[Luckyloonie]

New MCN poll:

http://www.motorcyclenews.com/MCN/News/newsresults/General-news/2014/January/jan3014-poll-bmw/

Thanks for voting!

 

[penner]

some seem to really not like how it looks from what i've read on other forums.

 

[Bonkorama]

Haters will be haters.
Don't care.

That's why they are riding thier brand.

I don't like Harley's. Not my deal at all.
My buddy has one and he would marry it if it had lady parts.
I don't get it.

 

[M&M]

Who cares as long as you love the bike.

 

[Bose]

Who cares as long as you love the bike.

Spot on with that thought

 

[jpalamaro]

Don't Think I'm Alone But . . .

Besides believing (not necessarily validated) that BMW makes the best products, some of us may also purchase for product exclusivity. I'm not sure what percentage of the world wide market enjoys now, but not that many years ago it was around 2%. By definition that's exclusive. Now, take the 9T, look at the projected numbers and you also see a very small percentage of an already small number.

But, besides exclusivity, at least for me, was simplicity. Owning all of the features e.g. ASC, TPM, ESA, and the alphabet rivals our intelligence agencies, seems a stongpoint of the 9T, beyonds its good looks, is its simplicity, not even the trademark and vaunted para/tele lever. I don't consider ABS a non-essential, as it's saved my bacon more than once and I'm guessing others. The power plant, well, it's not the water cooled and frankly I'm glad. Wet clutch, heck, we've lived with dry clutches for years, so what. Weather protection, who cares, buy an RT, or even a WCGS or Adventure.

So, I opt for design, exclusivity, and simplicity. Perhaps there are others who bought for different reasons.

 

[tracteur]

besides believing (not necessarily validated) that bmw makes the best products, some of us may also purchase for product exclusivity. I'm not sure what percentage of the world wide market enjoys now, but not that many years ago it was around 2%. By definition that's exclusive. Now, take the 9t, look at the projected numbers and you also see a very small percentage of an already small number.

But, besides exclusivity, at least for me, was simplicity. Owning all of the features e.g. Asc, tpm, esa, and the alphabet rivals our intelligence agencies, seems a stongpoint of the 9t, beyonds its good looks, is its simplicity, not even the trademark and vaunted para/tele lever. I don't consider abs a non-essential, as it's saved my bacon more than once and i'm guessing others. The power plant, well, it's not the water cooled and frankly i'm glad. Wet clutch, heck, we've lived with dry clutches for years, so what. Weather protection, who cares, buy an rt, or even a wcgs or adventure.

So, i opt for design, exclusivity, and simplicity. Perhaps there are others who bought for different reasons.

nails hammer bang bang bang

 

[1561]

Haters will be haters.
Don't care.

That's why they are riding thier brand.

I don't like Harley's. Not my deal at all.
My buddy has one and he would marry it if it had lady parts.
I don't get it.

... I think I worked it out some time ago when I took my ONE & ONLY Harley test ride from a dealer. It went like this: What? WHAT?? this is it? this is IT???!!! it's only good if people see you on it (and then only members of the one herd) .... bah, but what a waste, duh !!

So, to me, Harley are ALL about show & image. The impression of constant 'freedom', bit of 'rough'n'ready', some 'tuff-ness' implied .... however that's where it ends. Impressions only - never actually making the grade of real freedom because they're been simply duped to join a herd of constant upgrades, mass-individualization (there's an oxymoron!) ... all designed to create an impression only, rather than the real experience.

Impressions & looks are definitely not BMW's main concerns. Peer pressure not either. They will produce what they think is right and fitting for a purpose. If riders love the looks - well, that used to be a bit of a bonus for BMW, now it's changed a bit and they don't mind dressing up their bikes ....

No, they create tools. Nice, shiny, RELIABLE, tested, wonderfully engineered, with the most amazing ergonomic seating positions available in the market - for riders that is. For those who don't get that pained expression on their face when mates are talking about the next 500km ride. For those who spend expensive money to buy a piece of engineering which has proven itself capable of carrying a rider (the same in many cases) for 100.000's of kms without any dramas ....

... unlike H/D, where posers spend BIG to buy a bum-numbing vibrator with an antiquated, ill designed, overheating engine which even the Germans (Porsche) could only rectify to a certain extent, only to then spend HUGE on different stages of engine size & power increase kits - to finally have a bike which doesn't even come close to offering what a block of steel & rubber of that size could!!! duh and they don't get it .... to them it's: freedom perceived = freedom achieved

BMW rulz: only Freedom achieved = Freedom perceived!

