Wilsons Sandbox

Invincible order of the Korg and honorary BMW members, That little badge (roundel) says alot in the engineering societies. Having acquired mega/millon miles on beemers over the years, I offer the following. Since BMW switched to EFI absolutely no problems with any of the Bosch units that I have owned. Some of my R models had some inherent surging but no complete meltdowns. Interesting that BMW motorcycles bring low salvage prices for EFI units because they hardly ever go south unless you shock them somehow. (supply and demand) contrary to ABS unit brains especially the ABS I unit. At this years BMW/RA rally, I attended a seminar presented by Grant Johnson http://www.horzionsunlimited.com on global touring. Again interesting that they did not carry a massive spare parts inventory,even in the most remote parts of the planet. Reliability and longevity are BMW's trademark. Dealer support is so good they get basically can ship any part in under a week. Granted a broken carb be easier to fix on the fly but a CDI unit ? or the dreaded balancer chain ? Kawi dealer support is much to be desired according to some members on this list. Apples to apples Kawi would lose on dealer support (Big Time) http://www.cyclebins.com in London, U.K. has a massive BMW inventory with the most knowledgeable staff in the world. The Fred Hink of the AG european community. Personal experiences with new Dakar. A little more street oriented than the KLR sound familiar ? Exceptional strong pulling motor,real stock brakes and the stock seat sucked. Chain guard and the inner plastic rear fender were broken off the first time off road. No biggie needs to be reworked in design. Balance wise superior to the KLR hands down.In one word "smooth" like all german machines. We managed to put 38k on the clock before it was recalled due to a gas tank fire internal wiring problem. Latest addition is a 98 Strada,we only had this this one for 2 weeks, but it's getting a workout with the snow here in Pa. This time we removed the rear plastic fender and chain guard from the get go, replaced with a Honda XR650l guard. So far so good even with a minor drop "never say crash" on a ice patch. The only thing cheap about BMW is the rider. You can always convert to the black and orange moped club if you want to spend some "bring more wampum". Or find a job where you get "paid to ride" Better yet get out on the road/off road and "just ride it." For what it's worth,I meet a woman 75 years old who proudly rode her 98 Strada to the BMW/MOA rally in Rhinebeck N.Y. from L.A. in 4 days. Great ladies bike for the better half and a beemer to boot. put your wheels in motion-not your mouth, BMWzzzzzzzzzzzzzzing Keystone Thrashers BMW "Rulers of the Road"/Team Prozac Jung Riders ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ Message: 23 Date: Thu, 21 Dec 2000 21:18:01 -0000 From: "Bill E Goat" Subject: Re: F650GS experiences Or are you just paying for that

> little badge saying BMW? > Please give us some feed back. I am interested in what everyone

has to say.

> I am in the buying stage after selling my KLR for a newer bike. > Thanks for any info everyone!

I rode (mostly way ahead) with one of the first released F650GS Dakars in Idaho this summer, all together we had a route of about 550 miles of varying dirt roads. The brand new beemer shed numerous plastic parts (rear tire hugger, and I don't recall what else) and the owner expressed some dissatisfaction with that aspect of it. I think the KLR is a better adventure machine, given the fuel capacity and industrially-based design (as opposed to seeking "sleek" and "flowing". I am not impressed with the underseat tank and filler arrangement. F650 motors are definitely strong, and produce smooth power/torque. I am not putting down beemers; I am on my eleventh one (R1100RS) which I think is an outstanding piece of roadworthy machinery. Hope I don't offend any overly sensitive types out there with my posts. Take your Zoloft! Backroad Bill at work in Rainy Californy ________________________________________________________________________ _______

On Thu, 21 Dec 2000 20:27:21 -0500 BMWzzzing wrote:

> Invincible order of the Korg and honorary BMW members, > That little badge (roundel) says alot in the engineering > societies. > Having acquired mega/millon miles on beemers over the > years, I offer the > following. Since BMW switched to EFI absolutely no > problems with any of > the Bosch units that I have owned. Some of my R models > had some inherent > surging but no complete meltdowns... and so on.

That's all very nice, but what does this have to do with reliability beyond comfy dealer networks? I wish BMW would provide GS engineering that wasn't "dumbed down" for those 'adventure tourers' who ride pavement most of the time. Why won't BMW provide the factory Adventure Reinforcement Kit in the US for the 1100GS for those engine case mount failures? Every argument I hear is that the 1100GS 'shouldn't be ridden like a KLR' in overland (read dirt, dust, mud, rock) touring situations. Oh? And why not when the GS ads say it's really possible? And why do ALL the GS riders I meet during really lousy road conditions in Canada and Alaska wish they had a KLR? How complicated is this, anyway? I wish this wasn't so. If BMW would deliver uncompromised real-world adventure tour-function engineering that delivers field reliability (low tech if needed!) with lightweight and lots of fuel capcity, I would pay. Fast. Fireball