Author Topic: Motorcyclist Comparo Bandit to K1200R Sport (Read 6340 times)

ZenMan · « **Reply #30 on:** June 28, 2007, 08:47:21 PM »

The K-series BMW's don't do much for me. I love the Boxers. They're not the fastest, most powerful, best handling, and certainly not the highest-tech bikes out there. But they are unique, and have a certain mystique.

I've been lusting after one of these since I first saw one... tell me this bike isn't just drop-dead COOL:

And when I get too old and decrepit for my Bandit, no Gold Wing for me. I'll probably save up and go for the tried and true "old reliable" long-distance comfort machine with style:

Nitro · « **Reply #31 on:** June 28, 2007, 09:00:02 PM »

That is cool. It's not a factory bike, is it?

ZenMan · « **Reply #32 on:** June 28, 2007, 10:33:17 PM »

Quote from: "Nitro"

That is cool. It's not a factory bike, is it?

No, it's a '05 Boxer Cup Replica, Randy Mamola Edition. There's still a few low-mile models out there to be found, nice ones go for about $10K.

SteelD · « **Reply #33 on:** June 29, 2007, 02:46:02 AM »

I like BMW bikes too and have nothing against them. However, with some BMW riders, brand loyalty becomes brand snobbery when, in reality, BMW bikes are no better and no worse than any other make of bike. They have had quality issues, breakdowns, part failures and corrosion issues. They aren't perfect though some of their riders seem to think they are.

We live in a world of choice, but whatever we choose to ride as bikers, we should stick together as one community that enjoys the freedom of motorcycling and not perpetrate the snobbery associated with specific brand ownership.

Bazza · « **Reply #34 on:** July 01, 2007, 04:23:29 PM »

Quote from: "SteelD"

Sorry, my fault. I was being a little facetious by suggesting that BMW also have 'old' air/cooled designs in their range.

So, in that article, what were they referring to as an 'air-cooled dinosaur' 'cos that's definitely what the B1250 isn't. Maybe they didn't see that through their rose-tinted spectacles.

The K is BMW's state of the art showcase "we have arrived" bike.

It was a very well done article though. The general consensus I kind of got from both riders was that the Bandit was not necessarily better than the K, unless you factored in the price difference.

It appears the new Bandit still leads in best value for the buck!

SteelD · « **Reply #35 on:** July 01, 2007, 05:59:55 PM »

Quote from: "Bazza"

The K is BMW's state of the art showcase "we have arrived" bike.

It appears the new Bandit still leads in best value for the buck!

I quite agree. The K Series bikes are fantastic state-of-the-art machines and probably could easily beat the 1250 in terms of equipment, dynamics, comfort, handling, and outright performance. However, all that comes at a price - I can buy two B1250s for the price of one K bike.

Unfortunately, a lot of magazines are only interested in absolute terms of one being better than another - they don't buy their own bikes after all. As you say, the Bandit delivers the biggest bang for the buck.