Looking at 35is as potential next car

[techathy]

BMW S1000 XR 160 bhp on wheels too much, I've been biking for 50 yrs and 100 bhp is more than enough on the road, different on a track though.

The irony of this is I went for the XR because it delivered a smooth progressive build up of lateral thrust directly proportional to engine rpm. Yeah keep it in the last 3000-4000 rpm of its rev range the other bikes couldn't compete, however with less sub-4500 rpm torque it meant it was the least intimidating bike for me as a new biker.

[HillWalker]

I know exactly what you mean these bikes are just pussycats if you ride in traffic and only use low revs, BUT once out on the open road the engines are so intoxicating and free to rev you find you think your doing 70-80 mph when in reality your well in excess of three figure speeds in the blink of on eye, next thing your arriving at a corner 30 mph too fast with disastrous consequences. The power to weight ratio of a bike like that is phenomenal, 160 bhp propelling just over 200kg compared with the 35is with 340 bhp propelling 1600kg

Why don't you get yourself on a riding course, BMW do both on road and off road riding courses.

[Nanu]

Who was that aimed at Nanu?

Aimed at helping someone to decide on their next car?

[Zed Five]

BMW S1000 XR 160 bhp on wheels too much, I've been biking for 50 yrs and 100 bhp is more than enough on the road, different on a track though.

Sorry, I disagree. 100 bhp makes a quick bike. My last bike had circa 125bhp and a few times I wish it had more

I'd agree that more is generally better. My bike has around 130bhp. Upto around 190bhp is desireable, any more is a little too much for the road. The biggest problem with bmw bikes however, is theft

[Angie4m]

Who was that aimed at Nanu?

Aimed at helping someone to decide on their next car?

I must have missed who has the 35is who is looking at s new car and in particular another E89

I thought it was a newbie asking for advice?

[techathy]

I must have missed who has the 35is who is looking at s new car and in particular another E89

I thought it was a newbie asking for advice?

^^ This! Hence why I was confused.

I know exactly what you mean ...

No you don’t know what I mean because you’ve complexity missed the point. Something like the Bandit 1250S is more likely to cause an inexperience rider problems than the S1000 XR despite giving away 65ps.

[SO8]

I must have missed who has the 35is who is looking at s new car and in particular another E89

I thought it was a newbie asking for advice?

^^ This! Hence why I was confused.

I know exactly what you mean ...

No you don’t know what I mean because you’ve complexity missed the point. Something like the Bandit 1250S is more likely to cause an inexperience rider problems than the S1000 XR despite giving away 65ps.

I think the main issue with any motorbike is the rider twisting their right hand too much and not being able to deal with what happens

[ronk]

I know of several born again bikers - a 125 in their youth then in their 50's they have some spare cash and can afford a toy !
I'm no biker but I'm sure a 1000 bike is a different kettle of fish to a 125

[techathy]

I think the main issue with any motorbike is the rider twisting their right hand too much and not being able to deal with what happens

Yeah but the more force you have at the back wheel the more likely it is you'll be getting up close & personal with the verge.

Look how much more thrust the Tiger has in the 25-45mph range for the same gear. The XR you're dropping gears & so are much more aware of having that thrust on tap.

[ronk]

The x is mph and the y is ?

[techathy]

The x is mph and the y is ?

Thrust/weight ratio.

In think it might also be g acceleration but I'm not sure of the units.

[Zed Five]

Have you ordered your bike, or just in the decison phase? Is it your first bike?

Its just that in many many cases 'first bikes' get binned by their riders. Why not buy somthing
cheaper, build up experience and buy a posh bike in a years' time. Your call, but bike insurance
is mad. I really wouldn't buy a new bike to commure on.

Speed is not your enemy. Lack of biking experience might be for a while. I'm not a troll, so not trying o rile you. If i've got the situation wrong, then enjoy your new bike. Exciting stuff.

[ronk]

I think speed can be an enemy.
People often cannot compute how fast a single lamp is coming towards them and if the bike is lashing on way over the limit that's when speed can be a factor.
I'm too old for a bike tho!

[Z4M-2006]

I ran bikes from being 11 yrs old, then had a FS1e as soon as I could..

Went through TZR's, Rd350lc.. RD 500.. ZXR's...YZF's and when I was 30 bought a brand new Fireblade, then had it tuned.
By that time the bike was surpassing my ability...
It tried to kill me on a daily basis, although I rode it was to fast and like an idiot most of the time..
I still have a go on friends bikes from time to time, and the new stuff is horrendously fast..I can't imagine using one of the new super bikes as a daily...

[techathy]

Have you ordered your bike, or just in the decison phase? Is it your first bike?

Its just that in many many cases 'first bikes' get binned by their riders. Why not buy somthing
cheaper, build up experience and buy a posh bike in a years' time. Your call, but bike insurance
is mad. I really wouldn't buy a new bike to commure on.

Speed is not your enemy. Lack of biking experience might be for a while. I'm not a troll, so not trying o rile you. If i've got the situation wrong, then enjoy your new bike. Exciting stuff.

Ordered & have an estimated delivery date. It'll be the first bike I've owned.

After passing my test I talked with my instructor about what direction to take with a bike. He said for me there’s not much point in bothering with a cheap first bike in my case as long as I didn't go for a supersport and also get in 1 or 2 days of tutored track time before getting something fast.