| Author | Message | ||
     Jwz7  |
i was just wondering what everyones thoughts were on bmw owners/riders?they are definatly a different group of people.i guess you can say the same about buell riders as well,but bmw riders seem to be accepted across the board by all type of riders like the harley crowd,sportbike crowd,etc.etc.and it seems like they can't go anywhere wether it's going to the gas station or work without having every optional piece of sport touring equipment mounted on their bike as well as their fully outfitted bmw all weather thermo nuclear riding suit.i'm all for wearing protective gear,but you must admit they seem to take it one step beyond that.the bmw riders i know seem to hate everything else except goldwings.they seem to have respect for those.i hope i don't offend anyone,i do like bmw's.i'm just poke'in some fun at them.buell owners are just as serious about their bikes as well. | ||
| Cyclonemick |
I met a BMW rider once at a gas station and was very intersted in my Cyclone. He said he did alot of traveling on his Beemer but said that he has toyed with the Idea of getting a buell for the fun factor. He asked all of the normal questions that anyone who rides a Buell (power Dependibility, etc etc..) gets everytime they stop somewhere.  That is funny about the gear though because this guy looked like he was ready for a snowball fight. I'm not for sure what type he had but it was blue and had hard bags and a trunk and some pretty beefy looking tires. | ||
| Ingemar  |
I used to hang out with bmw riders. Mainly because both my dad and my brother rode bmw's. Right now I have 3 neighbours around the corner that ride a bmw. I haven't ridden with them yet, but I talk to them regularly. The Netherlands might very well be different from the States, and without wanting to generalize, bmw riders seem to me the type of riders anyone should take an example of. They wear their gear and ride safe. I have yet to meet the first bmw rider to be poser. One time I got stranded testriding a gixxer and a bmw rider pulled over. He was very helpful, lending me his cell phone and helping me push the bike up a slope. I just remembered I got stranded on my 50cc 2-stroker coming home from school one day. My front brake had locked up and a bmw rider pulled over to help me unlock it. He gave me advice on what to do with it too. So to me, they seem the kind of riders that show more respect to other riders, whatever they ride. | ||
| Tramp  |
wellllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll......... that's fine 'cept the part 'bout not being posers. bmw riders tend to be second only to HOG members in trying to soak up as much attention as possible when donning their disco-bondage snowsuits on 90o july afternoons in front of restaurants. how many times do you need to check tire pressure before heading out? is it really necessary to check your magellan three times before getting back onto the freeway? jjjjjeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeezzzzzzzzzzzzzz i worked in BMW service mg't. for years and found most bmw riders to be techno-dweebs who sorta kinda wished they were jet pilots but somehow never quite made their mark... i ride and service bmws, i like the bikes just fine. | ||
| Newfie_buell  |
Darn Straight there Tramp!!!! I once had a BMW rider almost ride up my tail section when I got on the brakes HARD and as he passed by me all I could hear was the Anti-Lock Brakes ticking away. That damm thing stopped almost a full bike lenght past me, he then crapped on me for stopping so quickly - I asked what he was doing riding so fkn close. I know a couple BMW riders here on the island and then don't think thier poop smells. Others I have met on the road are pretty good. | ||
| Clydeglide  |
bmw riders tend to be second only to HOG members in trying to soak up as much attention as possible when donning their disco-bondage snowsuits on 90o july afternoons in front of restaurants. Great analogy......Sad but true. BMW riders and HOGer's have more in common than either would let you believe. Both love their pins, patches and regalia......and that's just for starters.  | ||
| Buells Rule! (Dyna in disguise)  |
I have no use for them at all. I like the bikes but the owners are for the most part self absorbed pukes. When I had my troubles in the smokeys & needed to hitch hike 65 miles, the wife & I were passed by literally 100 different BMW's...most of whom had empty passenger seats. They could see us carrying my tank bag, leathers, helmets, etc yet not 1 of them stopped & asked if they could help. | ||
| Tom_b  |
As a former BMW rider {a 1952 R-51}. I have no use for most of them. I don't know if I fit into any of the above areas since mine was an old one with a sidecar, not a fairly new tech machine. | ||
| Tucsonxb9s  |
Funny that you should say they have an affection towards Goldwings, Jwz7. My neighbor has a BMW R1150GS and a Goldwing! He's a really nice guy and I've spoken to him many times about my Buell. I can tell you he's no poser. He may wear a lot of gear, but I hear that Bimmer fire up everymornin' at 6:30 and hear him cruising in around 7:00 at night. I don't know where he works but I do know he's racking up a ton of miles on that bike. I don't think his Goldwing has had more than 1000 miles put on it in the last 8 months since he's bought that BMW! | ||
| Steve_mackay  |
