BMW bikes good/bad
Discussion
Sorry for my ignorance, but I havent a clue when it comes to bikes but am trying to learn.
All I know is that whenever I see a BMW bike I get excited by its different look. Are they generally considered good and whats a good BMW touring bike, cheaper the better ,used??
Cheers
All I know is that whenever I see a BMW bike I get excited by its different look. Are they generally considered good and whats a good BMW touring bike, cheaper the better ,used??
Cheers
Edited by patmahe on Monday 8th October 16:18
Edited by patmahe on Monday 8th October 16:25
I’ve had a few BMWs in my time and I’ve always found them to be solid, well built and reliable if a little on the ‘stayed and boring’ side. They seem to last much longer than their Japanese equivalents but then they are generally more expensive to start with.
As far as touring is concerned, they are excellent at eating mile after mile with real world tank ranges that most bikes can only dream about. This means that while top speeds may not be that hot, average speeds (which are what is important when touring) are pretty impressive. But what is nice is that, having just done the hundreds of motorway miles, they are then able to hustle on the bends without feeling too much like a ‘fish out of water’. They’re not a sports bike but they can still be pretty brisk.
Personally, I always find BMW suspension too soft and under damped, especially on the more touring focused bikes, so I always budget in a suspension upgrade. Other than that, I would recommend a BMW every time.
As far as touring is concerned, they are excellent at eating mile after mile with real world tank ranges that most bikes can only dream about. This means that while top speeds may not be that hot, average speeds (which are what is important when touring) are pretty impressive. But what is nice is that, having just done the hundreds of motorway miles, they are then able to hustle on the bends without feeling too much like a ‘fish out of water’. They’re not a sports bike but they can still be pretty brisk.
Personally, I always find BMW suspension too soft and under damped, especially on the more touring focused bikes, so I always budget in a suspension upgrade. Other than that, I would recommend a BMW every time.
LOL I bought into the Bavarian solid build reputation when I bought a 2002 1150GS Adventure new. Turned into the most problematic bike I've owned. Final straw was wheel bearing failure 1,500miles after the rear end (wheel/drive/swingarm) had been apart for a recall.
PS BMW recovery is a bit hit and miss too, if you ever have the misfortune to use them.
Bike looked great though... but never again for me.
PS BMW recovery is a bit hit and miss too, if you ever have the misfortune to use them.
Bike looked great though... but never again for me.
My bro has a R1150S (I think!) - ISTR his drive shaft oil seal went titties skyward not long after he bought it but otherwise it seems fine - build quality and finish miles better than the plastic pig I ride.
Wasn't much fun as a pillion but then I'm twice as big as the one he usually carries
Wasn't much fun as a pillion but then I'm twice as big as the one he usually carries
patmahe said:
Sorry for my ignorance, but I havent a clue when it comes to bikes but am trying to learn.
All I know is that whenever I see a BMW bike I get excited by its different look. Are they generally considered good and whats a good BMW touring bike, cheaper the better ,used??
Cheers
One of my best mates has a 1200GS Adventure and prior to that a normal 1200GS. He his in the premier league of bikers, this one is just coming up to 14m old and it has done 17,000m.All I know is that whenever I see a BMW bike I get excited by its different look. Are they generally considered good and whats a good BMW touring bike, cheaper the better ,used??
Cheers
Edited by patmahe on Monday 8th October 16:18
Edited by patmahe on Monday 8th October 16:25
His previous bikes Honda 600RR, Fireblade 1000RR, SP1, 2 x Blackbird and a Pan European. He has toured and done track days on all but the Pan and he reckons that the GS's are the best of the lot. 300 + miles to a tankful from the Adventure.
Personally they are not my bag, but having ridden them on the road and had a session at Snetterton on one, I can vouch for the handling which totally belies the looks.
Best bet, test ride one.
PS. Doing uber miles does not prevent serious attacks of brian fade, he put 32l of diesel in the GS two weeks ago whilst in France.
1150 GS now 3 yrs old + over the 30k miles. Added lights (the originals are useless) intercom, Satnav. BMW Panniers + Givi Topbox for touring.
Touring holiday through Scotland
Touring holiday through Lake Distict
California Superbike School at Brands
Daily commute
Took my IAM on it
Longest time in the saddle - 11 hrs with only fuel/tea stops + lunch (Skye to Surrey). And I could still walk after that.
Can't think of a Bike I would change it for - can be known to eat race machines if the road is not so smooth. The paralever suspension does isolate rather well though some say it leaves the front fealing "vaugue". You get used to that.
Reliability is good but not in the Honda league. You do need to service it but mostly you can save money and do it yourself. Plenty of
For the boxer engined bikes take care to move the brass air screw on the carb (both sides) a little each month to prevent it corroding into the alloy carb! And my top advice - if you go for the GS (with no intentions of off-roading) fit an after-market extension to the front mudguard to keep road sludge from the front engine cover.
