Comments on: Best Long-Distance Motorcycle? http://motorcycle-intelligence.com/2ridetheworld/65/ Irreverent Motorcycle News & Safety Tips Fri, 18 May 2012 00:06:29 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 By: Tom http://motorcycle-intelligence.com/2ridetheworld/65/comment-page-1/#comment-4413 Tom Mon, 07 May 2012 02:40:17 +0000 http://motorcycle-intelligence.com/2ridetheworld/65#comment-4413 Well, I have owned a Goldwing and although it was a very pleasant experience in virtually every way, my R1200RT has something the 'ol Wing will never have. Character. Although the Wing always was ready to do whatever long distance trip I through at it, it never stirred my soul like the RT. Perhaps it was its ponderous weight or size or electric smooth motor, but whatever it was it felt like, well nothing! The RT has just about the perfect mix of power, weight, sound, superb wind protection (when you want it), comfort and economy. All in one bike! Astounding that I just got off of a 1500 mile ride in two days and can't wait to do it again. Not that the ride would not have been possible or even enjoyable on the GL, but...I just can't put it in to words. Own them both for a while and you'll get it! Well, I have owned a Goldwing and although it was a very pleasant experience in virtually every way, my R1200RT has something the ‘ol Wing will never have. Character. Although the Wing always was ready to do whatever long distance trip I through at it, it never stirred my soul like the RT. Perhaps it was its ponderous weight or size or electric smooth motor, but whatever it was it felt like, well nothing! The RT has just about the perfect mix of power, weight, sound, superb wind protection (when you want it), comfort and economy. All in one bike! Astounding that I just got off of a 1500 mile ride in two days and can’t wait to do it again. Not that the ride would not have been possible or even enjoyable on the GL, but…I just can’t put it in to words. Own them both for a while and you’ll get it!

]]> By: Jay Mandelker http://motorcycle-intelligence.com/2ridetheworld/65/comment-page-1/#comment-4411 Jay Mandelker Fri, 04 May 2012 20:26:35 +0000 http://motorcycle-intelligence.com/2ridetheworld/65#comment-4411 Absolutely loved reading all the above. My R1150R is a great machine But for someone younger. I feel the 1200RT is the best all 'round compromise. Nimble in the city, yet smooth as silk on the highway. ST1300, FJR, Concours 14 all have more power (with 4 cylinders) but more weight -- easily a hundred pounds more (455 kg). Victory's Cross Country & Vision give great leg room, Gold Wing has been a proven winner for years. You ridea Harley because nothing else matters (and you don't care! It's a Harley!) the Glides are comfy, not quite a Wing --but it's a Harley. Victory is doing a great job - I think better value, but the small dealer network (which is growing), is a concern. Ja Absolutely loved reading all the above. My R1150R is a great machine
But for someone younger. I feel the 1200RT is the best all ’round compromise. Nimble in the city, yet smooth as silk on the highway. ST1300, FJR, Concours 14 all have more power (with 4 cylinders) but more weight — easily a hundred pounds more (455 kg). Victory’s Cross Country & Vision give great leg room, Gold Wing has been a proven winner for years. You ridea Harley because nothing else matters (and you don’t care! It’s a Harley!) the Glides are comfy, not quite a Wing –but it’s a Harley. Victory is doing a great job – I think better value, but the small dealer network (which is growing), is a concern. Ja

]]> By: Simon Thomas http://motorcycle-intelligence.com/2ridetheworld/65/comment-page-1/#comment-4251 Simon Thomas Wed, 29 Feb 2012 09:32:18 +0000 http://motorcycle-intelligence.com/2ridetheworld/65#comment-4251 Again, there's lots of discussion here about specifically what's the 'best bike' and what can and cannot be done on this bike or that. Realistically it's never about the bike but more the rider. A bike journey never stops because a bike broke down but simply because a rider chose not to fix it that one last time. here's one of my favorite expressions, uttered after Argentinian Emilio Scotto spent ten years going around the world. He visited every region, in every country in the world and did the lot on a Honda Goldwing !$£@?!?!?! At the a bemused reporter asked him...But Emilio why did you do it on a Goldwing. his answer was priceless "...well, because no one told me that I couldn't"! Cheers for now. Simon Thomas Again, there’s lots of discussion here about specifically what’s the ‘best bike’ and what can and cannot be done on this bike or that. Realistically it’s never about the bike but more the rider. A bike journey never stops because a bike broke down but simply because a rider chose not to fix it that one last time.

here’s one of my favorite expressions, uttered after Argentinian Emilio Scotto spent ten years going around the world. He visited every region, in every country in the world and did the lot on a Honda Goldwing !$£@?!?!?! At the a bemused reporter asked him…But Emilio why did you do it on a Goldwing. his answer was priceless

“…well, because no one told me that I couldn’t”!

Cheers for now.
Simon Thomas

]]> By: John Bradshaw http://motorcycle-intelligence.com/2ridetheworld/65/comment-page-1/#comment-3803 John Bradshaw Thu, 27 Oct 2011 07:04:42 +0000 http://motorcycle-intelligence.com/2ridetheworld/65#comment-3803 Went from the Artic Circle in Ak to the tip of Florida and back in 5 weeks on a Road Glide. Thought the ride couldn't be much better. This year made 1/2 that millage on a 2011 Fatboy lo and thought it was the best ever. Easier for my 30" inseam and new replacement knees. So what I'm saying is the best bike ever is the one that's paid for and between your knees. Went from the Artic Circle in Ak to the tip of Florida and back in 5 weeks on a Road Glide. Thought the ride couldn’t be much better. This year made 1/2 that millage on a 2011 Fatboy lo and thought it was the best ever. Easier for my 30″ inseam and new replacement knees. So what I’m saying is the best bike ever is the one that’s paid for and between your knees.

]]> By: Bruce http://motorcycle-intelligence.com/2ridetheworld/65/comment-page-1/#comment-3720 Bruce Fri, 16 Sep 2011 18:42:15 +0000 http://motorcycle-intelligence.com/2ridetheworld/65#comment-3720 I've logged some serious miles on a bike and have been riding for 40 years. For me, the most comfortable is the Vulcan VN2000. It is long and you can stretch out like a rocking chair. Huge floorboards and with Cobra Freeway bars and pegs it's a great fit for a tall guy. Stock seat is bad but replaced with Mustang. Recently rode 2977 miles in 10 days. Could spend all day every day in the saddle on this one. Other bikes had to stretch every 50 miles. With a 2053cc engine, freeway cursing at 80 or 90 is effortless. For the Driver(not passenger), it's more comfortable than any BMW(can't stand) or Wing(bad peg position) or Ultra Classic(floorboards too small and heel shift poorly positioned). The 1300 and 1500's seem like mopeds. I’ve logged some serious miles on a bike and have been riding for 40 years. For me, the most comfortable is the Vulcan VN2000. It is long and you can stretch out like a rocking chair. Huge floorboards and with Cobra Freeway bars and pegs it’s a great fit for a tall guy. Stock seat is bad but replaced with Mustang. Recently rode 2977 miles in 10 days. Could spend all day every day in the saddle on this one. Other bikes had to stretch every 50 miles. With a 2053cc engine, freeway cursing at 80 or 90 is effortless. For the Driver(not passenger), it’s more comfortable than any BMW(can’t stand) or Wing(bad peg position) or Ultra Classic(floorboards too small and heel shift poorly positioned). The 1300 and 1500′s seem like mopeds.

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