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MG parts spares and accessories are available for MG T Series (TA, MG TB, MG TC, MG TD, MG TF), Magnette, MGA, Twin cam, MGB, MGBGT, MGC, MGC GT, MG Midget, Sprite and other MG models from British car spares company LBCarCo.

MG TD TF 1500 - Our First MGTD (Part 3)

LT vs. MG TD Part 3
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Not-So-Scientific Comparison of

BMW K1200LT vs. MG TD


Driving

One does not “drive” an LT unless it is on a trailer but not many folks do that. Rather, one RIDES the LT as is proper for motorcycles. Riding the LT has been described as being seated within the motorcycle rather than riding ON the motorcycle, as is true with some other bikes. Performance is stunning. 0-60 times are truly quick! Comparisons with other touring bikes is academic at best. The power comes on STRONG at around 4,000 rpms and sounds similar to an F-1 race car to my untrained ears. Handling is close to sport bike standards kinda like a slot car that leans. Braking is the best of any motorcycle I have ridden…you stop right NOW on a dime with enough time left to even pick it up and put it in your pocket before you have to leave the stop sign. Fuel economy is very good with averages in the mid 40mpg range.

The MG TD is a standard transmission, rear-wheel-drive roadster and is the state-of-the-art,for motorcars of 60 years ago. Which means what? There are no air bags, seat belts, roll bars, ABS brakes, electronic stabilization, or anything related to safety outside of the skill of the driver. There are no crumple zones other than one’s own thorax. The handling is akin to that of a bathtub on roller skates and the ride reminds one of a Radio Flyer wagon. Driving the TD is thrilling. With approximately 54hp the TD gets to speed when it is necessary. No worries, it will get there, sooner or later depending on geography, environment, testosterone levels, and the particular phase of the moon. Braking is a learned art just as Barney and Fred Flintstone must have learnt the intricacies of stopping a one-ton vehicle’s forward motion. Shoe leather is cheap, though.

Interior

The LT has no “interior”. It has only an “exterior” which means you must wear an outer layer of clothing to protect you from the friction and impacts of hard surfaces of the exterior should you be unfortunate enough to enjoy up close. The seat is actually quite good although some riders with tender tushies complain of the seat as the missing Weapon of Ass Destruction. Storage is typically limited as is true with all motorcycles. Rear top case and two side bags allow the rider to store a few items. Noise levels are low because it is not a Harley. The LT has heaters in the grips and seats. But no air conditioning. The Lt comes with a lot of bells and whistles and many, many more can be added.

The TD has a proper “interior” for two adults. Lined in leather, wood and canvas, the interior is inviting and quite comfortable. Storage is limited to a small “trunk” behind the seats but a luggage rack is very useful for doubling the amount of personal items. As with the LT, FedEx or UPS might be used to send your clothing ahead to your destination. Noise level on the inside of the MG is excellent because there is plenty of it. Visibility is excellent with the top down. The TD has no heater unless the hamster under the hood happens to fart. Air conditioning is “au naturel”. There are no bells and only one whistle. Any female driving the car will know what I mean.

Ergonomics

Ergonomics on the LT are outstanding. Everything falls “readily to hand” including electric windshield control, cd changer controls, horn, signals, etc. Headroom is infinite, legroom is adequate although limited, and communications and gps gizmos are limited only by the imagination of the rider.

The TD does not have ergonomics. Rather it has “character”. Ergonomics was not a word in the 1940’s and 1950’s. However, everything in the TD also falls readily to hand because once in the cockpit, your hand is the only thing that can move. Hands become part of the driving experience with hand signals for turning, hand signals for stopping, hand waves to admirers along the road, and occasional gestures to local riff-raff.

Styling

The LT styling is a beautiful example of 21st Century industrial design. Sweeping contours and graceful lines hide the massive bulk of this awesome machine. It looks fast just sitting still. The styling is truly a modern classic.

The TD styling is a beautiful example of 20th Century utilitarian design. Sweeping fenders, long hood, short cockpit and trunk all combine to give the impression that the little midget is longer than it really is. It also gives an impression of speed whilst sitting still. The styling of the TD is a REAL classic.

Servicing

The LT can be expensive to maintain. Many owners choose to service their own at 6,000 mile intervals. This is advisable, not only to save money, but to establish kind of a personal relationship with the machine. In the end, it makes the motorcycling experience more fun and safer. Servicing is not difficult but the LT must get naked for you!
The TD can also be expensive to maintain. Most owners choose to service their own on an hourly basis. This is advisable, not only to save money, but to keep the machine running. Any personal relationships that result are sprinkled with a lot of creative profanity. In the end, it makes the motorcar experience practical. Servicing is not difficult but the TD will NOT get naked for anybody. That little chore is left to the imagination of the owner.

Reliability

The LT is very reliable when ridden properly and maintained. As with any machine, certain trouble-prone areas like rear-drives do cause some consternation among earlier examples. The engine life is probably rated at 200-300k miles. Replacement of the clutch and/or engine is very expensive. Once again the LT must get naked for you. Long-term reliability (say 50 years) is not known. But with the electronic beast, it may not be possible to keep an LT in service beyond the year 2050.

The TD is very reliable whilst hibernating in the garage and marking its spot on the garage floor with some sort of inky liquid. When taken outdoors, reliability is a function of the owner’s skill in maintenance and luck. This is a great feature as it makes the owner stay on his toes. The very fact that so many 50 year old examples are still running around today says something about the reliability of the owners.

Overall

What do I like about the LT? For a motorcycle and its intended uses, I like everything except that I cannot ride with my wife two-up due to health reasons. I do not like not being able to ride in snowy weather either. I have done it but only out of necessity but the pucker factor is too high. I also do not like taking four hours to go pick up dinner. The BBS sets in all too frequently and causes my wife far too much concern.

