bmw

are bmw's better bikes than the jap range? like..... do they have better
components and require lessrepairs in the long term?...do they run
smoother(which is boring for a bike anyway).
how do they compare in the 80's and 90's to jap bikes?
jas

 

Which BMW and Which Jap bike,

My last 7 bikes have been BMW's before that I have owned a Triumph 900, 3
Suzuki 1100's, a Honda 750/4 and a number of Honda dirt bikes.

If you want a bike to tear up the mountains and do an occasional track day
buy a Jap Blade/ZXR/R1 etc, if you are looking at a 80-90's Jab bike on
price ($2,000 to $4,000) buy a Jap bike.

A reasonable BMW is going to cost in the order of $5,000.

If I wanted to ride across the country I would do it on a BMW.

Factors you need to consider are your budget and intended use.

Your own riding ability may come into it as well.

Boxer

 

I'm having a few niggling problems with my '87 K75.
It's only done 230,000km so I'm a bit pissed off.
The R-series are much more dependable.

 

Not if we are talking starter motors or alternator rotors.

Boxer (carries a spare alternator rotor at all times on the GS)

 

Not really true, in 400,000 kilometres on a R one could expect to have
changed a few starter motors, several alternator rotors and had a head
rebuild or two. Not to mention a gearbox rebuild and a shaft replacement or
two.

Boxer

 

After forking out over $1k on a new fuel pump assembly for my '87 K75 (only
done 25,000Ks), then discovering an oil leak from the water pump housing I
decided to get the new K1200S just before last Xmas.
Was told there was about 2 months waiting list & no discount for cash. (Port
Macq.)
With panniers & top box + ORC the quote was well over $32K.
While waiting, I called in to my local Honda dealer (Taree) & test rode a
new CBR11000XX.
Better performance & at half the price on road.
That's 2 'birds for the price of a comparable performing BM...no contest in
my book.
Been 2-up to Qld twice & to Adelaide since Xmas & although not quite as
comfy, I think I made the right choice ...
Grump.

 

That depends on how you define performance. To me, performance is about how
comfortable I feel after riding Perth to Melbourne in three days not about
how fast I'm going after four seconds.

Theo

 

For Sure! Switching from a GSX to the K75 made that obvious to me.
However a lambswool seat cover & risers made quite an improvement to the
2-up touring comfort.
We're both over 60 yet after 8-10 hours in the saddle daily over 3 days, we
were still able to walk!
Grump.

 

Me too a recent 6,000 k in 6 Days trip proved to me that my 1994 K1100LT is
a very fine performance bike.

Boxer

 

Geez, a couple of shaft replacements in 400k km? What does that cost?
It'd be cheaper to run chains, wouldn't it???

big (smirking in Clem's direction...)

 

If YOU'RE happy then you made the right choice.

 

400,000km would be about 10 $300 chains and maybe 8 $300 sets of sprockets
wouldn't it?
Would the replacement shafts cost more than $5400?

 

At my rate it'd be about 8 belts and a couple of pulleys, so about 5 grand.

 

Hmmm, now I understand you're objection to chains and sprocekts, you get
ripped off every time you buy them!



Good brand name chains for the Monster cost $140-$160 depending on where
I buy them - sprockets cost me $41 front and $73 rear last year - I'm
averaging ~50k km out of a set of chain and sprockets.

400,000km will be slightly over $2000. Reckon there's _any_ chance the
replacement shafts _don't_ cost more than $1000 each?

(full disclosure, the Monster barely makes 70hp so it doesn't exactly
abuse the driveline components, and it only runs a 520 chain which is a
little cheaper than a 530 or 630, but I am quoting RK or Regina x-ring
or w-ring chain prices, and Ducati spare parts prices for sprockets -
though I'm buying them off Gowanlochs not *spit* Frasers)

big

 

I'm obviously outta' my depth 'cause I haven't replaced a chain since about
1997, a sprocket since 1982 and the only shaft I've ever replaced was in my
Datsun 1600 when I put in the 5-speed around 1980!

 

It cost me $1150 for a gearbox rebuild and an exchange shaft on the BMW
R65 about 5 years back.


G-S

 

I bet the mechanic was pleased when you handed over the GS 1150!

 

I am never likely to get 400,000 key on any bike, I tend to share the wear
amongst the fleet.

Boxer

 

K100/K75 shaft around $400, paralever R100GS around $1000. Chains and
sprockets are cheap

Why do I know?

Al

 

[steps quickly in front of Al to block Big's view]
Thans you Alan, that'll be all.
That'll be all!