450

[Arne Rohde]

#10439

Dave can probably answer this one but aren't US Gallons smaller. So could it be a case of either lost in translation or they have smaller litres as well. I'm just curious and I have no idea.

The R1100RT and probably other BMW bikes had various modifications for the USA version to reduce the effects of fuel evaporation. Including a charcoal canister in the overflow hose. The fuel capacity was reduced, partly to avoid any overflow of liquid fuel to avoid contaminating the canister.The lower capacity of the G450X in the USA market could well be due to similar concerns.Yes, US gallons are smaller than imperial, about 3.79 litres vs 4.55 litres.

[Arne Rohde]

#10440

I think it is great BMW moving away from run of the mill bikes they have built.

All companies have finite R&D budgets, including BMW Motorrad. It is my impression that BMW are spreading their budget a bit thin, and not spending enough on the D part of R&D on their existing and new bike ranges. Also, they seem to be penny-pinching on some items in order to maximize the profit from bike sales. If reports are to be believed their warranty costs are not insubstantial. On the new F650GS/F80GS for example there are several reports that they have used poor quality chains on the earliest samples that have had to be replaced after a few thousand kms, the seams on the seats are coming apart (seats replaced under warranty), they have made the upper radiator hose slightly too short and used a cheap clip to hold it in place, and so on. Not exactly signs of sufficient funds spent on R&D, or on quality assurance.Personally I would rather see a more limited range of well-developed bikes with high quality than a wider range of not-qute-there bikes with so-so quality.Besides, how many BMW dealers around the world are fully equipped to market, sell support and service a single dedicated dirt bike added to a range of road bikes?

[Anonymous]

#10441

I think it is great BMW moving away from run of the mill bikes they have built.

All companies have finite R&D budgets, including BMW Motorrad. It is my impression that BMW are spreading their budget a bit thin, and not spending enough on the D part of R&D on their existing and new bike ranges. Also, they seem to be penny-pinching on some items in order to maximize the profit from bike sales. If reports are to be believed their warranty costs are not insubstantial. On the new F650GS/F80GS for example there are several reports that they have used poor quality chains on the earliest samples that have had to be replaced after a few thousand kms, the seams on the seats are coming apart (seats replaced under warranty), they have made the upper radiator hose slightly too short and used a cheap clip to hold it in place, and so on. Not exactly signs of sufficient funds spent on R&D, or on quality assurance.Personally I would rather see a more limited range of well-developed bikes with high quality than a wider range of not-qute-there bikes with so-so quality.Besides, how many BMW dealers around the world are fully equipped to market, sell support and service a single dedicated dirt bike added to a range of road bikes?

So the 1200gs was a better bike 😀

[Arne Rohde]

#10442

So the 1200gs was a better bike 😀

The early 1200GS had its share of problems, too. Final drive failures. Engine oil leaks. Brake squeal. Fuel pump controller. Blown headlight bulbs. Flying topcases. Etc. More money spent on developing that bike wouldn't have gone amiss, either.Whether the 1200GS is a better bike depends on the application. Is the G450X a better bike than the GSA? For some purposes it is. For others the GSA is a better bike. Similarly for the F650GS and the R1200GS.

[Anonymous]

#10443

Is the G450X a better bike than the GSA?How could it be?  At least you can ride a GSA.  All you can do with a G450X is compare it with bikes that actually exist.

[Anonymous]

#10444

I'm starting to receive some not so good news. The 450 may need to have a lot of servicing to keep its warranty. 😕 Man can things change quick 🙄2 hour first inspectionthen 10 hours en valve adjustment check (then every 20 hours valve check)every 10 hours inspection (what ever that means)70 hours big inspection/maintenance (zuiger) piston etc.....2 year warranty if all the inspection have been done.Can't find anything for amateur/recreation use or rally use interval.....

[Dave Ross]

#10445

Learn how to do it yourself, and trailer the bike to the events. You didn't think they'd squeeze 50 hp out of a small engine without compensating somewhere? It probably runs with a liter of oil in the sump and will get a hard attack if you run it at highway speeds for any distance and time.You've only had the Hp2 for about 50 hours of riding, so you might never have to do the 70 hour service.

[Anonymous]

#10446

You've only had the Hp2 for about 50 hours of riding, so you might never have to do the 70 hour service.

Now that was a low blow. 😐 I agree; I want be riding the bike on long road trips and 70 hours is a lot of riding

[Dave Ross]

#10447

Like Garry has said previously, that bike is a high performance motorcycle and therefore somewhat highly strung. That shouldn't stop you from enjoying it. You'll just have to trailer it if you go further afield. Even if it was capable of going longer distance you'd find it very uncomfortable,because you'd have too much time to think about that seat. The X-challenge is a better compromise for that and the Hp2 is better still, if you are talking longer distances.  It just depends how much you really want it. Alternatively you could buy a DRZ400 new for dirt cheap, it would do 90% of what the G450 can do for 50% of the price. As well as that, you would not have to worry about how much you are actually using the thing.

[Dave Morris]

#10448

i think we should have some new sub forums set like ukgerer  *airheads *oilheads *that other model and maybe *chookchasers. I was gunna say classics but they fit in airhead cat

[Anonymous]

#10449

They only offer a 6-month warranty on the KTM enduro bikes.  Similar maintenance regime though, 3hr first service, then 15hr valve checks.  But they make the motors pretty easy to service, I'm looking forward to wrenching on bikes again!I guess the 6-month warranty is due to the fact that KTM riders are really hard bastards.

[Anonymous]

#10450

They only offer a 6-month warranty on the KTM enduro bikes.  Similar maintenance regime though, 3hr first service, then 15hr valve checks.  But they make the motors pretty easy to service, I'm looking forward to wrenching on bikes again!I guess the 6-month warranty is due to the fact that KTM riders are really hard bastards.

I suppose BMW is not so bad after all with a two year warranty is that a plus 🙄

[Anonymous]

#10451

Yes, DEFINITELY a plus.  With all the fuelling problems, recalls, ECU upgrades, and service bulletins that the K12R had, I was getting really nervous as the two-year mark was approaching.  It only got completely sorted after about 16 months.None of that electrickery on the current bikes though!

[Arne Rohde]

#10452

The G450X has now had the price set for Australia, at $12,450, and first stocks will arrive on September 20. I wonder what the price will translate to in NZ?See: http://www.mcnews.com.au/2009_Bikes/BMW/450/BMW_450_Enduro.htm

[honeybear.2399]

#10453

The G450X has now had the price set for Australia, at $12,450, and first stocks will arrive on September 20. I wonder what the price will translate to in NZ?See: http://www.mcnews.com.au/2009_Bikes/BMW/450/BMW_450_Enduro.htm

Does'nt look like much bike for well over 12,000 NZD.

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