Why Do BMWs Command a Premium Price?

[Mike]

Let's face it: any of us who has a BMW could have bought a different manufacturer's model that would come very close to ours in performance and functionality for a lot less money. It seems that Japanese bikes, for instance, cost maybe 2/3 to 3/4 the price of the most comparable BMW models.

 

So, why did you choose a BMW? How do you justify the premium price?

[moshe_levy]

Let's face it: any of us who has a BMW could have bought a different manufacturer's model that would come very close to ours in performance and functionality for a lot less money. It seems that Japanese bikes, for instance, cost maybe 2/3 to 3/4 the price of the most comparable BMW models.

 

So, why did you choose a BMW? How do you justify the premium price?

 

The above assumes a 100% rational purchasing decision. Motorcycles are emotional purchases. Why BMW? The character, the uniqueness, the history, what the company respresents, how I feel when I'm on one, and how I feel about most of the other BMW riders I've met in my travels. Functionally, some $35,000 Japanese sports cars come damn close to the $350,000 Italian exotics. Emotionally, they do as much for the soul as staring at a bleach white washing machine. Same thing here.

 

-MKL

[LANGeek]

Well said. That was a good response.

[smiller]

Personally I didn't buy a brand name so much as a set of capabilities. At the time I bought my RT (1996) there wasn't much to compete with it, and I got a good deal so the price premium wasn't all that much. Nowadays that's changed in a big way... there is a wide range of very competent sport touring bikes available, and the price premium/differential between BMW and the competition seems to have even increased somewhat. I'm also turned off by the extreme complexity of the new BMW models. As a result I'm not at all sure that my next bike will be a BMW. It might be, but it's far from a slam dunk... there will be a careful comparison.

[Jim VonBaden]

What Moshe said, but more.

 

I looked at all brands and models of bikes, but only the R1200GS gave me what I wanted in a bike. Riding position, power, handling (BIG ONE!), brakes (yes I like the servo system and ABS), the whole package did it for me.

 

I would have loved to pay less, but often money isn't the only determiner.

 

Jim

[Bruce C]

I am on my second BMW. The soundness of my '85KRT lead me to look and purchase a '(then new) '04KRS. And actually the loan rate of 0.9% sealed the deal. Right now at 36+K on the clock, the bike has been almost perfect(fuel Q/D's replaced with Omega's).

Would I buy another one? I don't think so. The new generation bike is getting way too gimicky for me. With the can-bus wiring, a brake pad wear indicating system that makes the pads cost $125.00 to replace and is only a marketing tool in the first place, a center-stand as an option, non-existent tool kit, supplying only one ignition key, and a computer program that they can't seem to fix and the list goes on... I think I will be looking elsewhere for my next bike.

I don't believe the machine is worth the asking price, not by a long shot.

[Tony_K]

When buying PRE OWNED a great equalization materializes across most brands

 

So one can really purchase with their visceral desire and be satiated at a reduced cost.

[Antimatter]

For me the decision to purchase my current bike was based on a combination of esthetic and practical considerations. First and foremost, I loved the look of the R1100RT from the first time I saw one, and, although I didn't have the means to own one at the time I was willing to wait until I could. I also wanted a bike that could haul my wife and I easily, and although it turns out she has no real interest in riding with me, we do take a few short trips a couple times a year. I also wanted something that I could, if I wanted to, take long distance easily without a lot of modification to the riding style and to the bike itself.

 

I wouldn't, however, buy a newer BMW model. They lack what the beauty of my current bike, and as the cost rises and the choices for dealerships seem to decline I've concluded that I can purchase a machine from a different manufacturer that's as capable and will be much easier to find service for, should the need arise.

 

Although I've owned my RT for nearly three years now, I still stop and admire the look of it when I'm parking it somewhere or when I'm out in my garage. I guess I just love this particular BMW motorcycle, not the marque in general.

[Albert]

If I were buying purely for transportation I'm sure my choice would be different. I freely admit to adding lots of emotion (and some vanity too I'm sure), in my motorcycle buying decisions. I guess that explains (in some small measure) why I'm happy to drive a Honda Element on 4 wheels (that my friends "lovingly" call my bread box), and equally happy to ride the Beemer. A wise man once said, "beauty is in the eye of the beer holder". I've tried to live by those words.

