[firstime911]

hi, I'm from Thailand, I actually the big fan of Bimmer bike. My initial plan was to purchase K1600gt sport 2014 version. However, due to Thailand's quota limitation i cannot purchase it. Therefore, i left with some of the BMW choices, like K1600gtl executive, GS adventure 2014, and R1200RT 2014 that all available, my wife prefer R1200RT due to price, the size and this actually my first bike. R1200RT and CTX1300 was never on my list.

Yet, some how, i went to see HONDA CTX 1300, and gave it a thought about what i get vs what i paid. Knowing in Thailand the price of motocycle over 600 CC is very expensive.
i.e. K1600gtl exe is like 60000 USD
as for R1200rt is 43,300 USD and CTX1300 is 28,500 USD.. so crazy..

i did compare
R1200RT (WC) Thai version; abs, quick shifter, traction control, ESP, normal headlight, no audio, price 43,300 USD, love the brand, only blue, grey, and black.
CTX1300 Thai version; abs, traction, LED full, audio, blue-tooth, white color, only 28500 USD, but no heated grip

So i purchased CTX1300... ^^

I hope i did'nt make a mistake... knowing many recommend BMW r1200rt

PS: Picture from Japanese version website

 

[TennesseeSmith]

Congratulations on the new bike!

I like the color scheme on that one. Where I live that color resembles a police bike. The car drivers behave much better around a bike like that.

 

[firstime911]

Congratulations on the new bike!

I like the color scheme on that one. Where I live that color resembles a police bike. The car drivers behave much better around a bike like that.

I hope that is good news, is same here resembles a police bike..
my friend already said, we going to have a leading bike for the trip.

 

[sleepngbear]

Welcome to the board, and Congrats on your new ride!

Of course I'm just a little bit biased, but I don't think you made a mistake.

Good luck, and be sure to let us know your impressions as you put more miles on it.

 

[bob]

Welcome here! Based on the many pro reviewers so far you did make the right choice. There was an article I read somewhere (here or another forum posted it) that rated the top 5 brands. I think Kawasaki and Suzuki were left out of the ratings for some reason. But BMW was near the bottom of the list. I've always thought BMW was a good brand, and it is. But parts are VERY expensive... even here. Honda is one of the best. Reliable, parts not too expensive depending where you get them
Dealers everywhere here (unlike BMW). Enjoy your new ride.

 

[Davetac1]

Went on line this AM to check out the inventory of new bikes at several local Honda dealerships.Found one that had the CTX listed as in stock.So, off I went to shake hands with this machine.Well guess what?? They didn't have any in stock! Their email listing was just a come on to get ya in there.When I asked why they didn't have any,I was told that no one has any and Honda isn't releasing any til mid May or June.I didn't say anymore and walked out.So much for doing ANY BUSINESS with that stealership.Dave!!!

 

[bob]

Could've told him there are at least 3 dealerships in Iowa (of all places) that have more than one in stock as well as multiple dealerships as reported here that do. I would have let them know they blew it for getting any business from me (works better when pulling out a big wad of cash while saying this ). They are really out of touch or just plain stupid for thinking we wouldn't know better.

 

[TennesseeSmith]

I was told that no one has any and Honda isn't releasing any til mid May or June.

Based on what I found I think that is correct for the smaller dealers. If they are not a PowerHouse dealer, they're not getting any of the new bikes any time soon.

I think Honda is treating the PowerHouse dealers as if they are the real team and all of the other dealers as if they're the practice squad. The smaller dealers are being marginalized.

That really sucks for those of us who live in rural areas. This business plan will eventually push Honda in North America down to the sales level of BMW and the other European brands.

 

[Davetac1]

I know that Bob.That's why I went on line first,then to this stealership.But rather then get into a pissin contest about something stupid,I said "thank you",and left. Why make an enemy when ya don't have ta?? Dave!!!

 

[Davetac1]

This dealership isn't by any means,SMALL!! However,the word "STUPID" does come into play here.lol Dave!!!

