Considering my first motorcycle and should it be a BMW, need advice...

[bimerguycw]

as a newbie to motorcycles and interested in the BMW models?

I'm considering a project motorcylce and have a few BMW cars I do all maint on for the last several years and I have heard good things about the bikes and wanted advice on what might be a good starter BMW bike(i.e. - inexpensive buy, reliable and a good entry bike with parts availability and reasonable pricing.) What models and years to look for and which to stay away from.

Or if too far off topic, can someone direct me to a good BMW bike forum?

Thanks as always,

[632 Regal]

there is a beemer forum here, not a lot of action but worth a post, also you can PM Ed and see what advice he has for you.

Good luck!

[Derek A.]

Buy a jap bike to start with. Parts are much less money and for a starter bike its a better way to go. I didn't spend a ton on my bike, got to learn about motorcycles and its only got liability insurance on it - which helps to keep costs down - until you are sure you are 100% about the activity.

[Bleeding_Knuckles]

like this?

http://www.bodenstaendig.de/2000/colmar/moped.jpg

[Alexlind123]

like this?


Thats aweseome!

[bimerguycw]

I've thought about that also and am still unsure about what is a good jap bike to say less than $2000 to get my feet wet.
I appreciate any personal advice about biking as I've never owned one for street use...only dirt bikes way back.

[John in CT]

Good thing we have eliminated BMW bikes 'cause that's just enough for an exhaust system......

I would consider this old girl, or one of her sisters....

http://newyork.craigslist.org/fct/mcy/163092633.html

http://www.motorcyclehunter.com/cb900f.htm

because I am partial to Hondas. Well built, well designed, kinda pretty too. The 1981 CB900F is running about 90 hp, can leave any car behind, just don't try to drag race a modern 14,000 RPM crotch-rocket. The Corbin seat and the factory case guards are worth 400 bucks right off the top. You would never lose a dime with this bike. There are about 500 models/types of bikes in your price range, this is only one example.

Good luck,

John in CT
1980 Honda CBX

[Paul in NZ]

whats wrong with an older beemer twin?.Shaft drive and only two cylinders.I dont think a honda cb900 would be as long lived as one of those.
There is only one truth about motorcycle riding,if you are involved in a accident with another vehicle you will be worse off,so you must learn to avoid bad situations...In my world EVERYONE would know how to ride a motorcycle and will have ridden one for some time.I beleive that my motorcycle time taught me anticipation and observation far superior to most car drivers.Good times...I had two of those Hondas,and nine other motorcyles too....

[shogun]

The good thing on the old BMW's is, that you still get spare parts and an R50 lasts forever
http://www.bmbikes.co.uk/photopages/photosr50.htm

[632 Regal]

nice site!
The good thing on the old BMW's is, that you still get spare parts and an R50 lasts forever
http://www.bmbikes.co.uk/photopages/photosr50.htm

[Incantation]

bmw bikes generally are higher displacement and heavier too.. not the best starter bikes.

you WILL drop the bike too fyi, it's just a matter of time.

having said that go with a smaller displacement (a zzr250 ninja is ideal to learn on) most ppl start on 600cc which is manageable but probably not the best for learning. it also depends on how tall you are.. you want a bike where both feet can plant firmly on the ground. learning on a 900 or 1000cc bike is just stupid, so don't bother, even if u get a good deal. (unless it's a harley because even at 1000CC they are gutless lol)

i would recommend a honda.. you can beat the **** out of them (trust me, i do) and they run forever.. as long as you change the oil/filter you will pretty much have no problems. they are also easy to work on and cheap for parts.

[Jr ///M5]

Here's a link to the BMW Motorcycle lists, there is a lot to learn before you buy. http://www.ibmwr.org/market/

[Derek A.]

Honda, Kawasaki, Yamaha - they are all good. I would say get at least a 750cc. The smaller bikes are great for the first two weeks - but you quickly outgrow them. Crotch rockets are fun for trying to kill yourself - but they are not very comfortable for a crusing bike. I got an ex CHP cop bike. Was $1800 and I sunk about $500 into it between parts, tires and some service. I only have liability insurance and have dropped it only twice. Its stable, fast and a blast to ride.

http://www.opus45.com/pics/kz1000P.jpg

[Qube]

Got a Suzuki GS500E for $2000 CAD with 1500km on it two years back. 97 I believe was the year. Not bad as a starter. Lots to tweak, enough power, inexpensive enough to be on liability only.

http://www.gs500e.co.uk/index1.html

[Incantation]

no offence dude but that bike is NOT fast. and if you are recommending a 750cc as a starter bike you need to re-think that. even if it's a slow 750 like that cop bike, it's still too large and heavy to learn to manoever etc on.

and if it's a crotch rocket, learning on a 750cc is asking for an accident. i know ur just trying to help but realistically your advice is bad and as a new rider he should understand that

[Qube]

no offence dude but that bike is NOT fast. and if you are recommending a 750cc as a starter bike you need to re-think that. even if it's a slow 750 like that cop bike, it's still too large and heavy to learn to manoever etc on.

and if it's a crotch rocket, learning on a 750cc is asking for an accident. i know ur just trying to help but realistically your advice is bad and as a new rider he should understand that

For insurance purposes and for safety reasons I recommend no more than 500cc to start... but that's me.

