Thank You BMW

SteveADV

Active member
So many times these forums catch the complaints about the manufacturer and not the good stuff, so I thought I would just put in a good word for the builder of my C650GT...Thanks. It is a great machine.

Today in Northeast Ohio it is sunny but December cold; a perfect day for a ride (for this time of year). I left very early before the temps got above freezing and headed down the road. I-271 to 303 to rt 3 down to Medina for a great breakfast and, as happens, some talk with the locals about that "red motorcycle" parked out front.

I didn't mention the heated grips, heated seats, electronic Aeroflow windshield, or how well the bike fits me egonomically. We just talked about what a great day it was going to be. I knew that my "adventure" day was going to be a good one.

From there my bike and I headed southeast toward Dover. At least that was my thinking at the time. The great thing about my BMW C650GT is that I can go wherever and not worry if I am going to get there.

So, there are lots of great options out there for those that want to feel the freedom of a motorcycle or super scooter. BMW makes one of them. In my opinion, they make the best. At least for me.
 

grey.hound

New member
Agreed! While only 500 miles into ownership, Nothing else out there had everything I wanted.

Glad you were able to get out today.
 

SteveADV

Active member
Yup. Thanks, g. Back at the homestead. Fire in the fireplace. Crown Royal in my glass. And that "what a great day" kinda feelng.
 

exavid

Member
I hope the BMW6550GT has a good long manufacturing run because I really like this scooter. The more I ride it the better I like it.
 

yellasei

New member
i absolutely love my 600 Sport, although i am running about on my little vespa at the moment ( and really enjoying this but for other reasons ) and have SORN it off the road for winter, i know when the days draw out and get warmer the Sport will be back out and i will reel in the miles again.
it has been tempting to sell it on and move on but i just can't think of another bike/scooter that would tick all the boxes that i enjoy.
in just 2 weeks i will have owned the Sport for a full 12 months, that is some kinda record for me owning a bike!!!!
my plans are to own this for many years and so far the futures looking good.
 

SteveADV

Active member
......i just can't think of another bike/scooter that would tick all the boxes that i enjoy...

Yeah, that's the thing, isn't it. With all the deals on used motorcycles I will probably just trade around my C650GT and keep this as my CORE bike while changing out my secondary bike from time to time. I've had my KLR for only 9 months and I am already thinking about a V-Strom. Who the hell got me into this motorcycle thing anyhow?*^*%$*@
 

grey.hound

New member
While many people don't get the whole scooter thing, especially a $10k scooter; most of us do. Scooters are just so practical compared to motorcycles for what I want/do. I stay on road and commute so, with the cvt, full fairing, and built in storage, nothing else (IMO) competes with a scooter. BMW realized that many of us would pay to have luxury features and performance on a scooter.

I'm no fool, I know there are better MC's for specific purposes and I also think there are at least a dozen "real motorcycles" that look better, but when it comes down to owning and riding one bike every day, it's going to be a scooter for me. Plus, what other MC's offer dual front discs, ABS, heated grips/seats for $10k?
 

JaimeC

New member
If you add in "available locking luggage, standard at the same price" then you pretty much come up with "Zero."
 

grey.hound

New member
I looked at all of the Honda DCT's and the Aprilia Mana. With the two cruiser style Honda's, you can't put a full face in the OEM saddlebags. Lots of people were also trying to find solutions for the feet forward position. I like that I have the option of 3 foot positions with the scooter, and of course the full fairing.

On the Honda NC700, lots of accessories, but not enough wind protection.
The Aprilia Mana GT was beautiful, but again, not everything I wanted.
I think the Honda Integra would have given the BMW's a run for my money.
The Honda NM4 was/is aimed at people to be a viable alternative to a car, but not quite enough built in storage.
 

yellasei

New member
While many people don't get the whole scooter thing, especially a $10k scooter; most of us do. Scooters are just so practical compared to motorcycles for what I want/do. I stay on road and commute so, with the cvt, full fairing, and built in storage, nothing else (IMO) competes with a scooter. BMW realized that many of us would pay to have luxury features and performance on a scooter.

I'm no fool, I know there are better MC's for specific purposes and I also think there are at least a dozen "real motorcycles" that look better, but when it comes down to owning and riding one bike every day, it's going to be a scooter for me. Plus, what other MC's offer dual front discs, ABS, heated grips/seats for $10k?
thats exactly how i feel about my scoot and as you say, others just don't get the scooter thing. working for a bike shop i can use demo's as and when i like, very exciting for a day then you think about owning any of them and no.....just not practical enough.
i can and have riden round so many bikes, even sports stuff and that really upsets the riders but shows just how quick and good the Sport is.
the price was an issue when i decided to buy but the deal was such a good one i could'nt say no and to be perfectly true, the price now seems a bargain as during the last 6 weeks i have seen the price of the PIAGGIO 946..................£8500 for a single saddle 125 with no kit!!!!!!!!!!
 

Xian Forbes

New member
In all fairness the 946 is an exercise in design. It's got zero storage, so the missus loves it when I go on rides with her because the sport becomes the pack mule...lol.
 

