BMW in MotoGP...it's real!

[Crasherfromwayback]

Yeah, because we would be calling a hearse to carry you home in cause you were just a big SPLAT. 30 m is prolly a decent response time...... to go oh fuck a tractor ....BANG.

Problem not enough riders know how to stop properly ...... not and ABS non ABS argument.

Titanium....you appear to be missing my point every time.
It's fine by me if you live and swear by ABS, I don't.
I can agree with a lot of your good points regarding it, but it's not the be all and end all you think it is.

Think carefully now.....have you never come across a situation where it's better to just put the bike down?

I sure as fuck have.

And all I'm saying is ABS won't let you do that.

Think about it.

[Sensei]

Correct me if wrong but cann't ya turn the ABS thingy off ?

[Titanium]

Correct me if wrong but cann't ya turn the ABS thingy off ?

Correct, you can have it as an option or not have it at all...

[Crasherfromwayback]

Correct me if wrong but cann't ya turn the ABS thingy off ?

Sure you can.
But if you look at the hypothetical situations I'm talking about, I doubt you'll have to time/skill/calmness to do so!

[Ixion]

,,
I agree with you Ixion, but the original post WAS BMW in Moto GP.
And, my theoretical 'emergency situation' is only my view.

Granted. And the scepticism about seeing BMW on the race track is in large measure because they have for many many years concentrated on making bikes very strongly focused on pure long distance road riding. Not racing, whether racing on a race track, or the "unofficial" but actual racing that does take place on the public roads. So a BMW 1000 is about as different a beast as it is possible to get to (say) a GSXR1000.

And things like ABS, shaft drive, have benefits for long distance road riding. But not for racing.

So if BMW do go back to the track, they will have to totally change their fundamental logic of what a motorcycle is for. No small change, and one that many people think unlikely , if for no other reason than that, if they did do it, they would no longer be BMW.

[Titanium]

Titanium....you appear to be missing my point every time.
It's fine by me if you live and swear by ABS, I don't.
I can agree with a lot of your good points regarding it, but it's not the be all and end all you think it is.

Think carefully now.....have you never come across a situation where it's better to just put the bike down?

I sure as fuck have.

And all I'm saying is ABS won't let you do that.

Think about it.

But..... you use the brakes for other things than for "putting your bike down"... emergency / evasive braking takes many forms.

To say they are shit because of that is is lame.....

[Sensei]

[QUOTE=Crasherfromwayback]Mate.....I've had 50 odd motorcycles in the time I've been riding.

Nice to see someone else that has made the 50 + bikes like myself

[Titanium]

Granted. And the scepticism about seeing BMW on the race track is in large measure because they have for many many years concentrated on making bikes very strongly focused on pure long distance road riding. Not racing, whether racing on a race track, or the "unofficial" but actual racing that does take place on the public roads. So a BMW 1000 is about as different a beast as it is possible to get to (say) a GSXR1000.

And things like ABS, shaft drive, have benefits for long distance road riding. But not for racing.

So if BMW do go back to the track, they will have to totally change their fundamental logic of what a motorcycle is for. No small change, and one that many people think unlikely , if for no other reason than that, if they did do it, they would no longer be BMW.

If they perfrom (well) or feature on the track with more conventional bikes (chain) they might start appealing to a larger market segment, make more units, be price competitive etc.... become more mainstream.

Their styling has certainly taken a change for the better.

[Crasherfromwayback]

.

So if BMW do go back to the track, they will have to totally change their fundamental logic of what a motorcycle is for. No small change, and one that many people think unlikely , if for no other reason than that, if they did do it, they would no longer be BMW.

And I for one would love to see them go Moto GP racing.
My original "Shaft drive, ABS, Telelever" post was a piss take.
The rest as they say....is history!
But I love the good debates here.
What I laugh at (who ever is the soft cock that did it), is the said 'Soft Cocks' that post 'Red Rep' cause they're losing a debate.

Bring on the 'Red Rep' people!

Cause I'm not here to gain 'Green', I merely like to participate.

[Ixion]

But would that be wise? If in so doing they lose the features that appeal to their present market. In becoming "mainstream" they would risk becoming just another "me too" - what would they have or do that the Japs/Triumph/Ducati don't do as well or better?

At present they are bikes that are tailored to a specific market. Those who value those features will buy BMW because they cannot obtain the features from Suzuki/Honda/etc etc.

The lure of course is to think that they can become "main stream" and still remain "specialised". Not possible, I think.

[Crasherfromwayback]

But..... you use the brakes for other things than for "putting your bike down"... emergency / evasive braking takes many forms.

To say they are shit because of that is is lame.....

Once again mate......
I've even stated that ABS will SAVE YOU A LOT OF BIFFS.
If you look back into some of my posts, you'll see I said that!

I also said (and yes, it's only my opinion), that they may well KILL YOU TOO!

For the sake of any other people reading this, lets drop it!

I'm having a beer, you should be having one.
You ride your ABS equipped bike, I'll opt not to!

[Crasherfromwayback]

But would that be wise? If in so doing they lose the features that appeal to their present market. In becoming "mainstream" they would risk becoming just another "me too" - what would they have or do that the Japs/Triumph/Ducati don't do as well or better?

At present they are bikes that are tailored to a specific market. Those who value those features will buy BMW because they cannot obtain the features from Suzuki/Honda/etc etc.

The lure of course is to think that they can become "main stream" and still remain "specialised". Not possible, I think.

Once again, valid points.
But Harley made a brave move (for a traditionally extremely conservitive company) with the 'V-Rod', to cash in on a market segment they were previously missing out on.
It's worked for them, at no expense to their 'traditional' client base.
There's no reason BMW can't do likewise......?

[Crasherfromwayback]

[QUOTE=SenseiNice to see someone else that has made the 50 + bikes like myself[/QUOTE]
Jesus mate!
I work in the bike industry, what's your excuse?
Good effort!

[Titanium]

Once again, valid points.
But Harley made a brave move (for a traditionally extremely conservitive company) with the 'V-Rod', to cash in on a market segment they were previously missing out on.
It's worked for them, at no expense to their 'traditional' client base.
There's no reason BMW can't do likewise......?

Possibly have with the K1200S & K1200R ....... try and get one with out waiting. They are very different ... an IL 4 cylinder.... for BMW.

[Ixion]

Well, for that matter BMW have already shown a strong capability to break new markets, with the 650 cc singles. A totally different bike, and a totally different market to the boxers.

But my guess would be, if they do make the racing investment , it will like Mercedes. An appearance in strength to gain enough publicity to dispell the "slow and elderly gentleman" brand profile. Then a fairly quick withdrawal.And no significant change to the type of bike they sell the public.

ie they will not be trying to establish credentials as manufacturers of race replica (GSXR1000 type) bikes - just proving that they can bite if they want to.