Touring holiday through Scotland
Touring holiday through Lake Distict
California Superbike School at Brands
Daily commute
Took my IAM on it
Longest time in the saddle - 11 hrs with only fuel/tea stops + lunch (Skye to Surrey). And I could still walk after that.
Can't think of a Bike I would change it for - can be known to eat race machines if the road is not so smooth. The paralever suspension does isolate rather well though some say it leaves the front fealing "vaugue". You get used to that.
Reliability is good but not in the Honda league. You do need to service it but mostly you can save money and do it yourself. Plenty of
For the boxer engined bikes take care to move the brass air screw on the carb (both sides) a little each month to prevent it corroding into the alloy carb! And my top advice - if you go for the GS (with no intentions of off-roading) fit an after-market extension to the front mudguard to keep road sludge from the front engine cover.
I have had a GS1150GSA great bike but had a vertical issue with it [ie couldn't touch the floor at times].
Swap it for a K1200S. A real license retaining issue and what a bike to ride. I have tried 4 hours in the saddle and I was so comfy!! but eventually had to stop because of the need for fuel [ffs]
Swap it for a K1200S. A real license retaining issue and what a bike to ride. I have tried 4 hours in the saddle and I was so comfy!! but eventually had to stop because of the need for fuel [ffs]
I have an R1200GS, and, much as I love it, the build quality is crap. Like many, many others, I needed a new clutch when the gearbox seal failed and let oil onto it. I also needed new switchgear, twice, new heated grips, new front plate on the engine (corrosion), and i will need to replace all the rusted cheap fasteners soon which make it look 10 years old instead of the two years it really is.
Paint rubbed off the frame immediately I bought it, front axle is rusty, battery failed, alarm does not work...
Oh, and I had to get it serviced 1,000 miles early, as the engine was rough as hell, and did not seem likley to last my trip round France.
Basicaly, when they went from R1150 GS to R1200GS, they seem to have decided that quality was too heavy, and left it out.
On the R1200Gs owners' site, I was repeatedly told that the failures were my own fault (when it kept indicating left, for example, I was told I should have carried the tools to let me remove all the bulbs). This atitude means that anything short of explosion is put down as "not a real fault", so owners can convince themseves that they are perfect.
Quality is Suzuki level, basically, but they are good fun, very different to other bikes, and worth a try.
Quite where they pull the price of £11,00 from for a loaded one, though, I am not sure.
Paint rubbed off the frame immediately I bought it, front axle is rusty, battery failed, alarm does not work...
Oh, and I had to get it serviced 1,000 miles early, as the engine was rough as hell, and did not seem likley to last my trip round France.
Basicaly, when they went from R1150 GS to R1200GS, they seem to have decided that quality was too heavy, and left it out.
On the R1200Gs owners' site, I was repeatedly told that the failures were my own fault (when it kept indicating left, for example, I was told I should have carried the tools to let me remove all the bulbs). This atitude means that anything short of explosion is put down as "not a real fault", so owners can convince themseves that they are perfect.
Quality is Suzuki level, basically, but they are good fun, very different to other bikes, and worth a try.
Quite where they pull the price of £11,00 from for a loaded one, though, I am not sure.
Based on experience working for 2 Honda dealers, a Yamaha dealer, a Suzuki dealer and a BMW bike dealer, I have to say I saw more broken down BM's arrive on a truck than at all the other shops put together... I worked at a BMW shop during '03/'04 and have never dealt with so many warranty claims, some for odd bits of corrosion, others for quite serious problems: shaft drive failure, elcectrical failure, siezed brakes etc, etc. At that time the workshop had a lot of problems sorting out "hunting" problems on the boxer twins. There were loads of bulletins from HQ about how to alleviate it. Linked brakes can take a little getting used to, as can the sheer weight and size of some models (K1200LT!!) especially if you are used to Jap sportsbikes.
Didn't stop me buying a BMW car though... Which has been great in the short period that I've owned it.
Didn't stop me buying a BMW car though... Which has been great in the short period that I've owned it.
I've just got back from a 1000 mile blast from Santander to Cherbourg and home on my old, 38,000 mile 1150GS, and it didn't miss a beat. Although I've had it for a couple of years, it's the first time I've done any big miles, and I can't think of anything better to do it on (I'm not old enough for a Pan/'Wing!). Just don't make up your mind after a short ride; it feels strange to start with, depending on what you're used to, but it grows.
I'll tell you what... they're f**king heavy. My newly-bought R1150RT's battery ran out yesterday and I had to push the f**ker up a hill several times to try and bump start it, and I was already late. Nearly gave me a heart attack. I can't believe how heavy it was. Worked on the 4th attempt.
I alreayd had an optimate in the garage but hadn't hooked it up yet. >-(
I alreayd had an optimate in the garage but hadn't hooked it up yet. >-(
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