BMW K1100LTSE

I have a k 1100lt/se and would have to say she's the best tourer I've had. Beats the gold wing, far to heavy and slugish and wants to fall over at low speeds around town. The beemer is so nimble and loves hills and tight corners. She's my pride and joy and I keep her well maintained and clean.

I have owned my BMW K1100LTSE for about 3 years now. They tend to hold their value well and there are cheaper options available if you are looking for a used touring motorcycle. I mounted my "new" steed for the first time shortly after purchasing it. The first thing I noticed was that there were two red lights flashing on the dash. Any red light means stop! I need not have worried, it was just telling me the ABS was unable to initialise because I hadn't gone anywhere yet! It sets itself after about 5 metres. The dash and switch layout is sensible. The meters clear and easy to read. The LCD digital clock is centre dash and can be invaluable at times. Controls for the radio are located on the left handlebar. It does mean moving your hand slightly but is definitely better than reaching for a control elsewhere which could jeopardise safety.

The electric wind shield is a godsend. The rustle you normally hear as the wind penetrates your helmet can be virtually eliminated by raising the shield. At faster speeds the wind shield in the upper position also helps you hear the radio or cassette. That being said, the reproduction of the stereo is not great but it is better than using earphones. At least you can hear other important noises such as the siren of an emergency vehicle.

The top speed of the K1100 is said to be >200kph (circa 130 MPH) but I have never seen the need to take it so fast. The bike seems happiest at around 80MPH.

As for luggage - there is plenty of space for it. The K1100 comes equipped with two hard self coloured pannier cases and a third larger top box. All of the cases are easily removable if desired, I leave mine on - it looks better. Sure, there is the drag factor from the wind on these cases but the sheer power of the engine overcomes that as if it didn't exist.

One of the nicest things about this bike is the fact that on approach to a junction or similar you don't necessarily have to change down. There is enough power to go from 20MPH to 70MPH in top gear without any stuttering.

The bike measures just 1 metre at its widest point (tips of the handlebars), which means that unlike a lot of other bikes, if you can get through the traffic with your handlebars the rest of the bike will follow. You are not constantly aware that your panniers might not make it through tight situations.

The fuel economy is justifiably compromised. This bike IS heavy and it needs to be powerful enough to carry itself, you, your passenger and your luggage to a destination possibly a thousand miles away. It can do this, and it will not complain.

Spares tend to be expensive. Aftermarket parts are available at about half the price but the genuine BMW parts last three times longer and are more efficient. Use aftermarket if you are going to sell your steed soon but if you plan to keep her it is worth getting the proper parts. Anything else would be false economy.

What I like most about my BMW is she is a keeper. Why would I want to sell her? She starts when I ask her to. She keeps going until we reach our destination (or runs out of fuel, whichever comes soonest), she doesn't care what the weather is like, she will still start and get you there. Moreover, she is so comfortable that when you arrive you are still fresh and are eager to get on with your day - unlike other bikes I have taken long haul and needed to rest to get over the saddle soreness.

All in all, she is designed for touring. She does that very well. On the other hand, if you need something to just get you around town, perhaps a machine like the Honda VT500 would suit you better. These bikes are much better at getting through the traffic because of their narrow design. They are also fairly reliable. I have owned both these machines and I loved them both - but for touring, you can't beat the Beemer!