All the GS...

[GrahamD]

Something that may shed a bit of light on when BMW when downhill from a mechanic, who I could swear is related to Dallara. He also feels the need to say/pop up little things on his video's about not brand bashing, just the way it is.

So with that in mind, as an ex fan of the marque...

http://www.affordablebeemerservices.com/bmwthoughts/

He is a very good resource for the older bikes though.

 

[Koinz]

Something that may shed a bit of light on when BMW when downhill from a mechanic, who I could sear is related to Dallara. He also feels the need to say/pop up little things on his video's about not brand bashing, just the way it is.

So with that in mind, as an ex fan of the marque...

http://www.affordablebeemerservices.com/bmwthoughts/

He is a very good resource for the older bikes though.

I've seen several of his maintenance and repair videos. A little rough around the edges, but true to the point.

 

[kmac]

I have my feelings on BMW's...but man those Hyosung's killing me! All of that Korean engineering and still can't keep a chain lasting. Parts availability...don't get me started ::025::

 

[Clevermonkey]

Something that may shed a bit of light on when BMW when downhill from a mechanic, who I could swear is related to Dallara. He also feels the need to say/pop up little things on his video's about not brand bashing, just the way it is.

So with that in mind, as an ex fan of the marque...

http://www.affordablebeemerservices.com/bmwthoughts/

He is a very good resource for the older bikes though.

Speaking of brand bashing, I commented on this article over in adv and unintentionally unleashed a world of butthurt from the Beemer crowd. My favorite is how I couldn't possibly be enjoying my YST as much as I said!

Next favorite: " I don't mind the lack of reliability in order to have the latest technology."

 

[ThreePutt]

Link? Sounds like you're twisting things a bit and or taking a quote out of context. Why do people love to play 'I'm smart you're stupid'? In the management world it's called big me little you.

 

[autoteach]

Have a buddy that bought a GS and it consumed so much oil that he was able to get the bike replaced after 5k miles. He then traded it in on a R1200R that leaked from the rear main seal within 5k miles and he got them to replace that bike. That is all fine and good that they replaced the bikes, but like he said, one more thing and he will never own a modern BMW again.

 

[pretbek]

one more thing

STILL one more thing!?!!
He is a lot more tolerant than I am.

 

[Clevermonkey]

Link? Sounds like you're twisting things a bit and or taking a quote out of context. Why do people love to play 'I'm smart you're stupid'? In the management world it's called big me little you.

http://advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=992308

Go knock yr self out. I am done with that whole thread. I thought folks were kidding about BMW riders being blindly
Loyal. I stand corrected.

 

[FrontRangeRider]

I've been reading this thread with interest since I am a long time BMW owner (I am on my 4th Beemer and approaching 80-90,000 miles on that marque) but decided to buy an S10 for my new adventure bike. Some of you may consider my comments as bashing; if they do, I'm sorry to offend you but these comments are my perspective/ experience.

BMW bikes are great fun to ride and have a cachet that (for reasons unknown to me) the Japanese brands don't have. That is in spite of having the worst reliability record according to Consumer Reports (link provided and suitable for work).

http://www.autoblog.com/2014/02/22/consumer-reports-motorcycle-reliability-report/

New BMW models are the worst for reliability. While some BMW owners are blindly loyal, most BMW fans and riders (like the members of the three BMW clubs I have been a member of) know that buying a new model or design change is not a good idea. It always takes a few years for the manufacturer to work out the bugs. That is why I bought a 2009 R1200RT. It was the last year they made that engine and bike before a design change in the engine. I've had no problems; just gas, oil, tires and a couple valve adjustments.

Regarding brand bashing. I've been in one BMW club where they heckled you if you showed up on something other than a BMW. I've been in another where all they cared about was that you rode a motorcycle. For many years, the president of the club rode an ST1100 and had not had a BMW in at least five years. I don't know how my current club is. Guess I'll find out when I ride the S10 to the next meeting.

Why am I moving to the S10? Couple of reasons:
- I liked it better on the test ride than the BMW GS, the Triumph Explorer, the Suzuki V-Strom and the KTM Adventure 1190. The dealer (on all but the BMW) was kind enough to let me take long test rides so I was confident in my choice. The BMW dealer let me take it for a very short ride (not much more than around the block) and could not believe I wasn't going to buy it on the spot after doing so.
- The maintenance interval on the S10 and the bulletproof reliability of my 2004 FJR. Gas, tires, oil, repeat...
- Consumer Reports rating
- Colorado Springs has two very good Yamaha dealers. The BMW dealer here in Colorado Springs is so bad that (as far as I know) none of the members of the local BMW club use them for service. Everyone I talk to rides to Denver for service by one of the two excellent dealers there.
- I want to simplify my life. I want to neck down to one bike so I no longer have to ask myself, "am I on the RT or the V-Strom" when I see an interesting dirt or forest road that I want to explore.

