News, reviews and articles about BMW bikes on the ‘net

[Arne Rohde]

#18433

motorcycle.com have now published the final answer in the 6-bike shootout. Pointers to the previous two articles in the shootout (track and road) can be found earlier in this thread.

2015 Six-Pack Superbike Shootout Final Answer!

It’s Time to Pick a Winner.

Well, they don't really pick an unequivocal winner. The scorecards say BMW, their hearts mostly say Aprilia. The complete 'final answer' can be found at:http://www.motorcycle.com/shoot-outs/2015-six-pack-superbike-shootout-final-answerThere's even a video for those who are prepared to have Flash Player installed on their computer.

[Arne Rohde]

#18434

The Australian MCNews web site has a review of the latest R1200R, written (and ridden) by Trevor Hedge.

BMW R 1200 R Review

BMW R 1200 R Ridden And Reviewed by Trevor Hedge

"Overall, the R 1200 R provides a relatively affordable entry ticket to best that the latest in motorcycle technology can bring, wrapped up in a comfortable and capable package.While the staccato beat of the Boxer adds enough soul, to remind you that this is still most definitely a petrol burning motorcycle you are riding, rather than some battery powered appliance."Read the full review and see the high-res photos at: http://www.mcnews.com.au/bmw-r-1200-r-review-2015/

[Arne Rohde]

#18435

UltimateMotorcycling has a review of the latest R1200R, written by Jonathan Handler.

2015 BMW R1200R Test – Willing, Able & Modern

"There is nothing on the road that sounds like or feels like a BMW boxer twin. Just swing a leg over any model thusly equipped, turn the key — or in this case with optional Keyless Ride remote — stab the starter button, and one is treated to the unique bark of the, now, 1170cc motor."...."The 2015 BMW R1200R is beautifully crafted, amazingly well thought out, all-day comfortable, and ultimately a satisfying entry in the Standard category it helps define. It is retro if you want it to be, but willing, able, and modern enough to meet the demands of today’s serious riders."Read the whole review at: https://ultimatemotorcycling.com/2015/08/05/2015-bmw-r1200r-test-specs-photos-willing-able-modern/

[Arne Rohde]

#18436

It would seem to be the wrong time of year to be announcing Motorcycle of the Year awards, but Motorcyclist Online is doing just that. BMW bikes win in 3 of their categories.

2015 Best Sportbike MOTY Winner: BMW S1000RR

2015 "Best ADV Bike" MOTY Winner: BMW R1200GS Adventure

2015 "Best Touring Bike" MOTY Winner: BMW R1200RT

The stories and videos can be found at:http://www.motorcyclistonline.com/2015-best-sportbike-moty-winner-bmw-s1000rr-2015-motorcycle-year-awardshttp://www.motorcyclistonline.com/2015-best-adv-bike-moty-winner-bmw-r1200gs-adventure-2015-motorcycle-year-awardshttp://www.motorcyclistonline.com/2015-best-touring-bike-moty-winner-bmw-r1200rt-motorcycle-year-awards

[Arne Rohde]

#18437

motorcycle-usa.com has a first ride review of the 2016 model R1200RS, written by Bart Madson.

2016 BMW R1200RS First Ride Review

"After a full day’s ride in Canada, I thoroughly enjoyed my time aboard the RS. It’s the sort of bike that will pass unnoticed by most riders, but I suspect a sizable contingent of Boxer aficionados have eagerly anticipated its arrival and they will not be disappointed. The RS completes the versatile R series lineup as a legitimate sportbike offering."Read the full report, see the photos and videos at: http://www.motorcycle-usa.com/2015/08/article/2015-bmw-r1200rs-first-ride-review/

[Arne Rohde]

#18438

For those interested in custom bikes, Ultimate Motorcycling has a report from the recent BMW Motorrad festival “Pure & Crafted”, held in Berlin. Lots of photos available.

Pure&Crafted Festival by BMW Motorrad a Success

"“From our point of view, the first Pure&Crafted Festival was a resounding success. Motorcycles, music and New Heritage – the concept worked well and the various themes created a perfect blend. We congratulate Tim Meier and the entire Gemeinsame Sache team on a successful event,” said Ralf Rodepeter, Head of Marketing BMW Motorrad."Read the story and see some of the photos at: https://ultimatemotorcycling.com/2015/09/01/purecrafted-festival-by-bmw-motorrad-a-success/

[Arne Rohde]

#18439

Rider magazine (online) has a comparison between the BMW R1200GSA and the KTM 1290 Super Adventure, written by Mark Tuttle.

Snapshot Comparo: 2015 BMW R 1200 GS vs. KTM 1290 Super Adventure

The conclusion: "Overall, KTM has closed the gap between its top-of-the-line adventure tourer and BMW’s. For many riders, the choice really boils down to cost and chain vs. shaft, since the refinement level of the ride that each provides is very close."Read the whole story at: http://www.ridermagazine.com/road-tests/snapshot-comparo-2015-bmw-r-1200-gs-vs-ktm-1290-super-adventure.htm/

[Arne Rohde]

#18440

Motorcyclist online has a video comparison between the S1000XR and the Ducati Multistrada 1200, and an interesting set of dyno charts to accompany this.

