$30,000 - BUT (and this is a big "but") I spent a small fortune getting the bike the way I wanted it. I had to spend $2000 on a top case to get it to do what I want for two up riding (I don't have time to explain now, but I will later). Also, I bought the bike with both the factory GT seat and the factory GTL seat. And the bike has I think about $4000 worth of factory options. Yes, it was expensive, but you have to remember that I was buying it to replace my Goldwing so I had to add things that would get is as close as possible to the Goldwing for two-up riding. The basic bike can be bought in the low $20s.
I'm pretty busy this morning but will try to answer other questions later today.
Did you have the chance to try the GTL (lower) seat? I did, didn't like it one bit, and neither did my girlfriend. Somebody mentioned here why: it's so wide that it covers the handles and renders them useless, so she was completely loose when braking. But glad you got your self the GT bike, with more leaning angle and the more forward handlebar. I see you've got a different shield too. What is it?
Oh, and congrats on the new bike! I noticed that BMW improved the slack on the transmission and it's now on the acceptable side, with not as much play as before. Actually, almost C14 play levels. If they only improved the gear changing as well
I hope you are not as sensitive as I am to the whining of the gears on the generator. I have to wear earplugs every single time I even
think of riding this bike.