Topic: Choosing my touring bike

[Schnell]

I have 3 road bikes: Honda CB750K5, '76 BMW R90, and '81 BMW R100. I just got the Honda a couple of months ago, and I hope to get it roadworthy and licensed for the coming Spring. Because it is new, I am most infatuated with this bike. The R90 is the bike I've been riding the last 5 years and is fitted with hard side bags. The R100 was just repaired this past summer after sitting in the garage for 5 years waiting for me to install a helicoil in the engine case after over torquing a cylinder stud. This bike has both hard side bags and a Hannigan fairing.

So here's the quandary: which bike to choose for a 7500 mile great circle tour of the US to celebrate my retirement? The rational choice would be the big BMW with fairing.  My current romantic choice would be the CB750. The argument for the BMW are fairing protection and increased easy storage in the side bags. On the CB750 would be cool though. I've ridden the BMW's for about 15 years and the Honda is new and exciting. Such a tour is more about the heart, IMO.

So, would you follow your head or your heart?

[70CB750]

By all means, go Honda.  As long as it is reliable on longer trips, you can't go wrong.  Besides, there are sohc4 members from coast to coast to give you a hand if necessary.

[HondaMan]

I have 3 road bikes: Honda CB750K5, '76 BMW R90, and '81 BMW R100. I just got the Honda a couple of months ago, and I hope to get it roadworthy and licensed for the coming Spring. Because it is new, I am most infatuated with this bike. The R90 is the bike I've been riding the last 5 years and is fitted with hard side bags. The R100 was just repaired this past summer after sitting in the garage for 5 years waiting for me to install a helicoil in the engine case after over torquing a cylinder stud. This bike has both hard side bags and a Hannigan fairing.

So here's the quandary: which bike to choose for a 7500 mile great circle tour of the US to celebrate my retirement? The rational choice would be the big BMW with fairing.  My current romantic choice would be the CB750. The argument for the BMW are fairing protection and increased easy storage in the side bags. On the CB750 would be cool though. I've ridden the BMW's for about 15 years and the Honda is new and exciting. Such a tour is more about the heart, IMO.

So, would you follow your head or your heart?

Well, you already KNOW my answer. If I had those 3 bikes, I'd sell one of the Beemers to finance the trip, install one of my own Ignitions on the 750 and find a Vetter fairing with lowers somewhere (about $150 total) for it, and hit the road.

[jackseattle]

can't argue with Hondaman

[Schnell]

can't argue with Hondaman

That's what I'm thinking too.

[Mooshie]

can't argue with Hondaman

That's what I'm thinking too.

+1 go with the Honda!