[Mr Pou]

So, why did you choose a BMW? How do you justify the premium price?

-I loved the R1100RT style since it first came out, beautiful. The current 1200RT has certainly gotten hit by the same ugly stick that is hitting all of the BMW cages.

-I prefer twins, at the time, the RT was the only twin cylinder sport tourer

-I like tunes, the RT is still the only sport tourer with factory tunes

-I like ABS

-Biggest, I'm an ex-sportbike guy, and at the time, the RT was by far the lightest and best handling sport tourer one could buy.

-I like that character of German vehicles

-I hate the character of German vehicles

[fourteenfour]

So, why did you choose a BMW? How do you justify the premium price?

 

 

1. ABS

2. The engine (boxr fan here)

3. Seat height

4. features

5. Reliability

 

Now the Japanese have caught up with #1 on many bikes. They have even caught up on #4. However I do love the boxr engine, having only slipped up once and owned a k-bike for about a year. I just like its feel.

 

I ride an RT, my first BMW was in 96 was a RT, then a C, then another RT, and K1200RS, and back to a RT. Get the picture?

 

#3. All these RT clones, about the only models offered with ABS, have seats that are taller than the low seat on the RT and I need that comfort factor of being able to flat foot 90% of the time. Some even caught up with the features but the seat height kills it

 

I stuck #5, reliability in there simply because ever since I owned one I have never been stranded.

 

I will not consider any non-ABS bike. Its an absolute requirement. As such I really disappointed in the new Victory because it doesn't have ABS . It has many of the features, if not all, that I could want except for ABS!

 

I still won't touch a HD even with ABS. Rode one 300+ miles and found it annoying, to wishy washy, and boring.

[Mike O]

...So, why did you choose a BMW? How do you justify the premium price?

Simple...

 

1. They let me test ride and I really liked the bike. No escort, no prescribed route. BMW sales guy Jim said "Take it for a long test ride. Let me know what you think. See me later this afternoon." Other dealers would squawk if you even sat on the bike (and try even FINDING an FJR to buy let alone test ride).

2. They almost gave it away (below list) with 0.9% financing, and made the first 3 payments.

 

Seemed pretty simple to me.

 

Mike O

[H C Edwards]

I bought my first one used in 1980, at the urging of a friend. Still ride it. Through the years, it has just been a good, reliable bike, so I stayed with the brand, even though I think BMW's quality has deteriorated. I like riding something apart from the herd, which around here is all HD. I have little experience with HD dealerships, but I think BMW dealers are generally superior to Japanese dealerships, even though BMW seems to remain determined to eliminate dealers and leave markets unserved. I don't particularly like the company (BMW) at all, due to the arrogance and seeming unconcern for their customers. I generally like the people who ride BMW's. The comradery, willingness to share and help each other. As I write this, I realize I like tangentials as much as the bikes themselves, so that must be why I've stayed with the brand.

[TowJam]

• Handling/performance
• Fit/finish is *usually* top notch
• Quality components - including the best quality switchgear available on any production bike
• That single-sided swingarm is sooooooooooooo sexy

Now that said, I'm not sure my next bike will be a BMW. The nickel and diming of customers (toolkit or extra key anyone?), the weak dealer network and premium price are motivating me to once again look at UJM alternatives - even though it means probably making a few compromises with my list above.

[UberXY]

So, why did you choose a BMW? How do you justify the premium price?

 

Because I wanted one, and price is rarely my primary criteria in making a purchase.

[Paul Mihalka]

Let's face it: any of us who has a BMW could have bought a different manufacturer's model that would come very close to ours in performance and functionality for a lot less money. It seems that Japanese bikes, for instance, cost maybe 2/3 to 3/4 the price of the most comparable BMW models.

 

So, why did you choose a BMW? How do you justify the premium price?

How about asking the same question of Harley Davidson owners. This is not Harley bashing, just a example that there is more to purchasing decisions than numbers and dollars.

