Parts for car recovery and other

The BMW K 1300 S and Suzuki Bandit 1250S ABS are both all-around motorcycles good for fun rides and long commutes

By JONATHAN WELSH

Motorcycles have a way of accumulating in the garage. Since different bikes span a range of speed, terrain and style, some riders have one for every purpose.

But a bunch of bikes can strain a family’s storage space, finances — and patience. One way to avoid this problem is by finding a good all-around motorcycle, one that is quick and nimble enough for fun rides and comfortable enough to drive all day.

I recently test rode two such bikes, the BMW K 1300 S and the Suzuki Bandit 1250S ABS. Both are large, sporty models with aggressive styling and power to spare. They let the rider sit in an upright and relaxed posture compared with more extreme sport bikes. As a result, one can ride them for stints of more than 100 miles without feeling tired.

The two are not obvious rivals, in part because they differ widely in price and prestige. The BMW costs $15,550 and uses a slew of expensive specialized parts meant to maximize acceleration, speed and handling. Graceful aerodynamic panels cover its body, and its sharp, purposeful, almost-harsh styling makes it immediately recognizable as a BMW.

The $9,799 Suzuki is a more modest, off-the-shelf affair. It looks and feels like a collection of parts that were clearly chosen for the current economy. There is nothing special about its generic exhaust pipe, for example, which looks like it could have been borrowed from any bargain bike. The same piece on the BMW looks exotic, with an unusual shape that gives it a close, custom fit.

Still, both bikes appeal to riders who want a big, powerful motorcycle with a surplus of performance for real-world street riding. Either machine can provide thrills on a long weekend ride and take up commuter duties on Monday. Also important to note: Both have antilock brakes, a feature common on cars but, curiously, less so on motorcycles. The feature can save a motorcyclist from a costly fall.

Read more...