BMW 1150 RT vs Harley Softail Deluxe - What to buy?

Question

Hi all, not sure what to buy. I will only be riding approx 4-5days a month & I like both for different reasons but I am having trouble making a decision, PLEASE HELP!

Answer 1

Get what is most comfortable. You will have 1 in test riding that will have stood out from the other. the one that stood out is the one to buy.

Answer 2

You say you're only going to ride 4-5 days a month, but you don't say how and where. That might make a big difference in which bike would be better for you. If you're going to jump on the bike on a Sunday morning with the only expectations being a long day of riding and getting home before you go back to work then either would do the job. The BMW is going to do it quietly, comfortably, and mostly unnoticed by others. The bimmer is a great bike, it's just not a real head turner unless it's another bimmer riding who's turning their head. On the up side, it's more likely to do its job at an accelerated pace if you're carving some canyons with other sport riders.

The Harley would likely do just as well for a long Sunday ride, you're just not nearly as likely to set any records if you are going canyon carving. If you like a leisurely pace, perhaps taking in the sights and venturing to new cities and the like, both will do it but the Harley is going to do it with a little more rumble and pop, with attitude to spare.

Down the road you may want to consider resale value, but between these bikes I don't know that they'll be a big difference. Both should hold their value well. If you're interested in aftermarket at all, Harley is likely to have more available, but I'm not really familiar with what the BMW's aftermarket has to offer.

The deciding factor is going to boil down to what you feel better on. Head to a dealer and sit on a few bikes, maybe take a test ride if they'll let you or you know another owner. While both will do the same job, the seating positions and riding feel of the two bikes mentioned are quite different.

Whether you stick with one of these or go a completely different direction, enjoy the ride!

Answer 3

I have had both and love each for what it does. You are putting few miles on, so I think you will enjoy either one.

The BMW is more of a distance bike. Better comfort and handling. But they do not like short trips where the motor does not warm up sufficiently. Great weather protection. 40 -45 mpg is norm.

The Softail feels good to sit on, and for short trips. As the miles go by, the riding position will wear on you. The suspension is poor, and the bike will not handle well at speed. No weather protection to speak of. So what. A real motorcyclist doesn't mind a little water or wind! For riding around town and just enjoying life, you would be very happy with a Softail. 50 mpg easy.

Both bikes are easy to change the oil and such. The BMW parts will cost more and may require a little more effort to repair.

Answer 4

Take them both out for a long test ride. Rent one of each if neccessary. The only one who can really make the decision is you. It will be based on how/when/why you ride.

JetDoc has a point about differences in people who ride, but don't get caught up in all that. It's not all true, like many things there are shades of grey.

According to those definitions, I'm a motorcyclist.
But,
According to those definitions, I'm a biker.
I wear black leather, ride a Harley, have tattoos, go camping, take the long way, travel with a map.

Answer 5

Basically, there are two different types of motorcycle people out there. There are "bikers" and there are "motorcyclists."

Bikers are those people who seem to be afraid to ride alone. They always ride in packs, the more motorcycles they can string together in one large group, the better they like it. They all wear black leather and little 'beenie' helmets, and usually stop at every other bar along the road to ask directions and to rest up, because riding a motorcycle is such hard work. Oh, and to polish their chrome. You can usually identify a biker by the unnecessary loud noise his motorcycle makes, and by the tattoos on his arms and the bugs in his teeth.

A motorcyclist is a person who would prefer to ride alone, or with just one or two companions along to share the experience. They are harder to spot along the Nations highways and byways, because they leave a much smaller trail behind them. Their motorcycles are much quieter... Many even have the original factory exhaust systems still functioning. They frequently wear conservative colored textile riding suits and full-face helmets. Their motorcycles are usually loaded down with camping equipment and they are always looking for the longest route, or the most challenging ride to get from point A to point B.

I guess the reason for this little essay is to tell you that you have a choice... Do you want to be a "biker" or a "motorcyclist?"

If you want to be a biker, then buy the Harley and enjoy riding from stop to stop with all your biker friends. Make sure you bring along a big towel so you can rub the bug splats off your 300 lbs of chrome at each stop.

If you want to be a motorcyclist, then go with the BMW and get out there to enjoy the ride! I guarantee you you will be riding it more than 4-5 days per month.

Answer 6

Check here for answers BMW 1150 RT vs Harley Softail Deluxe - http://www.motorcycle.com/mo/manufac_ap_bikes.motml

Answer 7

The BMW is so refined, you cannot go wrong with the purchase of one. Ultra reliable. Clean (no messy chains to maintain). I assume you have taken both makes for a ride. Can carry heaps of gear on board for touring. Comfortable for pillions too. High cruising speeds if you like that.
You will ride it more than 4 - 5 days a month if you got one.

Answer 8

The BMW is a very good and low maintenance with shaft drive.

Answer 9

NIETHER ,THE BMW IS A GOOD BIKE BUT IS A DEALER NEAR YOU AND HOW LONG ARE THEY GOING TO BE IN BUSINESS, WE HAD ONE THEY CLOSED DOWNNOW THE NEAREST ONE IS 2 HOURS AWAY.

Answer 10

dont get any of those there lemons go kawasaki