[Fugu]

I really don't think used BMWs are expensive.

 

As mentioned, you want to talk expensive look at the HD crowd. Recent first hand experience finxing a '99 HD (so I could get on w/ my trip) that cost the owner 25% more than my RT cost me reinforced my buying decision.

[John Bentall]

1) I have to agree with Moshe about a mixture of rational and emotional purchasing criteria.

 

2) It is always easy to assume that if enough is good then more must be better. More is not always better and that is why I keep my RT and do not buy a 1200GT or Kawasaki Concours.

 

3) The MV Agusta F4 is an inferior bike to Yamaha R1 around a track. Yet loads of folks justify the premium on looks alone - and why not? An emotional decision.

 

4) Some of the values people place on intangible things such as quality and "engineering" are maybe misplaced as far as BMW are concerned. They are probably not the Rolls-Royce of motorcycles that they once were.

 

5) Why are the most popular bikes in the UK also the most uncomfortable? Again an emotional decision.

 

So people buy what they want, constrained by their budget -and BMW have some clever marketing people who can identify and satisfy those wants. Some people obviously want to spend money!

[kcscout]

I was actually saving to buy a new Honda ST1300. A friend of mine directed my attention to his used 2000 R1100RT he was selling.

 

I had briefly looked at BMW a few years back and scratched it off my list - too expensive.

 

The Honda was where I was willing to settle. With the 1100 I feel as though I've come out ahead. The more I ride it, the more I like it. And, with the money I saved by buying used, I've been able to afford some extras!

[Tim Yip]

What Moshe said.

 

Riding a BMW (or any brand name you care to use) tells the world how we perceive ourselves and how we want the world to perceive us.

 

Many people will buy the BMW brand for the same reason they choose to wear Hugo Boss, Nike, Raybans, Seiko or drive a Jeep.

 

There was an excellent article in Motorcyclist magazine (I think) a couple of years ago about the whole 'branding' issue.

 

If you think about it, if we all were truly logical, rational beings for whom functionality was the primary selection criterion for buying something, we'd all be driving Kias, wearing used clothes from Goodwill and living in 800 square foot apartments.

[NoHeat]

"So, why did you choose a BMW?"

1. ABS, most importantly.

2. There's a dealer only a mile from home, and I like the customer experience there.

3. I like the kind of people who ride BMWs.

 

"How do you justify the premium price?"

The price of a used bike didn't bother me.

[RPG]

As someone once said, "A Corvette can do just about anything a Ferrari can do at a far cheaper price, but you won't hear the Ferrari owner complaining".

 

rpg

[HexHead]

For starters, I've been enamored with BMW bikes since I started riding in the '70s and the R90S first came out. Fast forward to my buying my current R1200ST...

Fit and finish is impressive. I've tried to make every bike I've owned into a sport-tourer and decided to finally get one right from the start.

 

ABS was a must

Adjustable windscreen was a must

Shaft drive was a must

Full luggage capability wa a must

Two up comfort was a must

Air/oil cooled was a must

My wife loving the bike as much as I do.... priceless.

 

There's also that intangible of having the roundels on the sides.

[Rich06FJR1300]

i'll opt out of the new beemers as they're too much for me and settle for a K75 if anyone has one used (in the tri-state area), low mileage (less than 20k)

[bakerzdosen]

As someone once said, "A Corvette can do just about anything a Ferrari can do at a far cheaper price, but you won't hear the Ferrari owner complaining".

Um, while I agree with your statement, you will indeed hear BMW owners complaining, so I'm not sure you're comparing apples to apples here.

 

Some of the values people place on intangible things such as quality and "engineering" are maybe misplaced as far as BMW are concerned. They are probably not the Rolls-Royce of motorcycles that they once were.

And yet, ironically, Rolls-Royce isn't the Rolls-Royce of cars any more either... But it is BMW.

 

As to my own BMW purchase last year... I'm sure it was 90% marketing and emotion that made my decision. Price was an issue, just not enough to sway me.

