From the BMW 2008 "range" catalogue, picked up at the NEC show a week ago:

The Rally 2 Pro suit = £715 (and their other 2 suits are on offer at £850+).

Helmets are going for around £235, but a new one in Carbon Fibre = £850.

A joke that, as ever with these things, contains some truth therein:
Sorry about the font; it doesn't seem to want to change!!

Finally, here is a definition of globalization
I can understand and to which
I can relate

Question:What is the truest definition of Globalization?


Answer: Princess

Diana's death.


Question: How come?


Answer:

An English princesswith

an Egyptian boyfriend

crashes in a French

tunnel,driving a

German car

with a Dutch engine,

driven by a Belgian

who was drunk

on Scottish whisky,

(check the bottle before you change the spelling),

followed closely by

Italian Paparazzi,

on Japanese motorcycles;

treated by an American doctor,using

Brazilian medicines.


This is sent to you by

a Canadian,

using Bill Gates's technology,

and you're probably reading this on your computer,

that uses Taiwanese

chips,and a

Korean monitor,

assembled by

Bangladeshi workers

in a Singapore plant,

transported by Indian

lorry-drivers,

hijacked by Indonesians,

unloaded by Sicilian longshoremen,

and trucked to you by Mexican illegals.....



That, my friends, is Globalization!

Most cars have all the forged parts, even the BMW, Mack trucks, Mercedes....name it and its most probably forged by Bharat Forge in India but the prices have not dropped for the customers.
Even the latest Chevrolet is a KIA made in Korea

So it comes as no surprise to find the new enfields have nicasyl barrels, which has confused some new owners as it takes 6-10K miles to run them in.

Well this is the email I finally sent to various board members of BMW and the DG of BMW Mottorad. Maybe I will get a reply! we live in hope!


Sirs,

This is to make 2 formal complaints.

One regarding the DANGEROUS incompetence of Porto Alegre - Brazil workshop, and second regarding the appalling customer services treatment regarding faulty and /or low quality rider equipment.

To put things in context, we are motorcycling on 2 BMW F650s all around South America and have been on the road for 6 months now.


1/ Porto Alegre - Brazil workshop.

After the theft of my motorbike in Brazil, and subsequent find by the police, I had it transported to BMW Motorrad Porto Alegre (Brazil), and asked them to check the bike as it had been stolen. We had a translator with us so they understood the situation and what I asked them to do.

When I picked the bike up few days later, I was charged over 1000 USD for the transport of my bike to the workshop (200kms) and the only work done was fitting a non-BMW ignition key. The forks where mis-aligned and the handlebar was bent in 2 places! As a result, the throttle would be "sticky"and would not close on its own, I would have to close it up or it would stay open. I was absolutely horrified that this was not repaired! I rode the bike out without saying a word and took it immediately to a different workshop to get the bike repaired. As it was, the bike was dangerous to ride, and I am absolutely horrified that BMW let me leave their workshop riding a dangerous bike!

2/ BMW Rider equipement

We bought 2 Santiago suits and a pair of Savannah boots in London for our trip.
The Santiago suits started desintagrating within weeks of buying them. Some seams are so badly done that they are coming apart. Especially the lining of the jackets and trousers where many of the seams are coming apart. It makes you wonder what would happen if we were to come off the bike! The response from BMW customer services: they will examine them at our return in the UK!!!! Not much use out here in South America.

But the worse are the Savannah boots, allegedly Gore-tex lined! They take so much water every time it rains that my left foot is totally soaked within minutes.The response we had on the boots from the customer services was to BUY a new pair in Porto Alegre (for about 1000USD, thanks to import tax) while a committee takes few weeks to decide if my boots are faulty! No doubt considering our experience with this dealership, we would never see our money again! This is totally unacceptable! I was not asking for a free gift, only to get replaced faulty equipment!

BMW motorrad market adventure motorcycling but do not deliver the quality and the support that you market! It is a great shame that you let down the very same people that get in the front line, riding around the world, using your bikes and gear, and discover ashaming BMW pratices and quality! You claim that BMW is a global brand and can provide support anywhere. Well in my experience, you can certainly try to rip off your customers even further but that´s about all!

I am continuing my trip, with leaking boots, and will curse BMW everytime it rains. As far as my husband and myself are concerned, you´ve lost 2 customers. I intend, at our return to Europe, to do presentations on our trip. I´m afraid I will be less than complimentary when BMW is concerned.
You can also see from these forums that I am not the only disatisfied customer.

http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...quipment-30324

http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...und-the-world/

Sirs,

I do not salute you!

