C14 or something else?

[martin_14]

I have a group tour coming up in July to the Italian Alps, close to the Austrian border, and I have the chance to take my 1400GTR or choose between basically the whole BMW product portfolio. There is of course a short list in my mind:
- S1000RR -> Never drove it, and I'm honestly scared of it
- K1300S -> I did drive this one quite a bit, and it also scares me
- K1300GT -> I've never got to drive this one, and I'd love to, just to compare it with the Kawasaki
- R1200 GS -> I know for a fact that a good driver with one of these in the Alps will consistently overtake me, on the outside, in every curve. But I just loath the noise and vibrations of the boxer engine (I sold my RT, otherwise a fantastic bike, because of it)

The truth is that for one reason or another, I consider the 1400GTR a better bike, and it's the one I prefer to take. The big reason that holds me from taking it is that the loan BMWs are ensured and if I bite the dust it won't be my bike.

Opinions?

[Bob]

Why not test ride and put the wear and tear, miles on their bike at the same time!

[manowarwi]

My 2 cents are use the bike you are most comfortable with: yours!

The other bikes may be great machines, but as you stated, you've ridden them before and didn't care for the vibrations, so why even bother?  It sounds like you'll be on some great roads and you don't want to waste part of the trip getting used to a BMW.  I understand your concerns about crashing, but I think you'd be safer with a bike that you know 100% instead of an unknown. 

Don't worry if your friends can constantly pass you.  No offense, but that just may be the way they ride and they may be more aggressive than you.  I have friends with "slower" bikes that will do things like go around blind corners fast and really beat on their bikes and I'll let them go around me so I can stay in my comfort zone.

Either way, it sounds like you are going to have a great time! 

[JetJock]

K1300 or your Concours. They're the only two you have any interest in. Pick one, live with it and have a great trip!

[C1xRider]

Hi Martin,

  Good to see you here again!

  There are benefits to taking the bike you're most familiar with, and of course as we all know, the 1400GTR is the better bike.   

  That said, it's also great to see what all the fuss is about with regards to the other bikes.  Saying a bike scares you is, in my opinion, not a good enough reason to over look it.  After all, can you honestly say the 1400GTR didn't scare you a little before you got used to it?

  All of those bikes are very capable, so it's really up to the rider to keep them under control.  I'm sure that after a few miles, and some twisties on the way there, you'll be riding any of them like a pro.

  Instead of discounting a test ride based solely on your perception of the bike without first hand riding knowledge of it, I would base the decision on expected comfort level vs. the length of the trip, road conditions you're likely to encounter vs. which bike would best be suited for those conditions, and of course, how likely will it be to get a second chance to ride those bikes in the near future.

  I know full well you can encounter snow in the Alps clear into July, so ABS and/or Traction control would be a nice to have.  Not sure if any of those are equipped or not.

  Personally, I would love to test drive the S1000RR, but I don't think it would be comfortable for me for an all day ride.

  Hope this helps, but regardless, let us know what you choose, and tell us all about the ride.

  Enjoy, and ride safe!

[Mister Tee]

If you're willing to throw a 1200GS in the mix, why not a 1200RT, or is that not an option?

[Fretka]

Having both the Conc as well as the BMW 1000 I would take a tour oriented bike on a tour! The 1000 is only good for "crazed weasel in heat" blasting through the twisties, the Conc does it all!
I don't give a hoot what other folks say, the 1000 is a difficult bike to ride.

[mikeboileau]

A free ride on a 1000 would be fun though.

[sherob]

I'd rather toast their bike than mine, and put the wear and tear on theirs too.  I'd probably go for the K13GT, better ergo for the ride.

[koval68]

Perfect opportunity to road test K1300GT ! Just Do It !

[metzgerf16]

I'd be very interested to hear your comparison between the Connie and any of the Bimmers, but my advice would be to take the bike your most comfortable/confident on.  It sounds like you're going to be on some amazing roads while possibly encountering a wide range of weather.  IMHO, for this situation I'd prefer to be on my bike, but I'd probably be very tempted to try one of the Bimmers if given the option.  As far as a wipe out goes, you may not be liable for the demo bikes, but you will still get hurt just the same.  My primary riding buddy is laid up right now because he blacked out while riding.  His bike will cost $100 to fix (lucky bastard).  However, he did not fare as well.  He broke all ribs on his left side, fractured his scapula in 3 places, sustained a nasty concussion, and has a severely sprained ankle.  If you feel safer on your bike, that might be the way to go on a long mountain tour.  Whichever bike you choose, ride safe and have fun.

[slickcdb2000]

I like to experiment and try other things, i'd say with the k1300gt!!!  Your connie wont mind if you see other people for just a little bit! 

[CrashGordon]

I'm with the group here. Unless you anticipate the ride will be very technical and learning a new bike might be difficult or dangerous, I'd try something new.

[DaveO]

i'll take the 1000 please.
I sport/toured on a gixxer 1k a few years back .. 4- 500  mile  days no problem.
If  you are  going to some good  tight roads theres nothing better than a real sport bike.
I guess we are different though .A 700 lb tour bike like c14 scares me worse  than a hardcore ripper for fast  sport riding.

[556ALPHA]

S1000RR if I could ride those roads.

[martin_14]

If you're willing to throw a 1200GS in the mix, why not a 1200RT, or is that not an option?

As I mentioned in the OP, I can't live with that boxer engine. Whenever I have to go from A to B I take the RT because is so comfy, or the GS Adventure because of the range (it'll do 600 km on a tank before getting into reserve), but for technical roads like we will face, not a chance. The suspension in those bikes is waaaay too soft and the rear too imprecise. Been there, tried that.
As for the K13GT, it's a runner up. Plus, I'm also wanting to compare it with the C14. I already tried the K1600 GT and that is an entirely different beast, a sort of sport-TOURER. Decisions, decisions...