Dirt_Dad
Well-Known Member
Founding Member
2011 Site Supporter
2013 Site Supporter
2014 Site Supporter
To be completely honest, I've always held a negative opinion of BMW. Too overpriced, unreliable bikes that are best suited as Starbucks getting machines. I've seen too many people end up here after getting fed up with their unreliable BMW.
I'll skip the details of how one ended up in my garage, but it's there now, and I'm actually kind of excited for my wife to put some miles on it.
I've spent the last two weeks setting up this bike in preparation for a cross-country ride. Which means I've been wrenching around this bike a lot. During that time, I've been impressed with the fit, finish, and precision of what I've seen. There is actually a noticeable difference in the level of craftsmanship.
My wife and I have each put nearly 500 miles on this bike. I got to ride it in a nasty series of heavy rain and lightening. Bike didn't care and on the Battleax A42 tires there was absolutely no drama riding at 70 MPH in multiple frog strangling downpours. At 85 MPH the bike runs about 500 rpm higher than the Tenere and is just as rock solid on the road. It's an incredibly smooth rider.
My wife keeps saying things like, 'that turn used to bother me on the Tenere', and 'that was so much easier', and 'I would have dropped my Tenere if I had tried that.', and my favorite...'feels as light as my dirt bike (XT250). For years I've been wanting to get her off the giant Tenere and on to something more appropriately sized for her.
The chain drive is a big thing for me to get over, but I did put a ScottOiler on it and we'll see how that goes.
I have to admit, I'm far more impressed than I ever expected to be with this bike. Shockingly impressed. I'm hoping the bike turns out to be reliable. If it does, I wouldn't be shocked to find a F 850 GS on my side of the garage.
I'll skip the details of how one ended up in my garage, but it's there now, and I'm actually kind of excited for my wife to put some miles on it.
I've spent the last two weeks setting up this bike in preparation for a cross-country ride. Which means I've been wrenching around this bike a lot. During that time, I've been impressed with the fit, finish, and precision of what I've seen. There is actually a noticeable difference in the level of craftsmanship.
My wife and I have each put nearly 500 miles on this bike. I got to ride it in a nasty series of heavy rain and lightening. Bike didn't care and on the Battleax A42 tires there was absolutely no drama riding at 70 MPH in multiple frog strangling downpours. At 85 MPH the bike runs about 500 rpm higher than the Tenere and is just as rock solid on the road. It's an incredibly smooth rider.
My wife keeps saying things like, 'that turn used to bother me on the Tenere', and 'that was so much easier', and 'I would have dropped my Tenere if I had tried that.', and my favorite...'feels as light as my dirt bike (XT250). For years I've been wanting to get her off the giant Tenere and on to something more appropriately sized for her.
The chain drive is a big thing for me to get over, but I did put a ScottOiler on it and we'll see how that goes.
I have to admit, I'm far more impressed than I ever expected to be with this bike. Shockingly impressed. I'm hoping the bike turns out to be reliable. If it does, I wouldn't be shocked to find a F 850 GS on my side of the garage.