BMW S1000XR vs. DUCATI MULTISTRADA 1200 – Tested To the Limit! | ON TWO WHEELS

We Compare These Two Do-It-Alls In Every Environment We Could Imagine

You need to watch the video to get their comments and conclusions.http://www.motorcyclistonline.com/bmw-s1000xr-vs-ducati-multistrada-1200-tested-to-limit-on-two-wheels

[Arne Rohde]

#18441

BMW’s Valerie Thompson Joins Colorado Mile 200 MPH Club

First Female to Join Colorado Mile 200 MPH Club

To find out what the Colorado Mile 200MPH Club is, and to find out how Valerie, a seven-time land speed record holder, joined the club, read the article at:https://ultimatemotorcycling.com/2015/09/11/bmws-valerie-thompson-joins-colorado-mile-200-mph-club/

[Arne Rohde]

#18442

An interesting comparison in motorcycle.com of 9 different Sports-Adventure-Touring bikes, including two BMWs. The S1000XR and the R1200GS. They are given points for various attributes, and ranked from 9 (Bwucie's favourite) to 1 (one of the BMWs). Despite only one rider choosing the BMW as their favourite overall. Between those two are bikes from KTM, Triumph, Aprilia, Kawasaki and Ducati.

2015 Ultimate Sports-Adventure-Touring Shootout

MO’s Epic Going Postal California Coastal 9-Adventure Bike Comparo

Read the full story, view the pictures, and see the dyno graphs, at: http://www.motorcycle.com/shoot-outs/2015-ultimate-sports-adventure-touring-shootout

[Anonymous]

#18443

They are given points for various attributes, and ranked from 9 (Bwucie's favourite) to 1 (one of the BMWs).

You have to allow for the fact that six generations ago, or thereabouts, my forebears were running around Yorkshire, so our whanau still operates on the traditional premise, "Never mind the quality, feel the width......"

[Anonymous]

#18444

Ultimately, we the consumer are spoiled for choice, but the title alone gives it away. Sports-Adventure-Tourer…I see the Concours 14, R1200RT, ST1300 as Sports Tourers. Perhaps they're tourers (but then what are K1600, Goldwing) as the Multistrada and S1000XR aren't in the same league, so perhaps they're the sports tourers.R1200GS, R1200GSA, 1190 and 1290 SA are Adventure Tourers. Get up to some adventure, cross the continent, all easily done.My boss has a '13 Multistrada, I've got a non-LC R1200GSA, couple of mates have V-Stroms, another has an 1190R, another an Explorer, ooh, another with an LC R1200GS (and another has an older R1200GS, 06 ish) so I've probably got half the group accounted for. Test ride them all, accept they aren't the same and buy the one that suits your needs best.I've looked at the Caponord, S1000XR, Concours 14 (no test rides) but head decision, I keep coming back to the GSA as the best bike for the large variety of things I do. I did 500km on Saturday afternoon (2pm to 9pm) and 400km on Sunday arvo (3.30pm to 8.30pm) and I loved it.  ;D I've done a 1850km day, the massive tank gives me long ranges, and the very low first gear lets me do 10kph and it's well balanced so I can do tight u-turns... no other bike seems to offer everything, just some of it...Oh, and what the hell is it with 28k miles being considered high mileage?!  😮

[Arne Rohde]

#18445

Unfortunately I'm physically limited by leg length to test ride only a few of those bikes. The only one of those 9 I'm remotely interested in is the S1000XR. The local dealer doesn't have a demo, and BMW no longer makes demos available to dealers in NZ. Due to its seat height I would go for the version with the lowered suspension, which won't be imported to NZ except on special order. So I can order a bike and wait 5 or 6 months for delivery, without being able to test ride it beforehand. Thanks, but no thanks. Life's too short, and the F650GS suits me too well, to play those games.

[Anonymous]

#18446

It's indeed ridiculous that demos aren't freely available. Sure, I can understand that demos cost money, but would you marry someone you don't know?Although on the flip side, the boss is hunting for a new bike (no idea what he wants). Went to Experience to try out the R1200R (that was a demo) but didn't really gel with the boxer. His K1300S didn't start (blardy BMWs eh?) so they sent him away on a S1000R with 7km on the clock... Rocked up at the office and you could smell how new it was.There was no demo of the GSA when I was looking, but I rode a GS, then went down to the Mount to ride their GSA... and bought it.  ;DIf I had to wait that long for the right bike... I think I might, but I have specific requirements things like altering gearing would have to come from factory. I got long legs tho  ;D

[Arne Rohde]

#18447

A few years ago BMW had a group of demo bikes that would allow each dealer to have a demo day once a year. Book in beforehand, get the bike for half an hour, and go for a ride around a predetermined route. Not as good as having bikes available any time for longer test rides, but a great way of giving potential buyers a feel for the various bikes. It might have been expensive, but I'm sure it resulted in sales and goodwill that would have covered the cost.

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