Quote:
Originally Posted by leevtr
My post wasn't aimed at bashing BMW.... Just to raise the question, on what basis do they have such a hardened following, because other then the badge, I cant see it.
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Guess you mean people like me.
My bike doesn’t have a proper BMW-badge, just this thing:
So for me it’s not about the badge.
Quite a few people love to bash BMW so it would have been more relaxing to drive something else.
I have had bikes of seven different brands, for me the positive sides with my bike are:
- Mileage is above 200kkm and the bike can do a RTW tomorrow
- It works on all kind of roads. You can cruise on highways or cross dunes. It takes you everywhere!
- After visiting three continents and 40+ countries it had broken down only once beside the road. Well, it was not a total breakdown I could drive to the nearest village (broken rotor)
- Cheap parts, second hand parts available
- Parts available all over the world (police/army used to drive R80/R100)
- Good bike for riding 2-up
- Loads of knowledge on the internet
- Loads of aftermarket-parts and parts that fit from other models
- You can’t find another offroad-worthy bike with the same level of comfort (comfort is underestimated on long trips)
- Fuel range (huge tank)
- Easy and cheap maintenance (service every 7500 km, can be done in 32 minutes, incl valveadjustments) for less then 50€
- My bike is 11 years old. I can still get all parts (for a reasonable price) in 3-5 days
- The bike is like a meccano-set, you can build what ever you like. Your needs might change. A “factory-bike” is just somewhere you start to build your own dream-bike.
Sure, this list is biased and preferences might differ.
I guess that when you have put yourself in situations where you will die if the bike doesn’t start up you need faith.
Quote:
Originally Posted by leevtr
I think they are living on an old reputation, same as people like Mercedes.  They used to be arguably best.... But not any more. |
Yes, the world consists of two kinds of people:
us and
them!
Anyway, the old reputation is still valid. For older bikes… Newer bikes tend to be more like the Japanese bikes, but there are exceptions.
I also like BMW for the technical bit. First with ABS, first with FI, first with fairing, experimenting with forks, HID as standard on some models, traction control, single sided swing arm, etc.
Have you read what various people wrote when BMW installed a light that didn’t move with the forks? That’s fascinating! BMW-bashing is not a new game. Or peoples reactions when they put ABS on a motorbike...
It’s interesting to see that people get carried away when a Japanese fork brakes on a German bike but when a Japanese fork brakes on a Honda they don’t say a word. There are loads of examples out there….
BTW I might be in the market for buying a new bike (enduro) and it will probably be a KTM, or maybe some Japanese stuff. I also have a Yamaha…
Pleas note that it’s possible to write long post about this without bashing other brands or people.
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