Bonneville America Forums Forums Off Topic Discussion Forums Lounge What do you think

On Libbys Motor World Web site they have a used 04 R1200 BMW
They are asking 9,999 for it. From the picture it looks like it is in excellent shape. Thinking of buying one for my wife and putting a tour seat on it so we can take Brett with us on rides.

She has a Honda 250 Rebel now and has mastered it pretty well, so took and passed the MSC the first time around and she has put 1,200 miles on the Honda.

Do you think she could handle a bike this big, it is either a BMW or a Harley for her.

a 250 to a 1200 is a huge step. I think she should take a definate test ride before you buy it.

They are kinda tall ain't they? I think she should test ride it first.

how tall is she??? a B.M.W. is a very fast bike (quick) and there is an awfull lot going on with a bike like that. why is she not interested in something besides a hardley davidson??? THEY SUCK!!!!! i have to many friends that have bought h.d.'s that are haveing problems, like overheating, and dropping oil pressure, and stuff falling off. so why does she want a h.d. ???? why would anybody??? i know, i know, BECAUSE ITS A HARDLEY!!!! thats why, and its the only reason why!!!!! dosnt she like Triumph??? the oldest continualy built bike on the planet!!! there are other Triumphs than the America or Speedmaster, your telling us she cant find something in the Triumph line that suits her??? i cant belive that!!! what about a triple, now there is a fast bike, or if she is a tall woman (B.M.W.) then what about a Tiger??? i supose she is looking at a snortster hahahahahahahahha she will tire of that in a very short time!!!! everybody does!!! and she will then want a fat boy, or road king or some such. tell her you will be glad to buy her another bike but she needs to think realisticly!!! thats just my opinion, and you did ask sooooo now go do what ever she wants cuz thats the only way to peace hahahahahahahaha

She is 5 10"

Her Dad and all her brothers own Harleys. The reason she does not Triumphs was that her feet do not touch the ground flat. I'm sure the BMW is going to be worse as it looks alot taller in the picture.

Without lowering a Triumph another $1,000 bucks what kind of bike do you guys feel would be good for her.

Wow Newt,
I've had a couple snortsters, a ironhead, and a 86 when they came out with the blockhead motor, that were a great ride. The evolution motor was the 1st harley motor I did not have to rebuild every other year! I really think that the sportsters were the best of the harleys in performace and handleing. When I sold the 86, I had close to 80,000 trouble free miles on her. And a lot of smiles!!!

the r1200 is a nice bike but very tall... my brother has one and I'm on my toes at a stop (5'11)...plus the bucks to service it will definitly cut into a guys beer budget...

The BMW is a great bike. But it is very tall and very powerful when stepping of a 250 Rebel. Most people have to tip toe on them. A test ride is essential.

Oh, and has been said here all ready. BMW is high on service costs. Maybe even one of the highest of all the MC makes.

Cant say anything bad about the bike though. Cant think of many BMWs that i wouldnt want parked in my garage.

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but canton cycles has a 2004 bmw R 1150 R, says 5589 miles for 6,999

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Between a full touring R1200 and the R1150R, (some one correct me if im wrong, but the R1150R is a non faired standard is it not). Between the two i think the 1150 might be a better fit.

Boy, your wife sure doesn't have cheap tastes....a Harley or a BMW? Any of the Harley "low" models, like the Sportster or Dyna, will have a lower seat height than the Montauk. Best thing to do is just take her around and have her sit on bikes in the showroom to see what she likes. But if she's stuck on those two brands with the BMW having to be a cruiser type model, then she's going to end up with something heavy.

And you CAN lower our bikes for not too much money. Hard to believe that she can't flat foot an America or Speedmaster at 5' 10". Our seat height is only a little over 28 inches stock.

I have a friend whos wife had a 1200 sportster and aTriumph Adventure. They had put progressive Lowering shocks on the Harley. She liked the Triumph better and sold the Harley.Said it was a much better handeling and smoother ride. The Boxer engine on the BMW is expensive as valves need Adjusting alot. The inline 4 on the LT is great, Less valve adjusting so I've been told. But service at dealer is not cheap.

BP-what about a standard Triumph like the T100? Not much (if any!) taller than our bikes, still affordable (not to mention loads of standard parts with our bikes), pretty light to handle (compared to the bigger BMW or a Harley), not such a huge leap from the 250, but enough of a leap to not be wanting in the power department, and you "keep her in the family" so to speak. If my wife were going to start out on a new bike, I can't think of many others that would be good, especially since it's a standard, and should have very stable handling while still being very responsive. OH, and of course, they look great too!

My dealer has lowered many Bonnies (changed shocks, seats etc.) to fit shorter women. Although 5' 10" isn't exactly short. She should be able to sit on a Speedy or America without any problems. Not to mention our bikes are awesome for anyone at any riding level.

Soren

My wife can ride our friend's soft tails. She only 5 2. The big harely's have a much lower seat height than the sporttys. And the harely market is real soft as much as people won't admit it. I would think that would be a better deal. Plus after market is cheaper. I'm not a fan of the little sportsters for the wife though. Those 883s are gutless and then if you lower them there is little to no suspension travel.

Here's a brand new Speemaster for $6,500.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/NEW-2006-...1QQcmdZViewItem

I volunteer to ride it back from Tuscon for ya.

5-10 and she cant flatfoot an America????? i am like 5-8 and its one of the best sitting bikes i ever sat on!!! she will NOT be able to flatfoot a B.M.W. thats for sure. might want to look at a ridley.

Shhhhhhhh Quiet about the ridley's, I've told my wife noone makes an automatic motorcycle.....if she finds out, I could be forced into spending 17g on the most girly 2 wheeled contraption since the vespa.