Popos go for Hondas

[george formby]

Our replacement process being what it is, I doubt we'll be seeing one this year.

Well jump lively. You still have time to get a donut warmer fitted. Just above the right cylinder head.

[Tazz]

Our replacement process being what it is, I doubt we'll be seeing one this year.

Did you guys not only just get some new BMW's a couple of months ago like

[Gremlin]

Maybe that is why the police BMW I sat on at an expo accommodated my bulk so easily but the bike I was pointed to as being the same at experience was soggy in the suspension and seemed much smaller physically. Not an authority edition at experience?

Most of the RT you come across are not Authority Edition spec, basically, unless it's a cop bike or there were two for a security company (Damien Rush? originally and since sold) then they are all regular. Spec within both can vary anyway, and it's all from factory. Usually the Authority version doesn't get the goodies like ESA, Radio and has a lower final drive ratio to allow slower speeds (the stock one has quite high gearing being a touring bike). Then you have the obvious stuff like the crash bars front and rear, slim panniers and single seat with pod behind etc. They're also wired from factory with extra light switches and the 2nd battery to run it all...

Thinking about it, it's possible one had ESA and one didn't (hell, could even be aftermarket gear too) and that could account for a difference. Size wise, all R1200RT are the same, but there are options like lower seats. Suspension can also change the ride height.

I considered a custom spec RT at one point with some Authority bits, but then realised the GSA is probably better for what I do, and the GSA also has a lower final drive ratio than most other models (about 8kph up hills before needing the clutch). Still... tis fun looking at the details

[willytheekid]

yup...Typical V4 honda

[Big Dog]

Most of the RT you come across are not Authority Edition spec, basically, unless it's a cop bike or there were two for a security company (Damien Rush? originally and since sold) then they are all regular. Spec within both can vary anyway, and it's all from factory. Usually the Authority version doesn't get the goodies like ESA, Radio and has a lower final drive ratio to allow slower speeds (the stock one has quite high gearing being a touring bike). Then you have the obvious stuff like the crash bars front and rear, slim panniers and single seat with pod behind etc. They're also wired from factory with extra light switches and the 2nd battery to run it all...

Thinking about it, it's possible one had ESA and one didn't (hell, could even be aftermarket gear too) and that could account for a difference. Size wise, all R1200RT are the same, but there are options like lower seats. Suspension can also change the ride height.

I considered a custom spec RT at one point with some Authority bits, but then realised the GSA is probably better for what I do, and the GSA also has a lower final drive ratio than most other models (about 8kph up hills before needing the clutch). Still... tis fun looking at the details

Thanks for the details.
The one in the shop was on a firm setting but still seemed soggier than yesterday's Weetbix. The one at the expo was firmer than anything I have had the joy of riding. The "owner" who talked to me for a while about gear thoughts on the bike as an office etc was about my height but considerably more athletic. So he may have had the suspension sorted for him?

It may be my recollection or even just the differences of a nights sleep but I thought the seat height was higher, the tank wider, and taller ( giving the illusion of sitting in rather than on the bike) bars slightly higher and flatter and the whole (expo) bike generally felt more comfortable.

The shop bike felt ok, but did not inspire me to want one any more than other bikes half the price.

Mind you I did not take either for a ride.


Stupid phone / Tapatalk, apologies in advance.

[Maha]

I once saw a cop on a bike
He told me his name was Mike
He said with a smile
Are you free for a while
It turns out that Mike was a dike.

[SPman]

well whatever bike it maybe, loud pipes save lives, small pipes kill licences... a Auckland police cop scared the living daylights out of me coming out of the CBD the other night, full flashing lights but no sirens... quiet as hell. I was shifting a fair few kms, with only one mirror... yowzers... luckily they were off to a prang down south...

If I recall rightly, the Auckland city council cops had CB550s with fecking loud aftermarket pipes on them - well, the one who pulled me over in the Morry Minor did......

[Gremlin]

It may be my recollection or even just the differences of a nights sleep but I thought the seat height was higher, the tank wider, and taller ( giving the illusion of sitting in rather than on the bike) bars slightly higher and flatter and the whole (expo) bike generally felt more comfortable.

The shop bike felt ok, but did not inspire me to want one any more than other bikes half the price.