H-D = lifestyle & show

BMW = pure riding enjoyment, allround satisfaction

we might pay more at the start (well, not in all cases - a decent H-D tourer costs around $40000, no?) but usually that's all our expenses. Servicing & oil changes - that's usually it .... not complete engine rebuilds after only 30.000 miles because H-D reckons they've done hard work .... (more like, the rear cylinder can't take anymore overheating, we'd better get that changed out ...)

So it turned out to be an easy answer for me: as nice as they look - H-D only appeal to novice, or ignorant, or ill-informed short-distance riders who are concerned only about image, not reliability, or who had a partial lobotomy, kidding themselves they're riding good bikes .... mwaahahahahahahaha
(I've got a few good examples at work)

(excuse the longish blurb - it could be condensed down to only two words ... I know ... but this time I wished to keep it civil ... )

 

[1561]

uh, yep, nails, hammer, bang bang bang ..... guilty, but I couldn't resist

 

[cherry street]

... I think I worked it out some time ago when I took my ONE & ONLY Harley test ride from a dealer. It went like this: What? WHAT?? this is it? this is IT???!!! it's only good if people see you on it (and then only members of the one herd) .... bah, but what a waste, duh !!

So, to me, Harley are ALL about show & image. The impression of constant 'freedom', bit of 'rough'n'ready', some 'tuff-ness' implied .... however that's where it ends. Impressions only - never actually making the grade of real freedom because they're been simply duped to join a herd of constant upgrades, mass-individualization (there's an oxymoron!) ... all designed to create an impression only, rather than the real experience.

Impressions & looks are definitely not BMW's main concerns. Peer pressure not either. They will produce what they think is right and fitting for a purpose. If riders love the looks - well, that used to be a bit of a bonus for BMW, now it's changed a bit and they don't mind dressing up their bikes ....

No, they create tools. Nice, shiny, RELIABLE, tested, wonderfully engineered, with the most amazing ergonomic seating positions available in the market - for riders that is. For those who don't get that pained expression on their face when mates are talking about the next 500km ride. For those who spend expensive money to buy a piece of engineering which has proven itself capable of carrying a rider (the same in many cases) for 100.000's of kms without any dramas ....

... unlike H/D, where posers spend BIG to buy a bum-numbing vibrator with an antiquated, ill designed, overheating engine which even the Germans (Porsche) could only rectify to a certain extent, only to then spend HUGE on different stages of engine size & power increase kits - to finally have a bike which doesn't even come close to offering what a block of steel & rubber of that size could!!! duh and they don't get it .... to them it's: freedom perceived = freedom achieved

BMW rulz: only Freedom achieved = Freedom perceived!

H-D = lifestyle & show

BMW = pure riding enjoyment, allround satisfaction

we might pay more at the start (well, not in all cases - a decent H-D tourer costs around $40000, no?) but usually that's all our expenses. Servicing & oil changes - that's usually it .... not complete engine rebuilds after only 30.000 miles because H-D reckons they've done hard work .... (more like, the rear cylinder can't take anymore overheating, we'd better get that changed out ...)

So it turned out to be an easy answer for me: as nice as they look - H-D only appeal to novice, or ignorant, or ill-informed short-distance riders who are concerned only about image, not reliability, or who had a partial lobotomy, kidding themselves they're riding good bikes .... mwaahahahahahahaha
(I've got a few good examples at work)

(excuse the longish blurb - it could be condensed down to only two words ... I know ... but this time I wished to keep it civil ... )

its likely Harley riders feel the same way about BMW riders. You know, that they ride simply to be exclusive and show they're exclusive.

Need to be careful making broad generalizations like that. Things may be true or untrue depending on who is operating the looking glass...

 

[Supertramp]

Besides believing (not necessarily validated) that BMW makes the best products, some of us may also purchase for product exclusivity. I'm not sure what percentage of the world wide market enjoys now, but not that many years ago it was around 2%. By definition that's exclusive. Now, take the 9T, look at the projected numbers and you also see a very small percentage of an already small number.

But, besides exclusivity, at least for me, was simplicity. Owning all of the features e.g. ASC, TPM, ESA, and the alphabet rivals our intelligence agencies, seems a stongpoint of the 9T, beyonds its good looks, is its simplicity, not even the trademark and vaunted para/tele lever. I don't consider ABS a non-essential, as it's saved my bacon more than once and I'm guessing others. The power plant, well, it's not the water cooled and frankly I'm glad. Wet clutch, heck, we've lived with dry clutches for years, so what. Weather protection, who cares, buy an RT, or even a WCGS or Adventure.

So, I opt for design, exclusivity, and simplicity. Perhaps there are others who bought for different reasons.

Best forum post i ever read dude, solid!