 

Also, my R1200ST has better heat management than any comparable bike. It's not exactly pleasant riding along in 105° weather, but it's even worse with lots of engine heat blowing on you.

 

And I know that this sounds stupid, but I was really turned off towards KTM with the whole Long Way Round thing. That only made me want one more.

[UberXY]

[And I know that this sounds stupid, but I was really turned off towards KTM with the whole Long Way Round thing. That only made me want one more.

 

I dunno, you would think that a guy who gets monthly residual checks from Star Wars might be able to afford a $14k bike on his own. Just a thought...

[Jim VonBaden]

As someone once said, "A Corvette can do just about anything a Ferrari can do at a far cheaper price, but you won't hear the Ferrari owner complaining".

Um, while I agree with your statement, you will indeed hear BMW owners complaining, so I'm not sure you're comparing apples to apples here.

 

BMW People complain?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Only constantly!

 

Jim

[skinny_tom (aka boney)]

When I bought the RT, the going price for an ST1100 with all the stuff that came standard on the RT (ABS, heated grips, blah blah) was pretty close. Add the fact that BMW payed my first 5 payments and 1.9% interest and the deal was better than buying the Honda.

[AZRTRDR]

Because folk like us are willing to pay it.

Ergonomics and suspension quality did it for me.

[Urban Surfer]

I got a very good deal on my RT. Dealer cost actually, but really when I looked at the Yamaha FJR and the RT side by side there was no hesitation.

I like the look of the 1150 over the 1200 RT, but if I had the money I'd trade in a heart beat. What a sweet motorcycle.

[eddd]

My '96 R1100RT has a combination of properties which made it the only choice for me:

 

- Looks ...In my opinion, the R1100RT and R1150RT are beautiful...sculpture on wheels.

 

- Performance ...plenty of power, great handling

 

- Ease of maintenance...while it might need more than other bikes, routine maintenance is straight-forward

 

- Uncommon...I enjoy riding/owning something a little different...

[T__]

Let's face it: any of us who has a BMW could have bought a different manufacturer's model that would come very close to ours in performance and functionality for a lot less money. It seems that Japanese bikes, for instance, cost maybe 2/3 to 3/4 the price of the most comparable BMW models.

 

So, why did you choose a BMW? How do you justify the premium price?

 

Mike, you posed a very good question here..

 

In the overall scheme of things I really don’t think the price to own is that bad.. They do sell for more than comparable bikes when new but the resale price seems to offset that somewhat when sold used.. If you keep them forever they seem to remain fairly centered in the market of sought after old bikes.. I have seen some old air heads sell old & used for more than they sold for when new..

 

As far a why a BMW?.. that is a good question.. I would say at the top of the list would be simply, I always wanted one.. I have owned Harleys for years & years now,, have owned GoldWings,, Yamahas,, Suzuki’s.. I guess I always wanted a BMW since I spent some time on an Air Head years ago..

 

As a second reason for the BMW_ They seem to be accepted by about all the bike groups.. If I ride my Harley to a GoldWing event they think the Hell’s Angles have arrived.. If I ride my GoldWing to a Harley event it never stops.. If I ride my BMW to either they seem to accept the fact that it is a motorcycle & expensive so it can stay with little fanfare..

 

Right now if I were to buy a new motorcycle based on how they ride & handle at speed vs the base price it would be the new Triumph Tiger.. The engine doesn’t have the aesthetics of the BMW boxer but the overall bike looks is pretty nice & the rideability is simply fantastic.. Not for short riders though..

 

Twisty

[AndyT]

I was looking for a used sport touring bike that could handle two up trips once in a while and also be sporty enough to enjoy solo! I didn't think I could afford a BMW but when I went to my local multi line dealer (including BMW) I was amazed at the prices on low mile 1150RT's about a year after the 1200RT's were out! The dealer threw me the keys and said take it for a LONG ride and don't baby the RT engine He gave me a good trade in on a piece of crap Kawasaki Voyager12 I got used for what I thought was a steal and HATED. The USED RT was cheaper than any other Sport Touring bike, is great two up, and handles and brakes phenominally It made riding (any distance) fun again, AND FUN is what it is all about! I think USED is the great equalizer, although I have owned some cheap used bikes that were truly CHEAP! Even though I paid $11,000 with 8,000 miles I feel I got what I paid for in value and am not sorry like some of the cheaper bikes I have owned! The big plus is all the money I have saved on this SITE's help in doing general maintenance! That's a long winded 2 cents worth! AndyT

[blkvelvt]

I couldn't afford a Harley

[Beembish]

As someone once said, "A Corvette can do just about anything a Ferrari can do at a far cheaper price, but you won't hear the Ferrari owner complaining".

