[GusTSR]

Can someone post a brief explanation of the perceivable differences riding a oil/air cooled boxer vs. the newer water cooled motors?

I'm not asking about the technical operational facts between the two types of motors but rather about the differences in the way the two engines feel to the user.

I've heard that the oil/air provides a different kind of feedback (more vibration, noise, and general tactile elements) vs the newer water cooled engines (smoother, less pulsing, etc....).

My general sense is that the air-cooled engines have more "character" but this is vague and I would love to hear more details about this distinction, especially concerning the nineT.

thanks

 

[penner]

I would assume the other way around. Wouldn't oil be smoother and less vibration?

What do I know..

 

[Mr. Bones]

This explains it all:

 

[Bose]

NEW v OLD

The only true way to find out as everyone has different views on this subject is go and try one of the last oil cooled twin cams if you can ,then throw your leg over a LC GS an you'll have your answer ,yes their very different and I'm for old over new without doubt (character ?? Tonnes of it )

 

[cherry street]

This explains it all:

Air cooled vs water cooled

is that you contorted on there bonesy??

 

[Mr. Bones]

Yup.

Now you know why I've ordered the R9T.

 

[NSX]

As has been said, it's personal preference, but on the GS site most who have gone from oil to water say they would never go back. An example:

"Go take some test rides. I have both a 2005 and a 2013 LC GS. Both are great bikes and similar in many ways but also very different. Since I picked up the 2013, the 2005 hasn't turned a wheel..."

I want the nineT because of its beauty and compact size compared to any other boxer, but the new engine sounds like a real improvement.

 

[thompcat]

For me, and having only recently given up my 2012 R12R, this latest and last version of the air/oil configuration represents its highest evolution possible. BMW would not be messing with it if it didn't work in 2014. Its a gutsy engine for the roads, the nineT uses the same engine but with slight gear ratio variations from the 12R. A water cooled 12R would not doubt be smoother in some ways and more complicated in others. For most riders, how this translates is equally related to gearing and other drivetrain decisions. That's why the nineT is so awesome, BMW's best Boxer engine, mated to a modern USD front fork. This should be a bit more lusty fun cracking it open around town. The water cooled Boxer is just that next evolution of a super solid design.

 

[1561]

(quote) ... be a bit more lusty fun ...

... oooh, I enjoy L U S T Y FUN

 

[Maverick]

I think its hard to really tell the difference until you get to test out a bike with both engines. Are the water cooled engines widely available or are they only availble on a select few bikes at the moment.

 

[rkevwill]

Airheads forever.

 

[pistonbroke]

Hi all
Think I'll stick to the oil and air cooled models as proven over last 10 years for the gs 1200
Maybe when I see some watercooled ones with high milage I'll change to those.

 

[Karamazov]

Exhaust ports in the front, poker in the rear!

Camheads for life.