Finally got a copy :)

slparry · Post by **slparry** » Fri Aug 30, 2013 8:47 pm

I really don't understand the press and their criticisms of the duolever, I've always found the K handles awesomely well

Blackal · Post by **Blackal** » Fri Aug 30, 2013 9:06 pm

Photo looks like Anthony Worrell Thomson........

Al

Dai wiskers · Post by **Dai wiskers** » Fri Aug 30, 2013 9:11 pm

Funny you should say that Al

Steve used to be a chef

slparry · Post by **slparry** » Fri Aug 30, 2013 9:24 pm

Dai wiskers wrote:Funny you should say that Al

Steve used to be a chef

yebbut I've not been shoplifting for years

Blackal · Post by **Blackal** » Sat Aug 31, 2013 12:30 am

slparry wrote:
Dai wiskers wrote:Funny you should say that Al

Steve used to be a chef
yebbut I've not been shoplifting for years

You beat me to it, Steve - I was just going to alter Dai's text

I think that journo's don't like to admit that BMW's suspension is good - as they like to subscribe to "you need fork-dive to know what the front wheel is doing"

Al

Corvus · Post by **Corvus** » Sat Aug 31, 2013 8:29 am

Maybe there is something in that school of thought regarding fork dive. But engineering is all about compromises and motorcycle dynamics definitely is about compromises, there can be little doubt. But, even if the above mentioned school of thought has merit, it doesn't necessarily mean it is the best or only compromise, certainly as far as road riding is concerned.

The above article was not a full appraisal of the bike, but why did they have to put that statement in there and where did they get the evidence to suggest what they said about jap riders, I wonder?

slparry · Post by **slparry** » Sat Aug 31, 2013 8:47 am

Cos it's the press and they're famed for not just what they say but how they misquote or miss things out completely.

For instance the whole BMW switchgear issue, I've not found an owner who's had a problem with the original indicator set up, but because the journo's are bike swapping so much they find it confusing.

... and the comment in the bottom right corner about 23000 miles being a high mileage on an 09 tourer??? I suspect they spend too much time with 1000 mile per year sports bikes

eyore · Post by **eyore** » Sat Aug 31, 2013 9:19 am

Just to digress slightly,as I have neve rridden anyting with duolever, do the telelever and duolever systems feel exactly the same in terms of handling, feedback,comfort etc.??

slparry · Post by **slparry** » Sat Aug 31, 2013 9:30 am

eyore wrote:Just to digress slightly,as I have neve rridden anyting with duolever, do the telelever and duolever systems feel exactly the same in terms of handling, feedback,comfort etc.??

telelever feels heavier the duolever feels quite flickable. Both have little dive on braking. I've not found a problem with feedback on either. The press seem to splurge out some right crap at times, I guess to fill column inches and to massage the ego's of the road testers?

tripe · Post by **tripe** » Sat Aug 31, 2013 10:30 am

I've the lightweight K Sport and having moved to that from the 1100S once I changed the rear tyre profile to a 55 I found its flickability and cornering stunning. After the first day of riding something with "duolever" I forgot all about it and just got on with having fun.

I am a sensible BMW owner and do I want a bike that can do over 160mph? yes indeed!
Am I likely to ever do that speed, probably not but its a comfort as the colder evenings draw in to know its there!

I stopped buying MCN and most bike mags quite a few years ago as they all seem to say the same thing.

Corvus · Post by **Corvus** » Sat Aug 31, 2013 3:30 pm

slparry wrote:
eyore wrote:Just to digress slightly,as I have neve rridden anyting with duolever, do the telelever and duolever systems feel exactly the same in terms of handling, feedback,comfort etc.??
telelever feels heavier the duolever feels quite flickable. Both have little dive on braking. I've not found a problem with feedback on either. The press seem to splurge out some right crap at times, I guess to fill column inches and to massage the ego's of the road testers?

How are duo lever and Telelever reckoned to compare to telescopic with regard to unsprung weight?

To be fair, wouldn't it be difficult to make meaningful comparisons between duo lever and telever as they exist on entirely different machines? At the same time, why did bmw decide to take up the hossack/Fior system on the k series? Why didn't they put telever or telescopic on it?

Going back to the article at the top of the thread, they are trying to say that only bmw riders will appreciate any differences of the duo lever system, but it begs the question how do people get to be part of that group? So they're saying this group have only ever owned bikes with FFE's? Anyone else would find it difficult? Ridiculous. Isn't that catch 22?

eyore · Post by **eyore** » Sat Aug 31, 2013 4:08 pm

My guess Corvus , and its only a guess, is that telelever is unsuitable/difficult to use on an inline 4 due to the constraints of the mounts.
Obviously it is perfect on a flat twin. Other than that I dunno.

slparry · Post by **slparry** » Sat Aug 31, 2013 4:10 pm

my guess would be the engine positioning of the slant K series doesn't lend itself to telelever in the same way as the boxers as there's a huge radiator in the way

Corvus · Post by **Corvus** » Sat Aug 31, 2013 4:28 pm

I was guessing pretty much the same!

The only other thing I could think maybe a factor is the enormous speed potential of the k and therefore the enormous braking loads. Those legs look perdy damn strong in a head on kind of way.

Thinking of the flickable aspect, I assume the steering ratio is 1/1?

slparry · Post by **slparry** » Sat Aug 31, 2013 5:40 pm

Corvus wrote:I was guessing pretty much the same!

The only other thing I could think maybe a factor is the enormous speed potential of the k and therefore the enormous braking loads. Those legs look perdy damn strong in a head on kind of way.

Thinking of the flickable aspect, I assume the steering ratio is 1/1?

The legs are strong but the levers under the fairing are a bit delicate looking