i ride and you came to the right place. anyways lets start with:
bmw, agusta, ducati, and triumph... all GAY. all expensive, all hard to repair, and afford to repair. you mentioned honda, i really like their st1300
http://powersports.honda.com/motorcycles/touring_sport_touring/model.asp?ModelName=ST1300&ModelYear=2007&ModelId= ST13007
It too comes with the electric windshield, and abs, heated grips are an option, as well as a wiring harness for your heated suit and whatnot. i think it is a direct competitor. anyways its an inline 4 cyl compared to the wierd beamer flat 2. the honda engine is plentiful and easy to find repair shops compared to probably the one beamer shop supporting your state.
Base MSRP $14,399 for the st1300
the bmw:$18240
save your money and get a superior bike. Japanese is the way to go. and I fully back suzuki products, (i ride a gsxr) but i dont think they have anything that comes close to the honda. i hate kawi's and yamahas for street. yamaha makes great dirt bikes tho. hondas i dont like for their super bikes.
edit: forgot to mention they are both shaft driven so you get the great smoothness. but in the riding world when it comes to street credit, beamer riders get none. they are looked at as the stiff lipped bastards, and wannabe posers
