How do you like the hpyermotard? I have been lurking it for few weeks. If it is not 30 degree outside, I might have gone for a test ride already.
I love the Hyper! To be fair, I only have about 300 miles on her, and no track or real twisties yet (been traveling a lot the last two months), but so far it is just an amazing amount of fun. It literally feels like it has no weight. The most flickable and responsive bike I've ever tried. Makes the SuperDuke R I had feel slow steering by comparison... Interestingly enough, the base model never did much for me, but the EVO SP with its revised geometry is just awesome... you really lean forward and "on" the front wheel (the same feel as the SDR, but you are much taller and better positioned on the Hyper, in my opinion). And man, that engine is just crazy - the kick down low with the full Termignoni is unreal (it really opens up the engine, which feels strangled with the stock exhaust). And then there is the sound... ooooohhhh baby! Rode it today, as a matter of fact, and even took a picture:
Thanks for the sharing. Everything I read about this bike is positive. Going to give myself few months to cool down and wait for the snow melt, by that time, if I am still lurking ... you know what is going to happen
I've had my k1200s for going on 6 years now. Its not ridden as much as the GS, only has 30k miles on it, but every time I ride it I like it a little better. Still not as good as the GS. Its got the low speed stumbles and occasional roll on hesitation, and the steering damper seems a bit overdone, but the grin factor is still huge. Haven't been to the track since the first summer where it did well. Plenty of roads around austin to open her up. Can't believe I haven't gotten a ticket or some jail time yet. Still some places I can't go............
The pics suck but here is my k1200r. Before and after paint. I had it painted BMW Space Grey. Before:
Have any of you gone from a ZX-14 to the K13s? I currently have a ZX-14 and it's done well by me, but I am looking for some more creature comforts and safety margins, like ABS, ESA, etc... since I rack up a lot (for me) of commute miles and pleasure miles a year, usually 15k-20k. Any regrets going from a chain drive to shaft drive? What one thing on your K13s do you love and what one thing do you dislike?
When I bought a 13s last summer, I hung onto the R1200GS for 2-up riding. But my wife surprised me when she said she liked being on the back of the 13s better than on the GS. She says that the higher riding position of the GS makes her feel more exposed, whereas she is more tucked in on the 13s. So I got rid of the GS and bought the sport panniers for the 13s so that we can use it for 2-up trips. The biggest limitation is that we cannot take nearly as much gear with us as we could on the GS. Thus, we tend to leave the "what if" gear behind. Stuff like electric vests, liners and heavy gloves just in case the weather turns really crappy. We took a couple weekend trips on the 13s this past fall, and of course the weather turned really crappy - gusty winds, rain, cold). But like everything else, it takes time to work out the best set-up, and I have no doubt we will get it all squared away. The other drawback of the 13s over the GS for 2-up riding is speed. My wife hates it when I push the speed up over 65-70 mph, even on super slab. That was no big deal on the GS, which was quite content at those speeds. But it is a battle of wills to keep the 13s at such sedate speeds. FWIW, 95% of my riding is 1-up, so the issues regarding 2-up performance are secondary. Nevetheless, I have no regrets - the 13s is just too much fun that I doubt I would be riding the GS very much even if I had kept here.
When you compared it to a GT car I couldnt resist comparing it to the Mercedes CL63 AMG which IMHO is the best luxury GT car ever built. Any other comparisons from you guys?
What are you guys doing as far as luggage is concerned? Anyone have some experience with the BMW sport cases?
I have the BMW sport cases. I broke down and bought them last Fall when I decided to sell the R1200GS and use the K1300S as my daily commuter and for occaisional 2-up riding. Although insanely over-priced, the BMW cases are actually quite functional and use a clever mechanism to allow the cases to be expanded to through a range of sizes. They seem pretty secure (I lock my radar detector and GPS unit in them when I park in the public garage near my downtown office). They have not leaked, even in heavy rain, and they do not move around at high speed or in gusty wind. The BMW casesy are nevertheless too small to hold the Aerostich currior bag that I use as my brief case. Thus, I typically strap the bag on top of the pillion seat. I also have a tank bag that I leave on the bike. I really don't need the tank bag since buying the BMW cases, but it is a convenient spot to I throw my Blackberry (which I use as a MP3 player via a Bluetooth connection to my Scala helmet headset). I also keep a thermos for coffee, baggies to cover by detector and gps, and other small items that I don't worry about not locking up. The tank bag also gives me a lot of carrying capacity in addition to the BMW sport cases for 2-up trips.
I have the BMW cases and love em. They work perfecly for daily use and when expanded can hold quite alot. In a pinch my helmet can fit in the left. As far as comparing the K1300 to a car I would say E60 M5. Tons of power, quick revs, great brakes and for it's size feels lite on its feet.
I'm working a deal on a 2012 right now. In my typical fashion, I'm already thinking about what I'd like to add. Since I'm planning to use this bike on a few long distance trips this summer, I'd like to consider a center stand. Does anyone have any experience with the SW-Motech center stand? http://www.twistedthrottle.com/sw-motech-centerstand-bmw-k1300r-k1300s-09 Sound like it bolts right up, other than some very minor cuts to the lower fairing/plastics. Any feedback would be appreciated!