cedarbrook63
Junior Member
Had the morning off yesterday and went for a test ride on a BMW R1200RT which is a bike which so many reviews will tell you is the most comfortable long distance touring bike you'll find (at least the reviews here in Europe).
Coming from a 1200 V-twin Harley, it was interesting to feel what this acclaimed BMW Boxer twin felt like. I went to this test ride very prepared to be impressed but I came away a bit disappointed to be honest. First of all, it has a very different vibration to that of the Harley - the horizontally opposed twin really rocks the bike when you are standing at lights/junctions and it took a bit of getting used to how the engine causes the bike to tip a bit to the right when I first revved up a little as I release the clutch to take off. Lots of people go on about the Harley engine being Tractor-like, well I must say that the Beemer felt a lot more agricultural to me and the "Tractor" characteristics of the Harley twin are actually charming and attractive whereas the Boxer just felt a bit dull and lumpy to me. I loved the electronically adjustable screen - fantastic protection from a wet windy English January morning, the heated seat and grips were also sweet. The Normal/Sport/Comfort settings were nice for the different parts of ride and the Electronic Suspension Adjustability and the traction control were very good features. But in the end of the day I wasn't sold.
I'm not a Harley owner who thinks these bikes are faultless and can do everything better than every other make of bike out there - that's just nonsense. But the Harley V-twin is a lovely engine and I think it is a much more pleasant and comfortable twin to ride than the Boxer. Don't think I'll be getting the Boxer Beemer as another bike.
Coming from a 1200 V-twin Harley, it was interesting to feel what this acclaimed BMW Boxer twin felt like. I went to this test ride very prepared to be impressed but I came away a bit disappointed to be honest. First of all, it has a very different vibration to that of the Harley - the horizontally opposed twin really rocks the bike when you are standing at lights/junctions and it took a bit of getting used to how the engine causes the bike to tip a bit to the right when I first revved up a little as I release the clutch to take off. Lots of people go on about the Harley engine being Tractor-like, well I must say that the Beemer felt a lot more agricultural to me and the "Tractor" characteristics of the Harley twin are actually charming and attractive whereas the Boxer just felt a bit dull and lumpy to me. I loved the electronically adjustable screen - fantastic protection from a wet windy English January morning, the heated seat and grips were also sweet. The Normal/Sport/Comfort settings were nice for the different parts of ride and the Electronic Suspension Adjustability and the traction control were very good features. But in the end of the day I wasn't sold.
I'm not a Harley owner who thinks these bikes are faultless and can do everything better than every other make of bike out there - that's just nonsense. But the Harley V-twin is a lovely engine and I think it is a much more pleasant and comfortable twin to ride than the Boxer. Don't think I'll be getting the Boxer Beemer as another bike.