nklr - low seat height

[Ben MacAskill]

> I have owned one, so I can talk. The newer ABS equipped BMW bikes have

some

> *serious* problems. The brakes don't work unless the engine is running. So > if your engine dies, you have ZERO brakes. Also, when moving the bike

around

> at home or at the shop, when you push it by hand, you can't use the brakes > to stop it, cause it just keeps rolling. I have no idea how they got that > past safety inspectors

There is a BMW K12 bike sitting down in my garage next to my KLR, and I can tell you... your information is very wrong. If the engine is off, either by dying or because you are moving it in the garage or something, the ABS system won't work for obvious reasons. But that doesn't leave with you NO brakes, that leaves you with normal brakes.... same as a KLR or any other non-ABS bike. If you stall your bike, of course you can stop. Trust me, if they were as poorly engineered as you claim... they wouldn't be street legal.

> BMW's of late are way over-engineered, to the point that they have way to

many

> probable components to break.

They have more components than a stripped down bike like a KLR, true. Most owners rather enjoy the various amenities and safety features. However, as for more components to break, they have such a high level of quality it hasn't been an issue.

> And what's with the 550 lb weight anyways? You lay that over and there's

no way

> your gonna pick it up.

You are right on this point. They really are heavier than they should be... by a large margin. A lot of people who ride these bikes cannot get it back upright on their own. I find it amusing the amount of anti-BMW sentiment on this list... a lot of people appear to feel threatened by BMW motorcycles and/or riders.

----- Original Message ----- From: "Ryan Newman" To: "KLR650" DSN_klr650@yahoogroups.com> Sent: Thursday, November 08, 2001 10:55 PM Subject: Re: [DSN_klr650] Re: Harley to Quit Making Motorcycles (NKLR) > > You don't really think BMW makes a "crap product" do you? Their bikes are > OK > > as far as I know. > > I have owned one, so I can talk. The newer ABS equipped BMW bikes have some > *serious* problems. The brakes don't work unless the engine is running. So > if your engine dies, you have ZERO brakes. Also, when moving the bike around > at home or at the shop, when you push it by hand, you can't use the brakes > to stop it, cause it just keeps rolling. I have no idea how they got that > past safety inspectors. BMW's of late are way over-engineered, to the point > that they have way to many probable components to break. And what's with the > 550 lb weight anyways? You lay that over and there's no way your gonna pick > it up. > Ryan > > > Checkout Dual Sport News at > http://www.dualsportnews.com > Be part of the Adventure! > > Visit the KLR650 archives at > http://www.listquest.com/lq/search.html?ln=klr650 > > Post message: DSN_klr650@yahoogroups.com > Subscribe: DSN_klr650-subscribe@yahoogroups.com > Unsubscribe: DSN_klr650-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com > List owner: DSN_klr650-owner@yahoogroups.com > > Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/ > >

[k650dsn@aol.com]

--- In DSN_klr650@y..., "Ben MacAskill" wrote:

> > They have more components than a stripped down bike like a KLR,

true. Most

> owners rather enjoy the various amenities and safety features.

However, as

> for more components to break, they have such a high level of

quality it

> hasn't been an issue.

That's debateable. BMW had to abandon the 36 month unlimited mileage warranty when the oil heads came out. Their bikes do not hold up any better than any other bike.

> > > And what's with the 550 lb weight anyways? You lay that over and

there's

> no way > > your gonna pick it up. > > You are right on this point. They really are heavier than they

should be...

> by a large margin. A lot of people who ride these bikes cannot get

it back

> upright on their own.

They need to learn how to pick them up. I know with the behind the back technique, I could lift a K12 several times before breaking a sweat.

> > I find it amusing the amount of anti-BMW sentiment on this list... a

lot of

> people appear to feel threatened by BMW motorcycles and/or riders. >

Nope, just dismay at what some people will pay for a bike and what they will put up with in lack of service and attitude from their dealership. After all a BMW is just another motorcycle. Gino, previous owner of 3 BMWs.

[Riley Harlton]

Have a 2000 R1150GS. Oilhead. 3 year unlimited warranty still in effect. Riley A15 00 1150 k650dsn@... wrote:

