Cycle News - Archive Issues - 1990's

The lowest position is pleasant for around-town, video-store touring or when it's warm out. With the ST's fixed windscreen, you have no option other than dipping your head in or out of the slipstream. Buffeting was more 9f a concern (and a headache) on the Honda than the BMW. On cold mornings, as was the case in Prescott, we played rock/ paper / scissors to decide who would get to ride the BMW. The RT is, for many reasons, the bike of choice when the first thing you see after opening the hotel door is your breath. For one, the BMW's wide fairing and windsc,een simply do a better job of keeping windblast off the rider; two, the mirror /blinker assemblies double as hand protectors; three, the RT has heated grips; and four, the warm air coming off the forward-mounted oil-cooler can be funneled onto the rider's hands via vents in the fairing. Need we say more? The sound system on the BMW is an obvious bonus over the ST. However, the stereo is held back by raspy-sounding, dash-mounted speakers which simply can't handle all the watts needed to overpower wind noise. it didn't take us long to blowout one of the speakers. The stereo works fine when riding around town but you have to constantly fiddle with the volume knob since it is not rpm-regulated. But at least the Beemer has a stereo. If you hate stopping for gas as much as we do, then you'll definitely appreciate the Honda's huge 7.4-gallon gas tame Even the BMW's 6.5-gallon tank isn't anything to scoff at. On the open highway both bikes will do over 300 miles on a tank of gasi the longest we dared stretch a tank on the' BMW was 306 miles; the Honda, 340 miles. According to our calculations, the Honda gets approximately three highway-miles -more to the gallon (51.5 mpg) than .the BMW. Carrying a quart of oil in the Beemer's saddlebag is a good idea. By nature, the Beemer consumes oil like it's going out of style. BMW recommends keeping close tabs on the oil level, which can easily be done via a small window under the left jug. We had to add a half quart every 1000 miles or so. We like the Honda's saddlebags more than the BMW's. As far as usability, the Honda bags are less complicated to operate and don't require a key every time you want to open and close them like the BMW's bags. Moreover, the Honda bags are narrower and are colormatched to the rest of the bike. ill contrast, the BMW's black-colored bags are bulboUS and really don't compliment the looks of the bike'. The bags on both bikes are spacious enough to store at least a medium-size helmet (but not an XL) and can be detached and reattached easily, perhaps a little easier on the BMW. While cruising down' the road, the Honda bags jiggle around a little, while the BMW bags mount solidly. One nice convenience the Honda has over the BMW are the two small storage compartments (one locks, the other doesn't) on each side of the fairing - the BMW has no such glove box. There is no denying the fact that the Honda STllOO and BMW RllOORT are outstanding motorcycles, but which one is better? Well, that's hard to say, especially after you take into account what each bike has to offer and how mucl1 they cost. But we certainly have our personal opinions. And they favored the BMW. fN W1tile Cycle News befieves O,l? foregoing test reliable, it is the opi/tiOIl of the reviewers only and should flot be relied upon in determining the performance or safety of tile vehicfe(s). Ti,e reader sho'uld make his or her own investi· gation. To order, use the Cycle News product order form in the back of this issue or call to order (310) 427-7433 ~ gam to 5pm'PST l!) Say "THANKS" to your sponsors and supporters with an "Appreciation Ad" in Cycle News. You'll show your're a "class act", people will notice, and you'll have the edge before your next season gets started. Special Low Rates • Fast Lead Time • Easy Ad Layout / Call today to Place Your "Appreciation Ad" 310·427·7433 Western US 770·934·7850 Eastern US ,. 0\ 0\ M 00 l-< (l) "E (l) > o z America's We~kly Motorcycle Newspaper 15

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