What to do???

[MedicEL]

Hi,
I am new to this site.

I am asking your opinions of what to do.

I have to choose a fleet of motorcycles for riding in London, with top boxes and panniers. It needs to display livery and to be able to carry weight in its boxes.

The bikes will be used in London and surrounding areas and will be used daily. Some of the riders will be new riders (although will be fully trained)

I have the choice of BMW or Honda. (BMW 1200 GS / RT & 650GS & new 800ST) (Honda Pan European & Deauville & VFR & Vareado)

What bikes would you choose?

Is the 1200GS as good as everybody says

 

[The Slow Granger]

Although I have the older 1150 and limited town riding or bike experience come to think of it, its marked with high vis tape (ie your livery would be noticed) and because of its sheer size and height its presence seems to affect people who generally move over in town. IMHO your riders will also get the sense of belonging if you provided such a quality machine as the BM. I guess on costs would generally be balanced and certainally the residuals would.

 

[nadeem]

you'd certainly be unique using GS's and they are great bikes - able to carry heavy loads with no problems.

 

[Butler]

This was my Varadero in 2000. It was pretty good in or out of town. Pop on a Scottoiler and top box and away you go!
Original Honda panniers stick out a bit though, try Givi.
As you can see, the bike has plenty of space for any advertising.

Before this, we had Pans which are really superb. (covered over 100,000 m) and was still sweet. The only downside was the mirrors tend to be the same level as most cars and trying to get down toward the Blackwall tunnel, for example, was a pain in traffic. Especially for the bikes behind. Panniers were no problem.

Can't comment on a 1200GS as I've not owned one.

Don't do loadsa mileage now and wouldn't swap my GS for the Varadero.

Remember, Honda servicing 4000 M
BM servicing 6000 M.

Worth thinking about if you intend to rack 'em up.

 

[dirtydog]

Go with the Honda's!

 

[beemerboy9]

Talk to whichever dealer or garage is going to maintain them and ask them (and then have them put it down in writing) precisely how they can help you make these machines earn MONEY for you. Yes, time off road is money.
Go with whichever dealer is prepared to stand by his word.
BMW and Honda are both well-made bikes in general and suited to the drudgery ahead but the watchword here is after-sales.
Whoever finally rides these machines will bring their own strong prejudices to the party and you won't please all of them all the time.
Good luck! Hope you pick BeeEmm's!

 

[ianboydsnr]

I would probably say the deauville is the one given what you have said so far, but would need more info on what they are going to be used for, to make a more informed choice

 

[redcastle]

Ive just sold my pan stx1300 and got a GS1200 (a week ago)
I havent got the experience on the GS yet to give an informed opinion on reliability but its much better than the pan in town. by a country mile.

The pan is heavy, poor turning circle and difficult to manouver at slow speeds. dont misunderstand, its a great bike once you learn to ride it but its not for the newbie or faint hearted. I wouldnt give one to a new rider, its just too heavy and the learning curve would cost you a fortune in damaged panniers when its dropped. On the open road..............unbeatable. The deauville might be better but I havent ridden one.

another bit of info.
the fuel consumption on the pan and the GS is about the same at around 50mpg but the pans tyres are expensive. I think the servicing on both bikes is about the same but the intervals on the GS are longer.

Im loving the GS, this forum and the Adv forum are making me nervous with a view to reliablility but that remains to be seen.

I hope that helps you a bit.

 

[Jimb]

Honda

Medicel, If your'e running a business then you can't afford to suffer the downtime of a BMW, you MUST choose a Honda. The unreliablity of the BMW will put you out of business, the Varadero would be the one, the brakes always work, If I were your employee I would want the Honda not the BMW.

 

[Yoda]

......... you MUST choose a Honda. The unreliablity of the BMW will put you out of business, .......

If that the distant sound of an axe being ground that I can hear?

 

[Keyframe]

Hi,


The bikes will be used in London and surrounding areas and will be used daily. Some of the riders will be new riders (although will be fully trained)

And with loaded boxes? Go for the Deauville, might not be the Belle of the ball, but the least intimidating in size weight and height. You just need to look at the number of DR's on them. Despatched a "Revere" for 100,000+miles. Tough as well.

 

[Cheesy Mike]

I think that the 650GS, Varadero type bike i.e. upright riding position, tall, thin bike is the way to go. A Deauville might be another option as you get the advantage of shaft driver but none of the costs associated with a larger bike. Plus I wouldn't want to put new riders on something like a R1200GS.

Have you considered leasing? There is a specialist motorcycle leasing company that my charity has been talking to recently. They lease all kinds of motorcyle including the police/paramedic specific models from Honda and BMW. They can do lease-only or lease with full maintenance and tyre packages. They seem to be really nice people to deal with.

Here is my contact there:

http://www.motorcyclemanagement.co.uk/
Tony Draycott - Director
Motorcycle Management Limited
4 Marlborough Road
Burbage, Marlborough
Wiltshire SN8 3AU
Tel: 01672 811880

Definitely worth having a chat.

Mike

 

[Shurv]

I'd have thought the 650 GS would be the best bet.

 

[iaing]

Although the GS and the Pan are both fantastic bikes, taking into account the possible lack of experience of some of your riders, I'd go for the Deauville.

 

[MooMoo]

Having worked as a motorcycle courier in central London I agree that the Deauville would be my choice. Forget anything with chain drive (even with scotoilers) Forget the VFR (too much messing and pricey service costs) forget the Pan (too heavy in town).

I had a NTV650 before the Deauville came out and it was great, what with the paniers and screen now it must be even better. in 86ks worth of riding, all it used was tyres, oil, oil filters, a few air filters, spark plugs of course and 1 clutch cable, and it was service by myself.

Forget BMW i've only just brought one and I'd be suprised if it's more reliable as a Honda. There appears too much electrical gizmos and stuff on BMWs (another weak link)

 

[Twotter]

One thing about the Deauville is that they have fixed panniers. If they're not big enough / wrong shape to carry what you need then you'd be better off with a bike which has more adaptable luggage carrying options.

 

[MikeP]

650GS

All the riding position advantages, expandable panniers but less width and weight.

Only downside is the chain but they are a great town bike (as well as being pretty useful and under-rated elsewhere).

 

[Cheesy Mike]

One thing about the Deauville is that they have fixed panniers. If they're not big enough / wrong shape to carry what you need then you'd be better off with a bike which has more adaptable luggage carrying options.

You can get larger pannier lids for the Deauville and you can fit a top box.

Mike

 

[Steptoe]

Running a fleet as a business, riders of different experience, in town and out -

choose the honda.

Not even the limitless purse strings of the met police could afford to carry on using BMW's

 

[judge]

I'd go Deauville, I've used a Pan and a big GS in London and neither would I choose for regular work.

As Keyframe says the Revere is reknowned in it's ability in Lunnon town, (maybe only 3rd to the legendary CX500 and the 'jelly wobble' (Kwaka GT550). The Deauville is built on the Revere and is a fine bike which seems to tick all your boxes

Nice as they are there isn't a BM I'd choose for this application.