Bad Week For BMW

IanW said:
JD
"Reliability is crucial to me", to a casual observer reading headings in this forum you might get the impression there is a reliability issue with the ST eg:
Another high speed wobble accident,
ST1200 Fuel cap hanging,
Front Forks,
Whining (moaning ) noise,
Trailer to haul ST,
Stock seat really uncomfortable,
Hard to start after new plugs,
Broke down on road to Westoc,
ST will not start,
Electrical trouble on trip,
Brake problem,
Front brakes rub,
I think the ST and RT are fine bikes, I think there is a lot of mis information about BMW maintenance costs and reliability, no one seems to start a thread on any forum with "my bike is running fine".
Ian
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Ian, I didn't read the ones about not starting or broke down, but if you want to start counting, I imagine between 03-08 (for ST1300s) and 05-08 (for the R1200RT and 1200GS with kinda same engine and RD), there are significantly more RTs and GSs that have left owners stranded than ST owners. Any bike can have issues, sure, but being stranded is a big issue. I really like the RT and would like to have one, but can't seem to get past major issues that could strand me. After the 07 IBR, Tom Austin who was a major BMW supporter changed to a Honda GL1800 due to his disgust with what happened with FD issues in the rally. I don't think they even had to deal with antenna rings. You are correct in that both are fine bikes, and if I can believe the FD and AR issues are better in time, I may well have one of each in my garage.

JDP
 
jdpfms said:
Ian, I didn't read the ones about not starting or broke down, but if you want to start counting, I imagine between 03-08 (for ST1300s) and 05-08 (for the R1200RT and 1200GS with kinda same engine and RD), there are significantly more RTs and GSs that have left owners stranded than ST owners. Any bike can have issues, sure, but being stranded is a big issue. I really like the RT and would like to have one, but can't seem to get past major issues that could strand me. After the 07 IBR, Tom Austin who was a major BMW supporter changed to a Honda GL1800 due to his disgust with what happened with FD issues in the rally. I don't think they even had to deal with antenna rings. You are correct in that both are fine bikes, and if I can believe the FD and AR issues are better in time, I may well have one of each in my garage.

JDP
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Fellas, my post was very "tongue in cheek" the point I am trying to make is if you go to any bike forum most of the posts are about problems, the BMW sites the Honda Sites and the Yamaha sites are all the same. I was just pointing this out. I did have a chuckle though when I was compiling the list and came across "Trailer to haul an ST", I knew the thread had nothing to do with ST reliability but through it in anyway. The ST and the RT are both fine machines I looked at the ST when I purchase the RT but was really put off the ST by the weight and lack of creature comforts as standard. We are on the same side, pity the poor buggers that don't ride and don't understand what we get out of it.
Have a great Day.
Ian
 
Tor said:
248271178_cb1da74683.jpg
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Is that photo genuine? I mean is the rubber thingy really on fire?
 
FirstStrike said:
Is that photo genuine? I mean is the rubber thingy really on fire?
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Yeah, I think I saw this about a year or two ago on ADVrider. It was a new GSA IIRC, and it happened for a guy on a long trip while in Montana or some western state. I was amazed that he actually stopped long enough to shoot a picture of it :eek: . I think I'd have tried to take a leak on it to put out the fire, :D

JDP
 
The photo is probably important evidence for a warranty claim and, if necessary, lawsuit. The rider had great presence of mind to take the picture.
 
LeeWonnacott said:
everybody knows that BMW Motorad sells high quality BMW duct tape and triple the price -
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Naaw they dont....no shame,,at all....they call it all their own,,,invention

garmin-bmw-motorrad-navigator-iii.jpg


Garmin,,,made by the bavarians :D


16189981-M.jpg


16189984-M.jpg


hmmmm, BMW Savannah boots,,,,,made in Italy,,,,,?????, lets see,,,,would that be Oxtar.,....Infinity Boots....:D Naaww, these are genuine bavarion boots, so pay up,,the list is a mile long. I'' leave it at that.

Long Live the

bmw-logo.jpg
 
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Now Tor,

You are being funny here, right? Let's see... Honda Riders Jackets, made by First Gear... Honda ST1300 Top Case, made by GIVI in Italy.

BTW, the BMW Motorrad boots (and Riders Gear, for that matter) are made for BMW Riders Apparel based on their designs... Honda wished they had the that complete a line of suits, jackets, helmets, gloves, etc. I have some of it and along with my Aerostich has lasted great for the last 8 years.

As to the GPS from Garmin, just smart marketing on their part... people want a BMW branded Garmin and at the time of purchase, it is covered by the 3 year/36,000 mile warranty. What is not to like?

Cheers.
 