 

[jpalamaro]

I love when I can plagiarize, steal, copy, good material, and especially love if it's a good oxymoron. If not yours, don't tell, if yours, kudos . . . MASS INDVIDUALIZATION now that's strong.
While I think you gave HD riders a bad rap, amidst my double-digit BMW owned bikes, I've owned two (2) HD Road Kings Latest had ABS and was a blast to ride locally, and quite honestly, while a dinosaur of a bike, was fun and handled quite nicely. Though admittedly scraping pegs with it was more the result of low, extending floorboards rather than superb riding ability.

Hmmm, looks like a 9T could be a good gymkhana bike . https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=20XsaHpRQC8

 

[1561]

.... though, even you saw the light ....

ok - I admit, I had a weak moment and let the stereotypical H-D-rider banter get to me ....

 

[Chumba]

Isn't it a marvellous thing that We can all voice Our opinion on a subject without being SHOT at dawn! A friend recently told Me that He owned two Harley's. The advantage in this was that he had one to ride, while the other was being repaired. And visa versa

 

[mikeo]

Hmmm, looks like a 9T could be a good gymkhana bike . https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=20XsaHpRQC8

That is some crazy s***!

I've seen a few people trying to do things like that, and know a few who messed themselves up in the process, but I can't remember anyone doing it on a Harley (except in old movie clips).

Although I'm sure a nice V-Rod could make a good showing.

 

[phillippeterson]

I've had five Harley's. But I'm not a Harley rider - I didn't have the uniform (wallet on a chain), I rode by myself (I only see Harley's these days riding five or more in a group), and didn't make beer runs on my bike. That said, I liked the way the Low Rider covered the miles. I've also had rice burners and pasta machines. I rode a BMW in the seventies but it wasn't mine. I haven't had a motorcycle in fifteen years. When I saw the Nine T it was the first time I EVER saw a bike and went "wow, that's beautiful." So I'm getting one. Already have the nice seat and rear bag at the house. It's okay if you don't like this bike. I'm glad we have choices. And like Chumba said, it's great to be able to have and voice an opinion and not get shot at. I applaud those who don't like the Nine T. More power to you. I love the Nine T and am eager for the first and many subsequent rides. See you out there!

 

[Bonkorama]

Phillip, Im always looking at the HD website!
I've never owned anything from the HD brand, tho i DO love clicking on their blacked-out bikes.

If i had room in my garage think id pop for the blacked-out Iron 883 for a little over 7 grand!!!! in a heartbeat just to poke around town and to work when i want something different to ride.

The big full dresser ones aren't me.

and ANY brand thats SUPER loud...

 

[jpalamaro]

Phillip, Im always looking at the HD website!
I've never owned anything from the HD brand, tho i DO love clicking on their blacked-out bikes.

If i had room in my garage think id pop for the blacked-out Iron 883 for a little over 7 grand!!!! in a heartbeat just to poke around town and to work when i want something different to ride.

The big full dresser ones aren't me.

and ANY brand thats SUPER loud...

HD doesn't sell them super loud but the dealers and the owners promote loud pipes; the two Road Kings I've owned (one the equivalent of the RT-P, a Road King Police, new, road well, comfy, and was a true stump puller. At a 5" 7" + (I used to be 5' 9") and 73 years old, I could ride it fine but found it just a tad heavy, and while I never got in trouble with it, I knew it was going to be a matter of time where I dropped a foot, and there was bad purchase, and could see it going down (869 lbs wet, no rider). But, in HD's defense, drop it and no harm other than a minor scratch on the crash bars . . . drop a BMW, K16T and you could be looking at 20,000, seriously, if you didn't have engine/crash bars. And I'm not talking dropping at speed, I'm talking while stationary.

 

[rkevwill]

A buddy of mine who has been with BMW auto retail for over 30 years, has both Ducatis and BMW bikes. He also has owned several Harleys. He thinks that new Harley 750 is gonna eat in to the "sportster" line seriously. His opinion is the two new small bikes, the 500 and 750, are very well engineered bikes and will sell well. Time will tell. Not sure the Harley crowd will be very accepting of the 500. However, some of us old 911 guys said the same about the Cayenne, Panamera, and Boxter.

 

[jpalamaro]

A buddy of mine who has been with BMW auto retail for over 30 years, has both Ducatis and BMW bikes. He also has owned several Harleys. He thinks that new Harley 750 is gonna eat in to the "sportster" line seriously. His opinion is the two new small bikes, the 500 and 750, are very well engineered bikes and will sell well. Time will tell. Not sure the Harley crowd will be very accepting of the 500. However, some of us old 911 guys said the same about the Cayenne, Panamera, and Boxter.

That's true, but the Cayenne, Panamera, and Boxsters aren't Porsches! C'mon tho' who was the designer that put the exhaust on the Boxster in the middle of the vehicle/bumper. Looks like an anus!