[John in CT]

"""you want a bike where both feet can plant firmly on the ground. learning on a 900 or 1000cc bike is just stupid, so don't bother, even if u get a good deal. (unless it's a harley because even at 1000CC they are gutless lol)"""

Well, that's right, an older 550 Honda four, plus plenty of other bikes in that displacment area are more appropriate for learning than the CB900F which I recommended. In fact, most people learn the basics in the dirt with 125cc or 250cc bikes, tossable and fast enough to scare a novice.

Remember, cars don't care, and plenty of emergency room personnel refer to ALL motorcycles, and especially the fast ones as "donor-cycles" so be careful,

I still like the CB900F though,

Good luck,

John

[Derek A.]

The bike is 1000cc and for an older 8 valve motor in a comfortable cruiser - its fast enough. I cannot go pick on crotch rockets - but that is not what the bike is intended for its basically a cruiser - geared for decent 0-60 performance. Stock KZ1000's ran mid to low 12's.

That bike was the first one I bought. I took the safety course on it and had no problem. Should everyone run out and buy a 1000cc bike no. But an 8 valve 750 cc older jap bike is ok to start on. 750cc gsx-r 750 - probably not the best bike for a starter.


no offence dude but that bike is NOT fast. and if you are recommending a 750cc as a starter bike you need to re-think that. even if it's a slow 750 like that cop bike, it's still too large and heavy to learn to manoever etc on.

and if it's a crotch rocket, learning on a 750cc is asking for an accident. i know ur just trying to help but realistically your advice is bad and as a new rider he should understand that

[Chris'91'525i]

Buy a jap bike to start with. Parts are much less money and for a starter bike its a better way to go. I didn't spend a ton on my bike, got to learn about motorcycles and its only got liability insurance on it - which helps to keep costs down - until you are sure you are 100% about the activity.

What Derek sez, pretty much says it all.

Definately take a MSF basic riding course before your purchase.
I would look at and sit on many bikes till you find one that fits you well and you feel comfortable on.
I would recommend one less than 500cc and that is fairly light and nimble handling to make it more enjoyable, rather than trying to fight with a heavy and or high performance model.
You won't find to many decent Bimmer's for $2K anyway.

Keep us updated.
You may want to join IBMWR.org, BMWMOA.org or AIRHEADS.org anyway. You can get all of your BMW motorcycle questions answered on these forums.
All great forums !!

[bimerguycw]

Wow, thanks for all the advice...it is all well considered and I will likely buy a reliable, low cost starter Jap bike of the smaller size because I will eventually(a few years later) buy a newer BMW.

My style is just for the weekend cruiser with decent torque...no rocket-bikes for me just smooth power and handling.

As stated I want to get my feet wet to know if I enjoy and have time for the bike experience with my other 3 BMW models I currently do ALL the manitenance but want to try biking.

Thanks again and more advice is welcome.

[ericcamaro]

What bike you want is more dependant on what you are going to be using the bike for. If you are buying a motorcyle so that you can go cruise and take sunday rides then there is no better motorcycle than a bmw. If you want to use this bike as your single source of transportation then you are gonna want a jap bike a good start is the Honda cb550 my brother picked one up off ebay for like $600 and it is still running 2 years later with daily use and hes dropped it at least 3 times. I am currently rebuilding a bmw r65 and if you want a bike thats simple and very easy to work on, go with the bimmer, In my opinion bmw makes a bike for everyone, check out the whole line but dont try and learn on one, a drop will cost thousands instead of hundreds. just my .02c

[bimerguycw]

So what is a good fairly modern BMW model to consider? Although I will buy a smaller Honda to get familiar, I expect I will want the BMW for the longer term crusier.

[Chris'91'525i]

So what is a good fairly modern BMW model to consider? Although I will buy a smaller Honda to get familiar, I expect I will want the BMW for the longer term crusier.

When I think crusier, I imagine a HD, with the the lounge chair posture with your feet out stretched holding the bars at shoulder level. I personally don't care for that riding postion, the few times I tried it ,it was really wierd and it felt really uncomfortable. But thats just my opinion. Anything on 2 wheels is cool, if you like it !!
The closest thing like that in the Bimmer line up is the R1200C series, and it's not really a beloved bike by Bimmer philes. But it is liked by many none the less.

If you like to tinker a lot, go for a pre 1995 model "Airhead", straight air cooling. After '95 they went to "Oilhead" combo air & oil cooling. Or go the the "Darkside" and the "Flying Brick" water cooled, K-bike. There are the others too. Like the Rotax powered "F" models. These are super reliable bikes.

One nice thing about BMW motorcycle dealers is they are one of the few places let you test drive all the bikes on the showroom floor with no hassles.
I woulds suggest swinging by one to try some bikes on for size.
Sounds like you might like one of their "Sport-tourer" bikes.

Hers a site thats shows their line-up, old and new.

http://bmw.mc.no/bmw/modeller.html

HTH

[DaveVoorhis]

So what is a good fairly modern BMW model to consider?

K1100RS. Fast (0-60 in 3.8sec), smooth, stable, predictable handling, reliable, robust, relatively inexpensive and easy to work on.

Of course, I'm biased. This is mine: http://shark.armchair.mb.ca/~dave/K1100RS/

[ajt3nc]

I have owned many bikes and my take is;

A cheap honda, cb750 from the early 80s are bulletproof.
An older bmw is great but like our cars, expensive to maintain. The rearends like to fail. Only weak point.

For a new rider an old honda will get you into the culture and you can sell it for your purchase price. An old beemer is an adventure in learning. A old HD is pricey, easy to work on and will make you a poor man or a good mechanic.
If you are handy with a tool set, not trying to impress the neighbors and want to ride across the US, get a beemer.