BMW GS Update

Madhatter

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good morning , I tried to buy a BMW r1250gsa 2 days before I bought my new Tenere , I was ready . I like the Beemer ,always have. went to the local dealer about 3 times to be sure I really wanted to do this ..... and finally I am ready. the sales person was a good guy but his boss had attitude . almost as if I should be lucky to just be in a room with the bike . the sales guy asked if he could run some numbers my way , go ahead I say . way to under whelm me with the offer , its a BMW you should be proud to pay what ever we say you should . 25000.00 dollar motorcycle , a 600.00 discount . thinking they want even give me a nickel for my trade .... so I hit the pause button. ... maybe well off people are stupid like that , pay full price cause if you have to ask , well you can't afford it.... so how did they ever get there money. so I hang around a little while longer to see if they will work with me , nope . so I left . I am ready for a new bike , so cycle country has a new 2019 , discounted 2k and gave me 4k for my trade and I added some cash . easy deal I was very happy and I know the bike , I am even liking the paint color now. if the BMW dealer would have offered a reasonable discount and a good value for my trade I would be on a GSA today . sad , I felt like the manager prequalified me on the floor , I could have paid cash for the whole amount if I had not felt slighted and talked down to. wife had given me her permission . are all of the BMW DEALERS like that ? well I will never know what a Beemer ownership experience will be like , to bad for them.
 

EricV

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Not all of the BMW dealers are like that, but enough are that it's noticeable. I've gone in after work in my work clothes, (machinist), and been completely ignored. I practically had to wave some hundred dollar bills around to get a sales person to sell me some riding gear I was there to buy. The look down their nose attitude was clear and present.

Having had a BMWs in the household since '11, I've spent plenty of time at BMW dealerships all over the US. Some treat everyone that walks in the same, interested in trying to help you, see if they can sell you a bike, answer questions, etc. Others look to see what you rode or drove in on and if it's not a BMW or upscale vehicle, consider you not worthy of their time. I've gotten that and worse over the years. I've even had the service guy lie to my face about what they actually did. And when I called it on him, and he admitted the lie, there was zero shame from him at being caught, or any willingness to actually go back and fix the problem they lied about checking.

Sorry for the rant. Sorry you had a bad experience, but you're not alone.
 

ord13

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Marseilles (France)
are all of the BMW DEALERS like that ? well I will never know what a Beemer ownership experience will be like , to bad for them.
I've had a BMW once, it was a 2009 25000.00 euros K1300R new and without any discount (I am not a beggar, or at least I thought I was not.), it was my first BMW and it was also my first and last experience with the Elite.

Every month during the first year, my bike was systematically under repair in different dealer shops (in France) because of never ending issues and other unpleasantness (gear box, brakes, ECU updates, timing chain, fuel cut, etc...), and what Madhatter said was absolutely true in my case, if you're not prince of something you just don't deserve to own a BMW.

I finally got rid of this bunch of hassles after a whole year of unresolved problems and BMW staff systematic contemptuous behavior (managers as mechanics or salesmen).
Do all these guys have a solid gold asshole signed by God or any other selective deity ?...

So my next bike was an end 2010 Ténéré and I still have it today.
Sure it's not the last engineering spearhead and its weight-to-power ratio is not the best on the market.
But the Japanese too have lost a war and have recovered rather well, but the difference is that they at least say thank you when you give them your money, and that for me makes all the difference between a motorcycle manufacturer and a worm seller for fishing.

So in answer to goldwing's advice :
Save your pennies and buy a GS or GSA, worth every one of those pennies!!
No, I will never buy a GS or any other elitist motorcycle model from this navel-gazing and overvalued brand, BMW and I definitely do not share the same world and do not breathe the same air.
 

Checkswrecks

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We have one of the better known BMW dealers near me (Bobs BMW) and they have a really good selection of gloves, jackets, and other accessories. It's always fun to park next to the door on my well-used Super Tenere that I virtually never wash, especially when the trailer hitch is on the bike. I'm a known quantity for the older guys so whoever is their newest salesman usually comes up as I stroll in the door, eyes the Yamaha, and almost invariably implies "You are going insult me by trying to trade in that?" as he cheerfully asks "Here to trade it in?"

I always answer "No need. My bike doesn't break."
:cool:

A buddy with a very pretty year old GS is looking to get rid of it already.
 

Donk

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It’s kind of funny how bikes, brands, and dealers can live up to their reputation for some people and not for others. I sold my ‘14 S10 to get a ‘16 R1200RS. The bike had issues. In the end I probably could have lived with them but.... the attitude of both the dealer and BMW corporate were so bad(the issue was me not the bike) that I finally sold it and bought another S10. During the same time I had/ have a Ducati Multistrada. In fact I just bought Multistrada number 4, a 1260. First let me say the Ducatis have never not started or left me stranded and in general been GREAT bikes. Second the attitude of Ducati dealers and Ducati North America is exactly opposite that of BMW. They will bend over backwards to make your experience a good one. In the end the cost of owning a Ducati isn’t much higher than the cost of a Yamaha if you did all the scheduled maintenance on both bikes. The difference is you can let some maintenance slide on a Yamaha you can’t on the Ducati. Most modern motorcycles are pretty good, they all have good points and bad points. It’s how the dealers and Corporate take care of their customers that count.
 

