Why did you sell your BMW?

[2006FJR]

I am one of those guys who has always wanted a BMW. The RT and the GS1200ADV are the two that speak to me. I just wanted to hear from the guys that owned BMWs but jumped ship to another brand and why? I am doing more long distance rides now and I might be looking for a new bike in 2009 when thye come out. Just wondering.  

[stk0308]

The Triumph Sprint Executive came with fairing and bags a few thousand dollars cheaper than a simmilarly equiped R1100RS, or even R1100R, did that year(1998).

[Tar Snake]

I kept mine because I like it, but it's not my primary bike anymore. I tried:

A Concours; too big, too hot
A Nighthawk 750, basically Honda's K75, so I sold it as it was redundant to me.
A Triumph Daytona 1200; fun, fast, tourable, but too big like the Concours.
A Triumph Sprint RS; Just right.

Basically BMW never updated the K75 and then dropped it. I like BMW's but I've never liked the boxer or the big fours enough to buy another one. Of course the cost is a factor too. For me I could pay $15k for a bike but I would really have to like it, as it would be a hardship. The F800 really interests me though and is more in my price range. Maybe a nice used one someday?

I like fairly light mid size bikes and love triples so for now Triumph.

[atypical1]

I left BMW and then came back again. I had an RT but it was way too big for my needs. Essentially I go with whatever brand has a bike out that fits my needs. In this case (R12S) it's perfect. In the case of the RT it wasn't.

Why have you always wanted a BMW?

james

[2006FJR]

I left BMW and then came back again. I had an RT but it was way too big for my needs. Essentially I go with whatever brand has a bike out that fits my needs. In this case (R12S) it's perfect. In the case of the RT it wasn't.

Why have you always wanted a BMW?

james

I own a BMW 335i car and I really like the technology and fit and finish. I guess I am under the impression that they will build their bikes the same way. I love the GS1200ADV for it huge gas take and twin with great gas mileage and total miles driven before you fill up. I also like that about the RT as well. They seem like great touring bikes that would allow me to go great distances. Reliability was always a concern for me and I have seen that they have had many issues with their shaft drive. I love the fact that I could change the suspenion on the fly while I am riding. I guess I have kind of put them up higher than other bikes and wodered if they really are as good as I think they might be?

[andmoon2]

She surged and surged. 98 r1100

I tried all the fixes and they lasted no more than 500 miles.

[Albie]

Wanted something lighter, better handling, less maintenance. Goodbye GS1150 Hello Vstrom.

[ejh]

I am sure MisterSmooth will chime in eventually.  

His is a reason i whole heartedly believe in.   >  

http://www.sport-touring.net/forums/index.php/topic,27354.0.html

[miles]

My bike had over 170,000 miles on it, so it was time for something else.

[Oilhed]

Cuz I got a Ducati.  Woulda got another BMW but R1200ST = $14,500, Ducati ST3 = $10,500

[bobnflorida]

My BMW dealer's service dept. thinks that a $1000 is chump change

[Lon]

I haven't.  However, I may sell it if I can't get up the nerves to work on it.

(edit: someone gave me a VFR750 which I have been wrenching on and is now running, so... the two bikes are effectively filling a similar role)

[Global Rider]

I just wanted to hear from the guys that owned BMWs but jumped ship to another brand and why?

I might jump ship IF the big-four would make a motorcycle like the BMW I own.

[Hodge Podge]

Rode a K75S for three years, taking trips all over the north east U.S. and Canada. No serious maintenance trouble, especially for a 12-15 year-old bike. Loved it, but thoughts of more performance and better handling got the best of me. Test rode an '07 Sprint ST and '04 R1100S, roughly equivalent prices. Bought the BMW for two reasons: I trust the local BMW service department and do not trust several other local dealers (expensive services, yes, but what price is worth knowing a job was done correctly...or at all?), and I liked the intangibles (feel, overall impression) of the R1100S more.