 

rpg

 

Yeah, I see this analogy but if you have the means to buy a Ferrari you can afford to take the day off... stay over night in a motel, rent a car for the day and eat dinnner out while you wait for your bike to have a major service a few hundred miles from home. Better yet... you probably don't work... your rich.

 

We are comparing top of the line Harleys, BMW's and Hondas for the most part here and the list price on these are not very far apart.

 

People have always asked me... why BMW. Having owned 6 BMW's for the past 28 years I can only described these bikes (all boxers) as decathaletes.

 

They are not the fastest... not the most comfortable... not the best handling... but they do all of these things very well, like a decathalete. They are also a very forgiving motorcycle. That is why I keep coming back. Incidently, I have never bought one brand new.

 

As stated elsewhere the gap between the bike today are close and for the money, I'm not so sure that they are that much better or even better than a few of the competitors today that sell for less.

 

What bothers me about the BMW's the most today is there resale value. The bottom seems to have dropped out of the used BMW market. Having just updated to a 2004 RT and trying to sell my 2000RT it is disappointing to see this.

 

To go back to the question: Why Do BMWs Command a Premium Price? The answer... only when they are new.

[outpost22]

So you wanna know how scientific I was when I bought the RT? Looked at all the Japanese bikes, but just like when I raced off road, just preffered the European brands. Went to the BMW shop and looked at all the bikes, but they just didn't appeal to me. Said to the sales guy: "I want one like that one parked in the lot (some customers bike). He said: "that ones for sale, its not a customers bike". That did it. I had seen this style BMW for years and always thought they were the sharpest bike on the road. It turned out to be the '96 RT. Still the best looking BMW on the planet

[sgendler]

When I was buying BMWs, the bikes I was interested in really had no true competition. The Concourse and ST couldn't touch an R1100RT for performance or comfort, and the GS was an absolute 1 of a kind motorcycle in the US market.

 

Nowadays, there is absolutely no way I'd buy a BMW. Every model has competition that is equally or even more functional at an equivalent or lower price, and usually with a dealership network that is both more widely available as well as more reasonably priced. BMW's efforts to boutique-ify the dealerships completely backfired, as far as I am concerned. Instead of feeling like a dealership where you can trust the staff to take good care of you, where they know your name and your history, and where they care about retaining your business, all the BMW dealerships I go into now feel like a car dealership, where it is all about extracting maximum cash for minimum effort in the sales dept, where the parts counter may take 30-60 minutes to put your request together and get you rung out (seriously, I've twice waited in excess of 30 minutes to get an oil filter and belt even AFTER the parts guy deigned to acknowledge my presence at the front of the line), and where the service department now has a 3 week waitlist to get your bike in for routine maintenance.

 

And seriously, since when is the customer standing in front of you with cash in hand less important to you than the guy price shopping on the phone. Why do I alwys stand there waiting, cash in hand, while the parts guy runs down a bunch of parts and prices for some guy on the phone who isn't likely to show up for at least an hour, if not more? This is totally consistent behaviour. Take a G-D nuber and call him back after you are done serving me, or I'm not coming back!

 

So, short answer - there is no way in hell I'd buy a BMW, especially not a new BMW.

 

--sam

[dmk]

They are not the fastest... not the most comfortable... not the best handling... but they do all of these things very well, like a decathalete.

