Author Topic: The Twins have arrived at my dealership in NJ!!  (Read 2798 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

9fingers

  • Grand Gearhead
  • *****
  • Posts: 934
  • Karma: 0
  • From the New Hampshire part of New Jersey
on: January 15, 2019, 08:37:35 pm
Just got an email that the Interceptor and Continental GT have arrived!
I will post this in the 650 twin section as well.
9fingers
Currently own:

2016 Classic Chrome Maroon
2020 Moto Guzzi V7III Special
V Strom 650 ABS Adventure
Beta Rev 3 270
Honda TLR200 custom
Honda TL 250 TMI custom frame
Honda TL 125
Yamaha TY350


Bert Remington

  • Grease Monkey
  • ****
  • Posts: 440
  • Karma: 0
2016 RE Classic 500 CA version Fair-Weather Mountain Bike
2014 Can-Am Spyder RT-S SE6 Freeway Commuter Pod


Richard230

  • Grand Gearhead
  • *****
  • Posts: 6,023
  • Karma: 0
Reply #2 on: January 15, 2019, 10:18:20 pm
"Orange crush"?  "Glitter and dust"?  Not my idea for motorcycle model names.  ::)  However I do like the glitter version.  ;)
2018 16.6 kWh Zero S, 2009 BMW F650GS, 2020 KTM Duke 390, 2002 Yamaha FZ1


Bmadd34

  • Grand Gearhead
  • *****
  • Posts: 685
  • Karma: 0
Reply #3 on: January 16, 2019, 05:20:34 am
Lucky.
When Life hands you lemons, Squeeze them in his eyes and take his wallet.


9fingers

  • Grand Gearhead
  • *****
  • Posts: 934
  • Karma: 0
  • From the New Hampshire part of New Jersey
Reply #4 on: January 16, 2019, 01:15:22 pm
Of course yesterday I put a deposit on a 1991 BMW K75S with 21k miles on it. So the new Continental GT may not happen or it may take a year or two, depending on how I like this BMW. I have never ridden a K series bike. But with 75HP it will likely go like stink.......which is not really important to me anyway.
9fingers
Currently own:

2016 Classic Chrome Maroon
2020 Moto Guzzi V7III Special
V Strom 650 ABS Adventure
Beta Rev 3 270
Honda TLR200 custom
Honda TL 250 TMI custom frame
Honda TL 125
Yamaha TY350


Bert Remington

  • Grease Monkey
  • ****
  • Posts: 440
  • Karma: 0
Reply #5 on: January 16, 2019, 05:48:01 pm
9fingers -- super acquisition!  You are gonna luv that little BMW!  Treat it to a new battery (FI systems are sensitive to batteries) and end-to-end fresh fluids including coolant, brake/clutch and forks.  Check for glazed pads.  Tires if they are more than three years old.  Then just ride it.  Handling-wise it will be much like the RE -- low and light.

While the BMW is FI, it uses a vane MAF sensor (like old Miatas) rather than hot-wire like most MAF sensors (RE FI is alpha,N and doesn't use a MAF sensor).  It should be reliable for many years but if you suddenly lose throttle control (ie, you open the throttle and basically nothing happens) then pop the cover off the vane box and check the circular return spring.

My dealer-serviced K100 was stone reliable (except for the speedometer).  For years I drove it in day, night, rain, snow, etc and it never hiccuped.  I dumped it in the mud many times and it never dented anything.  Sometimes I had to get off, drive it into a drainage ditch by the side of the road, and walk with it up the muddy, snowy hill -- docile as a dove.

Enjoy!  And post pictures!
2016 RE Classic 500 CA version Fair-Weather Mountain Bike
2014 Can-Am Spyder RT-S SE6 Freeway Commuter Pod


Scotty Brown

  • Grand Gearhead
  • *****
  • Posts: 546
  • Karma: 0
  • Scotty Brown
Reply #6 on: January 16, 2019, 07:32:32 pm
9 fingers,  Yes the K 75's do go like stink and will comfortably cruise in excess of 80MPH all day long -- In my opinion the k75's were the best of all the BMW's of that at time -- Lighter and smoother than the K 100 -- With proper maintenance will exceed 100,000 miles.  Easy to maintain and parts are available and reasonable.  The last two years, 1994 / 95 are the best.  The RT will give more protection but the S will probably be more fun.


9fingers

  • Grand Gearhead
  • *****
  • Posts: 934
  • Karma: 0
  • From the New Hampshire part of New Jersey
Reply #7 on: January 22, 2019, 12:58:35 pm
I drove down to Philly yesterday to buy that BMW.....I had a deposit on it. It was -4 when I left my house but a balmy 11 and very windy in Philly. I did not buy the bike as I did not love it. But the real problem for me was the very narrow bars and the cost of changing them and all of the cables and crap to something more comfortable for me. Plus the dealership did not even bother to wash it and make it look good, which is just plain stupid to me. It looks like it has been there a while.
But for $2,600 is still a super deal for the right guy, I think. I still plan on going for a new Enfield, one of the twins or maybe even the Himalayan. I would go for an Airhead BMW......my buddy is dithering on whether to sell his R65. I would grab that but with the new 15 ethanol rule coming I am told carbs are not the thing to have. Sorry to disappoint those that were excited for me.
9fingers
Currently own:

