Mollydog, it would probably help focus the discussion (and enhance your own credibility) if you could post some sort of source for your claims about warranty repair frequencies and such. Absent this, you appear to be making a lot of unsubstantiated claims in a perhaps over-loud voice. This does not make your claims incorrect, necessarily, but neither does it contribute to making your case.

I would suggest also that comments about people's nationalities are likely to be taken as offensive by some—especially when those nationalities are only recently emerging from political and cultural domination by historically brutal outsiders. Estonia fits this description. Lighthearted joking about such matters by Americans is probably less than appropriate....unless intended to deepen misunderstandings and ill will.

I've benefited personally from many of your posts here. I have no doubts about the sincerity of your hard-won beliefs or about your riding skills and experience. Nor do I doubt your obvious eagerness to be of help to other riders on this board, including those less experienced and skilled than yourself. For these contributions, I thank you.

I hope my mild interjection is taken in the constructive spirit in which it is intended.

enjoy,

Mark
(a DL650 rider, as it happens, who does not quite see the point to BMW's)

hi all,

i am not sure if you take my words in to account, however, except first few threads all the discussions are off the topic.

let me remind you the topic: "BMW Dakar Vs F650GS" and not "jap bike vs bmw"

the best bike is the bike which is between your legs.

btw, my first bike was 97 make f650st and the engine blow up in 29000 miles. would i go again for bmw? yes, only if i could find one which costs same as xt660r

just my 2c.

enjoy riding, wheter it is a jap or bmw.. it is summer on the southers sphere!!

__________________
ozhan u.
website under construction

Thanks Mark,
I see some cultural stereotypes being exchanged back and forth here, I also see racist inferences being made regards "Jap" this and
"Jap" that. Where I grew up the use of the term "Jap" was not politically correct. I get in a hurry sometimes and use it too .... just as an abbreviation. But it can mean more, especially to my high school friends who grew up in the WW2 internment camps.

I know little about the newly formed "Republics" once part of the Soviet Union. But obviously Warthog and Margus are doing OK if they are riding BMW's and traveling around. They must be part of the elite few who've managed to reach the top.

Thanks Mark,
Glad I could offer something useful.

__________________
Patrick passed Dec 2018. RIP Patrick!

Oh WOW! Now this is 10 out of 10 points of bollocks and very shameful speculation (100% wrong also):

"part of the elite few who've managed to reach the top ... by whatever means necessary"

There lies your problem of all the discussion covered under BMW and other topics:

If you don't know anything about - can you please just shut up and stop speculating!?

+1

That's what I've been trying to say all along.


So what you mean would be someting in the lines of:

For Mollydog, Ein-Stonians (as he calls us) are fat-eaten wannabe elite, who ride BMWs thus know nothing about motorcycles and better should not exist (of course, also BMW shouldn't exist)?

The only correct nation/people are those who ride only Japanese bikes? Everything else is outrageously unreliable and pointless?


I find it pity, when person talks too much (about matters he/she has no long-term or direct experience with) and posting wrong facts makes him/her look like a very experienced person and others automatically take it for granted, without questions.


I stand corrected. Good to see HUBB promotes "sincerity" and "open mind"

This thread appears to be getting out of hand. Remember the header to "Which Bike?" reads:

Good point there Wuming.

All bikes will do the job. As far as I'm concerned, BMW in general is the Dark Side. Alluring, tempting, flashing - but it comes with a hefty price tag. I know. I've been there. Guzzi and all the bikes that I own, otoh, are from the Good Side. Everybody knows that. Right?

May the 4 stroke force be with you all.

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HansP
All you wanted to know
about riding in Norway