BMWs - for old men?

[carver]

which models have you ridden?

R65 and a R850 from what i can remember.

My "Overpriced Tank" weighs 200Kg (fully fueled), goes plenty fast enough to get locked up, will keep up with anything on a twisty country road and does 22K's per litre in the process. Some people even think it looks good too! That's NOT me by the way, I'm way too sensible for that.

my gixxer does 20kpl, weighs goodness knows how much, and costs less to buy!

and it will own ya BMW up!

[SixPackBack]

My "Overpriced Tank" weighs 200Kg (fully fueled), goes plenty fast enough to get locked up, will keep up with anything on a twisty country road and does 22K's per litre in the process. Some people even think it looks good too! That's NOT me by the way, I'm way too sensible for that.

I have ridden a F800 and call bullshit. They are not that flash

[gammaguy]

I have ridden a F800 and call bullshit. They are not that flash

the beauty of those is if the BMW purists dont like them,they can point out the Rotax engine.

If they do like them,they can point out the bavarian switchgear and bags of "character"

as it happens i like them,and could care less what anyone else thinks.

its good to be different,at least thats what my mum says..........

[SixPackBack]

the beauty of those is if the BMW purists dont like them,they can point out the Rotax engine.

If they do like them,they can point out the bavarian switchgear and bags of "character"

as it happens i like them,and could care less what anyone else thinks.

its good to be different,at least thats what my mum says..........

Don't get me wrong the 800 is a great bike to tour and is fun to ride.....but all things being equal your average 600 will quickly leave it behind-it is not fast!

[Motu]

and costs less to buy!

Less than what? A new Rocket III,or a TF125 lying on it's side behind the cow shed?

What most people don't get,and I didn't get with my first one (kinda strange seeing as my bike of choice was always a single) - is that BMW,at least with the stuff that isn't current....is that they didn't tune for maximum HP,but maximum usable HP.There is a world of difference there.

Even though my Airhead is a short stroke version,it has a power band wider than any V twin of the same capacity.Older riders develop into ''pace'' riders,the power characteristics of most BMW's is a gift to pace riders.

[gammaguy]

Don't get me wrong the 800 is a great bike to tour and is fun to ride.....but all things being equal your average 600 will quickly leave it behind-it is not fast!

very true

BMW wisely have kept away from competing on horsepower,preferring instead to offer"innovative"ideas such as Electro-hydraulic brakes(not well received,subsequently quietly discontinued),ABS and -gasp-heated seats(which i can tell you are awesome)

as to whether this makes them value for money,the jury is still out on that one....

[nallac]

my gixxer does 20kpl

how the fuck do ya get 20kpl outa the Gixxer, you ride like a pussy?
the best i can get outa my R1 is 12 is usually 9

[Hitcher]

How long before BMW has more than two retail outlets in New Zealand?

[Big Dave]

my 08 bike of the year.

[gammaguy]

How long before BMW has more than two retail outlets in New Zealand?

when the importers get real in their expectations of floor stock,shop fitout and most importantly,prices.

[xwhatsit]

Even though my Airhead is a short stroke version,it has a power band wider than any V twin of the same capacity.Older riders develop into ''pace'' riders,the power characteristics of most BMW's is a gift to pace riders.

Dude I finish uni in a few months and will have my first proper job with (with a bit of luck) maybe a bit of money going into my bank account. One of the first things I plan to do with that is buy a large bike to give the poor 250 single a bit of a rest and let me do a complete ground-up rebuild and a bit of two-up stuff.

I'm really heavily considering a BMW twin. What do you recommend? I like air-cooled, comfortable even two-up, reliable, cheap. I don't like screens but I'm told BMW are the only ones who get them right so maybe I can live with that. Maybe even something I can hitch a chair to...? But that rules out the R-series, right?

[NZsarge]

I'd be keen on any of the new K1300 series but my bank account is'nt...

[sidecar bob]

Yes Beemers are for old cunts and/or smug fuckers

Ive met more smug young fuckers with Gixser 1000's.

[Dodgyiti]

The first BMW I ever rode was an R90S 1976. I was 21 years old and I loved it. It had a lumpy cam and Dellorto's and went pretty well and sounded good.

Then I sold that and have not found another model of BMW that has any soul whatsoever. I think they have, in a journey towards ultimate Germanic perfection, engineered all the fun out of them.

As for being great young fella's stunt bikes, that is all sponsorship $$$ nothing else, in an effort to attract young folk back into the brand in the last 10 years because all the BMW riders are now mostly in homes.

It seems to be working for them, the old fart image is becoming less and less, the super motard and entrance into superbikes will help.

I am just worried that Guzzi will fill the hole in the old fart's segment of the market, as the new (Hinkley) Bonnies have. Damn new Guzzi's actually work properly now and most of the 'quirks' (i.e.- the good bits) have been slowly ironed out. Damn Aprilla and their quality control and shared technology!

[Gubb]

I wouldn't say no to an HP2 Sport.