Wanted: Comfort, Quiet, and Stability

[JeffOlson]

Unfortunately, most of my riding (and driving) these days is commuting between my home in Olympia and my office in Lake Oswego on Interstate 5. The distance is approximately 150 miles each way, and the travel time varies between 2.5 hours and 3.5 hours depending upon Portland area traffic.

To help maintain my sanity, I swapped a small, sporty car for a large luxo-barge. It is whisper quiet, supremely comfortable, and rock-solid stable (even at 120 mph and above, or so I am told). I am interested in a motorcycle that is similar - not a motorcycle for enjoyment as much as a motorcycle for high-speed, long-distance commuting in relative peace, quiet, and comfort, in the rain, and in the dark. Oh, and I really need to be able to make telephone calls while riding.

I love my Norge, but that is not the bike for this type of riding. It is too cramped, too easily buffeted by the hurricane-like winds whipped up by all the truck traffic, and too prone to extreme helmet buffeting.

I am considering a 2018 BMW R 1200 RT, a 2018 Harley-Davidson Road King, and a 2017 Moto Guzzi California 1400 Touring. Any thoughts? Any others I should consider? Thanks!

[oldbike54]

 In the barge class , K1600 GT BMW . Great fairing , incredible suspension and brakes , roomy , and enough power to pull a house off its foundation .

 Dusty

[JeffOlson]

^ I wondered about the K bike. It would definitely fit the bill, but I might need to sell my car to afford it!

[Huzo]

GTR 1400 Kawasaki, BMW 1600 (6), Honda Aspencade, FJR 1300, Exxon Valdez....
Or further down the budget scale...
Honda 1100/1200 ST's, GTR 1000 Kawasaki, earlier Goldwings, Amazonas!
Dime a dozen.
BTW. I do a little bit of riding on weekends on my Norge, and I must have a rare model 'cos I don't get the cramped, buffeting thing at all...

[JeffOlson]

That K bike looks awesome! Hmmm... Rethinking things...

Weight is crucial, I think. That probably rules out the RT. It is too light weight, even more so than the Norge.

The California 1400 Touring is fairly heavy, and the Road King is heavier still. I like their looks really well, but that K 1600 GT... WOW!

[fotoguzzi]

Goldwing?

[JeffOlson]

The new Goldwing and the new K 1600 B (bagger) look pretty cool, too.

[Arizona Wayne]

Being familiar with LO and having lived in Gladstone, Aloha, Or. and Vancouver, Wa., your desires here on traveling on a MC from LO to Olympia, Wa., where it rains 9 months a year in the PNW, + the cold that comes with it on a MC with comfort in mind is ridiculous !  You sound like a troll to me. 

[JeffOlson]

^ Ha ha! Fortunately, I usually spend just a day or two a week out of town. I usually ride or drive down one day, spend the night with my elderly parents, and ride or drive home after work the next day. (Most of my work I could do anywhere, as long as I have my laptop and my cell phone.)

Also, being of hearty Nordic stock (and somewhat “sturdy” and naturally “insulated”), I scoff at the cold!

[Zoom Zoom]

Of course I'm biased, but I am very happy with my 1400 Eldo. It does a fine job of eating up miles on the slab and fair to middlin' on the twisties. The new Touring SE gives added functionality to the cruise control, with a fair amount of standard farkles. If you want plug and play, the Touring would be the Guzzi of choice.

I get mid 40's for fuel mileage and that is consistent.

John Henry

[Matteo]

K1200LT ,2002. Weather bustin , peg scrapin, comfort barge.
PM if interested.

[Sheepdog]

The BMW R1200RT is a great choice. Lightish weight, all the comforts, surprising handling/brakes, and a great motor. An integrated nav system is available and side cases are standard. When I bought my RS, I was shopping for an RT. I passed on it because the fairing was too effective for the hot weather we have in Louisiana. I expect it would work very well in the PNW.

Another great choice is the aforementioned Yamaha FJR. It's a little heavy, but the overall package is excellent. Very powerful...

The new Harley touring models with the Milwaukee-8 engine (partial liquid-cooling) are another nice choice. However, if you're looking for a buffet-free ride and stable high speed handling, only the Road Glide models with the frame-mounted fairing will answer. Fork mounted fairings/windshields can be a handful at speed. The deal-killer with Harley's (for me) is the weight.

Another nice bike whose weight is it's only serious vice is the Honda F6B. I name it over the Gold Wing because it is a lighter-weight option.

Finally, the BMW K1600GT is fast, smooth, comfy, and great handling. I would recommend it over all of the above, but for the weight.

I would go for the R1200RT...

[oldbike54]

Being familiar with LO and having lived in Gladstone, Aloha, Or. and Vancouver, Wa., your desires here on traveling on a MC from LO to Olympia, Wa., where it rains 9 months a year in the PNW, + the cold that comes with it on a MC with comfort in mind is ridiculous !  You sound like a troll to me. 

 Huh ? Really ?

 Dusty

[Nic in Western NYS]

Crosswinds and truck-related airflow buffeting did a number on me when I had a '97 R1100RT, maybe they've changed but my worst experiences in the wind were with that bike with panniers and a topcase.  By contrast my Duc ST has zero problems with this issue though it also has panniers and topcase and neither did my Breva with panniers and a topcase.  Just mentioned that for comparison, you aren't looking for an ST and probably not a Breva, but both have been great highway rides.

