I'm ready to buy a motorcycle, what do I get, a BMW or a Harley?

• I've narrowed it down to the BMW k1200R or the Harley Sportster 1200. The BMW 1200 weighs 546 pounds and produces 163 horsepower and 94 pounds of torque and has a 5.0 gallon gas tank capacity. The Harley 1200 puts out 70 hp and puts out 79 pounds of torque weighs 556 pounds and has a 3.3 gallon tank capacity. BMW has double discs up front with four piston ABS braking and a single disc with 2 piston ABS in the rear, Harley has a 2 piston set up in front but no ABS. The BMW is fuel injected, the Harley is carbuereted. The BMW will cost me about $13,500, while the Harley will be closer to $10k. After replacing the pipes and having some engine work done to the Harley to boost hp up to about 85 (and a few other required accessories), I'll be in about $12.5k. I've ridden both and the BMW performance, suspension, ergonomics and handling is outstanding. While I like the BMW specs a lot better than the Harley specs, my friends all tell me I need a Harley, because, lets face it, it’s American and it’s a Harley. So what should I get?

• Answer:

  If you're comparing the BMW K1200R against the Harley Sportster, you're comparing apples and oranges. The Beemer is as up-to-date modern technology sport bike as you can get, while the H-D is so old school, it's got whiskers. A better comparison between HD and BMW would be the Sportster versus the BMW F-650 CS, or ask your dealer about the new BMW F-800 that's coming soon. Most of the fools on this web site will tell you to go for the Harley because it's cool, or it's made in the USA, or it looks good... But do you want to look cool or do you want to ride a motorcycle? If you're serious about riding, then go for the BMW and leave all your antique technology H-D riding buddies in the dust. If you just want to be a poser and look cool, then you know what to do.