Small Harley Rider Taking European Tour, What BMW to Rent?

[Clifton]

I wasn't sure where to put this. Anyway I have a friend scheduled on an Ayres tour around Germany in July. She is what I'd call a "casual rider", maybe 5'-5" and has never ridden anything other than Harley's, I think Sportsters prior to her current Heritage Softail. At a Christmas party yesterday she said she's completely unfamiliar with BMW motorcycles and the only one she recalls straddling "was just too tall". While Ayres will rent Harley's they suggested for the roads they'll be on a BMW will be a better choice. She said for me to think about what BMW would be best for her and she'll call me in a few days because they want her to decide pretty soon so they can lock her choice in. A van accompanies the group so luggage capacity isn't an issue. Any BMW will have a taller seat than her Heritage and she seems concerned about that but I told her it can be greatly offset by a BMW's much lighter weight.

I glanced on Ayres site and it appears in the base price your choice is between a G650GS or F700GS. I'm familiar with the F700GS, it's a nice piece but is a pretty big motorcycle, physically larger than a R1200GS, so I would you think a G650GS could be a good choice. For a few hundred dollars more she could upgrade to an F800R which is lower and lighter than the 700GS, actually about the same as a G650. I don't know what roads they'll be on, and their condition, but I imagine they'll be in the mountains so would you suggest the G for it's more compliant suspension or the F800R for the much stronger twin motor and better brakes? Or a different BMW?

 

[Reggie P]

Sounds like a great trip - hope she gets "hooked"

A G650 ( single) wont give the same comfort/playful handling as the more spohisticated / twin F700 F650 models.

Lots of vendors also rent low seat versions of the bikes .... so ( imho) she'll have enough things to pay attention too, European differences.
Maybe rent a low seat version if she's only 5'-5". That will solve everything.

PS over here we have Pam Ayres Roy Ayres ... quite different !

 

[Clifton]

Sounds like a great trip - hope she gets "hooked"

Hopefully the whole group of them do stuart. The group is predominately Harley riders in fact one of the owners of our local Harley dealership is the one organizing it and will be going as well. Last year BMW approached them to carry their motorcycles, they gave thought to adding BMW and Indian but decided to hold off. The BMW rep who called on them didn't even bring a motorcycle to ride or product brochures so not much of a salesman. Hopefully he'll rethink BMW after blasting around on one for a week. I saw BMW North America hired a new person in charge of dealership development and that person previously held the same position at Harley Davidson so maybe BMW plans on getting more aggressive adding more dealers in N.A. There's not a single one in the state of West Virginia.

PS over here we have Pam Ayres Roy Ayres ... quite different !

Oh. When I Googled Ayers motorcycle tours this came up so I just assumed it's what they're taking. https://www.ayresadventures.com

 

[oblertone]

My better half is 5'00" on a good day and rides a Factory Lowered F650GS twin; the latest iteration would be a similarly lowered F700GS, No loss of performance or capability other than not having a centre stand. Great little bike.

 

[Clifton]

Thanks oblertone I'll suggest she ask if they have a factory lowered GS700. If not both the regular 700GS and an R800R with a low seat are only 30". I think she'll just need to get accustomed to being up a bit higher and either bike being much lighter and narrower than her Softail should more than compensate.

 

[Mutley]

If it's a worry why not just hire a softail? At least she's confident and comfortable on it. I've not found a road in Europe that requires a certain type of motorcycle.

 

[Clifton]

I believe Harley's, while some are available, are a lot more money, although I doubt that is an issue for her. From a selfish perspective I'm happy that the whole group is apparently going with BMW's because most of them haven't experienced any motorcycle other than their Harley's. Can you imagine having only ridden older Sportsters and plodding along on her 2001 Heritage Softail then getting on an F800R for the first time?