full dresser or naked for 'D'

[dangerous]

Ok..... so I'm planning on getting my sorry arse over to Melborne for the GP in Oct, but I'm going by bike.
The plan is to fly into Brissie then hire a bike and ride with a mate (lives there) the 5,000km there and back taking the most senic rd's possible.
Now there SFA in Brissie to hire its down to a BMW 1150RT (full dresser) or a BMW 1150R (naked)

Now I so dont like the RT as its more like a topless car and I aint no old fogie with an open faced lid that listens to the national progame while riding..... besides it just wouldent look right with a knee hanging out the side of the bike

The R is a naked bike and while it is more my style I dont know how I will handle 5,000k with no fairings...... so you see my problem.
Seriously people which bike would you choose for this trip??? 5,000k with ya finger up ya date and ya nose in the air or 5,000k in the nuddy???

[Ixion]

Well, before I got the Whale (which is a BMW RT) I'd only ever had naked bikes (no fairings at all). And I do reasonably long touring distances, in long runs.

Initially I was quite uneasy on the RT, it seemed so odd with all that plastic stuck out in front.

But, after knocking up some miles, I have to say that if you're planning an long fast run, the RT is the way to go.

I guess its biggest advantage, not getting wet, is not such an issue in Oz. But dust probably is, and the protection would be much the same.

The RT fairings make touring much more relaxing. You can do hundreds of km and not hardly notice it.

Yes the riding position feels "awkward" after a more sporting one, but you soon get used to it, and it doesn't really limit things (on such a long trip it would be foolish to push things to the limit anyway. Even a minor bin could totally stuff things up)

And the other advantage of the RT is its luggage capacity. It just makes things SO much easier, not just having the space for "bulk" luggage, but things like the glove boxes for bits and pieces.

If you can, try to move heaven and earth to get one with the adjustable electric screen. They are absolutely wonderful, press of a button and you have a sports screen, with the wind in your face. Press again and the winds all gone, no noise, no buffeting. Because you can adjust to exactly to suit wind and speed you can almost always get it free of wind effects.

But, alas, I must break it to you, you can't actually listen to music while you ride (well not without in helmet ear pieces , anyway)

My $0.02. I'd go with the RT.

But , whichever you choose, it sounds a wonderful trip. Have fun , ride safe.

[zadok]

After that beautiful Guzzi of yours either are going to be a let down I reckon. I'm with your thinking; I like the naked better, but 5000km without a fairing would be a pain in the butt. I'll say the faired model.

[zadok]

Yeah, good point Ixion: luggage capacity.

[Skyryder]

Well D I'm no expert on the long rides but when it comes to bugs, the Ockers have plenty of them I'd be asking myself where do I want them? On the hired bike or on your leathers?

The other thing............on long rides I think you need all the protection from the wind that you can get. You don't want to catch AIDS. Aussie Isobars=Dangerous Stress.

Skyryder

[Jantar]

5000 ks in Queensland? Naked is the ONLY way to go. Its hot enough that you'll appreciate the extra airflow around your body.

[TonyB]

Well D I'm no expert on the long rides but when it comes to bugs, the Ockers have plenty of them I'd be asking myself where do I want them? On the hired bike or on your leathers?

Hmm- good point. You'd have to clean all the bugs off to keep customs happy- is that right??

[sels1]

Sounds like a great trip. But for that many miles, I'd be inclined to go for the comfortable (RT) option - after all, you're in a different country, you shouldnt see anyone you know.......

[Hitcher]

Hire an ST1300, yah pussy!

[duckman]

Just like the old woman in town who wears mens shoes and talks to buildings, told me .... "If your gunna go, Go Naked" .....

[Biff]

It's got to be the naked R. You'll never experience true Ozzie road riding until you get some Kangaroos stuck between your teeth.

[HDTboy]

I voted the R1150R, are you able to get a hold of a K1200R? That'd be even more fun

[FROSTY:Me]

Id definitely go the Tourer way. comfort and luggage capacity would be my reasons.
I find it hard to believe there aint other options though
Have ya tried gaynors cycles in melbourne --They might have a hook up on the gold coast.

[dangerous]

Yeah, good point Ixion: luggage capacity.

both bikes have hard paniers

5000 ks in Queensland? Naked is the ONLY way to go. Its hot enough that you'll appreciate the extra airflow around your body.

1st and last couple of hours will be in QLD the rest of the trip will be NSW and SA, so it will get cooler and wetish.

Hire an ST1300, yah pussy!

I'm not a pussy!

It's got to be the naked R. You'll never experience true Ozzie road riding until you get some Kangaroos stuck between your teeth.

I'ts the snakes that worry me, they can tend to wrap themselves around ya wheels, already hit one, luckly it had road train tyre marks already over it..... still made a hell of a bump tho.

I find it hard to believe there aint other options though

There are HD's etc in Brissie but been there done that and will never again, If I were to hire out of Sydney then ther are VFR's Triumph Sprint CBR's etc but they want $400 each way to ship the bike to Brissie.... bugger that.

Another option is the Rocket 3 that would be fun for a day but 10 days.... na.
Interesting that the poll has been even right through, this is the problem I have with choosing.... just too close.
Cheers all, keep voting.

[gav]

"Fairings are for poofters" according to Boris, AMCN. So that'll be the RT for ya then