Vago

New member
I have a peg leg on the left side due to an industrial accident years ago. I'm limited in what I can ride due to no foot to shift with in the normal sense. I did ride a big cruiser with a heal and toe shift which was ok. The BMW GT is as close to a sport bike as I will ever get, and it is an awesome machine. Thanks BMW. I have 26,400 miles on it, most of which is twisty roads.
 

exavid

Member
I have a peg leg on the left side due to an industrial accident years ago. I'm limited in what I can ride due to no foot to shift with in the normal sense. I did ride a big cruiser with a heal and toe shift which was ok. The BMW GT is as close to a sport bike as I will ever get, and it is an awesome machine. Thanks BMW. I have 26,400 miles on it, most of which is twisty roads.

Hi Vago! Good to hear of another GT rider in the neighborhood. I haven't got that much mileage on my GT, only 3000 miles but that's because it has to share the riding duties with my K1100LT. I really like both bikes but the scooter is a lot easier on my arthritis, the leg position is a lot easier on my knees. Do you happen to know Hans Raub? He lives in CJ, rides a '93 GW with almost 400,000 miles on it?
 

SteveADV

Active member
Not exactly a UMV video (only shot is a quick glimpse of the back end of a C650GT at about the 1 min mark), but still kinda represents that "get out and ride" kinda feeling.

BMW Motorrad : Make life a ride



And here are some of the latest sales figures....

BMW Posts Record Sales
Munich. In 2014 BMW Motorrad sold more vehicles than in the year before, thus achieving a record sales figure for the fourth time in a row. With 123,495 (previous year: 115,215 units) vehicles sold in 2014, the manufacturer delivered more motorcycles and Maxi Scooters than ever before in the company's history. This is an increase of 7.2% compared to an already very strong showing in 2013. In December deliveries rose by 10.9% to 7,032 units (previous year: 6,343 units).

Germany continues to be the most successful single market for the Bavarian brand. 21,714 vehicles, roughly a fifth of all units, were sold in the home market last year. Once again BMW Motorrad was the market leader with a market share of over 25%. The USA follows in second position with 15,301 vehicles sold. Here, 1,201 more BMW motorcycles were sold than in the previous year. The next largest single markets are France (11,600) and Italy (10,487). Brazil continued to perform strongly with 7,603 units.

In the relevant market segment of the 500 cc and above categories, BMW Motorrad remained the market leader not only in Germany but also in Italy and Spain.

Stephan Schaller, President of BMW Motorrad: "We can look back on a successful year. For the first time in company history, BMW Motorrad sold more than 120,000 vehicles. This is an increase of 7.2% compared to the already outstanding result of the previous year and is the fourth year of record sales in a row. I would like to express my sincere thanks to all our customers for the trust they have placed in BMW Motorrad."

In 2014 we launched no less than five new models worldwide. These made a major contribution towards achieving the positive sales numbers. With the R nineT we seem to have our finger firmly on the pulse of many BMW Motorrad fans. It got off to a phenomenal start and leapt to fourth place in our bestseller ranking right from the start. This success exceeded our own expectations. BMW Motorrad also ushers in a whole new era in the area of urban mobility with the BMW C evolution . The electric Maxi-Scooter is the first vehicle of its type for BMW Motorrad. It builds on the experience and innovations of the BMW Group and represents an integral part of our sustainability strategy. Almost 550 units have been sold since last May. The good level of acceptance by our customers shows that we have chosen the right approach with this first step towards electric mobility", says Schaller.

Water-cooled R 1200 GS the most successful BMW motorcycle.

The most popular BMW Motorrad models with over 40,000 units sold are the R 1200 GS (24,380) together with its sister model R 1200 GS Adventure (16.242). The BMW R 1200 RT takes third place with 12,140 units sold. The R nineT sold exceptionally well. In its first year of sales already 8,488 units were delivered worldwide. This makes the roadster the fourth most successful model in the BMW Motorrad product portfolio. With more than 10,000 units sold, the S 1000 R and the S 1000 RR both achieved an outstanding sales result. The middle range models F 800 GS/GS Adventure (7,040/4,278 units) and F 700 GS (6,499 units) as well as the F 800 R (3,953 units) and F 800 GT (3,901 units) also remain very popular. The Maxi Scooters C 650 GT and C 600 Sport (6,391 units) were also well received.

A look ahead to 2015 for BMW Motorrad.

The coming season will see numerous innovative and emotional vehicles added to the product portfolio. The new BMW S 1000 RR will be for sale at dealers from spring 2015. The next generation of the supersports bike offers increased engine output, a 4 kg weight reduction and even greater usability. With the new BMW R 1200 R and the R 1200 RS two new flat-twin models will be launched into the coming season. In the new edition of the F 800 R, BMW Motorrad is continuing its series of powerfully distinctive parallel twins.

With the S 1000 XR, BMW Motorrad is also launching the fourth series of its family of high-performance, sports-oriented motorcycles with 4-cylinder inline engine. It unites the qualities of the BMW Motorrad GS, Touring and Sports models resulting in a new breed of motorcycle ? Adventure Sport.

Stephan Schaller, President of BMW Motorrad: "BMW Motorrad continues on its course of growth. We will win over new customers for the brand, enter into new segments and expand our portfolio further. Our aim is to achieve record sales in 2015."

For any queries, please contact:



Renate Heim, Communication BMW Motorrad
 
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