[STArnie13]

I had my first BMW an R90/6 for 114,000 miles and it was due for a lot of major work.  The dealer at the time looked to be about to give up on BMW's so I went with Yamaha.  A few months later the BMW's were gone and were gone for several years.

My current BMW K1200LT has done 47,000 miles just fine.  Now that the local dealer gave up on BMW I have certainly had it with BMW as there is again none in this state.  Even if BMW got a new dealer in town I wouldn't buy another one.  It would help me to keep the one that I have.  If BMW doesn't get a dealer in the area before too long I will likely get rid of mine-for what I don't know.

[blueridgerider]

I had my first BMW an R90/6 for 114,000 miles and it was due for a lot of major work.  The dealer at the time looked to be about to give up on BMW's so I went with Yamaha.  A few months later the BMW's were gone and were gone for several years.

My current BMW K1200LT has done 47,000 miles just fine.  Now that the local dealer gave up on BMW I have certainly had it with BMW as there is again none in this state.  Even if BMW got a new dealer in town I wouldn't buy another one.  It would help me to keep the one that I have.  If BMW doesn't get a dealer in the area before too long I will likely get rid of mine-for what I don't know.

You know that is certainly a consideration (lack of dealers).  But in a counterpoint - in 20+ years of riding I have never encounterd another group of motorcyclists that have such a high precentage of ones that can wrench their bikes (beyond just service).  I suspect Moto Guzzi is up there as well.

[miles]

You know that is certainly a consideration (lack of dealers).  But in a counterpoint - in 20+ years of riding I have never encounterd another group of motorcyclists that have such a high precentage of ones that can wrench their bikes (beyond just service).  I suspect Moto Guzzi is up there as well.

Honda Trail 90 and Trail 110 users can all completely overhaul their bikes- as long as they remembered to pack a screwdriver (or good pocket knife) and a pair of pliers!



I kinda miss those days- my new K12R has almost nothing on it that I can service.  I hope that means there's almost nothing on it that'll need service...

[Geoff]

I sold this 2003 K1200RS in order to buy a new Harley Electra Glide. I missed riding a sport tourer, so I later added a '94 K1100RS to my stable.

[burnergold2B]

 Traded one in for a race-bike, to race, as the SV650s were killing me.

The K100RS developed gearbox problems @ 34K miles.

The ABS used from '02-06 is life threatening.

Just changed out the battery in our 650GS and found a set of hairline cracks in the top of the fuel sending unit area, in a puddle of gas. Checked Chain Gang website to find an official BMW recall on the fuel tanks, for that issue, after 3 visits to BMW shops with it the last 5 years; 3 different shops failed to fix the recall while the bike was already in their possession for service!

How many more reasons do you need? Since selling off some BMWs we've bought an FJR, Ducati 900SS/SP, a Buell S3T, and an ST1300. No problems except for tires! We couldn't be happier away from the roundel bikes. Buy an airhead if you want a BMW something, reliable that YOU can fix.    

[2006FJR]

 Traded one in for a race-bike, to race, as the SV650s were killing me.

The K100RS developed gearbox problems @ 34K miles.

The ABS used from '02-06 is life threatening.

Just changed out the battery in our 650GS and found a set of hairline cracks in the top of the fuel sending unit area, in a puddle of gas. Checked Chain Gang website to find an official BMW recall on the fuel tanks, for that issue, after 3 visits to BMW shops with it the last 5 years; 3 different shops failed to fix the recall while the bike was already in their possession for service!

How many more reasons do you need? Since selling off some BMWs we've bought an FJR, Ducati 900SS/SP, a Buell S3T, and an ST1300. No problems except for tires! We couldn't be happier away from the roundel bikes. Buy an airhead if you want a BMW something, reliable that YOU can fix.    

Wow, that is quite a mess. Out of the 4 bikes you own which one do you like best for sport touring?