hawg
May 19th, 2006, 9:05 pm
Not-So-Scientific Comparison of
BMW K1200LT vs. MG TD
Driving
One does not “drive” an LT unless it is on a trailer but not many folks do that. Rather, one RIDES the LT as is proper for motorcycles. Riding the LT has been described as being seated within the motorcycle rather than riding ON the motorcycle, as is true with some other bikes. Performance is stunning. 0-60 times are truly quick! Comparisons with other touring bikes is academic at best. The power comes on STRONG at around 4,000 rpms and sounds similar to an F-1 race car to my untrained ears. Handling is close to sport bike standards kinda like a slot car that leans. Braking is the best of any motorcycle I have ridden…you stop right NOW on a dime with enough time left to even pick it up and put it in your pocket before you have to leave the stop sign. Fuel economy is very good with averages in the mid 40mpg range.
The MG TD is a standard transmission, rear-wheel-drive roadster and is the state-of-the-art,for motorcars of 60 years ago. Which means what? There are no air bags, seat belts, roll bars, ABS brakes, electronic stabilization, or anything related to safety outside of the skill of the driver. There are no crumple zones other than one’s own thorax. The handling is akin to that of a bathtub on roller skates and the ride reminds one of a Radio Flyer wagon. Driving the TD is thrilling. With approximately 54hp the TD gets to speed when it is necessary. No worries, it will get there, sooner or later depending on geography, environment, testosterone levels, and the particular phase of the moon. Braking is a learned art just as Barney and Fred Flintstone must have learnt the intricacies of stopping a one-ton vehicle’s forward motion. Shoe leather is cheap, though.
Interior
The LT has no “interior”. It has only an “exterior” which means you must wear an outer layer of clothing to protect you from the friction and impacts of hard surfaces of the exterior should you be unfortunate enough to enjoy up close. The seat is actually quite good although some riders with tender tushies complain of the seat as the missing Weapon of Ass Destruction. Storage is typically limited as is true with all motorcycles. Rear top case and two side bags allow the rider to store a few items. Noise levels are low because it is not a Harley. The LT has heaters in the grips and seats. But no air conditioning. The Lt comes with a lot of bells and whistles and many, many more can be added.
The TD has a proper “interior” for two adults. Lined in leather, wood and canvas, the interior is inviting and quite comfortable. Storage is limited to a small “trunk” behind the seats but a luggage rack is very useful for doubling the amount of personal items. As with the LT, FedEx or UPS might be used to send your clothing ahead to your destination. Noise level on the inside of the MG is excellent because there is plenty of it. Visibility is excellent with the top down. The TD has no heater unless the hamster under the hood happens to fart. Air conditioning is “au naturel”. There are no bells and only one whistle. Any female driving the car will know what I mean.
Ergonomics
Ergonomics on the LT are outstanding. Everything falls “readily to hand” including electric windshield control, cd changer controls, horn, signals, etc. Headroom is infinite, legroom is adequate although limited, and communications and gps gizmos are limited only by the imagination of the rider.
The TD does not have ergonomics. Rather it has “character”. Ergonomics was not a word in the 1940’s and 1950’s. However, everything in the TD also falls readily to hand because once in the cockpit, your hand is the only thing that can move. Hands become part of the driving experience with hand signals for turning, hand signals for stopping, hand waves to admirers along the road, and occasional gestures to local riff-raff.
Styling
The LT styling is a beautiful example of 21st Century industrial design. Sweeping contours and graceful lines hide the massive bulk of this awesome machine. It looks fast just sitting still. The styling is truly a modern classic.
The TD styling is a beautiful example of 20th Century utilitarian design. Sweeping fenders, long hood, short cockpit and trunk all combine to give the impression that the little midget is longer than it really is. It also gives an impression of speed whilst sitting still. The styling of the TD is a REAL classic.
Servicing
The LT can be expensive to maintain. Many owners choose to service their own at 6,000 mile intervals. This is advisable, not only to save money, but to establish kind of a personal relationship with the machine. In the end, it makes the motorcycling experience more fun and safer. Servicing is not difficult but the LT must get naked for you!
The TD can also be expensive to maintain. Most owners choose to service their own on an hourly basis. This is advisable, not only to save money, but to keep the machine running. Any personal relationships that result are sprinkled with a lot of creative profanity. In the end, it makes the motorcar experience practical. Servicing is not difficult but the TD will NOT get naked for anybody. That little chore is left to the imagination of the owner.
Reliability
The LT is very reliable when ridden properly and maintained. As with any machine, certain trouble-prone areas like rear-drives do cause some consternation among earlier examples. The engine life is probably rated at 200-300k miles. Replacement of the clutch and/or engine is very expensive. Once again the LT must get naked for you. Long-term reliability (say 50 years) is not known. But with the electronic beast, it may not be possible to keep an LT in service beyond the year 2050.
