Looking to purchase the right bike

will3hawks said:

The 1600 motor will intoxicate you. Just an unbelievable piece of machinery.......

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Nice objective evaluation of the K1600 and 1200RT. And not once did you mention an FJR!

BC1100S said:

Nice objective evaluation of the K1600 and 1200RT. And not once did you mention an FJR!

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Probably just as well.

daven540i said:

Hello all and thank you for your feedback

I have been a Harley guy for the last 20 years. I currently have a Roadking with a big motor and really love it. If I by a BMW I will still keep my Harley, there is really nothing like it. I think I want a KT 1600 but I have read about many mechanical/electrical problems. I want a bike that I can ride 500 miles a day when ona extended road trips. I want a bike that is extremely reliable. I want a bike that is comfortable for a single rider as well as a passenger that has plenty of storage space for extended trips. There you have it what model and why?

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I've been riding for 44 years, spent 30 years on Harleys, FXR, Electra Glide, and sometimes my wife's Sportster. Switched to a '16 R1200RT 2 years ago, LOVE IT!! I also loved my Harleys, but got tired of inadequate rear suspension, overly heavy, stone-age handling, and lack of power.

They sure do sit nicely, though.

Also, every other old fat guy I see on the road is on one.

The RT took some accessorizing to become truly comfortable for me, and it's way tall. Takes getting used to, but I don't foresee returning to Harley. All it took was one test ride.

Think about it.

If 2-up is only going to be an occasional thing then I would look hard at the later model R1200RT. I say that having done very little 2-up and from what others have said. It's not bad, but once you start addressing 2-up capability best the 'sport' side of sport tourer gets a little blunted as to relevance. 604lbs wet, very comfortable, very sporting for riding hard thru the canyons, and can slug along at 80 on the interstates and be a total dream, and with a rather stellar reliability index even though it's tainted by its association w/ BMW's failed final drive legacy which has been resolved since at least 2013. It's a true 'sport tourer' as it is very comfortable and competent in both roles. This, of course, is my opinion! I did a 10K mile trip x-country US and into Canada right after I bought my '16 and loved every second of it. That is so good at both roles is what separates it from the big heavies that call themselves sport tourers IMO. I have almost 37K on my RT now and it's all I need. Plus, it hauled me out of Paradise, California during the current conflagration right on thru 25 seconds of fire blowing across the road! So it's emergency evacuation proven as well )

If it were me and I had a strong need for a potent 2-up machine I can't see how you go wrong w/ the new Gold Wing.