What do I like about the TD? I cannot think of a motorized vehicle that has a higher “cool” factor. I cannot think of any car or motorcycle that has a higher “fun” factor. Most male drivers ride down the road in a cool convertible with visions of how princely and sporty they look even though they may overweight, balding or…old. I enjoy driving this convertible because it fills me with the soul of British motoring. I particularly enjoy the close companionship of my dear wife as we toodle off to another picnic while on tour in the North Georgia mountains. Something I can no longer do on the LT.

Recommendations

If you are motorcycling-inclined, you cannot do better than enjoying two-wheeled life with a BMW K1200LT. I am sure future models will only get better as time goes on. If you are so inclined to own an LT, or any motorcycle for that matter, just remember that the more you know the better the experience will be. What does that mean? Simply that the more you train and practice skills and safety, the more fun you will have for a longer time. It takes a certain amount of attitude adjustment to commit to that especially with all of our busy schedules. Just remember that the LT is a fast motorcycle so you must be equal to the bike’s ability just to keep up.

If you are suffering from vintage car dementia, ala your faithful scribe, then the TD just might be a good choice. Any old British car will provide years of entertainment. But once again, the more you know, the better the experience will be. Why? Again, a personal relationship will bond you to the car like nothing else. Besides, you will be able to keep it running! Just remember this, though: The TD is a slow machine from another era. It prefers to be driven on roads that were built before 1952. It is a mechanical contrivance that forces one to slow down and enjoy the ride not just the destination. In fact, it allows you to smell the roses along the way (and the horse manure in the fields, the roadkill, the gas on the dipstick and the oil dripping underneath). You must also be equal to the car’s ability, it’s ability to slow life down a bit.

In the end, we must enjoy our life in our own individual ways. For me, I am taking the road less traveled. The slow road.

Cheers, and thanks for your patience in reading through this long diatribe.

Octagonally yours,

DaveL
dave lackey

Dave L -- That was very good. The last motorcycle I rode was in 1945, a Harley 74 that had once had a side car so it had a suicide clutch. Much fun but I like the 'T' series much better.
You write very well keep up the "diatribes" we will all enjoy them.
Bob
R. K. (Bob) Jeffers

Yes indeed Dave, you wrire VERY well. I enjoyed your posts, even though I am no fan of bikes. I DO watch American Chopper though. Does that count :-)

I am reminded by your TD/LT comparison as to my TD/Mercedes comparison. My daily driver is a SLK32AMG, which will bang you in the seat of the pants as it accelerates 0-60 in 4.6 seconds. Yes, it's a 2 seat roadster like the TD, except it's convertible hardtop folds into the boot with the press of a button, and has every bell and whisle imaginagle. But, it cannot top the T-Series for ageless class and styling.
L Karpman

Thanks, guys!

Having owned 4 MGB's, Corvettes, etc in the past, I ventured into motorcycles around 6 years ago. The last a 3 years, I rode BMW exclusively everyday about 150 miles every day into and out of Atlanta. Well...I am retired now from motorcycling due to my wife's health and her concerns, and the TD is my choice of a ride nowadays.

My old 70 B needs a complete restoration after the last 200k miles and a lot of dings...maybe this winter, who knows?

It sure is strange how much enjoyment we get out of a machine that is half a century old, isn't it? With all the new technology and bells and whistles, the sheer simplicity and elegance of the TD just cannot be topped. I have even resisted installing a radio, GPS, iPOD, you name it. Dang...I'm only 56 years old...am I becoming an old f*rt??? LMAO....

Best regards,

DaveL
dave lackey

Ahhh... so LBC through and through, but ride German bikes???
My two bikes (long, long ago) were Triumph 650's... can't ride anything that doesn't shift with the right foot.
Its also nice to look at the garage floor and say "Yep...that was the Triumph...over there was the Mini, and here is the TD's"
gblawson - TD#27667

Gordon, that was funny! But right on the mark.

I think I got the old vintage car disease from my great uncle, Aubrey Morris, in Greensboro, NC. As a kid, we were always treated to lunch with a ride in one of his Stanley Steamers or a White or something really neat! How I got the LBC affliction, I dunno.

Musta been in the genes from Scotland.

Or maybe it was 50W oil stain patterns on the garage floor that attracted me....or the sound of rain drops hitting the canvas top...or maybe it was the cozy little heater while driving in the snow...or...

Best regards,

DaveL
dave lackey

My first "British" experience was my grandfather's Morris Minors...early 50's. That incredible smell of leather, trafficators (which I would press my head against the rear passenger window to watch deploy), brown bakalite everything (or what looked like it), marbled plastic...ahhhhh!
My older brother's first car was a '50 Morris Minor Convertable...but the smell of 'vinyl paint' (red) just wasn't the same as the English leather smell!
gblawson - TD#27667

Hello L Karpman -(sorry to be formal but you don't give us your first name)

Like yourself I have been watching American Chopper and whilst their bikes look good I wonder how long they will stay that way. I note they cut away the edges of mudguards (fenders) but don't bother to roll in a wired edge as on a T Series. Also they change the shape of a fuel tank by spot welding on pieces of sheet steel and then covering everything with bondo. I am certain that when contributors to these pages need to repair a TD / TF wing, a carefully shaped patch is seam welded in and then planished until it's invisible - before any paint is applied. I could do with Norm from the New Yankee Workshop making some of the body frame for my prewar Mg though.


Rgeards


Jan T
Jan Targosz

This thread was discussed between 18/09/2006 and 19/09/2006

MG TD TF 1500 index

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