.jpg)
Has anyone else read the Motorcycle Consumer News comparison? I'm not in the market for either one but it was enlightening to read a more reality based comparo for a touring bike then those that seem to pass through ad copy.
Has anyone else read the Motorcycle Consumer News comparison? I'm not in the market for either one but it was enlightening to read a more reality based comparo for a touring bike then those that seem to pass through ad copy.
The GTL is clearly not an LT, and is just as clearly not trying to be a Goldwing. Just a quick look at the bike will tell you that. A more interesting matchup would be with the Concours 14 and the FJR 13. Everyone who has ridden one understands that it is a replacement for the K13GT.
Still, I was amazed that MCN chose the GW engine over the K16. I had a brief ride on a friend's GTL (in Germany) a couple weeks ago and it just simply flies. I didn't notice any of the driveline snatch that MCN was going on about.
--Darryl Richman, forum liaison
http://darryl.crafty-fox.com
agreed. I'll have to say that I thought that BMW was going to use the GTL to compete for the long distance two up riders. Based on the MCN comparison, it appears that it does if you're off the interstate. But surprisingly the GW won in more catagories than I would have expected.
For those that were interested in comparing the two it makes for an interesting read.
I too was surprised by some of the findings. I think that the comparison suffers a little by the choice of competitors. That said, maybe my impression of the GoldWing suffers by knowing several of their 'bowling jacket/matching helmet/looks trumps all else' riders. I feel like they're comparing a Lipizzaner Stallion with a Park Avenue carriage horse.
The Motorcycle Consumer News comparison is the only one that I have seen where the GW won. The K1600 seems to have won the rest of them.
'You can say what you want about the South, but I almost never hear of anyone wanting to retire to the North.
Well somebody had to be different. If you have been on both the GW does have some advantages over the 1600. Who wins depends on what you are looking for to begin with in the comparison. In the end I don't know I truly trust any of these publications. Advertising dollars and subscriptions have a lot to do with these comparisons. This is not unbiased hard core journalism as if there was such thing an unbiased hard core journalism anymore.
MCN does not have any advertising so they are theoretically free to make any comments on bikes and products they want without fear of reprisal.
Be that as it may, I'm not sure that comparing these bikes is valid. These two bikes are quite different and probably can't really be compared. The only thing they have in common is six cylinders and two wheels.
My two cents worth.
Walter
"Sometimes I wonder if the world is being run by smart people who are putting us on, or by imbeciles who really mean it." Mark Twain
Apples and oranges - wrong bikes to compare.
Interesting enough but worthless
2011 R1200 GSA Smoke Grey Metallic Matt
2009 G450X White
IBA #35651
Rogue Moderator
I own a gtl, so some would think im biased, nope, I just own the one that is right for me. I rode a honda, didnt like it, too heavy, too lame in corners, not fast enough, no leg room, too cluttered, no adjustable windshield, and the bags dont come off.
The two are uncomparable, If you want big, fat, heavy, and cumbersome, and like to get off and manually adjust the windshield, as well as drive around with cb controls for the cb you arent going to buy, then by all means buy a honda. either way, it will never be, try as it might, a bmw.
I am coming off of a harley davidson fl, and have owned 2 lt's as well.
How anyone would pick that lame flat six over a strait six... oh well.
As for mcn being unbiased? I dont think so, its all in the tester, weather or not they are into jap crap, european cycles, or american iron. No test will ever be unbiased, thier are people involved.
I know the GTL is the best for me and my riding preferance, My wife likes it the best so far as well, she hated riding on the lead wing we rented, and she likes it better than either of the lt's i owned.
unfortuneatly BMW will never produce enough gt/gtl's to flood the market, so its a mute point. If they did, they could cut the price even further and womp all over the honda.
ride safe
Richard
2012 GTL blue delievered 7/9/2011
2003 fltri, 1972 A65 Thunderbolt
It's like comparing a Lincoln Town Car with a BMW 750i (except for the price difference).Originally Posted by Semper_Fi
'You can say what you want about the South, but I almost never hear of anyone wanting to retire to the North.
[QUOTE=walterK75;706622]MCN does not have any advertising so they are theoretically free to make any comments on bikes and products they want without fear of reprisal.
MCN has been doing this for years. They made a dumb comparison with a K100 and a bike I can't remember except it wasn't in the same catagory. K100 looked like a real loser. I met the editor at Long Beach international bike show that year and complained. His reply was "to sell mags you need controversary". I unsubscribed.
R1200WGS 2013
A group of us were told by BMW engineers at a pre design meeting that they were not looking to design a BMW "Goldwing". They said that the Goldwing was a fine motorcycle but they had no interest in that style of motorcycle design. The meeting was held about 3 years ago @ Max BMW on a Sunday.
Mike
Yes. GTL in not an LT.
Yes. Driveline snatch is there.
Maybe you can fly GTL in Germany, but in US guys are getting speeding tickets for going 5 miles above the speed limit.
At least 2 GTL bikes, I know of, went back to the dealer.
One was replaced by a brand new R1200RT.
The second one... "STILL THINKING"
A+ for MCN. They did a good job.
$26800 for a bike and the lid of the top case can't hold a kermit chair?
I really was waiting for that GTL in anticipation of a real "TOURING" bike.
When Concourse 14 will become a little more "TOURING", I will be the first in line.
Last edited by 104554; 08-27-2011 at 09:39 AM.
2002 R1150R
2003 F650CS
2004 R1150RA
Bye Bye 2006 K1200LT
I don't agree. While the bikes are different, according to BMW, the GTL IS their ultimate touring machine and the ÔÇ£The future of touringÔÇØ.
Someone willing to drop 25-35K on a touring machine is entitled to learn the pros and cons of each manufacturersÔÇÖ offerings in a particular market segment. In my opinion, comparison to the Gold Wing, or HD, or any other tourer, is legitimate.
Cycle world just did the comparison too, and concluded the GTL was only 90% as capable as a slab, coast to coast cruiser that the wing was, BUT it was TWICE the sport tourer the Wing was. They ended stating BMW in their first attempt, (unless you consider the LT) packed a K.O. punch to the long time defending champion.
Posting Permissions
Reply With Quote