Checkswrecks

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It’s kind of funny how bikes, brands, and dealers can live up to their reputation for some people and not for others. I sold my ‘14 S10 to get a ‘16 R1200RS. The bike had issues. In the end I probably could have lived with them but.... the attitude of both the dealer and BMW corporate were so bad(the issue was me not the bike) that I finally sold it and bought another S10. During the same time I had/ have a Ducati Multistrada. In fact I just bought Multistrada number 4, a 1260. First let me say the Ducatis have never not started or left me stranded and in general been GREAT bikes. Second the attitude of Ducati dealers and Ducati North America is exactly opposite that of BMW. They will bend over backwards to make your experience a good one. In the end the cost of owning a Ducati isn’t much higher than the cost of a Yamaha if you did all the scheduled maintenance on both bikes. The difference is you can let some maintenance slide on a Yamaha you can’t on the Ducati. Most modern motorcycles are pretty good, they all have good points and bad points. It’s how the dealers and Corporate take care of their customers that count.
I had a Ducati ST2 for years and still wish I'd never sold it. Great bike, great support, and easy to do owner maintenance once you learned the few tricks it took. Since messing my knee up and with the Tenere being so heavy the Ducati experience is one reason I'm still looking at the Guzzi V85TT.
 

Longdog Cymru

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Here’s a a little tale I was told a few days ago. Two fellow riders in the group that I ride with bought brand new BMW R1250GS a couple of months ago from a BMW main dealership. Over the Christmas period we met up for a ride. Both bikes had the new keyless ignition and both bikes refused to start on the same day. Both bikes had to be recovered and the last I saw was when the recovery vehicle drove away. Apparently, one of the bikes was rectified at the main dealership but the other bike had to be sent back to BMW UK. When my fellow rider went into the dealership to inquire on progress just last week, the young receptionist asked if my fellow rider would consider giving “a donation”. When he asked what the donation was for, she told him that as the dealership had to ship the bike back to BMW, they would appreciate it if he could pay the £150.00 that the recovery vehicle cost to take his bike just over 160 miles away. He still hasn’t had his bike returned to him although BMW have given him a loan bike until it is repaired.
 

RCinNC

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That's an Olympic level of gall on the part of a dealership to ask for a donation to subsidize one of their costs of doing business as...well...a freaking motorcycle dealership. Hard to imagine the effort it would take for the receptionist to make that request with a straight face.
 

Sierra1

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….are all of the BMW DEALERS like that ?....
Back when I was riding the Beemer, there were only 7 dealerships in the state of Texas. Two were in the Dallas area; one was 30mi away, and the other was 80mi away. Both gave the impression that I wasn't a "real" BMW rider, so I chose the closer of the two as the one to use. I had several conversations with Frank, who at the time was over BMW US, in reference to the dealership; no joy. Two input shafts, clutches, 60k miles, and thousands of dollars later, the switch was made to the ST1300. The dealership that I had used went out of business, and was bought by Freedom. Which, come to find out, whenever you see a Freedom dealership, that's a dealership that went out of business; car or bike.
 

Kyle_E

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I'm Bad, I'm Nationwide.
are all of the BMW DEALERS like that ? well I will never know what a Beemer ownership experience will be like , to bad for them.
I've dealt with 2. My answer would be yes in my experience.

One I tried to buy my tenere from 4 sales people standing around wouldn't even acknowledge me walking in the door..... When I couldn't find the S10 and asked about it "I don't know" was the only reply..... I left.

Another one in SoCal was interested in the difference between the 1600 and 1200RT specs the 2 sales people "They have the info online" okay.....


That said I would love to have a 1200gs and its probably my next bike in a few years (depending on what gen 3 S10 will look like)
 
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Donk

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I had a Ducati ST2 for years and still wish I'd never sold it. Great bike, great support, and easy to do owner maintenance once you learned the few tricks it took. Since messing my knee up and with the Tenere being so heavy the Ducati experience is one reason I'm still looking at the Guzzi V85TT.
I’ve never owned a Guzzi but I do know once people buy a Guzzi they seem to stick with the brand and many of those people own multiple Guzzi. Must have the best brand loyalty of any bike out there. A friend who is shop Forman at a big motorcycle dealer can tell you what he dislikes about every bike that’s made. He has only one thing to say about Guzzis, “they’re very pleasant motorcycles “. From him that’s a huge compliment.
 

Dirt_Dad

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The dealer where we bought my wife's GS is more incompetent and oblivious, than arrogant. Never met any business owner who could rattle off excuses as fluidly as that guy.

I found a dramatically better dealers in MD, including the one CW mentioned, Bob's BMW. Their lead sales guy was truly outstanding, and he knew we weren't buying anything anytime soon.
 

