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Saw the 2016 models today at the NYC IMS.

JaimeC

JaimeC

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At first glance, there doesn't appear to be much different with the C650GT. The most obvious change is the rear end, which looks a bit more "bulbous" than the previous year models. The handlebars also look different as does the instrument cluster. Underseat storage is still extremely generous. According to the representative I spoke to (the one with the thick German accent), the lane-change assistant has not yet been approved in the American market place, so the sensors and indicators were not present.

The C650 Sport, on the other hand, looks completely new. Unfortunately, the same limited underseat storage with the expansion chamber which is only good when the scooter is parked. I think it looks much nicer than the C600 Sport that preceded it, but I'm still partial to the GT.

By the way, there was NO TMAX on display at the Yamaha pavilion; they may've intentionally killed the market for that scooter with their ridiculous pricing for it in the 2015 model year. Damned shame. I didn't really peruse the Suzuki pavilion so I don't know where they stand in the Maxi scooter market for 2016. I can't imagine they'd discontinue the big Burgman, though.
 
I did stop by the booth and saw both the Sport and the GT spending the most time with the GT. As Jaime indicated probably the biggest change was the rear end. I did notice small, subtle changes to the GT, the cover to the dash where the GPS mount goes was a shiny glossy black cover and I couldn't see any screws to pop it off. Both glove boxes had a better grade of plastic and to the touch, it felt a little better. i noticed the step through was galanvized including the gas cap in comparsion to my 13 in which the step through and gas cap was painted, it might have changed that 14 or 15. IMO that should been down from the get-go, my step through is scuffed. The center stand was a bit larger where you put your foot down to engage it. I was tempted to try it out but there were people jumping off and on the scooter so I did't bother

I did talk to the product manager of BMW NA about the scooter market for the US. I asked if they met BMW projections. He shrugged and said they sell about 400 units a year, mostly going to Florida, Southern California and oddly enough Chicago. The rest is minimal. He did confirm the side lane assist will not make it for 2016, maybe 2017.
 
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Personally, I think the lane-change assistant is a waste of money and resources. Riders just need to turn their freakin' heads and LOOK (and this goes towards car drivers, too). BMW COULD make it easier for us by raising up the mirrors and possibly moving them a little more forward which would give us a far better rearward view than they do now. And that can be done WITHOUT expensive software development and sensors that have been known to fail, too!

PS: I hope EVERYBODY who spoke to the BMW representatives mentioned how much the GT NEEDS a real electronic cruise control. I know I did.
 
Yup, for sure on the cruise control.

I like the lane change assistant on my car. It's helpful every once in awhile. My guess is that, for me, the more info about anything going on behind/beside me while on my bike is something I just might appreciate.
 
JaimeC said:
By the way, there was NO TMAX on display at the Yamaha pavilion; they may've intentionally killed the market for that scooter with their ridiculous pricing for it in the 2015 model year. Damned shame. I didn't really peruse the Suzuki pavilion so I don't know where they stand in the Maxi scooter market for 2016. I can't imagine they'd discontinue the big Burgman, though.
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Okay, Jaime got me thinking, again (!). Sure enough, the 2016 Tmax isn't listed in the US, but there it is, in friggin' CANADA for 2016! In a lighter shade of Grey. Great.

Maybe they just aren't selling here, or is it they aren't being sold, as in marketed? I found a dealer in Alabama that had a new Tmax 530 listed on Craig's list. On the their website they show that they have in inventory the Tmax 530, BMW C650GT and Burgman 650. AH-HA! THEY will know all about them!:D

So, I just got off the phone with the "maxi-scooter salesperson" there. When I asked about the 3 Maxis, he said that the BMW was "the best, 'cause it's a BMW and has the longest warranty". When pressed about SALES, he said they are selling lots of Burgmans, "because they have been around so long and are popular". When I asked SPECIFICALLY about the Tmax, he said "oh, I've sold quite a few of those Smaxes". NO, I responded, I'm asking about Tmaxes. One is on your website, I'm looking at it, and it is on your AD in CL. "No, must be a mistake. We sell everything that Yamaha has, but not the Tmax." (pause while he asks someone else...) "No, they are only sold in Europe":mad:

Not sure if that degree of ignorance is just Alabama, or representative of Yamaha dealers in general.:confused: Wow.
 
The dealer's incorrect ad did get you (and how many others??) to call; "bait and switch".;)

Too bad a proven performer like the Tmax is not sold in the US because it would expand the maxi-scooter market, IMO.
 
I think pricing is the biggest drawback to maxi scooter sales in USA. Scooters in general really. The BMW scooters are 10k; but you get a lot of standard features, still an F800R is the same price and a 650 GS is even less. Comparing MSRP anyway.Take the TMAX: roughly 10k, compared to their other sport bikes and stuff: many "cool bikes" at or under the same price. Move to Vespa's and such and you're talking 6k for a 278cc scooter.

Now WE know the benefits of scooters and are willing to pay the premium but clearly here in the States, image comes first and price comes next. That almost exclusively rules out scooters for most riders.

That being said, I hope my BMW dealer gets one of each model in come spring, especially the GT.
 
SteveADV said:
The dealer's incorrect ad did get you (and how many others??) to call; "bait and switch".;)

Too bad a proven performer like the Tmax is not sold in the US because it would expand the maxi-scooter market, IMO.
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Actually it IS currently sold here...Yamaha just doesn't know how to market it. Everywhere else in the world it sells itself...
 
Yeah but maybe bringing the 530 with ABS once current inventory is sold. Maybe we got bikes that couldn't be sold in EU. Let's hope they bring it.

Sent from my SGH-M919 using Tapatalk
 
Skutorr said:
Okay, Jaime got me thinking, again (!). Sure enough, the 2016 Tmax isn't listed in the US, but there it is, in friggin' CANADA for 2016! In a lighter shade of Grey.
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Deezgoddamfriggincanadians eh!

And they still don't think it's important enough to put ABS on the TMax for 2016 here. It's almost irresponsible to not include ABS on today's new wheels. I can only assume they put their cost/margins above our safety.
 
Colin J Monteith said:
Deezgoddamfriggincanadians eh!

And they still don't think it's important enough to put ABS on the TMax for 2016 here. It's almost irresponsible to not include ABS on today's new wheels. I can only assume they put their cost/margins above our safety.
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How does the MSRP compare to the Beemer scoots? Is Yamaha still out of their minds with the pricing?
 
JaimeC said:
How does the MSRP compare to the Beemer scoots? Is Yamaha still out of their minds with the pricing?
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The BMW website does not have the 2016 scooter prices yet and unless Im mistaken is still showing the 2015 model under the heading of 2016. Anyway I recall the price was about $13,500 Cdn vs the TMax that for 2016 shows $10,499 Cdn. About once last year I saw a TMax on the road here and only a couple of the BMW scoots.
 
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