It took awhile, but Steve finally noticed a change in my pictures with an F900XR in it, instead of the F800GT.900XR! Nice
I've test ridden one (some years ago when they 1st came out) and found it quite an enjoyable machine.
Have been giving some serious consideration to part exchanging both my current machines in against one that doesn't have any excess electronic stuff on it . . . but I know I'll miss the F8GS and the mud it finds
SteveT
A little backstory. When I first started riding again, I bought a Suzuki Burgman 400 scooter. I had sold the idea to my wife...who wasn't pleased about this at all...as a means to save money. Shortly after that, I picked up a nail and had to replace the rear tire. Her comment was, "I thought this was supposed to save us money." The glare and tone of voice were...well, I never want to experience that again. Fast forward to when I took a test ride on a F800GT and liked it. I asked her, "If I find I like this BMW enough, would you mind if I bought one." Her answer was, "Yes, I mind. But I know you're going to do it anyway." And then last week, she tells me she wants me to buy a new motorcycle. And when I waivered a bit, she was adamant that I get a new bike. Miracles do happen. And so I did.
I'd been "window shopping" for awhile. There are some interesting bikes out there, but some are available only in Europe so far, and most were heavier than I wanted. My criteria has always been:
- Under 1000 ccs.
- Under 500 lbs.
- Fairing to keep the cold and wet off me.
- Shaft drive preferably or belt drive. With the realization that few shaft or belt drive bikes exist. Almost all are chain driven.
I took the F800GT over to the dealership and test rode the XR. I was surprised. The XR seems more stable at starting or coming to a stop. I didn't expect that. The COG is supposedly higher with the gas tank up high, yet I can be almost at a standstill and perfectly balanced. The seat is higher, so I traded for the low seat and it is surprisingly comfortable. The ride up to the Rainbow bridge was about 5 hours, yet I didn't have a sore tush.
The electronics are easy enough to maneuver through. And all that stuff I've said before about not needing cruise control, etc...well, forget I ever said it.
They did a nice job of making it work. I've not used it yet, but it has cornering LED headlights. Cornering ABS and cornering traction control too.The throttle modes, Rain, Road, Dynamic and Dynamic Pro...they actually do something. I've used only the Road and Dynamic modes so far. Road seems much like the GT. Nice engine braking. About the same throttle response. But Dynamic...wow! It is addictive. I believe the way Dynamic works, is by sensing how fast you twist the throttle...not how far you twist the throttle. It's a different feel altogether. Twist the throttle only a little bit...but do it quickly...and the bike's response is immediate. It'll bring a smile to your face.
Wind management seems better than on my GT with the Madstad windshield. That surprised me. Coming up alongside a semi or getting some strong side winds doesn't seem to affect the bike.
Negatives...none about the bike itself, only about the purchasing process, the licensing and getting the accessories. I went in on Tuesday to finalize the sale and the salesman told me it would cost me $500 for the low seat. What!?!?! I was pissed and ready to walk out. They changed their minds on that one. Then when I went online to report the sale of the GT, I found they've tacked on a $14 fee now. $8 of it was for new ferries. What does my selling a motorcycle have to do with the ferry system? And lastly, when you feel like you've been nickel and dimed to death on purchasing the bike...you're not done. I had SW-Motech Trax side cases on the GT and had planned to put them on the XR. Nope. SW-Motech doesn't import the mounting hardware to the US market for the XR. So then I'm looking at what other alternatives I can get reasonably that will do the job. Revzilla gave me the wrong mounting hardware link when I asked for their advice. It wouldn't have worked at all for the bags I had chosen. So I'm still working some of those details out.
But I'm happy with the bike. And my wife hasn't complained once about how much it is costing. That's a win in itself.
Chris