 

[rem]

Well said, FRR. Your post was thorough, objective, polite and informative. I enjoyed reading it. Just goes to show you that a guy can present a point of view without being offensive or hostile. Thanks for posting. ::008:: R ::021::

 

[ThreePutt]

Very we'll said indead!

Your BMW experience has everything to do with how the dealer treats you. I was lucky enough to have a great dealer when I was going through all my BMWs. Twice I've needed parts that were back ordered and the dealer, Gateway BMW in St Louis, took the parts off new bikes sitting on the showroom floor. As far as test rides, they keep one of each model parked out front, the only rule I was ever given was be back before we close.

I'm done with BMW for now, my 2013 had one to many problems for even me. I do lots of long distance stuff and I didn't trust it. If they get their act together in a couple of years and I'm still able to ride I'll probably go back. The grin factor is that big for me.

 

[FrontRangeRider]

Your BMW experience has everything to do with how the dealer treats you. I was lucky enough to have a great dealer when I was going through all my BMWs. Twice I've needed parts that were back ordered and the dealer, Gateway BMW in St Louis, took the parts off new bikes sitting on the showroom floor. As far as test rides, they keep one of each model parked out front, the only rule I was ever given was be back before we close.

Agree wholeheartedly about the dealer component in customer satisfaction. I bought my first three Beemers from Morton's BMW in Spotsylvania, VA. There is a reason they are now the largest BMW dealer on the East Coast. Nice people, competent mechanics and strong customer focus. They were primarily a chainsaw and lawnmower dealer when I bought my first bike from them. And yes, I got to test ride any new bike that came in that I was interested in and all they ever said when they threw me the keys was to remind me what time they closed that day.

 

[oldbear]

Dealers (all brands) run the gamut from excellent to poor. My bad experiences with the only two BMW shops within 150 miles of me was a primary motivator back to Mama Yama. Also, frankly, I just like the S10's feel better than the GS. It reminds me of one of my favorite bikes from several years ago (an F650GS Dakar). My buddy's 1200GS has been a good machines (BUT he is an incredible BMW mechanic) but even it has had some ongoing electrical problems from the CANBUS system that neither he nor BMW has been able to resolved. Specifically, the headlight will occasionally just QUIT working. No reason, it just goes out, then, later (sometimes HOURS later) it will come back on and everythings fine. THis has happened to up twice out on the road, both times a long way from home OR a BMW shop. In both cases the light eventually started working again. No problem found with the electrical system, all connectors tight and clean, etc. Very strange. Anyway, that and my own negative experience pushed me from BMW. ::022::

 

[ThreePutt]

My buddies 05 RT has the headlight thing too. He's been trying to track it down for years, figuring he screwed it up at some point.

 

[shrekonwheels]

A BMW GS was in hot contention over the Tenere, it was used with 6k miles but eight hours away, the tenere 3.5.
I passed on the GS as the Final drive issue bothered me, I also did not care for the maintenance intervals, as posted before I chose the Tenere for the long intervals between maintenance.

I enjoyed the ride, it at the time felt perfect so why not?

I do not are for BMW or Harley riders attitudes, with that said the barrier has been breaking down of late and even Harley owners are stopping and chit chatting now, progress I guess

Anyhow I really do not care what anyone rides and I really do not want to associate only with other Tenere owners (outside of this forum ;D) as I like diversity.

Ride what you got, anyone is welcome to ride with me and I do enjoy rides with friends at times, with that said I prefer to ride alone at my own pace and to do my own thing.

 

[FrontRangeRider]

Have a buddy that bought a GS and it consumed so much oil that he was able to get the bike replaced after 5k miles. He then traded it in on a R1200R that leaked from the rear main seal within 5k miles and he got them to replace that bike. That is all fine and good that they replaced the bikes, but like he said, one more thing and he will never own a modern BMW again.

It must have consumed a LOT of oil. BMW considers it normal for a hex head/ cam head engine to use up to 1 quart per 1000 miles. I think that figure is even in my owner's manual for the RT. That being said, most of the significant oil consumption on the R1200 engine is due to failure to break them in properly. You have to "ride it like you stole it." Otherwise the rings don't seat properly. My bike (purchased used with 7k miles) consumed a lot of oil until I learned about the need to work the engine hard to seat the rings properly. A couple hundred miles of 4th gear twisties (with hard acceleration and deceleration via engine braking) cured the problem.

 

[autoteach]

it got ridden hard, trust me. It consumed 1 qt in 450-500 miles. that is a touch too much.

 

[scott123007]

it got ridden hard, trust me. It consumed 1 qt in 450-500 miles. that is a touch too much.

Ya think ???!! That's more than most TWO STROKES use nowadays. LOL

 

[shrekonwheels]

Ya think ???!! That's more than most TWO STROKES use nowadays. LOL

KLR owners would even be disappointed ::025:: at that number

 

[Clevermonkey]

it got ridden hard, trust me. It consumed 1 qt in 450-500 miles. that is a touch too much.

At the cost of good oil that's pretty pricey drinking habit your bike had....