I've had chats at stop lights with beemer guys that seemed okay. TWT at Culvers, the BMW guys really seem to think their •••• don't stink. But the dealer(boutique?) in Milwaukee, they are the worst. They wouldn't even talk to me when I went in there. 'f 'em. I'm not about to overpay for a beemer | ||
| Barkandbite  |
I don't know about the riders, but I'd give my left nut for a new K1200S. Chris | ||
| Peter  |
So where do I fit in then? I normally have two bikes in the garage. A BMW and a Buell.... | ||
| Buells Rule! (Dyna in disguise) |
Steve, you talking about the shop on 76th just south of Good Hope? I've been in there a couple times & the folks have been pleasant. Offered me a bike for test riding, etc. | ||
| Court |
My "hey Mister, what country am I from" pal said: So where do I fit in then? I normally have two bikes in the garage. A BMW and a Buell.... My situation is worse....not only do I have both, I married a BMW rider! By the way....if someone answers Peter's "where do I fit in?" question, I'd love to see the answer! That is about four notches above "what will Buell roll our for 2006?" on my list! Court P.S. - in all fairness she has plenty of seat time aboard the famed Barney Buell S-1 Lightning and the majority of her riding is Baja'. | ||
| Rokoneer  |
I bought my first new bike ever, a R100GSPD, in 1993. It was a machine I'd lusted over since it's introduction. After having it, and enjoying it, I decided that I had better attend a BMW rally to bond with some of my new Brothers and Sisters. To a large rally I went and quickly decided that the majority of BMW motorcycle riders were not my kind of folks. I found a fair amount to be snooty, vain, judgmental, and have a holier than thou attitude. Not all mind you, but enough to make me decide that I had no desire to 'hang' with other BMW riders. Just sold that PD a month ago because I built another Extreme BMW based GS type machine, so I am still a BMW owner as well. I really enjoy the machines, but not the people so much...... | ||
| Woodlark |
I just had to put in my 2 cents worth. My daily ride is a BMW K1100LT. I like it because it handles well and I can ride long distances without killing my tailbone. I do wear a Joe Rocket jacket unless the weather is really hot, but I don't have any fancy heated clothing. My crap stinks as bad as most and worse than some. My point is that there are good and bad BMW riders as well as good and bad Buell riders. I ride my BMW to work every day and on weekends, I ride with a group. I am the only BMW rider, the group includes 1 Kawasaki, 1 Yamaha, 1 Harley and a whole bunch of Hondas. The group is also mixed by sex, race and age. We all get along and have a great time. I watch this board because I'm trying to get my wife interested in riding and I just bought her a 2001 Buell Blast to learn on. Sorry for preaching, but I hate to her any group characterized by the actions and attitudes of a few individuals. | ||
| Steve_mackay |
Dyna, Yup, that's the boutique I was at. They never even got up from their desks. Maybe it's the long hair thing that turned 'em off on me | ||
| Steve_mackay |
Woodlark. Congrats on the Blast purchase for the wife. IMHO, it's the best learning machine there is. It's probably the most "dumpable" bike ever made. My wife learned this year on a Blast. She did dump it once in the parking lot. The total cost of that dump: $4.50 for a front turn signal $20 for a mirror. Making her get right back on it and ride, seeing her ear to ear grin after her ego healed: Priceless | ||
| Outrider  |
Yup, that's the boutique I was at. They never even got up from their desks. Gee, sounds just like most Harley Dealerships when you are looking at the Buell's. Hal's included after Rick left until just recently.  | ||
| Coolice  |
As a former Bmer owner (just sold 98 R1100RT), I had owned 3 in the last ten years. They are good bikes, and are a niche market bike too. Very hard to sell, a buddy I have ridden with for years and I bought Bmers together 10+ years ago, we have both sold them. Well engineered, dealers far and few, riders are like described above, and diehard BMW. After owning the XB9R now and a 05 Road Glide, the Bmer was a top heavy bike. It IS a great blend of sport/ tourer tho. Do I miss it? Na tried it, now I enjoy the low torque of the v-twin. As for techno stuff I still ride with my GPS on the XB and Glide, and the heated vest- so where do I fit in? | ||
| Buells Rule! (Dyna in disguise) |
Steve, not sure its the hair thing. First time I was in there my hair was way longer than yours...I got it all chopped off over 2 years ago & couldnt be happier. maybe they just dont like you?  | ||
| Buells Rule! (Dyna in disguise) |
Rok, I agree with snooty feeling. Funny how the same attitude exists with a large portion of the HD/HOG crowd. The main reason I dont have anything to do with HOG or HD anymore & would much rather hang with Buell riders is the attitude. Buellers for the most part are much more tolerant of other riders & machines, in fact quite a few either own or lust after other makes. | ||
| Steve_mackay |
Outrider, Yup, Hals seems to avoid people looking at Buells, or the people that TRY and help you, know NOTHING about the bikes. It's really kinda pathetic. Go out to Wisconsin HD and talk to "Cas". He knows about 'em, and more than happy to help folk. Coolice, how does the Road Glide compare to the big beemer touring bike? We are seriously thinking about picking up a road glide next year. Dyna, it wouldn't be the 1st time someone, "just doesn't like me". I kinda have that effect on some people | ||