 

[DonaldD]

From what you explained in the OP, it seems like you made the right decision. Ultimately it will be up to you to let us know if you think you made the right decision though. I can't believe how expensive some of those BMW bikes are. I would never spend 60000 on a bike. That is ludicrous.

Give us your thoughts on the CTX1300 once you have had a chance to ride it around for a few days.

And welcome to the forum too!

 

[CEETEEX]

The BMW R1200RT is a great bike and quite reliable. BMW had its issues a few years ago with final drives but that seems to have been resolved. The bad reviews BMW received were for the old touring bike, the LT. Obviously being new BMW has had issues with the GT1600 but that seems to be working out as well. With that said in the US the R1200RT is 22,000 and new for this year with a wet clutch and water cooling. The CTX1300 Deluxe can be purchased for 14,999 with no additional fees if you look hard enough. With the difference and my needs the CTX would be a better option, however the RT is still a great bike if you desire it.

 

[cheeken]

awesome. congrats.

 

[tstickler]

I've had my CTX 1300 for about 2 weeks. I made a pre delivery deposit about 2 weeks before the bike was delivered. They took delivery in the am and I rode it home that afternoon. This is from a dealer in FT Myers, FL that is no a powersports dealer. Really like the bike. I replaced an FJR 1300. No regrets.

 

[flytrap]

I test drove the new BMW 1200 RT. The wethead still shakes a lot and the transmission is clunky. Surprisingly the wind protection was not nearly as good as generally claimed and there is that vague feeling to front end as a result of the telelever thingie. And the other TWO BMW's i've owned were not that reliable. They do have an excellent following of owners who provide all kinds of cool do-it-yourself info. Probably the result of expensive repairs. I'm still waiting for a test ride on the CTX.

 

[sleepngbear]

The only beemer I've ever ridden was a fellow rider's R1200C, that James Bond cruiser thing (that someone looking at it in a dealers one day said looked like a washing machine -- beauty is indeed in the eye of the beholder). Anyway, it definitely had a unique road feel to it -- it just rolled different than any other bike I've ridden before or since. Never ridden any others -- really, they're just not my cup of tea. But they sure do have a loyal following.

 

[Davetac1]

The biggest problem I have with the BMW is the seat height.Ya need a 36 inch inseam,and then some, in order to plant your feet squarely on the ground when stopped.I have considered buying one, but due to their inflated price and the seat height,I don't think so. Dave!!!

 

[sleepngbear]

The biggest problem I have with the BMW is the seat height.Ya need a 36 inch inseam,and then some, in order to plant your feet squarely on the ground when stopped.I have considered buying one, but due to their inflated price and the seat height,I don't think so. Dave!!!

That's not exclusive to BMW! Probably more a case of the style of bike they tend to focus on. I kinda found that with the ST1300. I have a 31" inseam, but I could just barely flat-foot it, if my legs and knees were straight down. Backing it out of a space, even my flat garage floor, was a feat fit for Festivus. I had to be doubly-extra careful not to park it on a decline that I'd have to push backwards to get out of; which is normally a good practice anyway on a bike, but more so on the ST1300 than any other. Just another of my peeves with that machine. Now it's all starting to come back to me why I unloaded it after just one year. And Dave, before you start cracking wise ... I did put about 7,000 miles on it in that one year, I think a record for me on two wheels ... a record which I have all intentions of trying to break this year.

 

[bob]

My ST1100 is the same seat height as the ST1300. It is a bit tall for my 32" inseam but I can still flat foot just barely IF I scoot up on the seat. My GL1500 was lower at 30.1" but so wide it was still JUST flat footing it. The CTX1300 should be easy at 28.9"

 

[sleepngbear]

My ST1100 is the same seat height as the ST1300. It is a bit tall for my 32" inseam but I can still flat foot just barely IF I scoot up on the seat. My GL1500 was lower at 30.1" but so wide it was still JUST flat footing it. The CTX1300 should be easy at 28.9"

T-Bird seat height is 27.5. I'm almost dragging my knees when it's straight up. But yeah, the CTX ought to be plenty comfortable for when you have to Fred Flintstone it.