I was disappointed in this review's video and audio. I was also disappointed in the content of the narrative and hope that anyone thinking of buying this bike look for a different review. The reviewer would have benefitted from doing some homework before making a review. Almost everything that was said about this bike is either wrong or completely opposite to my experience, based not only on the 2 hour test ride I had in all conditions - freeway and in traffic, including stop and go traffic - but also inriding it afterwards. I have no clue what the expectation was coming from a ZX-6 but it would appear that this is not the bike at all for the reviewer. Wrong demographic. I do own this bike and have had it for 8 months and 8700+ miles and know it pretty well. Longest trip so far was 1500 miles in 4 days, cruising all day at 75+ and enjoying 47+ mpg with panniers and top box. Seat was perfect! Riding position was excellent and did not aggravate my back which I had surgery on about 5 years ago. It has lots of torque and more than enough power. Commutes perfectly in Houston traffic. Great in the twisties or on super slab. Look up what "RS" means in German and it might make more sense. Or maybe not ...
Homework was done on technical info, see labels everywhere. Expectations are spelled out in the first 5 sentences. People`s backs, legs, joints, proportions differ, hence the differences. Likewise, sportbikes are known to be miserably uncomfortable for most people, I`ve been riding them the last 25 years. Thank you Grumpy Goat for commenting, I`m aware the RS is built and proven to suit thousands of people. RS stands for road sport, hence the idea to go from supersport to RS. Nothing German, global marketing thing.
+theoverengineer - RS is Reisen Sport or sport touring, which is what this bike is intended to be - a sport tourer with emphasis on sport. Thanks for the reply. I agree that different bodies would have different fitment to the bike and at 5'-8" I am a tad short for the handlebar reach but nevertheless it works. Quick shifter is very good both up and down except for the 1-2 shift if not riding hard. Dynamic Suspension is superb as are the brakes. The bike likes to be driven hard and tracks like it is on rails. As for stabilty at the top end - not much difference between 40 and 140 although she has a little more left. Cornering traction control and ABS are excellent. The GPS location is not the best and the stock windshield could be quieter but that is the only negatives I would allow. Fueling is wonderful and the bike can be either a scooter or a monster. Riding on an escorted demo ride tells you hardly anything about the bike. And fuel economy is great - I have managed over 51 miles per US.gallon. I could go on and on but have to go. All the best finding the right bike for you.
+Rd Rg Coming up (footage is in editing): BMW S1000R, BMWF800GT, Honda VFR800, Honda CBR650F. Planning Suzuki GSX-S1000 and Triumph Tiger 800 XrX and Yamaha MT-10. Whenever I get to these ... Thanks for watching.
grumpyengineer: you should do your homework, the clutch is at the very front of the engine on the new liquid cooled 1200cc models and is actually very accessible and easy to change, if that should ever become necessary. Also the 20k km service on the valves is simple enough for most home mechanics to do themselves. I've commuted on mine for over 10k km now in summer and winter, plus several trips of 6+ hours in the saddle and I find it very comfortable and practical. I will admit I fitted the larger Powerbronze windscreen which makes a significant difference. Otherwise, I don't agree with many of your findings. To each his own, I suppose.
Thanks for sharing your riding experience. I asked Corporate BMW about the service labor hours, that`s the only figure I have. Of course what can be done at home is up to the owner`s skill level. I`ve known since a teenager my body geometry is special/off, I can`t sit on most chairs longer than 15 minutes my parent expected me to sit on for a dinner. I sleep on the floor. Or on a loveseat, knees and head up on the armrests which makes anyone quadriplegic for 3 days, so my bike riding ergos are likewise off mainstream. The bike that fits me best is 2016 Suzuki GSX-S1000F, just tested and found out recently (review coming). Try it if you like, just for fun. Thanks for watching.
Have you been paid by a Japanese motorcycle company to do this so called review.To all people thinking of buying an RS,take note,this man has no idea what he is talking about.For example,the clutch is a wet clutch and is quickly replaced via the front of the engine,not 6 hours work as he says,secondly,he says valve adjustment is a major job when all you need to do is remove two valve covers,which takes a long time,about 5 minutes,then check your clearances with feeler gauges 30 minutes at most.If any adjustment is needed which is rare,its easy to remove the cams to re-shim whichever valve requires it.Try that on your Japanese bike,you would spend more time removing all the tinware before you can even get access to the rocker cover. People,go out and test ride one for yourself or take a look at some professional unbiased reviews because you are not looking at one here.
Hello from France (and its beautiful roads)...It s interesting to see what different people expect and feel from different bikes.I have the R1200LC model and find it so good.I agree with Grumpy Goat...everything said is opposite to my opinion and sensations....last trip was 450 miles in 2 days and I enjoyed it so much even with less protection.Definitely...you don't deserve this bike...;))
Friends of mine ride bmw and try to convince me to change from my usual Japanese bikes. I can't really see the justification for such expense. Thanks for the review and your valid points. I'll be sticking with my less expensive and equally well (better?) engineered Honda, Suzuki and Kawasaki for the time being..