The TD is very reliable whilst hibernating in the garage and marking its spot on the garage floor with some sort of inky liquid. When taken outdoors, reliability is a function of the owner’s skill in maintenance and luck. This is a great feature as it makes the owner stay on his toes. The very fact that so many 50 year old examples are still running around today says something about the reliability of the owners.
Overall
What do I like about the LT? For a motorcycle and its intended uses, I like everything except that I cannot ride with my wife two-up due to health reasons. I do not like not being able to ride in snowy weather either. I have done it but only out of necessity but the pucker factor is too high. I also do not like taking four hours to go pick up dinner. The BBS sets in all too frequently and causes my wife far too much concern.
What do I like about the TD? I cannot think of a motorized vehicle that has a higher “cool” factor. I cannot think of any car or motorcycle that has a higher “fun” factor. Most male drivers ride down the road in a cool convertible with visions of how princely and sporty they look even though they may overweight, balding or…old. I enjoy driving this convertible because it fills me with the soul of British motoring. I particularly enjoy the close companionship of my dear wife as we toodle off to another picnic while on tour in the North Georgia mountains. Something I can no longer do on the LT.
Recommendations
If you are motorcycling-inclined, you cannot do better than enjoying two-wheeled life with a BMW K1200LT. I am sure future models will only get better as time goes on. If you are so inclined to own an LT, or any motorcycle for that matter, just remember that the more you know the better the experience will be. What does that mean? Simply that the more you train and practice skills and safety, the more fun you will have for a longer time. It takes a certain amount of attitude adjustment to commit to that especially with all of our busy schedules. Just remember that the LT is a fast motorcycle so you must be equal to the bike’s ability just to keep up.
If you are suffering from vintage car dementia, ala your faithful scribe, then the TD just might be a good choice. Any old British car will provide years of entertainment. But once again, the more you know, the better the experience will be. Why? Again, a personal relationship will bond you to the car like nothing else. Besides, you will be able to keep it running! Just remember this, though: The TD is a slow machine from another era. It prefers to be driven on roads that were built before 1952. It is a mechanical contrivance that forces one to slow down and enjoy the ride not just the destination. In fact, it allows you to smell the roses along the way (and the horse manure in the fields, the roadkill, the gas on the dipstick and the oil dripping underneath). You must also be equal to the car’s ability, it’s ability to slow life down a bit.
In the end, we must enjoy our life in our own individual ways. For me, I am taking the road less traveled. The slow road.
Cheers, ya’ll!
BMW K1200LT vs. MG TD
Driving
One does not “drive” an LT unless it is on a trailer but not many folks do that. Rather, one RIDES the LT as is proper for motorcycles. Riding the LT has been described as being seated within the motorcycle rather than riding ON the motorcycle, as is true with some other bikes. Performance is stunning. 0-60 times are truly quick! Comparisons with other touring bikes is academic at best. The power comes on STRONG at around 4,000 rpms and sounds similar to an F-1 race car to my untrained ears. Handling is close to sport bike standards kinda like a slot car that leans. Braking is the best of any motorcycle I have ridden…you stop right NOW on a dime with enough time left to even pick it up and put it in your pocket before you have to leave the stop sign. Fuel economy is very good with averages in the mid 40mpg range.
The MG TD is a standard transmission, rear-wheel-drive roadster and is the state-of-the-art,for motorcars of 60 years ago. Which means what? There are no air bags, seat belts, roll bars, ABS brakes, electronic stabilization, or anything related to safety outside of the skill of the driver. There are no crumple zones other than one’s own thorax. The handling is akin to that of a bathtub on roller skates and the ride reminds one of a Radio Flyer wagon. Driving the TD is thrilling. With approximately 54hp the TD gets to speed when it is necessary. No worries, it will get there, sooner or later depending on geography, environment, testosterone levels, and the particular phase of the moon. Braking is a learned art just as Barney and Fred Flintstone must have learnt the intricacies of stopping a one-ton vehicle’s forward motion. Shoe leather is cheap, though.
Interior
The LT has no “interior”. It has only an “exterior” which means you must wear an outer layer of clothing to protect you from the friction and impacts of hard surfaces of the exterior should you be unfortunate enough to enjoy up close. The seat is actually quite good although some riders with tender tushies complain of the seat as the missing Weapon of Ass Destruction. Storage is typically limited as is true with all motorcycles. Rear top case and two side bags allow the rider to store a few items. Noise levels are low because it is not a Harley. The LT has heaters in the grips and seats. But no air conditioning. The Lt comes with a lot of bells and whistles and many, many more can be added.
The TD has a proper “interior” for two adults. Lined in leather, wood and canvas, the interior is inviting and quite comfortable. Storage is limited to a small “trunk” behind the seats but a luggage rack is very useful for doubling the amount of personal items. As with the LT, FedEx or UPS might be used to send your clothing ahead to your destination. Noise level on the inside of the MG is excellent because there is plenty of it. Visibility is excellent with the top down. The TD has no heater unless the hamster under the hood happens to fart. Air conditioning is “au naturel”. There are no bells and only one whistle. Any female driving the car will know what I mean.