IanW said:
JD
"Reliability is crucial to me", to a casual observer reading headings in this forum you might get the impression there is a reliability issue with the ST eg:
Another high speed wobble accident,
ST1200 Fuel cap hanging,
Front Forks,
Whining (moaning ) noise,
Trailer to haul ST,
Stock seat really uncomfortable,
Hard to start after new plugs,
Broke down on road to Westoc,
ST will not start,
Electrical trouble on trip,
Brake problem,
Front brakes rub,
I think the ST and RT are fine bikes, I think there is a lot of mis information about BMW maintenance costs and reliability, no one seems to start a thread on any forum with "my bike is running fine".
Ian
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I just couldn't resist, Ian.

Linky

Tim
 
Anybody notice that the really good bikes and accessories all come from the former "Axis Partners?" I never really thought about it until one day we had a weekend ride where I worked a checkpoint at a farmhouse (central CA coast). The owner of the property was a WWII vet and came out to see the activity. He commented that that last time he saw so many german and italian vehicles he was shooting at them! :D (I have to put the icon on, or people think I am being too serious).
 
tommyboy said:
Anybody notice that the really good bikes and accessories all come from the former "Axis Partners?" I never really thought about it until one day we had a weekend ride where I worked a checkpoint at a farmhouse (central CA coast). The owner of the property was a WWII vet and came out to see the activity. He commented that that last time he saw so many german and italian vehicles he was shooting at them! :D (I have to put the icon on, or people think I am being too serious).
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Well, its not too surprising when you think about it. After we flattened all their car factories (except the one's the Soviets carted off!), they had to get about on something! Motorcycles were cheap, distances were short, parking was small, money was tight. In Europe and Asia both, motorcycles have a much larger share of the transportation market, and the market responds. Contrast this to boats. North American boat manufacturers are the leaders, with some Japanese newbies making headway, and the Euros going "huh?".

Now, mind you, Triumph, Harley-Davidson and Victory all make pretty good bikes THESE DAYS as well. Not, mind you, that the latter two are my cup of tea, but they are spot-on target for their consumers.
 
Nevada said:
Well, its not too surprising when you think about it. After we flattened all their car factories (except the one's the Soviets carted off!), they had to get about on something! Motorcycles were cheap, distances were short, parking was small, money was tight. In Europe and Asia both, motorcycles have a much larger share of the transportation market, and the market responds. Contrast this to boats. North American boat manufacturers are the leaders, with some Japanese newbies making headway, and the Euros going "huh?".

Now, mind you, Triumph, Harley-Davidson and Victory all make pretty good bikes THESE DAYS as well. Not, mind you, that the latter two are my cup of tea, but they are spot-on target for their consumers.
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I don't much about power boats but in sailboats there are lots of old names and some new ones from Europe. There are only three or four US sailboat builders in volume but from Europe consider Beneteau, Bavaria, Dufour, Baltic, Swan Nautor, Dehler, Hallberg Rassey, Fountaine Pajot, Jeannau, Lagoon, Malo, Oyster, Nauticat, Wally, Wasa....

Boats aren't really a good comparison to cars but closer to bikes. The make tens of thousands, hundreds of thousands, even millions of some cars but sailboats in production runs of a more than few hundred to a few thousand are hard to find. Boats have been called the largest hand made mass-produced consumer good ever built.
 
Tor
I have a pair of BMW boots made in Italy too, they seem fine, the Italians make great boots (my wife is Italian and my mother in law would strike me down from heaven if i did not say so), I think the only thing the Germans are famous for in leather are trench coats.:) :)

Ian
 
IanW said:
Tor
I have a pair of BMW boots made in Italy too, they seem fine, the Italians make great boots (my wife is Italian and my mother in law would strike me down from heaven if i did not say so), I think the only thing the Germans are famous for in leather are trench coats.:) :)

Ian
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Thats the best one I have seen in a good while, Ian. :D
 
You know I'm bored since I came back to this link to read the rest of the gossip. I like what Chris said, lets stop swimming upstream and go ride! I'm gonna be happy when I get off work cuz I can go RIDE (home), and I could care less if it's raining, I get to ride !
 
hojo in sc said:
You know I'm bored since I came back to this link to read the rest of the gossip. I like what Chris said, lets stop swimming upstream and go ride! I'm gonna be happy when I get off work cuz I can go RIDE (home), and I could care less if it's raining, I get to ride !
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You said it Howard...

I rode everyday this week and went camping on the bike the last two weekends in a row and would love to go again this weekend but can't because of "stuff".

We HAVE GOT to get together soon again and ride, give Mark a call and see when in the next few weekends work for you guys.

Chris
 
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