FZ6 or BMW1200r

[smokenu]

Need some advice,
I'am heading out on my first rode trip on thursday, taken 5 days and 1400 miles into and around AZ. My father-n-law just purchased a BMW1200R. He has offered up the key....

what bike do you take?

 

[Cali rider]

Umm, the Beemer. As long as you have adequate insurance to cover it (theft and high collision $$$), it would be the better choice.

 

[Red Wazp]

BEEMER!! Does it have a windshield?? That would help for comfort.
Won't need any chain lube:rockon:

 

[smokenu]

no windscreen.

 

[Scorphonic]

The BMW should be alot more comfortable!

 

[Shinn]

I'd feel more comfortable on a bike I know better then a bike I have never ridden and isn't my own.

 

[psnbye]

It might be fun to ride the bigger bike for a change, but I think you will miss your own ride after a while. You start comparing the two and you might regret taking the Beemer! Sounds like a fun trip though you are lucky, I still got a dumb snow drift blocking my garage door so my bike is stuck for now.

 

[rsw81]

I'd feel more comfortable on a bike I know better then a bike I have never ridden and isn't my own.

^+1... take the FZ if you have never ridden the 1200r. The FZ is plenty comfortable for that ride if you have a Corbin seat, maybe not on the stock seat.

 

[Red Wazp]

Mmmm my have to rethink the Beemer issue without some type of wind protection. One thing I do like about the FZ is the windshield as it really helps on those long streches of flat road.
I have done a lot of multi state riding with a friend who rides a GS1150 and he says no way to long trips without the windshield.You will be riding across some big wide open desert expances where the wind can beat you up. A big reason I love my FJR is the protection from the elements on long rides. Too old to even think of using the FZ6 for that kind of riding.
The best thing you could do is ride the Beemer out on the open road for a few hours to check the comfort level. If you like it, take the Beemer as it will be a smoother ride with those 1200 cc's working for you.
Isn't it great when you have a choice of bikes to ride?

 

[DefyInertia]

Sounds like a blast either way! I'm not very familiar with the 1200R but with good weather, wind shouldn't be too much of an issue under 65MPH.

 

[SovietRobot]

If you have a week, take the BMW for a test ride and see if you like it enough.

 

[Red Wazp]

Can a bike be ridden under 65?

If not mistaken he is headed over to AZ. Out in the desert there is almost always some wind which can get quite strong at times. A full day of riding out in the open can get real hard on the arms without a little help, but hey it's still better than working!

 

[Humperdinkel]

Its a bloody long ride if you aint comfy , i'd like to give the Bimmer a burl after seeing a mate of mines in the flesh .....Go the Bimmer it'll be like a big lounge chair :thumbup:

 

[D-Mac]

I love the R1200R, but take YOUR bike. It's more than capable of that type of trip.

With the FZ6 there's no risk of final drive failure either.....

 

[LERecords]

I wouldnt take the key. due to that fact he is your father in law.. now if he was just your father, take the key.. cuz im sure your father in law will be more than understanding if the bike comes back with a little scratch at worst :thumbup:

 

[grommit]

Take the FZ and your camera and report back here with lots of pictures. :thumbup:

 

[steveindenmark]

I would take the FZ6 as it is my bike and I would be so curious as to how it would handle the trip.

We all know the BMW can do it...actually I know the FZ6 does it without a problem as well but my point is that it is my bike and I would ride it.

Steve

 

[reiobard]

ask your father if you can take the beemer for a couple days before the trip to try it out, if you like it then take that, the FZ is very capable for longer trips like this but nothing will compare with a beemer if it fits you and you can get comfortable on it.

 

[tum226]

I would take my own bike. The fz6 is comfortable enough and you won't have to worry about wrecking someone elses bike. I personally wouldn't want the thought on my mind for a week straight of something bad happening to someone elses bike. Plus without a windshield you may regret it. I had a naked sv650 before the fz6 and wow what a difference in comfort on long trips.

Have fun and ride safe.

 

[Oscar54]

All good advice, either way. But the thing I agree with most is the windscreen. I am amazed at how much wind is diverted by the stock FZ windscreen. So, I would imagine that on a long trip or in inclement weather on a highway that the windscreen would make it more enjoyable.