BMW Release Pics of 170bhp Bike

[What?]

But eric buell persevered and now has a (very profitable) niche market

Not really. Eric went financially belly-up; HD saw the potential based on what he had achieved and bought the Buell name & designs.

[White trash]

No he didn't. He just financially couldn't further develope his machines. H-D bought 98% of the company but left E Buell in charge.

If he'd gone belly up, they would have arseholed him outta there quick smart.

It means now that H-D can use Buell bits in their bikes.

[What?]

Thanks for that WT - it explains the bit I couldn't understand in the article I read (business paper, not a bike publication). The article also said that Buell production had moved into the main HD plant - true?

[White trash]

Thanks for that WT - it explains the bit I couldn't understand in the article I read (business paper, not a bike publication). The article also said that Buell production had moved into the main HD plant - true?

Nope, Buell is a completely different factory and probably allways will be. They use completely different tooling for making Buells. I think the motors (which are still developed by Buell) are made in the HD factory then shipped to Buell.

Harley have just this year opened a new factory dedicated purely to the Softail range.

[What?]

I've learned something: Read about bikes in bike mags, not the NBR.

Now, back on topic, I think the BMW looks a bit too angular - not unlike the Aprillia Futura. Especially the tank. Bet it's nice to ride, though...

[Coldkiwi]

Like Pininfarina did on the Morbidelli V8?
(see ugly bike thread)

errr... yeah

I was going to offer an example but then the pinanfarina shockers came to mind!
How about someone responsible like Mr Tamburini??? He's a good fulla (999 subject to taste but its growing on me)

I'm going to continue to disagree about that engine format because those boxers they run in the boxer Cup must go through carbon engine case covers like the British go through excuses for being crap at sports! The low C of G (get that engine sticking out low to the ground) has a major disadvantage in rooting up how far you can tip it in. While they're limiting clearence they'd might as make it comfy and install foot boards!

[Milky]

hahaha i know FzerozeroT father in law has one, and its good to ride in middle of winter with heated handgrips but boy its hard work pushing it thru corners harder work than the ol gsxr1100 i had. and they eat tires, the fronts last just as long as a rear. we ended up putting dunlop 208 on father in laws bike, to make it turn better, but it eats them like no bodys business

I have found that it isnt so much the beemers being a hard bike to turn in, just that they require a totally different riding style. If you try to ride one like you would a RG150 you find you are fighting the bike. A more relaxed, encouraging style works best IMHO. Not that i have ridden many of them, but from the few i have, i get that impression. I think tyre life will change dramatically too if you try not to ride it like a japanese sportsbike.

[Cajun]

I have found that it isnt so much the beemers being a hard bike to turn in, just that they require a totally different riding style. If you try to ride one like you would a RG150 you find you are fighting the bike. A more relaxed, encouraging style works best IMHO. Not that i have ridden many of them, but from the few i have, i get that impression. I think tyre life will change dramatically too if you try not to ride it like a japanese sportsbike.

Well i have done well over 1000kms on my father in laws one, its just take alot of work to get it thru a corner, and if you wanna get thru a corner well, you pretty much gonna hang off one like an ape, okay some of this might be down to fact that i am 60kgs and my father in law is 120kgs and its set up more for his weight. but still its a heavy bike and they don't go around corners that great.

but no matter i got the gixxer for the corners

[James Deuce]

errr... yeah

I was going to offer an example but then the pinanfarina shockers came to mind!
How about someone responsible like Mr Tamburini??? He's a good fulla (999 subject to taste but its growing on me)

Pierre Terblanche did the 999 and the Multistrada. The 999 reminds me of my garage door, and the Multistrada looks like an accident between a Dalek, a Guzzi California, and Ducati 750 F1.

The 999 is NOT growing on me at all. Seeing them in the flesh just confirms how hideous they are.

The BMW that coined this thread is not offensive however.

[Posh Tourer :P]

Well i have done well over 1000kms on my father in laws one, its just take alot of work to get it thru a corner, and if you wanna get thru a corner well, you pretty much gonna hang off one like an ape, okay some of this might be down to fact that i am 60kgs and my father in law is 120kgs and its set up more for his weight. but still its a heavy bike and they don't go around corners that great.

but no matter i got the gixxer for the corners

Thats a K1200 innit..... I would suggest that there is a way to get every bike into a corner, you just have to find it..... The R65 works best with a huge handful of countersteer, and doesnt feel particularly comfy hanging off it... but maybe I just need to get used to it. Are you hanging off cos you cant get the bike into the corner? or cos it doesnt have enough clearance?

[mangell6]

Pierre Terblanche did the 999 and the Multistrada. The 999 reminds me of my garage door, and the Multistrada looks like an accident between a Dalek, a Guzzi California, and Ducati 750 F1.

Oii!! leave Daleks out of this. Davros created them and he would hate anyone stealing his ideas.

[Coldkiwi]

Pierre Terblanche did the 999 and the Multistrada. The 999 reminds me of my garage door, and the Multistrada looks like an accident between a Dalek, a Guzzi California, and Ducati 750 F1.

The 999 is NOT growing on me at all. Seeing them in the flesh just confirms how hideous they are.

The BMW that coined this thread is not offensive however.

mmmm ok, I had a second look and the beemer wasn't as bad as I first thought.
I'll agree its miles ahead of the Numptystrada!! What was he THINKING!? you'll eventually get numb to the 999... it may be a bit ugly but at least it can kick some butt if needed

[sedge]

Ummmm... is it just me? or does it look like someone already crashed it and put on a new main fairing? I guess pre-munting the tank saves on repairs, unless it's some kind of radical new origami design thing.

Ah what do I know, my bike is green. (not with envy... I think it's mould)

[pete376403]

I have found that it isnt so much the beemers being a hard bike to turn in, just that they require a totally different riding style. If you try to ride one like you would a RG150 you find you are fighting the bike. A more relaxed, encouraging style works best IMHO. Not that i have ridden many of them, but from the few i have, i get that impression. I think tyre life will change dramatically too if you try not to ride it like a japanese sportsbike.

A mate had a K1100RS - in the time he had it it cost him as much for tyres as it did for gas.