Why BMW Riders are just "Different" than Yamaha Riders

[David Foley]

https://www.k1600forum.com/forum/bmw-k1600-off-topic-lounge/74810-physics-rolling-motorcycle-tire.html

 

[moto2wheelin]

Just a sign of winter setting in for some people...

 

[Top_Speed1]

I see you're lurking over <there> and you are interested in a used (2014) K16? Spot on BTW, older years had some learning curves but BMW has this model finally worked out. My 2014.5 dream machine is pure smoothness and satisfaction in every dept. Absolutely love this bike beyond any words. Good luck in your search.

-KJ

 

[Bounce]

Watch out for final drives!

Oh yeah... and snooty sales people.

 

[wheatonFJR]

...and service departments paying for their set of gold wrenches.

 

[Top_Speed1]

Watch out for final drives!
Oh yeah... and snooty sales people.

Wrong model.

Possibly, but I have an outstanding dealer, great (& funny) personality.

...and service departments paying for their set of gold wrenches.

You gotta do your own maintenance, then, it's no more expensive than an FJR.

 

[roger dodger]

2 of my friends ride BMW 1200GS ... BOTH of them ride very little... BOTH of them had a 'technical' issue (brakes or shocks) late this summer.

Question.... Does lower miles (sitting around) increase the odds of a mechanical issue?

Or... Do BMW's just break easier (w/o taking a beating) than Japanese bikes?

 

[beemerdons]

Watch out for final drives!
Oh yeah... and snooty sales people.

Wrong model.

Possibly, but I have an outstanding dealer, great (& funny) personality.

...and service departments paying for their set of gold wrenches.

You gotta do your own maintenance, then, it's no more expensive than an FJR.

Wheatie you *******, they are platinum wrenches not gold! JSNS!

 

[Top_Speed1]

2 of my friends ride BMW 1200GS ... BOTH of them ride very little... BOTH of them had a 'technical' issue (brakes or shocks) late this summer.
Question.... Does lower miles (sitting around) increase the odds of a mechanical issue?

Or... Do BMW's just break easier (w/o taking a beating) than Japanese bikes?

Oh boy, this thread is now headed to NEPRT for sure!

I can't answer for your friends bikes but they do have a Mfgr 3 year warranty?.

Some say letting mechanical things sit, does them no favor. Debates go on forever about this.

Break "easier"? Well this is a funny one. If you ask a K16 guy <over there> he'll say the FJR breaks down a lot. In viewing threads <here>, we do see a lot of problems but it is the same over there. No difference... but! since they have a bigger investment, they do tend to gripe louder. 'NS

Dependability can be a hot and debated subject. When I went to the MOA Nationals this past July, seeing all the old timers with their "antique" BMW's and many ALL of them simply pristine, longevity granted to Japanese bikes may get a back n forth argument from them. I (myself) believe the Japanese bikes are probably more reliable in the long run. Again, this could go on forever. And like who chooses a car model just because it's the most dependable? Choose what you like best in all accounts.

 

[wheatonFJR]

^^^ Is that petey's?

I know he likes whitewalls.

 

[LagerHead]

2 of my friends ride BMW 1200GS ... BOTH of them ride very little... BOTH of them had a 'technical' issue (brakes or shocks) late this summer.
Question.... Does lower miles (sitting around) increase the odds of a mechanical issue?

Or... Do BMW's just break easier (w/o taking a beating) than Japanese bikes?

According to consumer reports, yes.

The study analyzed the reliability of 4,680 bikes owned by CR subscribers and found that Yamaha had the best ratings, with just one in ten bikes built between 2009 and 2012 requiring a repair over a four-year period.[...]BMW had the worst rating of the brands represented, with one in three bikes having problems.
https://www.autoblog.com/2014/02/22/consumer-reports-motorcycle-reliability-report/

[...]And like who chooses a car model just because it's the most dependable?

That plays a HUGE part in my choice, which is why I have a Toyota and Honda. Oh, and a Yamaha. But that's because I have been down the "spend thousands upon thousands of dollars to just keep a car barely running" road. It sucks the big one. Now I spend all my time just driving my vehicles. I can't say enough about how pleasant this new road is.

 

[beemerdons]

^^^ Is that petey's?
I know he likes whitewalls.

Nein Marky-Mark, es nichts richtig! Our Herr Peter is a Horex Man all the way, Horex or das Autobahn petey always says! Jawohl! https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Horex

 

[ionbeam]

Nein Marky-Mark, es nichts richtig! Our Herr Peter is a Horex Man all the way, Horex or das Autobahn petey always says! Jawohl! https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Horex

Wow, is that thing a cross plane crank? I see there will be no shaft drive fires on this baby.

 

[Bounce]

You gotta do your own maintenance, then, it's no more expensive than an FJR.

I had that explained to me once at a Vet's Day BBQ. I was encircled by deeply-committed BMW riders who explained that all those stories about how a dealership will drop everything for a BMW rider on a trip experiencing problems. They said that, yes it happens but first the remote dealership calls your local dealer to see what kind of customer you are (IOW: Do you have them do your services, do you buy from them and not other individuals, etc.). IF it all checks out, then they treat you well. If you do your own services, buy used bikes from owners, etc., you go into the regular queue and take your turn.

To a person they nodded and agreed.

I'm out.

 

[beemerdons]

Nein Marky-Mark, es nichts richtig! Our Herr Peter is a Horex Man all the way, Horex or das Autobahn petey always says! Jawohl! https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Horex

Wow, is that thing a cross plane crank? I see there will be no shaft drive fires on this baby.

Right you are Alan, here is a pic of Herr Petey's very first Horex: A 1926 and he bought it brand new, delivered newspapers with "Schatzie" while he was still in höhere Schule (High School)! JSNS!

 

[Uncle Hud]

I've been in love with BMW's opposing cylinder boxer engines since I was fifteen, lusting after a brand new R90. But like many things I lusted after at age fifteen, their sex appeal has dimmed in comparison to smarts and dependability.

 

[wheatonFJR]

Like Hud, I was 15 when I saw the R90/6 in a Cycle magazine comparo. And I was determined to buy one. That article opened my eyes to mcy touring.

 

[David Foley]

I see you're lurking over <there> and you are interested in a used (2014) K16? Spot on BTW, older years had some learning curves but BMW has this model finally worked out. My 2014.5 dream machine is pure smoothness and satisfaction in every dept. Absolutely love this bike beyond any words. Good luck in your search.
-KJ

Yes - lurking for two years. Hope I'm about to land that fish! We'll see. GTL though - she insists! Going to keep the FJR for awhile.

 

[David Foley]

Watch out for final drives!
Oh yeah... and snooty sales people.

Wrong model.

Possibly, but I have an outstanding dealer, great (& funny) personality.

...and service departments paying for their set of gold wrenches.

You gotta do your own maintenance, then, it's no more expensive than an FJR.

Yeah I hear you about doing your own maintenance. When I first joined FJRForum I was looking for a floor bike lift. I was so green I was looking at floor mounted Harley Lifts - FairLaner was like "dude - WTF that won't work". So having multiple bikes and multiple tires to change I'm investing in a decent table lift. And a tire changer and a balancer and ....