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From: cower@columbia.UUCP (Rich Cower)
Newsgroups: net.cycle
Subject: touring cycles
Message-ID: <1255@columbia.UUCP>
Date: Fri, 18-Oct-85 15:57:33 EDT
Article-I.D.: columbia.1255
Posted: Fri Oct 18 15:57:33 1985
Date-Received: Mon, 21-Oct-85 05:40:18 EDT
Organization: Columbia University
Lines: 22

i also think a used older bmw might make your best choice. i'm
assuming you want to keep the bike for more than one season
and would rather ride than tinker on it. i have 3 - a 51, 68
and 78 and non of them have had any major work done on them.
they all start right up and continue to run trouble free.
i've had harleys,  hondas, bsa's, nortons and bmw's since 1965.
there are things i've liked about each of them (well - maybe
not the bsa) - but for overall riding time vs. tinker time
the bmw comes out way on top. the question "will i get to
where i'm going?" on my bmw's has never been an issue (and 
i've driven them on one cylinder to get there). the support
network offered by the BMWMOA is also very good should you
need help, place to stay, coffee, etc. while riding around.
i'm not sure any of the other bikes offer something like this.
the ads in the back also provide a good place to find use
bikes. your local dealer should have a copy of the monthly
magazine they will let you look at.

good luck in your search for a bike. let us know what you
end up with. 

rich