Maria Robinson

PS this is an open letter and any response (or lack of it) will be published and discussed in various motorcycle forums)

index

make Suzuki's motor parts too.

Current Aussie - US Exchange Rates
 

Todays exchange rate is
1 Australian dollar is worth 88 US cents. I has, and always will be dearer for us to buy US products.

Mollydog and I both seem to agree that the Motoport gear is well worth it

"dearer' is a realitave term.

Many decades ago the exchange rate was $usd1.10 ... that is right the OZie dollar got one dollar and 10 cents 'merican.

------------------------ Whatever the exchange rate is (or inflation rate) .. the cost to someone is probably best expressed in how long they have to work to obtain the goods.. Is it 'cheaper' to make it yourself .. or buy it .. that is the first question. If you are going to buy it.. the next question is 'where from?"

---- The latest B&H catalog (USA photo firm) arrived here in Australia .. posted from Sir Lanka .. nice stamps!

I thought the 'stitch Darien was via India, but I could be wrong.

I had one for a little over 120k? miles and loved it. Tough as dirt/nails/etc.
I have maybe 80k? on a 1st Gear Kili 4 and it's also been good.
Most name-brand gear is good nowadays and it gets down to what things you're most picky about. Isn't it good that we can now be picky?

I can remember riding in a fatigue jacket and multiple sweat shirts, not being able to afford a yellow rain slicker, and life was great. :)

And before I forget....:)

My GF, a shopping fool/addict she is....had some of the bestest, greatest, latest Rukka gear that could probably be traded for enough food to feed...you get the idea....and I never saw the value. She sold it...eventually.

What spoiled people/riders we are, I think.

Does it rub your neck or chin in a weird way? Well, fck, then there's no way you could tour with that crap.....

BMW clothes
 

Well my Rallye 2 suit has taken a hell of a battering over the last two years and is still just fine, if completely filthy (Red suit - bad move!). I can't vouch for the Santiago suit, but is it really designed for living in day after day for months? I don't know.

The boots story sounds dire. This shouldn't have hapenned. However, I've never had a pair of boots, or gloves that stay watertight for long. I'm sure that waterproof boots and gloves don't exist (aside from wellies and Marigolds!).

Currently using Bullson boots. They stayed watertight for about a week after I first bought them, but are otherwise a good tough boot. Shopping bags keep the water away from my socks if riding in the wet.

All this breathable but waterproof fabric stuff is just nonsense. If it can 'breath' it can let water in eventually. I've never had truly waterproof gloves in 25 years of riding. Putting workshop/surgical latex gloves on first for wet riding makes life a bit more comfortable.

I find that the Rallye suit is not best when it's completely freeing cold (under about 2 degrees C wind chill). Too many zip vents which let the chill in when closed. But overall, I'd recommend one to anyone.

Craig

I like surgical gloves too, but I squeeze them on the OUTSIDE! Keeps your leather gloves dry.

Back when I first started riding overseas in '74 1 Aussie would buy close to 1 and a 1/2 US.

Garry from Oz.

Don't Bring Out The Big Guns Straight Away
 

How to win friends and influence people!

Personally I would have started the first letter at least along the lines of

Dear Sir,

As a long time and generally satisfied customer of BMW I would like to bring to your attention two unfortunate experiences I have had recently with an official BMW workshop and with some 'mission-critical' BMW rider equipment I am using for an around the world tour (please see my link www.XXXX.XXX.XXX)

....just a thought but going to DefCon 4 immediately doesn't leave you much to work with if their initial response is unsatisfactory!

Anyone got any comments on the Rev It Cayenne / Cayenne Pro?

BMW clothes: expensive (and rubbish) fashion wear!
 

I've always felt BMW gear was over priced. My freind has just replaced his inordinately expensive Rallye Jacket. Bought at roughly the same time as my £120 Hein Gericke Tuareg, his jacket has done roughly a quarter of the miles in much less tough conditions. My Tuareg is still going strong (although it is permanently filthy now!)

For waterproofing I wear (underneath the Tuareg) a North Face Goretex Paclite hikers jacket which I got in a sale for £100. It works perfectly and keeps me dry as a bone. This has the advantage that I have a nice looking waterproof when I get off the bike.

If you want to look like Ewan, great. Otherwise spend your money more wisely, grasshopper!

Matt :)