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It has been public knowledge for some time that BMW is planning to produce sub-500cc motorcycles in partnership with TVS Motors from India, starting this year. Now the first spy shots of what is reputed to be prototypes of the new models have started to appear. One article with a few photos can be found on motorcycle.com:http://www.motorcycle.com/manufacturer/bmw/small-displacement-bmw-spied.html
Although not a fan of 'custom' bikes, I must admit there is something appealing about Larry Romestant's SpecialK flying bricks, as described and shown in an article on motorcycle.com. It can be found at:http://www.motorcycle.com/manufacturer/bmw/larry-romestants-specialk-bmws.html
VisorDown has a first ride review by Roland Brown of the 2015 BMW S1000RR Sport. The conclusion: “BMW has certainly chosen the right moment for this update, which could well be enough to retain the S1000RR’s status as class yardstick. With the challengers’ launches imminent, it’s too soon to say. What’s for sure is that this revamped RR is a stunningly fast, sophisticated and useable machine that will be very hard to beat on either road or track.”The review can be found at: http://www.visordown.com/road-tests-first-rides/first-ride-bmw-s1000rr-review/26102.html
in reply to: How to make a BMW even more handsome #18518Thanks, Gremlin. Hopefully you get some signal to tell you the cameraman is going to be moving around or standing up so you can be prepared.If anyone else is interested in joining the Auckland Triathlon on a motorbike, and haven't seen the request for volunteers thread in the Rallies and Events forum, have a look here http://bmwor.org.nz/forum/index.php/topic,3258.0.html for information and contact details.
Sorry, Aslan, I won't be at the rally. For various reasons I'm only doing shorter, local one-day rides now. As I mentioned in another thread I'm doing more walks than rides these days in an attempt to keep a reasonable level of fitness. It was a hard-fought competition for the webmaster job, but I finally secured it after fending off all the other applicants. 8)I'll start another thread in an attempt to get some ideas and suggestions for increasing the activity levels on the forums, and to get better communication between members.-Arne
in reply to: How to make a BMW even more handsome #18514Do you get to keep the racks? You could certainly carry some extra luggage with that setup. Perhaps also good for practicing wheelies without the risk of flipping it over backwards. Can't imagine what it does to the handling, though, having that equipment on the back and a cameraperson moving around all the time.BTW what and how do you communicate with the cameraman, marshals, controllers, etc.?
Thanks, Aslan. It's good to know that someone finds them useful.The inactivity in the forums may be generational, and some members have moved on to other things. Also, declining activity levels seem to accelerate, so inactivity breeds more inactivity. I was thinking of starting a separate thread asking for ideas on how to generate more interest and activity in the forums. Preferably without accepting a group of spammers as members. There's enough of them that apply for membership. After about 3 weeks as webmaster there has only been one valid application and probably 50 spammer applications.
motorcycle.com has revived a 2006 review of the BMW K1200R, which the reviewer called a 'gorilla in a tuxedo'. An interesting and humorous little side note in the review concerns the constant complaints from reviewers of BMW's turn signal switches. Which BMW unfortunately have seen fit to change to the 'standard' type. The review can be found at:http://www.motorcycle.com/features/church-mo-review-2006-bmw-k1200r.htmlOn the same page there is a pointer to their first impressions report on the 1998 K1200RS.
motorcycle.com has a comparison test, with text and video, between the BMW R1200GS Adventure and the KTM 1190 Adventure. Their summary: “After our adventures on these two Adventure models, Burns sums up our experience thusly. “I guess at the end of the day, the KTM is the harder-edged weapon for testosterone-filled competitive younger riders who plan to put in serious off-road mileage aboard the Black Stallion. The BMW’s a more comfortable old saddle horse, less speedy but completely comfortable and predictable. If you actually were going to ride a motorcycle around the world, I think it’s the one you’d pick.””The test can be found at: http://www.motorcycle.com/shoot-outs/battle-adventures-bmw-vs-ktm-video
Another one about the older BMW bikes and their history, this time the R90S from the pages of Ultimate Motorcycling by Gary Ilminen: https://ultimatemotorcycling.com/2014/12/22/bmw-r90s-history-making-motorcycles/From the introduction: "Sometimes history is made not by making something happen, but by preventing something from happening. The impact of the BMW R90S is something like that. Prior to 1969, the BMW line-up was poorly positioned to do battle with emerging multi-cylinder powerhouses put on the market by Honda, Kawasaki, Triumph and BSA."
Not a review this time, but an article for lovers of older BMW bikes about selling a 30-year-old R80G/S pig in a poke on the internet. By Dr. Gregory Frazier, a well-know round-the-world rider. The buyer picked it up and then rode it 1200 miles (about 1900 km) home. The article can be found at: http://www.motorcycle-usa.com/284/19552/Motorcycle-Article/Dr–Fraziers-Old-BMW-Pig-in-a-Poke.aspx
For those wanting a more sporting adventure bike, there will soon be a new 'Adventure Sport' bike from BMW – the S1000XR. The press release from November was published in Motorcycle Daily at: http://www.motorcycledaily.com/2014/11/bmw-debuts-s-1000-xr-adventure-sport/No news yet of price or expected delivery dates.
From the pages of UltimateMotorcycling.com there is a comparison test between the BMW S1000R and the Ducati Monster 1200 S, written by Arthur Coldwells. It can be found here: https://ultimatemotorcycling.com/2014/11/13/bmw-s1000r-vs-ducati-monster-1200-s-grand-seduction/Part of the lengthy conclusion: "Simply put, the Ducati Monster 1200 S appeals to the heart, while the BMW S 1000 R appeals to the head. Without a doubt, the BMW is faster, smoother, and its clinical precision, high level of equipment, and easily tapped-into performance make it an easy (and safe) bike to ride very, very fast. If you are a serious rider, then your purchase decision is an easy one."
From our neighbours across the ditch at mcnews.com.au there is a review of the 2014 naked BMW S1000R, by Trevor Hedge. It's a few months old, but probably still relevant. It's found at: http://www.mcnews.com.au/2014-bmw-s-1000-r-review-test/The conclusion (with aussie prices): "In summary the technology and performance that the S 1000 R brings to the road at $18,990 (with ASC/ABS/Cruise + on roads), or $20,140 with dynamic package (DDC/Heated Grips/LED indicators and engine spoiler + on roads), is incredible, and frankly, the S 1000 R makes what every Japanese manufacturer has on offer in the nakedbike marketplace look borderline dumb and old hat. The world has moved on, and the Japanese brands need to catch up, and fast."
And for those with an interest in the orange brand as well as BMW, there is a comparison test between the 2014 BMW R1200GS Adventure and the KTM 1190 Adventure R, from Motorcycle-USA, written by Justin Dawes. It can be found at: http://www.motorcycle-usa.com/850/19407/Motorcycle-Article/2014-BMW-R1200GS-vs-KTM-1190-Adventure-R.aspxThe test comes out with a both a squeaky and a clear-cut conclusion: "At the end of the test the KTM 1190 Adventure R squeaked out a win against the BMW R1200 GS Adventure. And that is a huge accomplishment. The BMW has been the gold standard for so long and even being on the same level is a win for any ADV machine. As we said before, this contest is almost too close to call, but the pure performance of the 1190 puts it over the top. If the adventure begins when the road ends, the KTM is our clear-cut winner."I'm sure sooner or later there will be a comparison test with other brands as well. Maybe even with the one in Bwucie's avatar.
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