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After a wonderful season of riding this year - 12,000 miles so far - I've decided Iwant to get a new bike just for touring next spring/summer (I love my GL1200 so much, it's staying in my garage for my daily 74 mile commute). The contenders are: GL1800, Electra-Glide and K1200LT (I don't want carbs so the Venture is out).
I will be spending a lot of hours at a time in the saddle and comfort is an issue. At 6'3", I am at the margins for comfort on my 1200's footpegs. I've read the 1800 is even more cramped (and one can't judge long-trip comfort just by sitting on one or riding it around the block). The Electra-Glide and K1200LT are both quite comfortable for a tall rider. Is the info on the 1800 correct...I mean is it really uncomfortable for tall riders (highway pegs aside)?
Shim-under-bucket valve lifter design helps to put the maintenance cost of the K1200LT in the stratosphere. The Electra-Glide is hydraulic, so valve "adjustments" are a non-issue. What is the expected change out cycle and cost of the valve lifters on a GL1800?
The three bikes under consideration offer the comfort and amenities I'm looking for in a bike to ride on a 5,000 mile trip but, on a 5,000 mile trip, little stuff can really wear on you. I've heard lots of Wing guys and K guys laugh about riding X-county on a Harley but the reality is the V-twin (so the Harley guys say) smooth out at highway speeds. That stuff is all bar room banter. What's the real skinny?
Thanks for your insight. I'm sure others might enjoy the feedback, too.
After a wonderful season of riding this year - 12,000 miles so far - I've decided Iwant to get a new bike just for touring next spring/summer (I love my GL1200 so much, it's staying in my garage for my daily 74 mile commute). The contenders are: GL1800, Electra-Glide and K1200LT (I don't want carbs so the Venture is out).
I will be spending a lot of hours at a time in the saddle and comfort is an issue. At 6'3", I am at the margins for comfort on my 1200's footpegs. I've read the 1800 is even more cramped (and one can't judge long-trip comfort just by sitting on one or riding it around the block). The Electra-Glide and K1200LT are both quite comfortable for a tall rider. Is the info on the 1800 correct...I mean is it really uncomfortable for tall riders (highway pegs aside)?
Shim-under-bucket valve lifter design helps to put the maintenance cost of the K1200LT in the stratosphere. The Electra-Glide is hydraulic, so valve "adjustments" are a non-issue. What is the expected change out cycle and cost of the valve lifters on a GL1800?
The three bikes under consideration offer the comfort and amenities I'm looking for in a bike to ride on a 5,000 mile trip but, on a 5,000 mile trip, little stuff can really wear on you. I've heard lots of Wing guys and K guys laugh about riding X-county on a Harley but the reality is the V-twin (so the Harley guys say) smooth out at highway speeds. That stuff is all bar room banter. What's the real skinny?
Thanks for your insight. I'm sure others might enjoy the feedback, too.