Big Newz

[FJ1100mjk]

Leaked! 2018 Gold Wing

Radial brakes!

Hossack-style front suspension system!

And more! ...

Actually looks good...

[Flynt]

Leaked! 2018 Gold Wing

Radial brakes!

Hossack-style front suspension system!

And more! ...

Actually looks good...

My BMWs have this front suspension (they call it Duolever I think) and it is incredible...  no dive, no worries about traction, no concerns at all over at strength.  Some say it is a little numb feeling due to the linkage arrangement to the lower suspension, but BMW got their incarnation right and it is confidence inspiring no end.

This looks to be a pretty targeted shot at BMW's $30K K1600GT touring bike.  that's an incredible ride as well, but I bet Honda could give them a run for their money.

Frank

[FJ1100mjk]

My BMWs have this front suspension (they call it Duolever I think) and it is incredible...  no dive, no worries about traction, no concerns at all over at strength.  Some say it is a little numb feeling due to the linkage arrangement to the lower suspension, but BMW got their incarnation right and it is confidence inspiring no end.

This looks to be a pretty targeted shot at BMW's $30K K1600GT touring bike.  that's an incredible ride as well, but I bet Honda could give them a run for their money.

Frank

No doubt, that Honda can give BMW a run for their money. They certainly have the experience and resources for doing so. It'll be interesting to read the reviews on the new Gold Wing. It hasn't seen a real revamp in a long time.

Never rode a BMW to experience their unique front suspension. Read various opinions on it, and you, like others, embrace it.

The thoughts of owning a BMW, I have entertained. However, the price of admission and the costs of their maintenance pretty much relegate those thoughts to meer pipe dreams.

[ribbert]

My BMWs have this front suspension (they call it Duolever I think) and it is incredible...  no dive, no worries about traction, no concerns at all over at strength.  Some say it is a little numb feeling due to the linkage arrangement to the lower suspension, but BMW got their incarnation right and it is confidence inspiring no end.

This looks to be a pretty targeted shot at BMW's $30K K1600GT touring bike.  that's an incredible ride as well, but I bet Honda could give them a run for their money.

Frank

No doubt, that Honda can give BMW a run for their money. They certainly have the experience and resources for doing so. It'll be interesting to read the reviews on the new Gold Wing. It hasn't seen a real revamp in a long time.

Never rode a BMW to experience their unique front suspension. Read various opinions on it, and you, like others, embrace it.

The thoughts of owning a BMW, I have entertained. However, the price of admission and the costs of their maintenance pretty much relegate those thoughts to meer pipe dreams.

Frank, I agree entirely with your take on the BMW wishbone suspension and pinpoint handling. Magic carpet ride to tight sports bike on the fly in less time than it takes to use your indicators. That is something the big Honda will never do.

Never try and out run a cop on an RT unless the road is straight and you have a very fast bike with a 500km tank range! In the twisties he'll just sit on your back wheel and wait til you get tired.

It's true that no one builds reliability like the Japs, but then the Japs don't build a bike like a BMW.

However, a well sorted FJ still makes a very fine sports touring bike, even by today's standards. I have never ridden anything that surpasses the FJ in every area. Some are faster, some corner better, some (a few) are smoother, some have more low down grunt, some have better ergos.... but as an all round package the FJ with mods is still a very relevant motorbike and a joy to ride.

IMO

Noel

[andyoutandabout]

Both heart and head and wallet agree that the Fj remains a superb road bike.

[Flynt]

My BMWs have this front suspension (they call it Duolever I think) and it is incredible...  no dive, no worries about traction, no concerns at all over at strength.  Some say it is a little numb feeling due to the linkage arrangement to the lower suspension, but BMW got their incarnation right and it is confidence inspiring no end.

This looks to be a pretty targeted shot at BMW's $30K K1600GT touring bike.  that's an incredible ride as well, but I bet Honda could give them a run for their money.

Frank

No doubt, that Honda can give BMW a run for their money. They certainly have the experience and resources for doing so. It'll be interesting to read the reviews on the new Gold Wing. It hasn't seen a real revamp in a long time.

Never rode a BMW to experience their unique front suspension. Read various opinions on it, and you, like others, embrace it.

The thoughts of owning a BMW, I have entertained. However, the price of admission and the costs of their maintenance pretty much relegate those thoughts to meer pipe dreams.

Frank, I agree entirely with your take on the BMW wishbone suspension and pinpoint handling. Magic carpet ride to tight sports bike on the fly in less time than it takes to use your indicators. That is something the big Honda will never do.

Never try and out run a cop on an RT unless the road is straight and you have a very fast bike with a 500km tank range! In the twisties he'll just sit on your back wheel and wait til you get tired.

It's true that no one builds reliability like the Japs, but then the Japs don't build a bike like a BMW.

However, a well sorted FJ still makes a very fine sports touring bike, even by today's standards. I have never ridden anything that surpasses the FJ in every area. Some are faster, some corner better, some (a few) are smoother, some have more low down grunt, some have better ergos.... but as an all round package the FJ with mods is still a very relevant motorbike and a joy to ride.

IMO

Noel

Noel - careful on which strange BMW front suspension you're talking about...  the Duolever is the Hossack design while Telelever(?) might be what you're calling the "wishbone" suspension since it has a very visible wishbone shaped bit attached to the forks below the fairing.  The K-bikes are the only ones with the Duolever Hossack based upper and lower control arm with a shock absorber mounted in between, all up under the fairing.  You see the forks (more like a cast aluminum mounting for the front wheel), but really have to get into the fairing to see the front suspension.  I've never ridden a Telelever bike (R1200GS like front suspension), so can't compare it to Duolever like the K1300 and K1600 bikes.  All this is not to be confused with Paralever which is BMW's current drive shaft design that works pretty well too.

It's also worth noting that BMW appears to introducing more new models with conventional USD forks and chain drive...  especially on anything they call Sport.  And they ditched the independent turn signal thing in about 2009 I think...  maybe it persists on the more purist BMW products?

BTW - I completely agree with your assessment of the FJ...  I still ride my FJs more than anything else.

Frank

[ribbert]

Noel - careful on which strange BMW front suspension you're talking about...  the Duolever is the Hossack design while Telelever(?) might be what you're calling the "wishbone" suspension
Frank

Frank, I understand the front ends but I imagine many here wouldn't, I referred to it as "wishbone" (actually double wishbone) suspension because that's what it is and everybody can picture how that works on a car.
BMW bowed to public pressure and ditched the 3 switch turn signal arrangement as you said, I believe it was across all models.

What BMW's do you have?

Noel

[Flynt]

What BMW's do you have?

Noel

I have a 2008 K1200R and a 2015 K1300S Motorsport edition...  I really fell for the K1200/1300 engine.

Frank