 

Decathlete - that's a good way to put it. I was going to say they offer true "riders' bikes" or "enthusiasts' bikes", but your analogy explains it better. My favorite thing about BMW is that they design bikes for the kind of real world riding people actually engage in rather than what they fantasize about. When I ride most BMWs, I feel like I'm riding something designed by a fellow rider for riding, not something designed by a marketdroid to one-up last years winner of YYY magazine's super-XXX bike shootout.

 

The Japanese manufacturers tend to keep refining and copying each other, pushing their bikes into narrower and narrower niches. And their idea of a versatile real world bike is a parts bin bargain special that doesn't do much of anything well.

 

What bothers me about the BMW's the most today is there resale value. The bottom seems to have dropped out of the used BMW market. Having just updated to a 2004 RT and trying to sell my 2000RT it is disappointing to see this.

 

The bottom dropped out of the market because everybody else is doing the same thing you are - upgrading. BMW resale value used to remain high because the model lineup didn't change very fast. But since they've completely redone the full R bike lineup AND introduced 3 whole new model lines within a span of just over 2 years, it's no surprise to see a lot of used BMWs hitting the market.

 

Dave

[Twisties]

I wanted a sporty touring bike. Started looking around. Seemed to be the FJR, the ST1300, the connie, the RT and the GT. I wanted electronic cruise control.

 

Only BMWs had cruise control. FJRs were not available new or used in the local market and I wanted to at least try one before buying. A six month to one year wait for a new one did not appeal. The honda dealer left me standing for 30 minutes after an initial greeting, and I wasn't very comfortable sitting on the bike. The connie 14 wasn't out, and no date had been announced. There were no older connies in the local market to test ride.

 

After I realized all that I would have to add on to one of the competitors, the bmws didn't seem all that out of line price wise, and they were ready to go. Not only was a test ride available, but I could rent an RT locally for a day. I did, I liked it. It was sporty, and I could ride it all day without getting beat up. I also test rode a GT. It was too sporty for me. That helped me decide against the FJR, as I figured they are close competitors. In the end, I just liked the RT.

 

If I had been looking at an adventure tourer I probably would have gone with a KTM 950 Adventure. Had I been looking for a dirt bike, I wouldn't be on an HP2. Had I been looking for a luxury tourer, I'd have to compare Goldwings, LTs and maybe some of the Harleys and Yamahas.

 

I guess then I think you could distill my answer down to this: I didn't really think there is serious competition to the RT out there. On the sportier end of sport touring yes, but on the touring side of the line, no.

 

Doing it now, I would certainly look at the new connie 14.

[JohnBeaven]

I bought my first BMW - a 1992 R100RT 13 years ago because I always wanted to own a BMW motorcycle. To me they represented quality, reliability, and due to their simplicity they would be relatively inexpensive to own. Over the 5 and a half years and 175000km I owned this bike all this proved correct.

Now I own a 2005 R1200RT. Sure it was more expensive than the competition but service costs are similar and the resale will be better. Therefore, the cost of ownership over the 4-5 years I own the bike will be similar. It is more complicated than any motorcycle should ever be but for me it all works extremely well with no issues over the past 30000km.

Te purchase of a motorcycle is both practical and emotional. Will my next motorcycle be a BMW? Most likely!!

[Bill Fowler]

I don't know. And I'm still trying to figure it out forty years later.

[keithb]

I don't know about commanding a premium price but I never thought about buying a BMW when I got back into m/c 18 years ago. I was in Harley mode and had already picked out my bike. A Low Rider Convertible. The only reason I ended up with a BMW was thru meeting a guy at Laguna Seca in 1993 with a beautiful dark blue K100RS. He talked about the technology, ABS, and the safety features built into the bike. Before that I was not even aware that BMW made bikes. I know I did not remember seeing one prior to that race. So I bought my first BMW in Oct. 1993. A silk blue K1100RS. It was smooooooth, and powerful and just what I wanted at that time in my life. Regarding premium pricing I do not know what that means. I do not buy new bikes. Never have never will. Makes absolutely no sense to buy a new bike when you can buy one with almost no mileage on it, still under warranty, and in excellent condition for about $5000 off invoice. And that statement is made after buying 3 BMW's with less than 4K miles on each one and saving $5K per bike. Nuff said!

