I was thinking about a BMW
#21
05-31-2009, 08:52 AM
#22
05-31-2009, 09:00 AM
My beef with the BMW crowd is from experience. I used to hang with a club in another state. The guys start by being enthusiastic about BMW bikes, then they add BMW cars, then German cars, then anything German, then anything European, then they dislike Harleys, then dislike anything American, then dislike the American life in favor of paradise in Europe. I used to ask them why they just didn't move overseas, but they liked the American dollar and the American way of life. Of course, they denied everything I told them.
#23
05-31-2009, 09:14 AM
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Just left the BMW camp, last two bikes were boxer twin BMW models. BMW guys are as odd, or odder, than Harley guys. They (we) pack around every possible thing, on the chance it may be needed. I never had any reliablilty issues with my BMW, but I still carried a tool roll that was incrediable. I have stopped and plugged two Harley tires with my kit though! As far as junk, etc., that is wrong. BMW is simply Europe's Harley. Terrific bikes, and I enjoyed the heck out of them, but now I am doing something different. But I do have to find some cooler riding gear, I look like I stepped out of an Aerostich catalog....
I'll take my Aerostich jacket over my HD leathers 9 times out of 10. It's also made in the USA! I wouldn't get to hung up on riding gear... use what is comfortble and affords protection.
I
#24
05-31-2009, 09:17 AM
The newer BMW's are less "user friendly" to work on than the older ones. The took kit consists of a screw driver and a Torx wrench. So you have to put together your own tool kit, same as with Harley. Some riders may go a little overboard. Earlier BMW's, like my 93 R100R, come with a great tool kit.
#25
05-31-2009, 09:35 AM
Cruiser
#26
05-31-2009, 09:56 AM
I agree - BMW makes a terrific product and as far as expensive to own/repair- who are we kidding?
I'll take my Aerostich jacket over my HD leathers 9 times out of 10. It's also made in the USA! I wouldn't get to hung up on riding gear... use what is comfortble and affords protection.
I
I'll take my Aerostich jacket over my HD leathers 9 times out of 10. It's also made in the USA! I wouldn't get to hung up on riding gear... use what is comfortble and affords protection.
I
#27
05-31-2009, 09:57 AM
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You likely would not say that if you won the lottery.
Can't honestly believe that - can you?
BMW makes excellent products across all their lines (bikes and cars), same with most of import and asian brands. I have and currently own BMW and Mercedes cars and even though American cars have moved up a few notches, they can't touch these brands. Also typically customer service is excellent and at a much higher level than a domestic dealer. Not fair to trash these brands that you obvously haven't experienced.
Don't see BMW and Mercedes looking for handouts from the government, do you. Why do you think that is.
I'm reading in your message that "overpriced foreign junk" means "you wish you could afford them".
Last edited by ELGOLD; 05-31-2009 at 10:02 AM.
#28
05-31-2009, 10:04 AM
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I own both Harley and BMW bikes. They are both exceptional machines. There's a reason both have been in business for as long as they have.
And if someone carries a bunch of tools it's pretty meaningless - I know riders of both marques who do that. And I know riders who don't carry squat, not even what they need to fix a flat tire. Those are the pussies...
And if someone carries a bunch of tools it's pretty meaningless - I know riders of both marques who do that. And I know riders who don't carry squat, not even what they need to fix a flat tire. Those are the pussies...
#29
05-31-2009, 10:59 AM
Road Master
Not in my experience. I have owned both a BMW 325is AND a BMW K1200LT. Both were vehicles from Hell - worst car and worst bike I've ever owned, and I've owned a bunch of both, most of which I bought new, not somebody's worn out junkers.
The car was very expensive for just the routine service BMW called for. There were electrical issues the dealership was never able to rectify. When we finally traded that thing off, we had oil stains all over the garage floor from a leaking rear seal on the engine.
The bike was a nightmare in every respect. The right side handlebar switch cluster failed under warranty and a replacement had to be flown in from Germany - there were none in the US. Routine maintenance was overpriced like the car, and more of it was required than with other bikes I've owned. K1200LTs are notorious for eating their final drives and also for leaking clutch slave cylinders, which then contaminate the dry clutch with fluid, taking it out.
K1200LTs are also so top-heavy that owners joke on the BMW forums about rolling them over at very slow speed repeatedly. I'm no beginning rider, having ridden over 50 years, but that happened to me twice in the six months I owned the bike. That was all I could stand; I took the damned thing back to the dealer for him to sell on consignment, which he did. Made money on me going and coming, but I can say I was never so glad to be rid of such a nuisance.
Not fair to trash these brands that you obvously haven't experienced....
I'm reading in your message that "overpriced foreign junk" means "you wish you could afford them".
I don't know about him, but I could afford them, and I did experience them. I'm glad that's over and past - never again. I totally agree that the entire "German engineering" thing is nothing but hype when it comes to the BMW marque.
Last edited by racklefratz; 05-31-2009 at 11:04 AM.
#30
05-31-2009, 11:42 AM
