly screen (doesn't do much except keep bugs off the instrument chrome). I added a Kissan signal minder which automatically turns off the turn signals - a neat feature; the signal minder also does a <!--coloro:#3366FF--><!--/coloro-->fast flash<!--colorc-->
<!--/colorc--> when you hold down the turn signal switch, good for getting attention for lane changes.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Heated grips in San Diego?? Useful for draping your tacos?

"Fast flash" feature sounds interesting. Did you purchase on the Web?

Your bike is one Beemer that I have looked at thoughtfully - neat lines. Happy riding - envy, envy - I've been to California a couple of times, once to La Jolla/SD, the other on a (4-wheeled) 3 week trip from LA anticlockwise across Joshua Tree up thru' Arizona (Grand Canyon etc.) Bryce/Zion, Las Vegas, Death Valley and over via Yosemite ("branching" off to see the bristlecone pines) to SF. Happy memories - would love to do it, or any part of it. again on a bike.

[darcym]

<!--quoteo(post=13103:date=Fri 4th Aug 2006, 10:11 PM:name=Pict)-->QUOTE(Pict @ Fri 4th Aug 2006, 10:11 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->Heated grips in San Diego?? Useful for draping your tacos?

"Fast flash" feature sounds interesting. Did you purchase on the Web?

Your bike is one Beemer that I have looked at thoughtfully - neat lines. Happy riding - envy, envy <!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->

I accidentally activated the heated grips the other day coming back from the beach ... damn! Those things get quite warm. Didn't help that it was a really warm day, at first I thought that maybe they'd got hot from sitting in the sun! But I think they'll come in handy for those long mountain rides.

Fast flash is great -- for like four seconds it goes fast then drops back to normal. Just enough to get attention. I got the signal minder from a private seller on a BMW website. Still working on getting some luggage off of ebay -- missed one set that went for 350. Will probably have to go to $400.

[iand1947]

<!--quoteo(post=10326:date=Sat 8th Jul 2006, 09:06 PM:name=laughin in a windstorm)-->QUOTE(laughin in a windstorm @ Sat 8th Jul 2006, 09:06 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}><!--quotec-->crikey was the rider badly hurt in that accident, the bike's a real mess.<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
Agree - the front end, esp. the headlight area, looks reminiscent of a WW2 despatch bike.
The model Darcy has is about the only sensible Beemer to my eye. Came across a brutally big cruiser sf theirs recently - can't remember the model, but it was built like a battleship.

To digress slightly more, the other day I passed (!) a Harley lowrider with a rear tyre like a beer keg, the man himself resplendent in "Springsteen-style" sleeves-ripped-off denim vest with HD badge covering the back, but notably with the full chrome German army-type lid and studded gloves. Made me reach for my cloth cap...