| Sandblast  |
People that ride motorcycles, even BMW's, are cooler than people that don't. | ||
| Gomo  |
I really do not care what one rides, but certain bikes have a habit of luring sterotypes. HOG clubs are nothing more than social clubs of Harley Owners; the motto Ride to Eat works very well with most of them - as well as Goldwing chapters. BMW owners fall into the "Upper Crust" persona and some feel (mostly Beemer owners themselves) that they are the real serious (as in approach, safety, & technical) riders. Anyone on a sportbike is either a creazy kid or just nuts and dangerous. Buell owners I think are a little of each. BRAG itself is also different. Some people do not see the reason for such an organization, but it does have it's purpose. Some people enjoy the idea of riding with "same as" bikes. It gives them an opportunity to exchange info (likes & dislikes). Those people that ride with groups really do not care what anyone, outside their circle, think about them and for the most part probably feel they are above the "others". Riding with clubs has their ups & downs. Whether you have to a duration before you become a member or you are one with your $$$ membership - some feel better when they "belong". Brand and/or Club loyality has a way of defining what one considers motorcycling. Are they wrong - not for them. I try not to sterotype riders by their bikes, but I do as well. It seems some of them are so deep into the "role" of it; that it only reinforces the ideas we have of certain riders. I do have respect for those that ride to ride, wear the proper safety gear, and promote motorcycling in a positive way not just an image. As well as understand the group aspect (which ever one they may be or image they want to project); being a part of several different style of motorcycle groups. I believe a true biker takes in and enjoys everything about the sport and learns from it (be it good or bad). The bottom lines is we are all on two wheels (3 for some)and if that is the only thing we have in common, that one thing sure is a good starting point to branch out on. Just some rambling thoughts. AMA - member Hudson Valley Riders Club - (BRAG) Director Woodstock, NY HOG - Past Director MANYS/MSF RiderCoach Catskill MT. Cruisers - member 2003 Americade King  | ||
| Gomo |
PS - About 75% of my riding I do solo - it's what I enjoy mostly, but still enjoy the club atmosphere for what they are. | ||
| 1313  |
My experience with BMW owners is limited. One of my closest colleagues has 4 BMW's and an XL883R (punched out to 1200 cc's). During my trips to Germany about 2 years ago he was kind enough to let me use 2 of his Beemers. A R80GS punched out to 1000 cc's, and an R60. I've read that Germans take very unkindly to loaning out their personal belongings, but my colleague openly offered to loan me the use of these bikes. Now, when I tried to go riding with a BORG (Buell Owners and Repair Group) outside of Berlin in Potsdam and riding up to Oschersleben (where one of the group was taking a track day), the damn R60 just would not even come close to keeping up, so I never made it to Oschersleben. A little off topic. I don't recall acquainting too much with any BMW rider's in the states, so I don't know how much value my experiences have. 1313 | ||
| Outrider |
Steve MacKay...interesting comments about Hal's and Wisconsin HD/BMC. Especially when you consider Hal and Kirk own and operate both dealerships. In my experience with Hal's, they are much more attentive to the Buell line (well at least they were this summer) than they have been since Rick (the last and I believe only Buell Manager they had) left. Still not as good as when Rick was there, but better than they were for the year or so interim. For example, last Spring I was looking at the Buell's and the Hal's race special they were selling. I couldn't get any attention so I sat on the bikes, bounced them up and down and all sorts of stuff to draw attention. Too bad, I couldn't attract a sales type and it wasn't because they were busy either. That XB9R set up like their race bikes had me ready to buy. All I needed was a salesperson and a quick trip home (4 miles) to get my X1 trade-in and my check book and it would have been a cash deal. In defense of Hal's, they have always been excellent for Buell parts and service. Getting back to the BMW issue, There are a number of folks on the BWB that want a sport touring bike. Since neither Harley or Buell make one, they would be prime candidates for a BMW, Honda or Yamaha as well as a few other bikes on the market. | ||
| Kaudette |
The thing about BMW riders is that they tend to ride... They may get "all dressed up" but that is because they tour & ride serious miles on those bikes - much more than what either a sport bike or HD crowd will do on a long weekend. I have to admit that as far as skills go, I tend to see the BMW crowd riding safe and with pretty good skill - much more so than the average sportbike crowd. Are they snotty - not the ones that "ride" - but that can be said for nearly all bikers. I don't own one and probably never will (except their cars which are great!) | ||
| Dino  |
I've always heard that BMW riders are not only highly intelligent but also, invariably, extremely good looking.  |
