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Welp, some of you have been following my decision making process between a BMW K1200S and a S3. After many days and nights flip flopping back and forth I made my decision.
I filled out an online credit app last night for a Scorched Yellow S3. I was approved this morning. I pick the bike up in Chattanooga this Saturday.
I decided on the S3 over the BMW for several reason. The first being, regardless of all the neat doo-dads on the BMW like ESA, ABS, heated grips and trip computer, I still felt like it was too much bike for too much money with a fun return factor that would pale against the S3 in terms of how I like to ride.
I was lured by the BMW with fantasies of how cool it would be to ride a bike that was capable of touring and setting suspension damping on the fly to become a super sport tourer. Then, I realized that after the novelty wore off I'd be riding a big, heavy bike that was really no more comfortable than the triple with a bunch of***** on it that would be very costly to fix when they broke.
Even though it has a claimed 167 crank HP, the bike was over 100lbs heavier and the wheelbase was significantly longer. A high-tech Hyabusa with a $20,000.00 price tag that is down on power for a bike of it's size.
Secondly, I'm a naked man at heart and that was something I would have had difficulty giving up if I decided to buy the BMW. To me, riding a bike is about being "out there." The BMW was a great bike for what it is and I certainly would love to have one just because, but, I know how I like to ride and the S3 will be more than comfortable enough for me on 400 mile days.
Thirldy, Price. I just can't justify $20,000.00 for a BMW that's only real advantage is the ESA system. It's nice and I'd love to have that option on the S3 but it ain't worth 10K.
Fourth, and most importantly, I've read a tremendous amount of dissatissfaction with BMW's fuel mapping on the K1200S. They still don't have it right after almost two years. They also have some tranny problems where the bike will pop out of 3rd gear and down to 2nd gear under acceleration. It actually happened to several BMW owners while they were mid corner. No thanks. Not for 20K.
So, I have been converted to the British way of thinking and I'm looking forward to experiencing this down low monster torque you guys rave about. I'm looking forward to the smooth power delivery unlike my horribly buzzy Z1000 that had nothing to offer below 7000rpm. And I loved the Z so I know I'll like the S3. Especially if I can get 129RWHP out of it.
Now, excuse me while I go order my ZARD pipe, Tuneboy, and air filter.
[ This message was edited by: Thunderpunk on 2006-07-06 16:19 ]
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