Looking at a C600 Sport

Hi
Just joined and I am looking at a BMW C600 Sport.
I have owned a lot of Maxi-Scooters over the years, I love em! :)
Currently have a Suzuki AN400 Burgman which is the 6th one I have owned.
Had 3 x 400's and 3 x 650's so you could say I like them!
The BMW scoot sounds better than the 650 Burgman which is my Benchmark.
Owned a few BMW bikes over the years and loved the way the suspension worked, the BMW Scoots look like they also ride well!
So onto the $64,000 question........ How reliable are these scoots.
I have read a lot ( and I mean a Lot!) about faults ranging from oil leak, fork seals, engines you name it.
I know a lot of it is other make forums slagging off a bike they don't own.
But as they say there's no smoke without fire.
So what should I look out for, hoping to look at a C600 tomorrow :)

Andy
 

JaimeC

New member
7,000 miles. So far, only issue was the engine side switch screw loosening up so the bike wouldn't start (it "thought" the side stand was down). That saga was detailed here.
 

Skutorr

Active member
Just read the threads already posted here about clutches, timing chain tensioners, gauges, engine oil leaks into the CVT (ongoing investigation right now), porous defective engine castings that necessitated replacing the entire BIKE (BMW has NO ENGINES available...), etc..

The European BMW forum has many more riders in it and more years/miles behind them. Many of them are experienced ex-Tmax riders, who are disappointed, to say the least, at the shear number and volume of problems that have cropped-up.

BMW Europe has responded very well to their concerns, as some had just taken them back in and demanded a Tmax 530, Aprilia SRV850 or Honda Integra, and the dealer complied. So, they are concerned about their market image, in a VERY competitive market segment.

Here in the US? Not so much...BMW has no real competition, other than the bulbous Burger for the C650, and NO competition for the C600. So, lots of arm-twisting and threats are often required to get action; some have had luck reposting the European Dealers' responses to get BMW North America to acknowledge the problems and rectify them.

The bikes ARE great...if you got a good one. Unfortunately, the problems/flaws/issues are not due to any real design shortcomings (other than an inexcusable dry clutch...) but rather stem from quality-control and subcontractor manufacturing oversight issues in China.

These bikes SHOULD have kicked everyone else's BUTTS after they came out; everyone EXPECTED an absolutely superior product upon roll-out, including myself. The motorcycle journalists in Europe and initial reviews were touting the BMW's as the new market leaders. Not so much any more.

And it's a SHAME. Just like the Aprilia SRV 850 SHOULD have been an absolute market dominator, niggling reliability issues and massive service costs have kept it a Boutique Brand. BMW is facing the same thing over the pond, and in response to the dozens of different problems that have ensued since 2012, BMW stepped-up and changed...the available colors.

The C600 was SUPPOSED to replace my current 2009 Tmax500, after it did it's initial teething. Unless something changes radically with it in the next year or so, I'm going to do what my brother just did, and bring in a Tmax 530 from Canada...
 

Ensignawesome

New member
If another's opinion makes you feel any better, I'm a recent 2014 650 GT owner and I have no regrets in my purchase. I went from a 250 GTV Vespa to a 2011 Triumph Bonnie and the handling on the BMW blows them away by far. Mechanically, I can't tell you much as I just hit over 600 miles on mine and I'm due for my first check up. I've had no issues other than I accidentally kicked off my gas cover when it was open, thankfully it didn't break! Other than that, I will tell you that thus far (knock on wood) this has been one of the best purchases I've made in years and I couldn't be happier with the results.

That said, I have seen a lot of folks with some quibbles and major complaints on their 2013 models. I'm praying to the oil Gods that some of these kinks have been worked out in the 2014's.
 

Oldscoot

New member
I've enjoyed my C600 Sport immensely and have not had any problems. I've owned over two dozen motorcycles and have ridden PTW vehicles for almost 50 years. Some folks on this forum have not been satisfied with their BMW for good reason and some folks complain and don't even own one. Squeaky wheels get the most grease as well as the most press in forums like these. We have a very good forum here but not much of an accurate sampling of owners worldwide. Anecdotal data and hearsay are just that. I trust that BMW works on a profit-based business model and is not in business to do warranty bike and engine replacements.
 

Xian Forbes

New member
I love love love my Sport. But here is my story. I took it in for the 6k service and mentioned the issues that we have all read about, timing tensioner, oil sensor were my two concerns. My bike has been at the dealer and had been looked at by a regional tech who works for BMW not the dealer. I should know more this week, but he wanted to look at the timing, the clutch and the oil seals. I was told that it will be made right, even if that meant a new motor. Funny thing, there are no new motors so my service writer mentioned even a new bike if need be. I have every confidence that BMW will stand behind their product. What I would be concerned about is the specific dealer you would be purchasing from, that seems to make all the difference. I asked myself this question... If BMW offers me a 2014 replacement would I take it or is there another Beemer I would want, like a GS for example. Both myself and the missus agreed that the Sport does everything we need it to do so very well that trading up to a different bike would be a downgrade from the comfort, ease of use, and sportiness that we like about our Sport. Yes I'd buy another one but the wife wants a Vespa.

