Should I get a Honda Varadero or a BMW R1200GS?

Message

keera · #1 Post by **keera** » Sat Jun 10, 2006 9:13 am

I need help deciding whether a Honda Varadero or a BMW1200GS will do for me. I'm a courier in London and ride about 100 miles a day within London, occassionally outside London.

I need a very strong machine that you can thrash a few hundred thousand miles onto and still go on. And that hardly needs any maintenance (besides servicing).

It needs to be a good all-purpose bike. A comfortable tourer (as I'll be riding with my partner down the motorway to birmingham every now and then) and a nippy street bike.

It needs to be very good on fuel consumption too!

Thanks guys.

Kal · #2 Post by **Kal** » Sat Jun 10, 2006 10:57 am

Hi ya Keera

Theres a few UK types on here.

As your bikes, as much as I am a Honda fan how can you turn down the R1200GS after Obi-Wan and Mordred went round the world on its parent?

Seriously though, any chanmce of a dealership letting you test ride them?

Andrew · #3 Post by **Andrew** » Sat Jun 10, 2006 12:29 pm

I just bought my 2004 K1200RS today, so while I don't have a lot of time riding it, I would definetely recommend the BMW.

As many miles as you plan on putting on it, the BMW will be reliable and plenty powerful.

Just my 2 cents...

-Andrew

ericeverson · #4 Post by **ericeverson** » Sat Jun 10, 2006 1:59 pm

My friend’s dad bought a new BMW K100RS in 1985 and it still serves as his daily driver. It seems that it would take more than a bullet to keep that BMW from chugging along. I love Hondas as much as the next guy, but there aren’t too many 1984 models serving as daily drivers today. I’m not saying that with the right mechanical ability that it wouldn’t be possible, but in looking at the bikes on the road it’s rare. BMW’s seem to have a lot in common with this guy:

ZooTech · #5 Post by **ZooTech** » Sat Jun 10, 2006 4:51 pm

ericeverson wrote:My friend’s dad bought a new BMW K100RS in 1985 and it still serves as his daily driver. It seems that it would take more than a bullet to keep that BMW from chugging along. I love Hondas as much as the next guy, but there aren’t too many 1984 models serving as daily drivers today. I’m not saying that with the right mechanical ability that it wouldn’t be possible, but in looking at the bikes on the road it’s rare. BMW’s seem to have a lot in common with this guy:

Huh?

Kal · #6 Post by **Kal** » Sat Jun 10, 2006 7:18 pm

Keeps going and going and going and going and going and going and going and going and going and going and going and going and going and going and going and going and going and going and going and going and going and going and going and going and going and going and going and going and going and going and going and going and going and going and going and going and going and going and going and going and going and going and going and going and going and going and going and going and going and going and going and going and going and going and going and going and going and going and going and going and going and going and going and going and going and going and going and going and going and going and going and going and going and going and going and going and going and going and going and going and going and going and going and going and going and going and going and going and going and...

You guys must have had that advert!

as for '84 Hondas as daily drivers, there are a lot out there. Most of the Hondas in my price range are early eighties machines CB250's, CB400's and CX500's...

They are out there...