I’ve narrowed it down to the BMW k1200R or the Harley Sportster 1200. The BMW 1200 weighs 546 pounds and produces 163 horsepower and 94 pounds of torque and has a 5.0 gallon gas tank capacity. The Harley 1200 puts out 70 hp and puts out 79 pounds of torque weighs 556 pounds and has a 3.3 gallon tank capacity. BMW has double discs up front with four piston ABS braking and a single disc with 2 piston ABS in the rear, Harley has a 2 piston set up in front but no ABS. The BMW is fuel injected, the Harley is carbuereted. The BMW will cost me about $13,500, while the Harley will be closer to $10k. After replacing the pipes and having some engine work done to the Harley to boost hp up to about 85 (and a few other required accessories), I’ll be in about $12.5k. I’ve ridden both and the BMW performance, suspension, ergonomics and handling is outstanding. While I like the BMW specs a lot better than the Harley specs, my friends all tell me I need a Harley, because, lets face it, it’s American and it’s a Harley. So what should I get?
If you’re comparing the BMW K1200R against the Harley Sportster, you’re comparing apples and oranges. The Beemer is as up-to-date modern technology sport bike as you can get, while the H-D is so old school, it’s got whiskers. A better comparison between HD and BMW would be the Sportster versus the BMW F-650 CS, or ask your dealer about the new BMW F-800 that’s coming soon.
Most of the fools on this web site will tell you to go for the Harley because it’s cool, or it’s made in the USA, or it looks good… But do you want to look cool or do you want to ride a motorcycle?
If you’re serious about riding, then go for the BMW and leave all your antique technology H-D riding buddies in the dust. If you just want to be a poser and look cool, then you know what to do.
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16 users responded in this post
harley
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bmw will ride better but harley will look better
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A Harley has always been and will be a statement. A BMW is a good bike, but doesn’t say anything.
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what will you be riding next to? your friends ride harley’s? they’ll laugh at the BMW. being female i’d be more attracted to the BMW, just seems to have some class than the rough immage the harley gives. you can’t please everyone,, so you’ve got to please yourself
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I rode Harleys for years because all my friends did. When I bought a newer model in 2003, I thought all the problems they had been known for would have been fixed. I was sadly mistaken. While I struggled to keep my Harleys running, people I knew with BMWs were routinely clocking over 100,000 miles without any problems. Some with over 200,000 without ever cracking the case. So I’ve learned my lesson and now own a BMW. So if you don’t want to ride, but want to look "cool" in frilly leather, buy the Harley. if you want the best, buy the BMW. As a Hells Angel I know (that rides a Honda) once told me, "its all about the ride".
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I have to say Harley I’m on my 3rd brand New Harley they are #1 you will never get the feeling of Harley out of your soul yes its AMERICAN MADE also they keep there value and everyone knows a Harley they are a better Bike, And yes you say replace the pipes well what good is a bike if you can’t hear it ? Because LOAD PIPES SAVE YOUR LIFE because if they can’t see you they will hear you and start to look for you and to re jet the engine is nothing I did mine myself, and I’m a Lady rider, and the people you’ll meet are the Best no other motorcycle can say that, there people stand behind them as good as a fellow Harley Rider So do it HARLEY
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If you value performance, buy Japan. Else, you are buying based on sentiment. Which bike does it for you most? Buy the one that does.
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Go for the Harley you can get lots of cool outfits with leather fringes to match the cool leather fringed stuff that you get for the bike. I don’t even think that you can get the cool leather fringe matching luggage and brake lever covers for a BMW (many have ugly uncool metal luggage). Harley owners are cool guys you can talk to at the bar when you go out for your three mile ride, BMW guys are always going on long rides and don’t like to talk about cool outfits or buy neat chrome stuff for their bikes. Most BMW guys don’t even have cool airbrushed flames on their bikes. All the cool Harley guys get custom paint jobs. The main reasons to get a Harley is that is never AMERICAN MADE and LOUD. Other dudes will Harley even notice you on a BMW, but when you ride up to the bar on a Harley the other guys will say I want to date that cool guy in the matching leather outfit. If you want to be really cool you can make your Harley in to a chopper, BMWs suck since you can’t make them in to a chopper…
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BMW- technologically advanced
reliable
cheaper in the long run due to less maintenance
better handling, stopping etc.
Harley- overpriced, slow,unreliable peice of american made JUNK!!
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Bugger your mates lets face it you have to ride it and to be honest what about a good second hand Honda gold wing i did,nt see you mentioning that bike and it is as comfortable as both of them by a long shot
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If you’re comparing the BMW K1200R against the Harley Sportster, you’re comparing apples and oranges. The Beemer is as up-to-date modern technology sport bike as you can get, while the H-D is so old school, it’s got whiskers. A better comparison between HD and BMW would be the Sportster versus the BMW F-650 CS, or ask your dealer about the new BMW F-800 that’s coming soon.
Most of the fools on this web site will tell you to go for the Harley because it’s cool, or it’s made in the USA, or it looks good… But do you want to look cool or do you want to ride a motorcycle?
If you’re serious about riding, then go for the BMW and leave all your antique technology H-D riding buddies in the dust. If you just want to be a poser and look cool, then you know what to do.
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BMW Rider, and proud of it!
Dude, you have so answered your own question. Undoubtedly the BMW. That old American argument is so over, not to mention not entirely accurate. Sure, listen to your friends if you want to be a follower. But if you want to be a REBEL and think for yourself, get what you want.
Consider this argument as well – if you don’t buy the BMW, some poor American BMW salesman isn’t going to make his quota this month, the dealership’s figures will be down, they’ll go out of business, and then WHAM! another bunch of Americans will be out of a job.
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Stick with what you want. You have all the answers in front of you. What is your top feature that your looking for and so on….it’s a personal choice.
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If you want to ride it here in a FREE COUNTRY….AND YOUR AN AMERICAN….. WHO IS PROUD…..ahem see pic to the left..
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Get The Harley will cost you less and they are more fun to ride then the BMW
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I understand the BMW ABS works the front and rear brakes together. This would be enough to rule out the BMW. Try going around a turn with the front brake on, then go around a turn with it off. You will notice that the front brake causes you to swing out on the turn. Harley knows that the front brake is for emergancies, not to be applied in all braking situations. Buy a bike that you like to ride, not on specs. Anyone could make their specs look good. Compare rpm ranges at peak horsepower. Harley is much lower rpms. I have had people tell me that I seem like the BMW type. I take it as an insult. I know thay want me to trade in my old Harley, because they want it. Just remember, you can buy anything that you want. Get on each of them and ride them.
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