To appreciate the difference you need to buy one and having in your garage for some time (years), I bought a used one and after 6 years is still perfect. Coldn t say the same when I had a japanese....lot of problems with electric circuiit (hope this is the exact name).. kind of a nightmare....
I agree about hydraulic clutches, I think they auto adjust though right? For a touring type of bike it has a lot of exposed bits, I'm sure the steel frame will last as I've seen few bicycles with steel frames last ages as the surface rust helps preventing further rust. Steel frame may be better for touring in case it fails I guess and it's easier to find someone to weld it in case of a crack.
+Bikers Quest They auto adjust to take up the wear in the clutch plates as long as the reservoir has enough fluid in it. It only adjusts to hand size if fitted with a screw-type fine adjuster. Yes, steel is possible to re-weld but I`ve seen shop re-welded frames crack 2 inches away from the fresh weld due to thermal shock. Much like my window frame: th-cam.com/video/_B1r7eEZrNw/w-d-xo.html
I like to view all types of reviews but I have a few issues with your review. First, there are a number of errors with some of the points that you make and secondly, comparing any boxer engine BMW to your bike is like comparing apples to oranges. You should look more at the K or S BMW bikes (4 cylinders instead of 2). I have both an R and a K bike but not the RS. The K's and R's are like night and day. And the K is much more like my Honda than the R will ever be. I ride my RT 90% of the time... the KS 8% of the time and the Honda VTR 2%. But I'm an old guy. That accounts for a lot in my bike choice. Some quick points: Do any modern bikes still use cables for the clutch? Hydraulics don't require adjustment. Cylinders can leak - cables can break. And BTW, the clutch is 1) wet and 2) in the front on all LC boxers (2014+). I noticed you left for your ride in dynamic mode. If you want a smooth ride use soft or normal mode (ESA Pro might be different - I have just ESA). There is a big difference in the different modes on my bike. I also like the rain mode in the newer bikes. You may not need at home but when you are in new areas while touring it can be very helpful. All boxers shake at low speed. They get smooth at highway speed. Did you ride at highway speeds? That being said - low frequency vibrations are always better than a high frequency buzz in my opinion. It's one of the reasons that I like the boxer engine. Boxers have a fairly wide sweet spot but it's not down low. Shaft drives are near zero maintenance. Chains are messy and require a bit of maintenance but are perhaps a bit more efficient. The RS windshield HAS to be better than what you have on your bike. Same for forward lean. I'm not sure... I don't have either your bike or the RS. Rider dimensions play a big part as you stated in your comments. You said you kept the RS in the lower few gears. That's not how and why the RS was built. Don't believe BMW when they call it sport. LOL! It's strength is in the torque not the horsepower. I think it maintains 73 foot pounds over most of it's RPM range. BMW doesn't even mention how they manage the engines 125HP over the RPM range. That's not what they are noted for. Not in the boxer engines anyway. Touring riders like torque more than horsepower (for the most part) when touring or commuting. In the highway HP matters little to me. I know that when blasting stoplight to stoplight you want HP rather than torque. On the highway a sport rider on a sport bike will drop 3 gears and open throttle sharply. An old man touring simply wants to smoothly open throttle... no gear change required. Have you tried the K1300S and the S1000XR? Those are more like your ride. And on those bikes you don't really need to drop gears at highway speeds unless you're racing. And if you want fast try the S1000RR. Thanks for reading, tsp PS: I like all bikes...
Thank you so much for sharing you experience. I know, apples - oranges, commuting with touring bike ... I did try the S1000R and the new F800 - which I think worked best for commuting out of the 3. Could not find a K1300 when I had time, not enough of those around here. Or anywhere. Sales are low, they are discontinued. BMW now wants to "Craft a feeling" and make sales, "practical" is not emotional enough to sign people up for indebtedness.
I don`t do recommendations, advice or endorsements as I`m not a paid journalist. Individuals have different sensitivities to vibration, legroom, seat position, so test a BMW in the spring, see how they work for you. I have a Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6 ABS.
The Ninja works fantastically well for my commute and zipping across town. (pop. 2 million) I even make it work in snow. Seriously. Videos to follow on that. Extremes aside I found the new BMW F800GT works reasonably well th-cam.com/video/yitEwsuqhss/w-d-xo.html , as well as Honda VFR800, the Suzuki GSX-S1000F was outstanding (reviews coming soon).
That's pretty cool I've wondered about riding in light snow and icy conditions. I like the F800GT quite a bit, but I wish they would equip it with the same technology as the RS. Since it lacks that stuff seems to me why not get a ninja 650 and just mod it for the price difference.
Electronics (cruise control, traction control, power modes, cornering ABS, launch control, wheelie control, electronic suspension adjustments) is costly to get, hard to make.
You show yourself as a complete novice. I have been riding since 1963 when i turned 14. I am retired and still ride all over the US. I have never had a problem with any motorcycle rusting at the welds. First, you should understand that BMW stands for bavarian motorcycle works. They are made in germany, a country not known for great weather. You said that the frame is painted. It is powder coated. I have a 1982 BMW R1000RS. I still ride it and it has well over 100,000 miles on it. I alsi have a 1985 gold wing. Neither of these has rust problems. I doubt you will buy one but if you do, just wash the salt off periodically. The boxer twin is an incredible motor and they are bullet proof. If taken care of, you will want something else long before you wear it out.