[Tommy_Boy]

I have to say that the primary reason I bought my BMW was the dealer. I'd dealt with the local (well, 75 miles away) dealer for several years when needing quality motorcycle clothing and accessories, and was always totally impressed with the customer service I received. If I was seriously considering something, they would say "Take it home, try it out, and call me with your VISA if you like it. Otherwise, bring it back." Never seen any other business do that. So I bought a bike from them, and it just so happened that the one I settled on was the R1200RT. (Could just have easily been a Triumph or Ducati, but it would have been the same dealer.)

[blitzkreig]

I couldn't afford a Harley

 

Exactly.

 

BMWs are cheap.

 

I have 4 in the garage and would have more but they wouldn't fit.

 

If I could put 2 more in the garage ... I still wouldn't have spent a total of twenty thousand dollars ...

 

And the most experienced bike I own only has 50,000 miles on the clock.

 

Although the oldest bike I own I bought new in 1977 ... when I was yet a puppy ... I can to this very day still get parts for it.

 

And it still gets looks.

 

I can hardly weight until your new 2007 GT ages a bit ... and I can buy one on eBay with only 13,000 miles on it for only 4,000 bucks or so ... maybe 8 or 10 years from now.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[JohnBeaven]

I do not buy new bikes. Never have never will. Makes absolutely no sense to buy a new bike when you can buy one with almost no mileage on it, still under warranty, and in excellent condition for about $5000 off invoice.

 

If everyone did this there would be no second hand bikes to buy.....

[roadscholar]

It seems that Japanese bikes, for instance, cost maybe 2/3 to 3/4 the price of the most comparable BMW models.

 

The reasons are many and varied, but pretty much the same ones that cause a Mercedes-Benz or Porsche to do the same thing over their Asian counterparts.

[riding4work]

Like many of the other posts mentioned, the "premium price" included "extras" on other brands. So the total seems to me to be only "above average" rather than premium.

 

Also, there's no equal to the R1200-RTP in the fleet motorcycle market and with the other's brands extras, the RTP is only slightly "above average" in price.

 

So in this case the bike's competent ability exceeds it's perceived "premium price"

[keithb]

John

I am very thankful for the folks that buy a new bike and even more thankful when they do not ride it and decide to sell.

[Switz]

My first bike was a used BMW R69S purchased in 1969 when I came home from the Navy. That was followed by a R75/5 and after that a R90S in a beautiful orange and smoke color. I few unfortunate incidents and the birth of my kids caused the end of bikes. Then in 1990 I took the plunge for a H-D FLHS. Having taught myself to ride, the ensuing major incident was really no surprise. I did get on the repaired bike after six months but was buffaloed.

 

As the divorce got under way in 2000, I reserved a 2001 Fatboy and threw all the chrome and engine mods of the day at it. Crowded $40k. I waited until the judge signed off on the divorce and took an Abate safety course. I added a V-Rod in 2003 along with a CVO Road King. Life was great. Then in late 2005, after adding a H-D CVO Classic to the stable during the summer, I was in Santa Fe and for grins went by the BMW dealer. I liked looking at bikes and had owned a BMW roadster.

 

A customer was chatting with the salesman about a R1200C they had ridden and how they liked it. I went outside and looked at the new R1200C on the lot. It was black with the white pin stripes like my R69S. I was smitten and was quick to get a short test ride (started snowing) and put down a deposit. A few weeks later the bags and lights were installed and I started riding. There was just something special about me and the bike. We just clicked. It certainly was not quick, but handled like a dream and I really enjoyed every ride.

 

One Sunday I had been left in the dust on a breakfast ride into the mountains with a group of other BMW riders. The C gave her all, but we eventually got to the diner. A few weeks later, I went to track day for the BMW dealer and discovered that I was on the slow boat to China as compared to the other BMWs on the track. I was convinced that I should upgrade or add another BMW to the mix. I stumbled onto a used 2004 BMW R1150R (a hotrod to me)at the Phoenix dealer while I was in the UK and I purchased it unseen. I was just able to reach the ground flat footed at stop signs. I added some lights and Wunderlich goodies.