2016 Classic Chrome Maroon
2020 Moto Guzzi V7III Special
V Strom 650 ABS Adventure
Beta Rev 3 270
Honda TLR200 custom
Honda TL 250 TMI custom frame
Honda TL 125
Yamaha TY350


Bert Remington

  • Grease Monkey
  • ****
  • Posts: 440
  • Karma: 0
Reply #8 on: January 22, 2019, 04:16:54 pm
Yep my K100 had the narrow bars.  Actually an advantage in my case since they wouldn't have stopped me from falling down in the mud, etc and made it easier to stand up again.  But a sit-up cruiser it wasn't.

My guess also you might have been put off by the looks of the engine and the way BMW kinda bolted on stuff like RE does.  I liked the K100's unique engine and being an early model didn't have the bolt-ons -- very clean and tidy look.  But the CHP thought I should be driving a car.

Old air-cooled BMWs -- don't do it unless you can afford a vintage BMW expert to maintain it.

Other BMW boxer-twins -- I don't think you will be happy with the weight, the surprisingly poor build quality, and the ubiquity.

If you want a just-add-gas-and-ride cruiser with luggage, etc, Honda made several nicely integrated V-twins and they are available in good condition at good prices.

If you want a fun ride with wider handlebars and classic twin looks that can accept E15, consider Triumph and Moto Guzzi.  Many MGs (like mine) have non-metallic gas tanks that can be fussy (they expand which makes them hard to re-install) with E-fuels so this is a consideration.

Other than that, I think you are looking at full-freight price for a Euro-4 twin that will look good, run so-so and empty your wallet.

Or else go down the ADV path which looks like great fun to me but I'm two decades too old.
2016 RE Classic 500 CA version Fair-Weather Mountain Bike
2014 Can-Am Spyder RT-S SE6 Freeway Commuter Pod


Stanley

  • Grease Monkey
  • ****
  • Posts: 400
  • Karma: 0
Reply #9 on: January 22, 2019, 06:34:19 pm
Sometimes the bike just isn't the right fit as time goes by.

I thought my Ducatis and K75s would always work for me, but I hit retirement wondering if I was tempting fate with the Italian wheelies or be bored forever on the Beemer. I sold them and got a cheap 2000 Bullet that's perfect for me on B roads, but added a nimble and quick old SV650s with a handlebar revision to suit arthritis. Never thought I'd turn Japanese.
Lurker on a Vespa


Bert Remington

  • Grease Monkey
  • ****
  • Posts: 440
  • Karma: 0
Reply #10 on: January 28, 2019, 12:32:28 am
Moto Guzzi guy went to International Show in Cleveland and liked the Royal Enfields: https://wildguzzi.com/forum/index.php?PHPSESSID=755a34327b94e446e3324a8268fc116b&topic=99576.0
2016 RE Classic 500 CA version Fair-Weather Mountain Bike
2014 Can-Am Spyder RT-S SE6 Freeway Commuter Pod


Bert Remington

  • Grease Monkey
  • ****
  • Posts: 440
  • Karma: 0
Reply #11 on: January 28, 2019, 12:43:13 am
Here's a bit of context:

https://wildguzzi.com/forum/index.php?PHPSESSID=755a34327b94e446e3324a8268fc116b&topic=99257.0

https://wildguzzi.com/forum/index.php?PHPSESSID=755a34327b94e446e3324a8268fc116b&topic=99562.0

And if you'd like to take a chance on a V-twin: https://cadrecycle.com/raffle/

I already have my MG (well it should be delivered next week) but I'm still going to buy tickets when my CC reinflates.  But I'm a donor not a winner -- its for a good cause.
2016 RE Classic 500 CA version Fair-Weather Mountain Bike
2014 Can-Am Spyder RT-S SE6 Freeway Commuter Pod


Mad4Bullets

  • Grease Monkey
  • ****
  • Posts: 308
  • Karma: 0
  • 2014 Classic 500
Reply #12 on: January 28, 2019, 05:44:36 pm
Let me countersteer this back to the 650 twins a bit and share a fun review from a chap named Fish over in Jolly Old England,  He's certainly chuffed about his experience.  Enjoy.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ug9LPowFUeI


wildbill

  • Grand Gearhead
  • *****
  • Posts: 3,282
  • Karma: 1
Reply #13 on: January 29, 2019, 05:05:07 am
ahhhh! mr fish.

nice review that one. watched it myself and he was very impressed with the bike. makes me want to buy one....


mike_bike_kite

  • Bulleteer
  • ***
  • Posts: 127
  • Karma: 0
Reply #14 on: February 01, 2019, 08:05:42 am
The Hartgate dealership is just round the corner from me and was where I bought my RE from. Odder though, was that I know Mr Fish because he used to ride a Vespa and then got heavily into videoing his rides and thoughts. Small world ...
« Last Edit: February 01, 2019, 08:34:35 am by mike_bike_kite »
2018 C5 Pegasus + NC750X + Vespa GT + Vespa GTS