Best Selling BMW in the US is not the GS

[Rincewind]

While the R1200GS still dominates BMW's global sales, the new SS1000R takes the prize for most US sales in 2010.  

Meanwhile BMW saw a 12% increase in overall global sales last year.  

http://www.asphaltandrubber.com/news/bmw-s1000rr-out-sells-r1200gs/

[SalsaShark]

If I had a need/desire for a superbike (or a powerball garage), the SS100R would definitely find itself at the top of the heap!

That bike was too much fun to ride.

[atadaskew]

Any truth to the rumour that the S1000RR is a loss leader for BMW?

[Cablebandit]

Any truth to the rumour that the S1000RR is a loss leader for BMW?

I'd believe that.  It has a lot of goodies for way too fair of a price.

[Rincewind]

The GS likely helps covers those losses with both its heavy price and global popularity.

[KodiakRS]

I wouldn't be suprised if BMW was aiming for break-even or slightly below on the s1000rr.  What they have lost in sales on the s1000rr they have more than made up for in increase in name brand recognition.  

[atadaskew]

I wouldn't be suprised if BMW was aiming for break-even or slightly below on the s1000rr.  What they have lost in sales on the s1000rr they have more than made up for in increase in name brand recognition.  

Yah, they are pulling punters into the showrooms who otherwiise would never set foot in the door.  They see the S1000R.  Then see the GS/RT/K13S next to it, and realise that those too are really really nice bikes.  And may actually work better for them...

[kevin_stevens]

Yah, they are pulling punters into the showrooms who otherwiise would never set foot in the door.  They see the S1000R.  Then see the GS/RT/K13S next to it, and realise that those too are really really nice bikes.  And may actually work better for them...

And then, apparently, they buy an S1000RR anyway?  

KeS

[eng943]

My dealer put me on their S1000RR demo when I was looking for a toy bike to go with my K13GT.

Fast?...Yep, but it was pure torture to be on it for more than 15-20 minutes.....no thanks. I prompltly went and bought a new Vmax for my toy.

I'm not too surprised the S1000RR is their best seller given the culture of the hobby in the states, which is mainly cruisers and sportbikes.  

[atadaskew]

And then, apparently, they buy an S1000RR anyway?  

KeS

I'm not saying lots and lots of S1000RRs aren't sold.  I'm just sayin' there are also a bunch of peeps now who buy the other Beemers cuz they actually checked them out being drawn in by the RR.

Kinda like the doods at Ducati dealerships who really wanted the 1198R SP GP Bayliss edition butt instead settled for the MS1200 cuz their gut got in the way of the racey riding position...

 

[falconati]

I wonder what would happen if an FJR and RT were similarly priced  

[Andrew]

I wonder what would happen if an FJR and RT were similarly priced  

Depends
  If the FJR price tag was increased to RT level= less FJRs being sold
  If the RT was lowered to the FJR price = more RTs sold

   

[Thunderbox]

I don't know if it is true or not but the local dealer told me that in Canada the new BMW outsold all 1000 cc sport bikes put together in this country.

[atadaskew]

I don't know if it is true or not but the local dealer told me that in Canada the new BMW outsold all 1000 cc sport bikes put together in this country.

That sounds believable to me for a couple o reasons:

1/ How big is the Canadian superbike market?
2/ 1000cc inline 4 superbike buyers tend to go for the latest and greatest.  Why would you pick one of its Japanese rivals over this bike when it blows them out of the water?  Ya gotta pipe, FI commander etc one of those bikes just to get up to the BMW's stock power output..