Sent from my HTC One using Tapatalk
 
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elamofo

Member
I've been following a French forum and it seems like 2014 scooters manufactured after January of this year are much better. Supposedly BMW stopped production for a month or so to work on issues. Of course they may shut down all production for a month or two over the winter because, well, it's winter. Who knows. All rumor. I guess you at least know the recalled issues are fixed, and 2014 has a new fuel filler door so that issue sounds like it's fixed also.
 

Edumakated

New member
I've got 1300 miles on mine and it has been flawless except for a tire pressure monitor failure. Recently had the 600 mile service. Bike seems to be getting better mileage. I'm willing to deal with the growing pains if any since there really isn't anything else available here to compete with the c600. Until other manufacturers make a decent twist & go bike with 600cc's that is also somewhat sporty and good for daily commuting, then I guess I'm stuck with the bimmer.
 

Oldscoot

New member
I've got 1300 miles on mine and it has been flawless except for a tire pressure monitor failure. Recently had the 600 mile service. Bike seems to be getting better mileage. I'm willing to deal with the growing pains if any since there really isn't anything else available here to compete with the c600. Until other manufacturers make a decent twist & go bike with 600cc's that is also somewhat sporty and good for daily commuting, then I guess I'm stuck with the bimmer.

Amen Brother.
 
Thanks for the replies :)
Well, after reading your valuable input I went to the BMW dealer today.........
The scoot looked very clean for its mileage of 3600 Miles.
Had all the usual sales pitch from the sales guy, I think I knew more about the Scoot than he did!
The guy then offered me a Test Ride, how could I refuse :D
Went out on the scoot for an hour and nothing broke or fell off.....
Really enjoyed the Power it had and the handling was something else!
So when I returned to the dealer a deal was struck and I rode home on the BMW :)
The scoot had a service at 3600 miles and it's only done approx 75 miles since that.
The Scoot also came with 12 Months BMW warranty, hopefully won't be needing that.....
Rode the scoot home the long way and clocked up 100 miles, the Scoot went like a dream!
So onto my questions......
The on-board tyre pressure was showing 2.9 & 3.0 Bar
Checked the manual and it says 2.4 and 2.5, how accurate are the inboard monitors?
The Scoot has Pirelli tyres fitted.
Also don't know if I was imagining it but every once in a while I got a faint smell of Coolant....
Had a look around the scoot and can't see anything and there are no warnings on the dash.
Any ideas what that could be?
I will check the coolant level tomorrow
Can't wait to go out tomorrow for another ride! :D

Andy
 
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JaimeC

New member
Shouldn't it still be under the original 3 year/36K mile warranty (minus the 3,600 miles already on it) even if you are the second owner?? That's the way it's always worked in the past. I'd look into that if I were you.
 

Xian Forbes

New member
On board monitors are not very accurate. I only rely on mine to tell me if it's way off the mark, or if you've got a puncture whilst riding. There is no replacement for a good old tire gauge. My bike makes some smells once in a while but I think it was coming from clutch side, since it's a dry friction unit I expected some "hot" odors. Your experiences may differ of course.

Sent from my HTC One using Tapatalk
 
Shouldn't it still be under the original 3 year/36K mile warranty (minus the 3,600 miles already on it) even if you are the second owner?? That's the way it's always worked in the past. I'd look into that if I were you.
Will check with the dealer, not sure if the warranty is the same here in the UK
The shop gave me a separate guarantee in my name with the standard European Roadside recovery :)

Andy
 
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JaimeC

New member
Ah, the UK. I didn't realize. The laws are definitely different between our two countries. Sorry for that.
 

Skutorr

Active member
Off the BMW Mottorad UK Website:The BMW Approved Used Bike Warranty

We believe the minimum 12 months unlimited mileage warranty covering every BMW Approved Used Bike is the finest of its type available. This is hardly surprising when you consider that the warranty is backed not by a third party but by the same company that designed and built the bikes themselves - BMW.

These features have been developed to address specific issues raised by used bike buyers, and reflect our commitment to deliver total customer confidence. In fact, the BMW Approved Used Bike Warranty is so comprehensive, and so close to our New Bike Warranty that the only items not covered are routine service items, such as brake pads and discs. Full details can be obtained from your BMW Dealer.
 

yellasei

New member
my monitors read spot on but they can change with tyre temp changes. you can have the dealer change the reading from bar to psi if it helps. which dealer did you buy it from??
 

SteveADV

Active member
.......Also don't know if I was imagining it but every once in a while I got a faint smell of Coolant....
Had a look around the scoot and can't see anything and there are no warnings on the dash.
Any ideas what that could be?....

Deep fried pickles smell like coolant, so...........:D

You made a good decision , Andy. Now that you are one of us, try not to show off too much.

On the other hand, you may not be able to help yourself.
 
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which dealer did you buy it from??
I bought it from Balderstons in Peterborough, UK.They have been dealing for 75 Years.
They have been doing BMW's since 1984
my monitors read spot on but they can change with tyre temp changes. you can have the dealer change the reading from bar to psi if it helps.
Great information!
I would like it to be in PSI, it would save me doing the conversion.
I need to buy myself a tyre gauge, had loads over the years but where they have gone, who knows! :)

Andy
 
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