RE: PH2 Tested: BMW K1600GT

[shoestring7]

Silver993tt said:

Well, bike prices have gone up steeply over the last couple of years. I would have thought that in an economic slowdown/recession that prices would have fallen since these are luxury items to the majority.

Exchange rates.

SS7

[hugh_]

MarJay said:

Bagsie a crashed one for a Caterfield style kit car please.

My thoughts exactly!

[PaulMoor]

Silver993tt said:

and costing max £10k

The K1300R cost more than that.

As for the kit car idea, take a look at motorworks

http://www.motorworks.co.uk/vlive/TheShed/BikesBro...

Hours of daydreaming to be had, and on top of that they sell parts to convert a K1300 to work in an old mini.

Edited by PaulMoor on Wednesday 13th April 10:48

[Motorrad]

rog007 said:

"Wind the new BMW 1600GT's motor up to its 8,500rpm red line and it sounds absolutely fantastic. A bit like a 911, in fact."

I must have a problem then, 'cos my 996 turbo sounds sh**e!

Perhaps he meant a proper air cooled one?

[Silver993tt]

shoestring7 said:

Silver993tt said:

Well, bike prices have gone up steeply over the last couple of years. I would have thought that in an economic slowdown/recession that prices would have fallen since these are luxury items to the majority.

Exchange rates.

SS7

surely in times of recession it's hard enough to sell a premium/luxury product, so raising the price for any reason (exchange rates included) will make the product even harder to shift. The policy of "passing price rises onto the customer" can't work because the customer doesn't have to/can't buy the product unless it's a necessity such as public transport/fuel etc.

For example, if my monthly outgoings rise substantially, I can always charge more for my services. However, I'm less likely to get any business should I do that.

[Hooli]

Mr2Mike said:

Hooli said:

Those adaptive headlights sound annoying. Just put all the damn lights on with mainbeam, it's why a mainbeam switch exists! I bet those lights just for sideroads would be dead handy around tight bends as well, but BMW know best...

They aren't "steering" headlamps, they simply rotate to maintain the same beam pattern when cranked over. Nothing but advantages for both the rider and other road users here.

Ahh, that wasn't how I was reading it. I must say this article is the only thing I've read about these bikes as I can't get interested in something so huge.

[RemaL]

another good write up

[CMWBMW]

The K1600 GT and GTL are now available to order. An RT with K1300GT plus performance.
I have ridden one of each over 250 miles they are Superb.

ETA

Sorry no plugging your wares.

Edited by Big Al. on Thursday 14th April 12:17

[predding]

CMWBMW said:

The K1600 GT and GTL are now available to order.

Ordering it is the easy part..paying for it is the tricky bit...

Saw this and a few others at Motorad Guildford BBQ day a few weeks back - one of 'em is on my list for sure.

[Motorrad]

Silver993tt said:

surely in times of recession it's hard enough to sell a premium/luxury product, so raising the price for any reason (exchange rates included) will make the product even harder to shift. The policy of "passing price rises onto the customer" can't work because the customer doesn't have to/can't buy the product unless it's a necessity such as public transport/fuel etc.

For example, if my monthly outgoings rise substantially, I can always charge more for my services. However, I'm less likely to get any business should I do that.

The UK is a relatively small market as are the numbers of K1600GTs they expect to sell here. I don't think BMW are going to lose much sleep over UK customers who want to buy bikes below the price they can sell them in Europe because of Sterling's relative weakness.

[Silver993tt]

Motorrad said:

Silver993tt said:

surely in times of recession it's hard enough to sell a premium/luxury product, so raising the price for any reason (exchange rates included) will make the product even harder to shift. The policy of "passing price rises onto the customer" can't work because the customer doesn't have to/can't buy the product unless it's a necessity such as public transport/fuel etc.

For example, if my monthly outgoings rise substantially, I can always charge more for my services. However, I'm less likely to get any business should I do that.

The UK is a relatively small market as are the numbers of K1600GTs they expect to sell here. I don't think BMW are going to lose much sleep over UK customers who want to buy bikes below the price they can sell them in Europe because of Sterling's relative weakness.

That's strange since most premium European car manufacturers view the UK as their most profitable market in Europe. I remember the head of Mercedes-Benz saying that the UK was the jewel in their crown because unlike most of conitnental Europe, the British tend to pick the higher spec models ( biggest engine, leather, nav etc) plus more options. On the continent there is much more tendency to buy the basic model of a range of cars (with the smallest engine) as they are deemed a form of transport rather than a status symbol.

[Motorrad]

Silver993tt said:

That's strange since most premium European car manufacturers view the UK as their most profitable market in Europe. I remember the head of Mercedes-Benz saying that the UK was the jewel in their crown because unlike most of conitnental Europe, the British tend to pick the higher spec models ( biggest engine, leather, nav etc) plus more options. On the continent there is much more tendency to buy the basic model of a range of cars (with the smallest engine) as they are deemed a form of transport rather than a status symbol.

We aren't talking about cars here though are we? Also I don't imagine that selling bikes or cars at a loss because sterling is in the toilet is a strategy that appeals either.

This is a premium product and I'd imagine their perspective is that those who want one will pay a premium price.

[Silver993tt]

Motorrad said:

We aren't talking about cars here though are we? .

They are both luxury items.

[Motorrad]

Silver993tt said:

hey are both luxury items.

You think so? I thought BMW's bread and butter car wise in the UK is fleet sales of low end diesel cars to ex-mondeo company car users.

Anyway we're getting off topic. These bikes cost a lot in the UK because sterling is weak.

[rasher1940]

I hope that they have sorted out the indicator cancelling switch and put it on the left side of the handle bar.Not like the BMW 800FT which is on the right side of the handle bar, when you cancell it, it rev's the engine that why I sold it to dangerous to ride it.regards Rasher1940

[black-k1]

rasher1940 said:

I hope that they have sorted out the indicator cancelling switch and put it on the left side of the handle bar.Not like the BMW 800FT which is on the right side of the handle bar, when you cancell it, it rev's the engine that why I sold it to dangerous to ride it.regards Rasher1940

I've been riding BMWs with the indicator cancel button on the right for about 25 years and never had that problem. Perhaps it was the nut attached to the handlebars that needed replacing

[Rixelieu]

ALL Airbus planes have been fly-by-wire since the introduction of the A320 in 1988.

[tonym911]

Some champion lurkers on this thread

[Sivraj]

Sorry if I wanted all of the toys and luxury I'd buy a car (which I did).
Not my bag I'm afraid,

[louiebaby]

Rixelieu said:

ALL Airbus planes have been fly-by-wire since the introduction of the A320 in 1988.

I have a new Trek 2.5 on order, hopefully in time to do the London to Brighton bike ride with the good folk of PH.