Assuming both were R1200RT, then those differences aren't possible. Depending on when this was, BMW has just released a new R1200RT (which the police certainly won't be getting now) and the police also have some R1150RT (previous model) in service, so that's a possible reason, which is essentially two different bikes.

They can feel slightly saggy when stationary or getting on them, but it's more about the road performance and whether it's suitable for you. Even a mate declared mine a couch, but revised that after riding it, and said it's a couch that can really go around corners...

[Big Dog]

Assuming both were R1200RT, then those differences aren't possible. Depending on when this was, BMW has just released a new R1200RT (which the police certainly won't be getting now) and the police also have some R1150RT (previous model) in service, so that's a possible reason, which is essentially two different bikes.

They can feel slightly saggy when stationary or getting on them, but it's more about the road performance and whether it's suitable for you. Even a mate declared mine a couch, but revised that after riding it, and said it's a couch that can really go around corners...

If memory serves it was speed show about 2-3 years ago and then the BMW shop in Kingsland (Experience?) the day after. I just told them I liked the one at the Expo and asked if they had one and how much.
If it hadn't felt like such a let down over the previous day I might have taken it for a spin... but then I would have probably bought it and no doubt the debt collectors would have been around sooner or later.

I really wish my finances would keep up with my tastes....

[AllanB]

It is due to the BMW's catching fire .............


So if you get a Honda do I get a discount if you catch me speeding. You know, Honda thing and all that.

[Gremlin]

... but then I would have probably bought it and no doubt the debt collectors would have been around sooner or later.

I really wish my finances would keep up with my tastes....

Yar, they ain't cheap, but they're actually cheaper now than in the last couple of years... Still...

So if you get a Honda do I get a discount if you catch me speeding. You know, Honda thing and all that.

Probably give you a free reach around I'd take the fine...

[Erelyes]

I once saw a cop on a bike
He told me his name was Mike
He said with a smile
Are you free for a while
It turns out that Mike was a dike.

When pulled up by a cop on a Honda
An offence they were trying to conjure.
Said I, 'This is daft
You can suck on my shaft'
... It transpired the cop's name was Rhonda.

[awa355]

Coming to a highway near you. At least he wont pass his own bullet.

[BMWGSER]

Those 10 year old design Honda's would be a lot cheaper to purchase than the new BMW RT or Yamaha's new FJR 1300
What's worse the Honda won't break down and cost very little to keep on the road, The Honda ST1100 that the Police last bought for APEC or CHOGEM? costed very little to keep on the road.
No more waiting for BMW parts with bikes of the road.
Rusticat it's not the end of the World least the Beancounters could of got You Guys VFR800's like Japan use , They would be to Fast.
Bugger I am a BMW fan/owner.

[rastuscat]

Big Dog and Grem...............here's some thoughts.

My civilian 09 R1200RT is a lot lighter than the 07 work bike, but only a little lighter than the 13 work bike. The 13 work bike is the DOHC model. I don't like the new indicator switches, I'm a BMW separated switch fan. Just personal preference.

The 13 is the one we have on loan from the Popo college pending the replacement for the bonfire bike. The 07 is the sister ship to the bonfire bike. It now has 144000 km on it, and it's getting tired.

My 09 has a stereo and CD player, ESA, cruise control, and fat arse bags. It only has one battery. I think the gearbox is taller, at least in first, as Grem has pointed out. The authority bags are top opening for a quick get away from donut sales.

My electronics are different too. The work bikes have a digital speedo readout which we calibrate in the middle of the main display. We don't look at the factory analogue speedo much. It's pish.

The work bikes have disco lights, to match my disco ball(s). They're red and blue. (The lights, not my balls). Somewhere down in the electronics there is a suffering cat being tortured. Allegedly it's a siren, but I'm not convinced. We can turn the torture on and off with a switch with a klaxon graphic on it. Go figure. I think it should be a cat graphic.

More people pull out in front of my private bike. Fact. Maybe it's because the work bikes look like.......well.......Popo bikes. People still pull out in front of the work bikes, but less so. Followed closely by application of the disco lights..................

The Hondas will be interesting, but to be fair, I like the Bimmers. That said, any bike the Bwana provides with a full tank and a fuel card will do me just fine. It's not all about the bike, but rather the work we do which the bike is a tool for. I'd ride anything, if it was provided.

Well, almost anything.