BMW's new motorcycle line

ken k · Post by **ken k** » Sun Dec 03, 2006 3:43 pm

Has anyone been to the BMW website lately? They have really expanded their line of bikes. I think it is great. They really needed to reach out to a newer (and younger) clientele. The new G650X line of bikes looks really cool. They are still selling the F series 650s at least for now it seems. They have the new 800 twins S & ST, plus the R and K lines. they have four categories of bikes, urban, touring, sport and adventure. Each line has 4 or 5 bikes in it with each of the engines.

I was just really blown away by the new lines of bike, especially the G650X's

Anyone ride any yet? Are they available here in the US yet?

ken k

Post by **Shaman** » Sun Dec 03, 2006 9:22 pm

darcym · Post by **darcym** » Mon Dec 04, 2006 12:44 am

and

very nice ... i want!

Post by **yjleesvrr** » Mon Dec 04, 2006 1:00 am

I'm eager to read upcoming comparos that pit the new BMWs against the competition. No doubt the boxer line anchors the product line, but BMW is really setting its sights on making their wares appealing to the general riding public.

KTM and the usual Japanese suspects no doubt find this intrusion something to think about, but I don't think they're worried yet.

joe bar · Post by **joe bar** » Mon Dec 04, 2006 4:26 am

Have seen the new 650 line at 3 bike shows now (Cologne, Birmingham and Dirt Bike Show), and I must say that close up I'm not impressed. Even the sales guy at my local deaership is concerned at how well they'll do at the price.

The fuel tank on the left hand side looks terrible and the overall finish looks cheap. You can really see where they've tried to cut costs. The other problem is in the UK they'll be going up against the KTM 640's, which will be around a Ã‚Â£1,000 less, but come with top notch components, WP suspension, Brembo brakes etc.

Sorry, but just my opinion.

Post by **12bar1** » Mon Dec 04, 2006 5:17 am

Harley tried something similar a long time ago when they were owned by AMF. It failed miserably, BMW needs to be careful or they will erode brand equity in the market place.

Post by **wncbmw** » Mon Dec 04, 2006 10:16 am

BMW may be trying to attract newer riders but if they don't quit trying to reduce the dealer network and do more to fix nagging quality and reliability issues, they will need those new riders to replace the older ones leaving them!

Post by **rdsmith3** » Mon Dec 04, 2006 10:29 am

Vann is 100% right. I live in a heavily populated, affluent county in northern NJ. Let's say I am persuaded by the marketing geniuses to check out a BMW. Where can I go look at one? There is not a dealer within about 40 miles of my house, and they are not easy to get to. They are not going to get any impulse purchases that way.

Most major brands of motorcycle -- and a lot of minor ones like Triumph, Ducati, and Aprilia -- have dealers within five miles of my house. Honda/Yamaha is within 10 miles. All are on major roads.

The BMW dealer network is terrible. There are way too few of them. They cannot increase sales in this country without having many more dealers.

Post by **yjleesvrr** » Mon Dec 04, 2006 10:49 am

The same applies to Northern Virginia - home to well over 2 million people and three of the top-10 richest counties in the country. The two closest dealers are in Fredericksburg (an hour south of D.C.) and in Maryland.