Meh. Whatever distance you create with 3 additional degrees of lean won't matter given 200 additional pounds and the exact same engine.
/test rode a TC
//it's a bike I'd consider if I were 65
///no risk of ever getting into trouble on that one
R18 Transcontinental or K1600 Grand America?
- Thread starter Billt1NH
- Start date
/test rode a TC
//it's a bike I'd consider if I were 65
///no risk of ever getting into trouble on that one
What exactly does being 65 have to do with it? Having been born in 1956 I resemble that remark
Black Dog
Well-known member
You almost got me with that one.
I was shooting for an age older than me but not too old. That window is getting smaller and smaller...
I could amend it to 75?
3 degrees out of round and a half bubble off does not make a Popsicle more than a popsicle.
Additional 200 pounds on the other hand does make for a heavier lead sled.
If you are looking for a rowdy rider, you have picked the wrong Jeopardy category.
Do you want a pair of Titanium knee sliders to go with that R18TC?
Last edited:
Hi Tim
I too have spent a lifetime in what others might consider an adventurous life. A decorated military veteran from the Diving and EOD world followed by 35 years and counting in the offshore oil & gas industry as a deep sea diver and manager. The thing is I have loved every minute of it and did it for my own gratification as much as anything else. As long as you have been a good person you have just as much to be proud of as myself or anyone else. Be proud of that, and if you have a family, ask them who their hero is. I bet my bottom dollar it will be you.
Apart from that. Loving my new Classic for the 70 odd miles I have been able to put on it before going away for another month offshore.
Black Dog
Well-known member
USMC ammunition and explosives, MOS 2311, served with 2 BLTs, 2/26 and 3/1 1968-70, worked all over the word, Saudi Arabia, China, Vietnam, and all over the U.S. all time favorite was the years I spent in Brazil, worst was 2 years in West Virginia. Almost 60 years riding motorcycles, plan on riding one to my own funeral.
Would love to get together and talk war stories. Yours would completely trump mine but a good time would be had in the telling.
Lloydw1
Member
Traded in my 2018 Honda Goldwing Tour manual for the TC. I find myself missing the ease of access to certain functions on the GW. Being able to just hit a physical button the turn on/off heated grips and seat will be missed. But not as much as that height adjustable windshield! BUT the TC is some how more enjoyable to me? After the smoothness of the GW the vibes from the TC are enjoyable and give it a character that my GW just didn't have. I recently mentioned to a coworker that my GW was such a good bike that it bored me. BTW I have owned two Suzuki M109R's over the years and it was just raw! Though not close in power the TC is a more practical M109R replacement for me than the GW turned out to be. BTW the M109R's only safety feature was it's non ABS breaks! lol
Attachments
That was a pretty GW
Black Dog
Well-known member
Get used to the vibration, BMW intentionally built that in the mimic the Harley, thus the Rock mode, ROCK does not mean Rock solid..
No actually the newer Harleys once off engine idle have no vibration. They are either balanced engine or rubber mounted.. After not being on my 2018 Road King Special for 2 months having too much fun on my Transcontinental I jumped back on it the other day. The first thing that struck me was how smooth it was at all RPMs . The second was how fast it was comparatively , it does have stage II with 101 HP at the rear wheel. I went 15 miles turned around and went back for the Transcontinental and glad I did continuing a nice 200 mile country road ride. Just like all the BMW automobiles I've owned, there is driver excitement engineered into the design and it shows. As far as the vibration on the Transcontinental , yes at first it was off putting but now that I have 2000 miles on it I understand it's part of the feedback which provides excitement.
tommymck
Well-known member
My understanding is that the vibration baked into Rock mode is at idle. To my knowledge (and my experience with my Classic), there isn't any difference in vibration between modes while underway. Also, I don't notice any increase in vibration over 80mph.
Rambler358
Active member
I recently sold my 2018 Grand America, and just bought an R18 TC FE. Highway stability beats the Grand America hands down, which was a big issue for me. Aside from the GA’s stability issue, I just found it a bit boring after a while. To me, the R18 TC is more engaging and visceral. Yeah, she’s a heavy girl, but once off the center stand and moving that weight is pretty much gone.
Gr8adv
Well-known member
And that is why Harley riders have loved the hogs for so long.
AwesomeDad
New member
My .02 cents, I have only had more than one bike in the garage once which was my 09 Ultra classic and a Concours 14 when we were deciding on what to ride next for 2up touring. We were getting tired of the weight of Harley. So given that there is no perfect do it all bike we landed on a K1600B for the time being. If it works out and I can add a 2nd to the garage it will be something with as little overlap as possible maybe an ADV bike or an around town cruiser which the R18 could fill. But our experience with the K bike as been great smooth and comfy and we haven't experienced the dirty air issues as some have (heavily discussed on the forums). Glad to hear you are enjoying your bikes and nothing wrong with having an HD to tinker with....
JJ
BeerMe
Member
Hands down the funniest, and most intriguing, sentence I’ve heard in some time!
Black Dog
Well-known member
Self explanatory true statement
GreySix
New member
IMO, the best long-range touring bike is the Honda Goldwing. I rode my 02 variant from Olympia, WA to Maryland, and then down to Alabama.
Have also owned a K1600 GTL and rode it extensively - but rarely long range. Recently picked up an R18 Tranny, but no long-range trips on it yet.
My K bike was a fine machine for longer-range trips, but it was so sporty that I was easily drawn into being a jackass on it - the R18 is a cruiser, and the temptation to "show out" on it is significantly less.
Have also owned a K1600 GTL and rode it extensively - but rarely long range. Recently picked up an R18 Tranny, but no long-range trips on it yet.
My K bike was a fine machine for longer-range trips, but it was so sporty that I was easily drawn into being a jackass on it - the R18 is a cruiser, and the temptation to "show out" on it is significantly less.
I agree as I just purchased a 2022 Goldwing Tour DCT and I don’t think you could ask for another feature on a long distance touring bike . I put the 2022 BMW Transcontinental up for sale and haven’t ridden it after getting the Wing until today. Holy crap is the Transcontinental fun to ride . I may have to change my mind on selling it .
moleculo
Active member
I sold a K1600 GTL that I ride for 10 years (I got bike #2 from the dealer!) to buy the R18 TC. IMO it's an apples and oranges comparison. Personally, I am more comfortable on the TC, especially in the hands, wrists, arms, shoulders. On the K1600, I would have to take a break after riding for an hour due to the weight on my wrists, but I have a left wrist injury. The 1600 is a fun motor but you can get stupid real quick. The TC turns heads like no other, and I really like the power band for daily city riding. I'll get a long ride in on the TC soon.