Forums > Motorcycle Discussion > Help - need your input on the best BMW bike for commuting t

Either version of the 800cc bike, depends on your style preference.

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Lamble Banish bland www.unchainedworld.com recommendations@unchainedworld.com GS1150 ADV: Unchained Across the USA blog www.roughguidesintouch.com/lamble

You should look at the 650cc bikes, if you don't mind riding an enduro style bike. 

I commute in Austin on my RT, but I tend to miss the buik of rush hour, and I don't have that far to go.  I don't know if I'd want to lane split on a bike with big bags or a Boxer, since the cylinder heads stick out the sides of the bike.

I have an R1200RT with the large top case.  It carries all I need for work (with room to spare) so if you need to carry more than you can shove into a backpack, that would do nicely.  However, the one draw back with stop and go traffic (especially if it's hot and humid) is the R1200RT is oil-cooled and not water cooled and you engine temps could begin to run high.  You could ask to have a fan installed behind the oil cooler (about $500.00)...  or do it yourself if mechanically inclined.

The R1200RT handles quite well in the rain, however the sidecases make it a little wider than other bikes.

commuted for years in the Bay Area on a 1991 K1.  Own a r1200s now and I think it would be perfect.  Watch out for the bot dotts, those slippery little round lane dividers are a problem at slow speeds and a killer in the rain.  I kinda miss lane sharing, it's illegal here in SC.  Good luck whatever you choose!

buzz 

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adios

For stop'n-go traffic in the summer, I'd go with a liquid cooled engine, i.e. F650, X-Challange, X-Country...my $0.02 on this topic

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Thomas - I like to keep it simple... IBA# 28109 '07 R1200GS Adventure

I commute regularly on my R12GS, but here in Fresno the lanes are wide and the traffic slows but don't often stop on the highway. The R bikes aren't ideal for lane splitting. Really none of the bigger bikes are.

That leaves the 650s, which are dual sports, and the 800s which are sport/sport touring and all are narrow enough for good lane splitting. IMO the single cyl 650 are pretty weak at freeway speeds, but they're great curb jumpers.

 

If it were me shopping for a commuter bike in the Bay Area I'd wait 6 months and get the F800GS due to be here next spring to get freeway power AND curb jumping ability, plus the dual sports let you see over traffic.

 

Kip

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If you meet the Buddha, kill him

Agree with some of the others.  Light and flickable enough to maneuver easily will be the best bet.  The F650GS or the 800ST are included in that description.  I'd steer clear of the heavier 1200GS or the RT, etc, since they are not as easy to ride in tight spots or to park.

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My old K1 bay area commuter was wider, 34.44 in., than any of the bikes suggested and it certainly wasn't "flickable" but it worked just fine for lane splitting.  As I recall most of the cars actually moved over a bit to make room for you, there was however the occasional jerk who would try to make the gap smaller or open their door or throw something out the window, hence the need for some hp to quickly move you ahead.  I never, well almost never, stopped moving except when I got to the accident or whatever caused the back up.  Summer in San Francisco?  As Mark Twain said, "the coldest winter I ever spent was summertime in San Francisco".  I pretty much wore a down vest, balaclava, gloves and a leather jacket every summer morning.

There is one thing about the r1200s that might make it difficult in San Francisco, a very tall first gear.  Steep hills and signalized intersections at the top of each one.  Like Red says, take lots of test rides.   

Oh yeah, motorcycle commuting, you are allowed to use the commuter lanes and you get over the bay area bridges free during commute times.  I don't think that has changed. 

It will be fun whatever you choose... 

buzz

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adios

 

Traffic tips:

Sit up high, and straight up

Pegs directly under the hips for standing

Wide bars for slow speeds 

Water cooled

bullet-proof, simple engine.

That's all I got.

C

 

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401K? Retirement? Ha! Don't be ridiculous!

I think for slow driving water cooled is a good idea. The comments about lane splitting and narrow/wide maybe irrelevent if you are not planning on driving like that. I have a K1200GT and drive it to work. It is narrow enough to get past cars at intersections, offers good enough weather protection (not as good as the R1200RT) and is water cooled. I am amazed at how cool it is here in Virginia summers (100 degrees at high humidty) at red lights. The temparture gauge barely goes up. The fan rarely runs (except at read lights).

Oh and by the way, you won't want to ONLY uses this bike for commutting! I was going through the gears yesterday and looked down at my speed and was going over 130!! It didn't even feel that fast. This bike is amazing at any speed.

Does it have to be a BMW for commuting?  A Suzuki Bandit 1250 lists brand new for about $8300 and is a kick ass commuter bike. IMHO, the BMW offerings for driving in an urban environment are way overpriced (says the guy who dropped $20k on a R1200RT ).  Anyway, the 650cc class beemers are the best bet for city traffic IMHO.

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Doug Dickerson =============

I agree.  I think you might want to look outside the bmw stable.  A vstrom or sv650 come to mind.  You might even think about the new buell but I think that you might want to go used since the city can be kind of tough on a bike and it would be a shame to have a new $15k bike keyed after a few weeks.

Hmmmmmmmmmm.....................  outside the BMW world?

Now, what's the first thing that comes to my mind?

D U C   S 4 R   I'm thinking somewhere close to a 2005........about 4350 miles......less than $9700.....I'm sure someone on this board knows of a good used one that's available.....ask around.......   Oh, yeah....... water cooled. 

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******Mike****** "We choose our joys and our sorrows long before we experience them."

Thank you all for your valuable insight.  I went over the them BMW dealer to try out some of your suggestions,  but hey were closed this weekend:-(

 Yes, the commuter lane is open to bikes.  That and lane splitting are some grat advantage to bike riders.

I will keep y'all posted what I end u getting.

 Thanks again. 

 Pierrot