Madhatter

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on the subject of the Ducati multi Strada and the Austin dealership , nice people , made me feel welcome , and answered all my questions . the same money as a GSA , but there is the chain , and I'm not really worried about a chain , but shaft drive has me spoiled .... and the seating position had me locked in the same spot . which worried me about comfort on longer rides . I felt that they (Ducati dealer )would have gave me a better deal than the BMW guys (if I would have let them try ) just from their attitude. and I know as we all do the Tenere will be as trouble free as any bike could ever be..... I should send the BMW dealer a thank you for helping me save about 12 thousand dollars , now that's a BMW experience I like.
 

Highwayman

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Southern California
good morning , I tried to buy a BMW r1250gsa 2 days before I bought my new Tenere , I was ready . I like the Beemer ,always have. went to the local dealer about 3 times to be sure I really wanted to do this ..... and finally I am ready. the sales person was a good guy but his boss had attitude . almost as if I should be lucky to just be in a room with the bike . the sales guy asked if he could run some numbers my way , go ahead I say . way to under whelm me with the offer , its a BMW you should be proud to pay what ever we say you should . 25000.00 dollar motorcycle , a 600.00 discount . thinking they want even give me a nickel for my trade .... so I hit the pause button. ... maybe well off people are stupid like that , pay full price cause if you have to ask , well you can't afford it.... so how did they ever get there money. so I hang around a little while longer to see if they will work with me , nope . so I left . I am ready for a new bike , so cycle country has a new 2019 , discounted 2k and gave me 4k for my trade and I added some cash . easy deal I was very happy and I know the bike , I am even liking the paint color now. if the BMW dealer would have offered a reasonable discount and a good value for my trade I would be on a GSA today . sad , I felt like the manager prequalified me on the floor , I could have paid cash for the whole amount if I had not felt slighted and talked down to. wife had given me her permission . are all of the BMW DEALERS like that ? well I will never know what a Beemer ownership experience will be like , to bad for them.
Sounds almost as bad as dealing with Harley Davidson....... After the BS of buying my 17 Dyna, I swore off ever buying new again from HD. Following year added a Streetglide to the garage. That one I bought a low mileage garage queen and no BS....
 

Madhatter

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dealers are in the business of selling , but they get attitudes , and it comes from sales managers . he didn't make a sale that day , and he probably sales about 2 or 3 bikes a month based on my visual inventory as I visited the dealership over a 3 week period and would see the same bikes on display . but they also sale honda ,Yamaha , Suzuki , and triumph .
 

Eville Rich

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I'm sure it's a mixed bag, but my experiences have been good. In New Orleans I needed to buy some reasonable rainy gear (pants). Found a BMW/Triumph/Ducati dealer. Sales guy was great. Talked about my upcoming ride (solo, exploring) and gave me some tips.

Our nearest BMW dealership in Wisconsin has been great. I've got a 1987 K75s. Needed some basic maintenance parts. Spent time talking about the bike and doing some obscure small hardware parts lookups. Cut a couple of extra keys for me. Ended up looking at their backroom old-bike sales floor with the sales guy clearly knowing his vintage stuff and just talking old bikes without the knowledge that a sale wasn't going to happen.

In contrast, my local Yamaha dealer, where I bought the S10 plus a couple of 250s has been a real mixed bag. Standard car salesman vibe. Maintenance staff knows all when they clearly don't (confirmed thanks to this forum). Similar used car salesman vibe at the parts counter.

In the end I think it's just the dealership culture that the owners and tomanagers create. No different than any other motor vehicle-type dealership. Nothing to do with BMW or their prices. I've generally found that if I avoid projecting my own attitude it's easier to get past their initial attitude and just start talking bikes/parts/maintenance. Doesn't work in every case, but 9 of 10 times it does.

No need to hate on a brand or generalize an experience to all owners, dealers, brand. Except maybe Harley. . Yeah, OK, try to avoid that, too. But damn it can be hard sometimes.

Eville Rich
2016 S10
 

offcamber

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Rode one at a test ride...nice bike but I am not giving up my S10. Hope is a couple a years you still feel the same way. I still love my 2012 S10...
 

Clawdog60

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east central "ILL"
Here’s a a little tale I was told a few days ago. Two fellow riders in the group that I ride with bought brand new BMW R1250GS a couple of months ago from a BMW main dealership. Over the Christmas period we met up for a ride. Both bikes had the new keyless ignition and both bikes refused to start on the same day. Both bikes had to be recovered and the last I saw was when the recovery vehicle drove away. Apparently, one of the bikes was rectified at the main dealership but the other bike had to be sent back to BMW UK. When my fellow rider went into the dealership to inquire on progress just last week, the young receptionist asked if my fellow rider would consider giving “a donation”. When he asked what the donation was for, she told him that as the dealership had to ship the bike back to BMW, they would appreciate it if he could pay the £150.00 that the recovery vehicle cost to take his bike just over 160 miles away. He still hasn’t had his bike returned to him although BMW have given him a loan bike until it is repaired.
What nerve. Donation. Ha
 
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