 

By now I had determined from personal experience and doing some readings on the R1200C and R1150R forums, maintenance was to be expensive. I was fortunate that in both Santa Fe and the Phoenix area (where I have homes) there were dealers. All was well. I was most pleased with the fuel economy and power of the R1150R. However, being older, I found the seating position of the R1150R was untenable for more than a couple of hours. The back would ache and my legs would cramp up. I even fitted some foot pegs to the engine cylinders. It just was not as comfortable as the R1200C that I stll have and ride.

 

I just have returned from a 5k trip with the wife on the 2006 Gold Wing which has ABS like the two BMW bikes. We enjoyed the quiet and power of the bike even while towing a trailer. It dawned on me that the R1200RT might be a good replacement for the R1150R and the seldom ridden Fatboy.

 

I had a short demo ride on the RT several years ago and liked the electric windshield (come on Honda) and the quietness of the bike. I am loosing the love affair for loud exhaust systems on my H-Ds. There is something right neighborly about riding into the sundivision on Sunday morning on a quiet bike vs the H-D.

 

I happened to go back to the Phoenix dealer this past week. There was a used 2006 red and silver R1200RT on the floor for $14k, but it has just over 35K on it. I asked about extended warranty and the cost of the pending 36K service (to also include new tires and brake pads). I loved that color combination. However, the new 2007 in bright silver on the floor is available for around $17K. The reality check for me is that the premium for the new bike was small enough I could rationalize the difference. However, the accessories would have been the same on either model.

 

I think the BMW mystique has owned a part of me since my R69S. I was a pilot for many years and flew behind air cooled engines. The boxer just "fits" and there are many details that have changed over the years. Some, in my opinion, cheapening of the bikes (I see cost cutting in a R1200R vs a R1500R) should have been reflected in a lower MSRP instead of a higher one.

 

Every bike I have had experience with has compromises in the design to achieve the performace/look/operational goals etc. I have made the decision to buy probably more on emotion than anything else. I enjoy the engineering of the Germans. It is always "just so". As a collary to me, it is like comparing the Luger to a Colt 45 ACP. Both are fine examples of the firearm art, but one has finess and the other is just brute force, like BMW bikes to a Harley.

 

If one is willing to participate is doing their own maintenance for the simple things, the costs of operation can be trimmed on any bike. However, every bike shop (as well as auto dealer) I have frequented has made the service department their cash cow. Most have posted labor rates approaching $100per hour for kids that are basically parts changed at auto dealers and occassionally qualified individuals at bike shops. Unfortuanately, experience has taufght me to double check the work that was done (or not done properly) just like with an airplane. It's my backside at risk, not theirs, although I usually took the mechanic along for the first ride after he worked on the plane to "encourage" attention to the details.

 

Motorcycles are not a necessity of life for the majority of the owners, so to borrow a humble man's comment (John D Rockefeller), "If you have to ask how much it costs to operate the (fill in the blank), you probably can't afford it!"

 

Inflated prices have impacted every facit in my life and the quality we are given to accept has not necessairly improved for the inflated purchase prices.

 

When the dust settles, I will probably thin out the H-D bike population over time and stick with the Gold Wing and BMW bikes. Maybe I am finally growing up at age 62. Just wish I was taller to have a choice at other models.....

[GrafSpee]

The Japanese competition just doesn't show the same attention to detail as the German product. Germans are very detail-oriented people, and it makes me very happy to notice the little things.

 

Everything about my R11S makes sense (so far). When I think back to my ZX9R, which was my 1st sport-tourer, not a lot of things made sense. It was a pain to work on, it had horrible fit and finish, used a lot of cheap parts and tabs that broke over time. It was just..low rent. It was a bike for the purpose of having a bike on the market. It was just an assortment of parts that worked (and sometimes didn't work).

 

The BMW is a cohesive unit, as if it was molded from a single chunk of material. It's brilliant. And that's why BMW can charge good money for them, because they spent that extra money on extra R&D, and people who know what's good will buy it and be happy and come back again.