> --- In DSN_klr650@y..., "Ben MacAskill" wrote: > > > > > They have more components than a stripped down bike like a KLR, > true. Most > > owners rather enjoy the various amenities and safety features. > However, as > > for more components to break, they have such a high level of > quality it > > hasn't been an issue. > > That's debateable. BMW had to abandon the 36 month unlimited mileage > warranty when the oil heads came out. Their bikes do not hold up any > better than any other bike. > > > > > And what's with the 550 lb weight anyways? You lay that over and > there's > > no way > > > your gonna pick it up. > > > > You are right on this point. They really are heavier than they > should be... > > by a large margin. A lot of people who ride these bikes cannot get > it back > > upright on their own. > > They need to learn how to pick them up. I know with the behind the > back technique, I could lift a K12 several times before breaking a > sweat. > > > > > I find it amusing the amount of anti-BMW sentiment on this list... a > lot of > > people appear to feel threatened by BMW motorcycles and/or riders. > > > > Nope, just dismay at what some people will pay for a bike and what > they will put up with in lack of service and attitude from their > dealership. After all a BMW is just another motorcycle. > > Gino, previous owner of 3 BMWs. > > Checkout Dual Sport News at > http://www.dualsportnews.com > Be part of the Adventure! > > Visit the KLR650 archives at > http://www.listquest.com/lq/search.html?ln=klr650 > > Post message: DSN_klr650@yahoogroups.com > Subscribe: DSN_klr650-subscribe@yahoogroups.com > Unsubscribe: DSN_klr650-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com > List owner: DSN_klr650-owner@yahoogroups.com > > Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/

[jonathan.sykes@ps.ge.com]

The 95 R1100GS I owned had serious fuel injection problems - known as 'the surge' in oilhead circles. I visited the local BMW boutique, saw how much it would cost to 'investigate' and decided to sell the bike and buy a nearly new KLR instead (and have almost $4000 to put back in the bank). I would also suggest BMW's marketing department drop the G (as in Gelande - German for trail) from the GS name as riding this 550 lb monster on anything other than smooth tarmac is a joke. Watch out for lines in the road with those Metzlers too. Boy! I dropped my KLR and it did no damage. I don't mind dropping it again (and again) I could wind up causing $1000 + worth of damage if I dropped the oilhead. I'm trying to find a paragraph or two that sums up the spirit, the essense of motorcycling. It's not a fashion or something just for yuppies. I grew up in the UK where my motorcycle was my only vehicle. I rode it every day of the year (and I never once saw a Harley on the road!) It was a way of life to me - not something fashionable or expensive. Most of my friends of the same age rode motorcycles, also. I developed a sixth sense when riding it that has transfered to how I drive autos (and how amazed I am at how badly most Americans drive). To me the KLR is truly motorcycle because a) it's fun, b) it's utilitarian, c) it's cheap, d) it's good on gas, e) it can go just about anywhere, f) it does what it's supposed to do, and more, g) it's simple, h) it represents great value, etc, etc. You can't really apply those to either a BMW or a Harley.

> You don't really think BMW makes a "crap product" do you? Their bikes are

OK

> as far as I know.

[k650dsn@aol.com]

--- In DSN_klr650@y..., Riley Harlton wrote:

> Have a 2000 R1150GS. Oilhead. 3 year unlimited warranty still in

effect.

> Riley > A15 > 00 1150 >

Did you pay for it or did it come standard? Gino

[Zack Mully]

Riley- Aren't you in the Great White North? I've heard that BMW-Canada is much better than BMW-USA, though if there all under the umbrella of BMW-NA, then good luck with claiming anything on that warranty. My bro had one of the first gen oilhead GS'es (I blame him for buying the first production run of anything) when they still had the 3 year unlimited warranty. He absolutely loved the bike, but hated BMWNA so much that he sold the bike. He had some relatively minor things happen to the bike that BMW wouldn't warranty. He's since bought a Harley. I some how share the same genetic code, I dread the day I sell my KLR for a Harley (NEVER!). Zack

On Fri, 2001-11-09 at 12:59, k650dsn@... wrote: > --- In DSN_klr650@y..., Riley Harlton wrote: > > Have a 2000 R1150GS. Oilhead. 3 year unlimited warranty still in > effect. > > Riley > > A15 > > 00 1150 > > > > Did you pay for it or did it come standard? > > Gino >

[Riley Harlton]

Standard up here in the great white north. 15 800 CDN pesos, I mean $, ABS included. Traded in my 99 KLR on it. Missed it. Traded in my old GL1200 for an A15 right after selling all my accessories. No financial whiz here.... Riley A15 00 1150 k650dsn@... wrote:

> --- In DSN_klr650@y..., Riley Harlton wrote: > > Have a 2000 R1150GS. Oilhead. 3 year unlimited warranty still in > effect. > > Riley > > A15 > > 00 1150 > > > > Did you pay for it or did it come standard? > > Gino > > Checkout Dual Sport News at > http://www.dualsportnews.com > Be part of the Adventure! > > Visit the KLR650 archives at > http://www.listquest.com/lq/search.html?ln=klr650 > > Post message: DSN_klr650@yahoogroups.com > Subscribe: DSN_klr650-subscribe@yahoogroups.com > Unsubscribe: DSN_klr650-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com > List owner: DSN_klr650-owner@yahoogroups.com > > Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/

[Riley Harlton]

Had the fuel "bar graph" replaced under warranty. About 600$ with labour. No problems other than that. I too love the bike. If push came to shove, and it just might if business stays like it is now, and one bike had to go, it would be the GS. Riley A15 00 1150 Montreal Zack Mully wrote:

> Riley- > Aren't you in the Great White North? I've heard that BMW-Canada is much > better than BMW-USA, though if there all under the umbrella of BMW-NA, > then good luck with claiming anything on that warranty. My bro had one > of the first gen oilhead GS'es (I blame him for buying the first > production run of anything) when they still had the 3 year unlimited > warranty. He absolutely loved the bike, but hated BMWNA so much that he > sold the bike. He had some relatively minor things happen to the bike > that BMW wouldn't warranty. He's since bought a Harley. I some how share > the same genetic code, I dread the day I sell my KLR for a Harley > (NEVER!). > Zack > > On Fri, 2001-11-09 at 12:59, k650dsn@... wrote: > > --- In DSN_klr650@y..., Riley Harlton wrote: > > > Have a 2000 R1150GS. Oilhead. 3 year unlimited warranty still in > > effect. > > > Riley > > > A15 > > > 00 1150 > > > > > > > Did you pay for it or did it come standard? > > > > Gino > > > > Checkout Dual Sport News at > http://www.dualsportnews.com > Be part of the Adventure! > > Visit the KLR650 archives at > http://www.listquest.com/lq/search.html?ln=klr650 > > Post message: DSN_klr650@yahoogroups.com > Subscribe: DSN_klr650-subscribe@yahoogroups.com > Unsubscribe: DSN_klr650-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com > List owner: DSN_klr650-owner@yahoogroups.com > > Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/

[k650dsn@aol.com]

--- In DSN_klr650@y..., Riley Harlton wrote:

> Standard up here in the great white north. 15 800 CDN pesos, I

mean $, ABS

> included. Traded in my 99 KLR on it. Missed it. Traded in my old

GL1200

> for an A15 right after selling all my accessories. No financial

whiz

> here.... > > Riley > A15 > 00 1150

Checked a couple of web sites and local dealership. Standard BMW warranty is 3 years 36,000 miles. They dropped the unlimited mileage in 1995. Gino

[Ben MacAskill]

> I would also suggest BMW's marketing department drop the G (as in

Gelande -

> German for trail) from the GS name as riding this 550 lb monster on

anything

> other than smooth tarmac is a joke. Watch out for lines in the road with > those Metzlers too. Boy!

http://www.advrider.com/Fame/cRAsH/Crash.html Sure, it isn't a KLR in the dirt... but to say it absolutely cannot handle anything but tarmac is not accurate. A lot of people take these bikes around the world, through some of the craziest terrain (much like there are a bunch of KLR riders out there cruising through South America and stuff right now).

----- Original Message ----- From: To: DSN_klr650@yahoogroups.com> Sent: Friday, November 09, 2001 10:59 AM Subject: [DSN_klr650] Re: Harley to Quit Making Motorcycles (NKLR) > The 95 R1100GS I owned had serious fuel injection problems - known as 'the > surge' in oilhead circles. I visited the local BMW boutique, saw how much > it would cost to 'investigate' and decided to sell the bike and buy a nearly > new KLR instead (and have almost $4000 to put back in the bank). > > I would also suggest BMW's marketing department drop the G (as in Gelande - > German for trail) from the GS name as riding this 550 lb monster on anything > other than smooth tarmac is a joke. Watch out for lines in the road with > those Metzlers too. Boy! > > I dropped my KLR and it did no damage. I don't mind dropping it again (and > again) I could wind up causing $1000 + worth of damage if I dropped the > oilhead. > > I'm trying to find a paragraph or two that sums up the spirit, the essense > of motorcycling. It's not a fashion or something just for yuppies. I grew > up in the UK where my motorcycle was my only vehicle. I rode it every day > of the year (and I never once saw a Harley on the road!) It was a way of > life to me - not something fashionable or expensive. Most of my friends of > the same age rode motorcycles, also. I developed a sixth sense when riding > it that has transfered to how I drive autos (and how amazed I am at how > badly most Americans drive). > > To me the KLR is truly motorcycle because a) it's fun, b) it's utilitarian, > c) it's cheap, d) it's good on gas, e) it can go just about anywhere, f) it > does what it's supposed to do, and more, g) it's simple, h) it represents > great value, etc, etc. You can't really apply those to either a BMW or a > Harley. > > > You don't really think BMW makes a "crap product" do you? Their bikes are > OK > > as far as I know. > > Checkout Dual Sport News at > http://www.dualsportnews.com > Be part of the Adventure! > > Visit the KLR650 archives at > http://www.listquest.com/lq/search.html?ln=klr650 > > Post message: DSN_klr650@yahoogroups.com > Subscribe: DSN_klr650-subscribe@yahoogroups.com > Unsubscribe: DSN_klr650-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com > List owner: DSN_klr650-owner@yahoogroups.com > > Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/ > >