[LowRyter]

The RT has them all beat hands down so far as riding experience:  It's fastest, smoothest, best handling, best riding position and most comfortable.

I'd say it's a crap shoot for reliability among all 3 but imagine the Beemer is the best.

Once you ride them, you'll easily find that it's no contest.  I wouldn't even consider any of the other bikes listed by other posters unless I wanted a Gold Wing (which I haven't ridden).

[LowRyter]

^ I wondered about the K bike. It would definitely fit the bill, but I might need to sell my car to afford it!

The 1600 has nothing on the RT except 150lb more weight and 30 more HP.  The RT is a sportier ride in every respect and just as comfortable IMO. 

If I wanted a heavy tourer it would be a 'Wing 'cause I know the maintenance wouldn't be risky $$.  I doubt if either are any nicer ride than the RT.

[bettythebear]

but the cylinders on the BMW are droopy.

[PJPR01]

but the cylinders on the BMW are droopy.

They are indeed...and they are placed right where you'd want to stretch your legs out from time to time.  First time I rode both the K1600GT and the R1200RT I lightly banged my shins when stretching out on a ride....

[bettythebear]

I like some of BMW's bikes, but there's no way I could justify the price, especially considering I only paid $10.5k for a brand new Norge. I've test rode a couple different R1200's the past few years, and I always come away thinking they sound like sewing machines for some reason.

[oldbike54]

 The OP isn't worried about sportiness , remember he is looking for the motorcycle equivalent of a luxury SUV . The K1600GT really fits that description best , while still remaining a very capable motorbike . The extra weight will actually be beneficial in the daily battle with truck generated turbulence , cross winds , etc . PLUS , they are incredibly roomy and will run in excess of the ton all day long W/O breaking a sweat .

 Dusty

[Two Checks]

If phone calls are important hete is the bike I suggest.....NONE!

[JeffOlson]

^ I know being able to make and receive telephone calls seems silly, and I would rather just ride. However, some days I receive 30 or more telephone calls, and it is such a chore returning the unanswered ones after I arrive home at 8 or 9 at night. It would be nice to be able to return or answer a few of them while droning along the highway.

(Most of my calls are short, with me saying, "I'm sorry, but I can't help you," but I do not like leaving any of them unanswered until the next day.)

[Darren Williams]

Helmet communications are really good and can seamlessly pair with phone and bikes. I have been on business calls that the caller had no idea I was on a bike and not in the office.

My 2 cents...

I know the big BMW's are super nice and capable bikes, but the cost of ownership really puts me off them. I enjoy riding my R1200, but wouldn't buy another.  If I had your commute, I'd be looking at a F6B, only because the Gold Wing just has to much bulk back there for my taste. I also have an FJR, and although it would do the commute fine (and cost less), it is not as comfortable as it would seem (something said earlier about it being in the sport-touring bike category).

[JeffOlson]

^ I have a supposedly quiet Schuberth helmet with their built-in communications system. It is paired with my iPhone and works really well. However, the helmet buffeting at speed makes it very difficult to use it on I-5, aka "Tornado Alley." I might as well stick my head out the window while driving really fast and try talking on the phone.

I still need to try cutting down my stock windscreen, making it as minimal as possible...

Also, I really love my Norge...

[unclepete]

That long a commute in a congested area and wanting to talk on the phone , I would be looking at a train schedule .

[SemperVee]

N O T H I N G  compares with the comfort, reliability, handling and calm behind the fairing a I have on my 2012 Victory Cross Country Tour.  I have owned 8 HD full dressers, Norge, Goldwings and  several airheads and of course the supreme Road Sofa my 2005 BMW K1200LT. 



Using my Sena 10 Helmet communicator no one can even tell I am on a MC! 

[JeffOlson]

 

[LowRyter]

The OP isn't worried about sportiness , remember he is looking for the motorcycle equivalent of a luxury SUV . The K1600GT really fits that description best , while still remaining a very capable motorbike . The extra weight will actually be beneficial in the daily battle with truck generated turbulence , cross winds , etc . PLUS , they are incredibly roomy and will run in excess of the ton all day long W/O breaking a sweat .

 Dusty

The RT gives up very little to the 1600 regarding luxury or stability.  When Beemer went to the water cooled boxer it really upped the game. 

Ride 'em both and decide.

[LowRyter]

N O T H I N G  compares with the comfort, reliability, handling and calm behind the fairing a I have on my 2012 Victory Cross Country Tour.  I have owned 8 HD full dressers, Norge, Goldwings and  several airheads and of course the supreme Road Sofa my 2005 BMW K1200LT. 



Using my Sena 10 Helmet communicator no one can even tell I am on a MC!

.....well don't ride a new Beemer RT unless you want a 4.5k redline. 

If you don't like RPMS and want your feet way in front, go for a Vic or Chief.  Both ride about the same. 

[LowRyter]

somehow the RT gets the very best of Sport Tourers like the FJR, Concours 14 and Norge, and the tourers like the 1600 and 'Glides and does better than either.

It's the sweet spot.

I don't know about ownership $$.  I'd lean hard to the 14 and FJR for that.  Or Honda GW.