Ergonomics
Ergonomics on the LT are outstanding. Everything falls “readily to hand” including electric windshield control, cd changer controls, horn, signals, etc. Headroom is infinite, legroom is adequate although limited, and communications and gps gizmos are limited only by the imagination of the rider.
The TD does not have ergonomics. Rather it has “character”. Ergonomics was not a word in the 1940’s and 1950’s. However, everything in the TD also falls readily to hand because once in the cockpit, your hand is the only thing that can move. Hands become part of the driving experience with hand signals for turning, hand signals for stopping, hand waves to admirers along the road, and occasional gestures to local riff-raff.
Styling
The LT styling is a beautiful example of 21st Century industrial design. Sweeping contours and graceful lines hide the massive bulk of this awesome machine. It looks fast just sitting still. The styling is truly a modern classic.
The TD styling is a beautiful example of 20th Century utilitarian design. Sweeping fenders, long hood, short cockpit and trunk all combine to give the impression that the little midget is longer than it really is. It also gives an impression of speed whilst sitting still. The styling of the TD is a REAL classic.
Servicing
The LT can be expensive to maintain. Many owners choose to service their own at 6,000 mile intervals. This is advisable, not only to save money, but to establish kind of a personal relationship with the machine. In the end, it makes the motorcycling experience more fun and safer. Servicing is not difficult but the LT must get naked for you!
The TD can also be expensive to maintain. Most owners choose to service their own on an hourly basis. This is advisable, not only to save money, but to keep the machine running. Any personal relationships that result are sprinkled with a lot of creative profanity. In the end, it makes the motorcar experience practical. Servicing is not difficult but the TD will NOT get naked for anybody. That little chore is left to the imagination of the owner.
Reliability
The LT is very reliable when ridden properly and maintained. As with any machine, certain trouble-prone areas like rear-drives do cause some consternation among earlier examples. The engine life is probably rated at 200-300k miles. Replacement of the clutch and/or engine is very expensive. Once again the LT must get naked for you. Long-term reliability (say 50 years) is not known. But with the electronic beast, it may not be possible to keep an LT in service beyond the year 2050.
The TD is very reliable whilst hibernating in the garage and marking its spot on the garage floor with some sort of inky liquid. When taken outdoors, reliability is a function of the owner’s skill in maintenance and luck. This is a great feature as it makes the owner stay on his toes. The very fact that so many 50 year old examples are still running around today says something about the reliability of the owners.
Overall
What do I like about the LT? For a motorcycle and its intended uses, I like everything except that I cannot ride with my wife two-up due to health reasons. I do not like not being able to ride in snowy weather either. I have done it but only out of necessity but the pucker factor is too high. I also do not like taking four hours to go pick up dinner. The BBS sets in all too frequently and causes my wife far too much concern.
What do I like about the TD? I cannot think of a motorized vehicle that has a higher “cool” factor. I cannot think of any car or motorcycle that has a higher “fun” factor. Most male drivers ride down the road in a cool convertible with visions of how princely and sporty they look even though they may overweight, balding or…old. I enjoy driving this convertible because it fills me with the soul of British motoring. I particularly enjoy the close companionship of my dear wife as we toodle off to another picnic while on tour in the North Georgia mountains. Something I can no longer do on the LT.
Recommendations
If you are motorcycling-inclined, you cannot do better than enjoying two-wheeled life with a BMW K1200LT. I am sure future models will only get better as time goes on. If you are so inclined to own an LT, or any motorcycle for that matter, just remember that the more you know the better the experience will be. What does that mean? Simply that the more you train and practice skills and safety, the more fun you will have for a longer time. It takes a certain amount of attitude adjustment to commit to that especially with all of our busy schedules. Just remember that the LT is a fast motorcycle so you must be equal to the bike’s ability just to keep up.
If you are suffering from vintage car dementia, ala your faithful scribe, then the TD just might be a good choice. Any old British car will provide years of entertainment. But once again, the more you know, the better the experience will be. Why? Again, a personal relationship will bond you to the car like nothing else. Besides, you will be able to keep it running! Just remember this, though: The TD is a slow machine from another era. It prefers to be driven on roads that were built before 1952. It is a mechanical contrivance that forces one to slow down and enjoy the ride not just the destination. In fact, it allows you to smell the roses along the way (and the horse manure in the fields, the roadkill, the gas on the dipstick and the oil dripping underneath). You must also be equal to the car’s ability, it’s ability to slow life down a bit.
In the end, we must enjoy our life in our own individual ways. For me, I am taking the road less traveled. The slow road.
Cheers, ya’ll!