Posted by Eigenvector on May 10, 2008, 3:31 pm
I was browsing BMW's site trying to convince myself that they're overpriced
for what they are - and they aren't. On a somewhat apples to apples
comparison, they cost approximately the same as their competition, perhaps a
few thou more in some areas but overall competitive. My experience though
leaves me lacking, as I can't tell if the BMW's in the lower end are junk or
just as good as I would expect a BMW to be if you base it on their cars.
I'm glancing at the enduros, as I greatly prefer that riding posture, and
something like the F 650 GS is coming in at 7,100 - about a thousand more
than the KLR650. Not bad, but at 55 to 60 mpg and perfect for light
commuter work can the BMW really match what the KLR can do? I'm guessing
that the R1200 GS is where the BMW's shine, and the entry level bikes like
the F650 are somewhat lacking - is that a true statement? If not then I'm
kicking myself for not getting a BMW.
Posted by Jeff Mayner on May 10, 2008, 4:01 pm
>I was browsing BMW's site trying to convince myself that they're overpriced
>for what they are - and they aren't. On a somewhat apples to apples
>comparison, they cost approximately the same as their competition, perhaps
>a few thou more in some areas but overall competitive. My experience
>though leaves me lacking, as I can't tell if the BMW's in the lower end are
>junk or just as good as I would expect a BMW to be if you base it on their
>cars.
> I'm glancing at the enduros, as I greatly prefer that riding posture, and
> something like the F 650 GS is coming in at 7,100 - about a thousand more
> than the KLR650. Not bad, but at 55 to 60 mpg and perfect for light
> commuter work can the BMW really match what the KLR can do? I'm guessing
> that the R1200 GS is where the BMW's shine, and the entry level bikes like
> the F650 are somewhat lacking - is that a true statement? If not then I'm
> kicking myself for not getting a BMW.
Wear tennis shoes and it wont be that bad.
Folks that want a BMW don't cross-shop with the KLR.
Not even close in quality and/or performance.
Check out the new 800. By all accounts it's the best GS of the bunch.
>
Posted by Eigenvector on May 10, 2008, 4:22 pm
>>I was browsing BMW's site trying to convince myself that they're
>>overpriced for what they are - and they aren't. On a somewhat apples to
>>apples comparison, they cost approximately the same as their competition,
>>perhaps a few thou more in some areas but overall competitive. My
>>experience though leaves me lacking, as I can't tell if the BMW's in the
>>lower end are junk or just as good as I would expect a BMW to be if you
>>base it on their cars.
>>
>> I'm glancing at the enduros, as I greatly prefer that riding posture, and
>> something like the F 650 GS is coming in at 7,100 - about a thousand more
>> than the KLR650. Not bad, but at 55 to 60 mpg and perfect for light
>> commuter work can the BMW really match what the KLR can do? I'm guessing
>> that the R1200 GS is where the BMW's shine, and the entry level bikes
>> like the F650 are somewhat lacking - is that a true statement? If not
>> then I'm kicking myself for not getting a BMW.
> Wear tennis shoes and it wont be that bad.
> Folks that want a BMW don't cross-shop with the KLR.
> Not even close in quality and/or performance.
Well I'm not sure how you can make that statement. Mind you I'm not
defending the KLR, it's just a bike not family, but F650 GS, same engine
displacement, water cooled, moderate OR suspension. I guess I don't see
where one could shine over the other - and perhaps that's what I'm really
asking here.
This isn't an attempt to pull you into an argument, but more to draw out
some details.
> Check out the new 800. By all accounts it's the best GS of the bunch.
Posted by Vito on May 14, 2008, 10:02 am
One thing nobody has mentioned is that if you buy a BMW you're eligible to
become part of a pretty nice bunch of people - or at least they were last
time I looked. BMWMOA and BMWRA host a bunch of rallys and have a network
offering help for both stranded riders and on problems that BMW may not
admit. Harley runs a decent second to them but I know of no other really
effective owners groups. YMMV
Posted by Mark Olson on May 14, 2008, 11:17 am
Vito wrote:
> One thing nobody has mentioned is that if you buy a BMW you're eligible to
> become part of a pretty nice bunch of people - or at least they were last
> time I looked. BMWMOA and BMWRA host a bunch of rallys and have a network
> offering help for both stranded riders and on problems that BMW may not
> admit. Harley runs a decent second to them but I know of no other really
> effective owners groups. YMMV
COG is probably not as big as the BMW clubs but they offer a network
of owners who will help out other members on the road, as well as
organizing many regional rallies and rides and a national rally every
year.
--
'01 SV650SK1 '99 EX250-F13 '98 ZG1000-A13
OMF #7
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>for what they are - and they aren't. On a somewhat apples to apples
>comparison, they cost approximately the same as their competition, perhaps
>a few thou more in some areas but overall competitive. My experience
>though leaves me lacking, as I can't tell if the BMW's in the lower end are
>junk or just as good as I would expect a BMW to be if you base it on their
>cars.
> I'm glancing at the enduros, as I greatly prefer that riding posture, and
> something like the F 650 GS is coming in at 7,100 - about a thousand more
> than the KLR650. Not bad, but at 55 to 60 mpg and perfect for light
> commuter work can the BMW really match what the KLR can do? I'm guessing
> that the R1200 GS is where the BMW's shine, and the entry level bikes like
> the F650 are somewhat lacking - is that a true statement? If not then I'm
> kicking myself for not getting a BMW.