Topic: Trading in the BMW (maybe)

[eigenvector]

It's time for my 48,000 mile service on the 1200GS and once again the back brakes have failed.  This would be literally the 7th time they've failed, each time BMW fixes them (for free), each time the fix lasts about 4,000 miles before they fail again.  BMW Germany has looked into it, no solutions other than to use a special ultrasonic brake bleeding device for the ABS unit - doesn't work for long.

I simply cannot keep this bike - I don't trust it anymore, and furthermore there is a rather large group of people who are having the same problems - 2015 to 2017 model years (probably this year too but it hasn't been long enough).  Back brakes should be a slam dunk - the drum brakes on my CB550 work just fine after 40 years!


I won't be getting another BMW - can't trust them anymore.  Shame too because the bike really is a comfortable and dependable ride for pretty much anything - if you can get it to stop.  I won't say I regretted my purchase - I don't, but I sure as heck ain't happy about this issue.


At any rate, assuming BMW doesn't do backflips to resolve this problem once and for all, I'm hunting around.

Honda's lineup is really thin - no ST1300's only Goldwings, no street bikes, nothing I particularly care about.
BMW is out
Maybe a KTM, but I've never owned one so I don't know how they ride on pavement.
I might just bop into the Harley dealer and see what they have.  I'm sorry to say this but I kind of dread going there - the times I've been to one they really had an attitude problem.  I also don't know a heck of a lot about them - so I'd be fishing in the dark about what to look at.

[kpier883]

Honda is definitely thin. VFR and that NC700 or something are the main sport tourers.  Interested to see what you decide. 

[eigenvector]

We'll see, it will probably be a while, maybe end of July.

The situation with the BMW really hacks me off.  Honda's lineup puzzles me, they pulled the plug on pretty much everything.

[BomberMann650]

Dude,

FJR1300

There is one year that has the electronic usd kyb forks.  And it's amazing.  For whatever reason, yamaha neutered the suspension on the current model.

Even the older ones have proven to be virtually indestructible!

[Duke McDukiedook]

Africa Twin!

[eigenvector]

I'll grudgingly give the S1000 a shot, but from what I gather it still has that Brembo braking system common to the GS.  Something about the master cylinder or the ABS module being defective.

I actually kind of want to try a Harley.

[MikeSimon]

The ABS system is a weak link for most BMWs. What problem do you actually have? Rear brake not functioning at all? I have been riding my 99 R1100RT and my 1990 K1 without working ABS for quite a while. Just like 12 other bikes I have, which don't have ABS to begin with.

[eigenvector]

Rear brake goes deal flat - no action at all until the pedal is all the way at the bottom of it's travel.

For what it's worth I priced out a Multistrada today, numbers look decent.  It was too late in the day to do much, so I punted until next week when I'll have more time.

[eigenvector]

I understand what you're saying Cal, but when you press the rear brake pedal and NOTHING happens - that's not just simple brake biasing.

I'm sure you're right that the S1000 has a different brake setup - it looks like a sharp bike, nice inline 4, the dealer didn't have any yesterday, well maybe they had one but it's hard to tell if that's theirs or a customers.  Not about to throw a leg over a bike just because it's in front of a dealership.

I will continue to keep a partially open mind on the subject - but you understand my reservations, a motorized vehicle without brakes is about as dangerous as you can get.

For what it's worth - I wasn't fond of the Multistrada's ergonomics, the foot peg is too close to the centerstand leg which cramps my style and my leg.  Of course that was just sitting on it in the showroom, have to get it onto the road to know for sure.  My guess, they assume the rider is about 5'8 to 5'10.  I'm 6'2.

[BPellerine]

if you can find a style you like nothing wrong with a harley,but pricey for a new one,I find all dealers dont exactly rush to serve you these days.bill

[eigenvector]

Yeah I definitely find that to be true about dealer motivation.

Christ, I walked aimlessly around in that showroom for an eternity before I just happened to find someone.

I don't get it - do they want to sell those bikes or not?

[Duke McDukiedook]

It seems like everyone there is just waiting for the final death knell or a bunch of boomers to hit the lottery to bail them out of their bike selling problems.

[RAFster122s]

Maybe you did not have the Harley rider uniform on, so you to them were an outsider...not serious, just a dreamer/tire kicker/time waster 

[Bankerdanny]

Do you want another adventure style bike or just a good tourer? Does it need to be a 1200?

I would take a look at the VStrom 1000.

[rumpleblumpkinz]

I really like the new Indians (Polaris era). Very smooth ride. And you don’t have to look like a pirate to ride one 

[eigenvector]

So - I traded it in today.

Got a Harley Heritage Softail.

Lost a lot of preconceptions about Harley Davidson on that trip, so even if I end up not liking the bike as much - I still consider it a win.

Haven't had a lot of time to go over it and all, so I'll bump up some pics later once I've had a chance to eat lunch and relax a bit.

[754]

 Congrats, a lot of folks enjoy them bikes..

[eigenvector]

The test drive/ride was on a FatBob.  It's not a bad bike really - looks dang sharp, but those tires are so huge it turned like a pig.  This Softail that I got turns just fine, pretty nimble really.

The trick is learning the shift points - I'm used to keeping the RPMs over 5k.

[Stev-o]

I'm very surprised to hear of repeated BMW brake issues.

And more surprised you bought a Harley...ha. 

Give us a full ride report once you put a couple hundred miles on it, I'm sure there are a few of us interested...