oh buddy!! just kidding!

As far as just pure looks go, I don't think I'v seen a sexier biker!

i've said it before.. for every need is a certain type of vehicle.

i bought my '01 3.0 years back not because it was cheaper then a 4.4 (before the 4.6 and 4.8 were available). i bought it because it fit the bill. it had everything i wanted. i don't speed recklessly on the street and people who know me know this to be true. they also know that the cost difference between a 3.0 and a 4.8 is not a big deal for me. its just i never found the use for a 4.8 and i'm not into bling or status of having the top of the line model.

if i were to chose another x5 today, i would still not get a 4.8. i would get the 4.4 for tow capacity for my race car. the 4.6/4.8 is tuned to be a sportier vehicle and imo is not the ideal setup for my purposes of a tow vehicle.

if i had josh's needs of a daily commuter, i would get the 600 over the 1000. if i were to race the bike, i would get the 1000.

in the end, to each his own...

Just another though..

Have you considered the BMW R1100S
I was seriously considering this bike prior to my purchase of a HOG.
It's an awesome machine...



And we already know your fond of BMW's..

B

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"When two people agree on everything, one of them is not necessary" - Arliss

Hayaku,

Not saying your wrong.. I do understand your points. But have to disagree with you. I had an 01 4.4 and it towed very well. But not nearly as well as a 04 4.8is. Again, I have towed my Porsche with both vehicles. It was a benefit to have that extra power on long tow trips. Especially on hills..
I never was at a loss for power and the 4.8is provided smooth, constant acceleration even with 5000 + lbs. behind it. The 4.4 did well, but I can not say there was always power when I needed it.

I would not have jumped on your arguement had I not used both engines for towing.. Again, both will do the same job, but the 4.8is does it better. No question, hands down. Nothing worse than trying to go up a steep grade and having no "reserves" for a pass, etc.

B

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"When two people agree on everything, one of them is not necessary" - Arliss

haha Seth.. that's a little overboard for a commuter bike... I'm in the camp the bestest (is there such a word?) and the fastest is not always the best.. Case in point in our industry, we do a lot of tiered storage strategies aka HSM or ILM. IT guys will know what I am talking about but your would use 15K fast FC drives for database applications that require fast r/w and not as file server... you wouldn't do backup to disk to FC drives but ATAs.. Static data, you don't want to put that on fast media either cuz it's WORM.. Same thing.. commuter bike that I will use is for commuting occasionally to share some of the mileage instead of putting 30K on the M5 in 1 year...

the $$ saved of course will be used for the weekend car!

Thanks for the feedback B. Nothing beats real world experience.

I do not think I would be passing much when trailering my gear. I don't just tow a car and tires. I bring a ton of gear and tools and am very very close to the 6000lb limit i think (and thats with a 2800 lb car - 3 sets of wheels/tires and spare tires, nitrogen bottle, several jacks, etc etc etc etc... its disgusting how much gear i have).

so with that in mind and the amount of towing and distances i will be doing, i still don't think the 4.8 is ideal for that type of punishment... once a month or less tow duty may not be so bad, but lots of towing i don't know... and the x5 is still not my ideal choice as a tow vehicle either, thats why i haven't bought another one yet...

How come? Most people have good things to say about it's stability when towing. Out of curiosity, what weight oil do you run for the engine and trans?

The new 06 R6 is the BOMB!!!! Rides great, handles Fantastic, and looks Awesome!!!! Need I say more. The tail almost looks like the R1. However, the exhaust can go...dont really like it! But other than that, its the SHIT!!!! Trust me...Ive been riding these rice rocket street bikes forever, track and street. That should account for something, right? I ride a silver 04' R1 myself! I love that bike more than anything in this world! Well maybe not more than my wife and X5!!!!! Hope this helps you out...