Thanks for sharing your riding experience. I am aware people love BMWs, I have Hondas from the `80s with paint and metal still in good condition. Painting can be done by a number of newfangled electro-chemical ways, such as vacuum-deposition, electroplating or powder coating, it`s still paint on metal, just a lot thinner than in the 80s.
I have more than one bike. People that compare the price of a beemer with other bikes actually miss the point. It is explained very simply like this. You can get the exact time from your cell phone. You can buy a very inexpensive watch that will keep great time for a couple dollars. Why would people ever spend the money for an expensive watch? People think of Rolex but there are watches that are much more expensive. I have a bunch of watches, too. I just like them. The people that buy a Rolex, want perfection. That is what you get. Buying a beemer is pretty much the same mentality.
I have an R - same as the RS minus the front fairing and I disagree with almost all he says ...it's smooth, comfortable (im 6ft), torquey, fast, and has the sweetest gearbox of any BM i have owned...I have had over 50 bikes and I like it so much I just bought an RS as well....oh and he has no idea where the clutch is...it's at the front of the engine
Don't want to labour this point but the printed literature you saw was for the older dry clutch model,not this one.Oil changes for this bike are at 6000 miles or at it's annual service,whichever comes first.Just for your information,the black plastic thing that was spoiling the view from you camera,was the cradle for the excellent BMW Navigation system to fit into which is operated via the thumbwheel on the left handlebar grip.
Yup, 6000 mi = 10,000 km, I`ll double check those labor-hour figures at dealer this week. (Aware of the navigation mount, some sentences are left in after editing to generate personal interest)
I had a GSALC. I did 20.000 km with it. I have a RSLS today. The RS is so much better on the road. It's a real sport bike with a lot of fun. The GS is realy to big to have fun.
This is a disappointing attempt at a review despite hitting on a couple of valid points, like a broken clock showing the right time twice.. I appreciate the time you took for this review to happen but please reconsider on how you go about it..You are way off in describing and comprehending most attributes of this motorcycle. Thanks
+theoverengineer From my understanding of this you have nothing to reconsider. You clearly stated your personal requirements, perspective and requirements in the text, then judged the bike accordingly. It was a refreshingly honest review.
Thanks for commenting. It sure is, as I experiment with content presentation I`m always looking for improvement. Facts, findings and observations don`t change, reconsiderations only affect sequencing of findings, etc. (and the shaky camera mount).
I have never seen a less professional review! Sorry! You did not even make an effort to read the owners manual or any documentation about this bike. Example ESA stands for Electronic Suspension Adjustment not Electronic Stabillity Assist, which is a whole different thing. From the beginning you turn all in other reviews positive points into negative. Example the cylinder protect your legs against injury during a crash, which is much more important than to replace that cover if it is scratched! It seems you have a negative attitude from the beginning and try to talk the bike down as much as you can! This is far away from a neutral review!
I read the latest owners manual, widely available in pdf from BMW, see notes and labels on video. Facts are neither positive nor negative, they`re just facts. The bike does as is, I`m telling as is, no sugarcoating needed. Just in case you`re looking for fair review, or a boost to self-esteem, don`t. Like the title says: commuter review, test parameters are detailed in video`s description. Do you see anywhere on this channel "journalist"? or "professional"? Reason: I`m not paid by BMW, I can just tell as is when tested as described. It`s irrelevant what the manufacturer`s marketing the product for, it does as is in commuting.
If you read the manual, why didn`t you tell it correct? (ESA). If you talk about facts, stick to the facts and don`t interpretate them in a ridiculous way! I.e. you will hardly find a better paintjob in terms of resistance long term as on a BMW! Even your comment on the keyless go system is nuts, as you can not start the bike if you lost the key, even that I agree with you, that there is no advantage over a key system! I am not a BMW person, but I hate if somebody talks things bad if they are not, for whatever reason! That`s just my opinion, never mind. I`m out!
I apologize, I should have remembered BMW terminology better. I had no way of re-shooting, it was one take. It also could have gotten more emphasis that the bike is a success and is enjoyed by thousands of people who use it as intended, touring in fair weather and it is high quality. Thank you for sharing your thoughts, it`s appreciated.
Ah. My point isn`t the superiority of one material over another, rather bringing attention to differences in build that affect initial cost, handling, repairability locally vs getting new part, ownership, fuel economy, load carrying ability ... etc.
Ah no, your point was that you worried about the longevity of steel frames. There are examples of them far older than you, your parents and even your grandparents. Your car has one too. It's okay, it won't melt. The plastic dashboard OTOH...
This happened to steel luggage frame of 2007 V-Strom 650 th-cam.com/video/EulqRQwy7M4/w-d-xo.html I threw it in the garbage in 2012. I`m just making observations, that`s all.
I was disappointed in this review's video and audio. I was also disappointed in the content of the narrative and hope that anyone thinking of buying this bike look for a different review. The reviewer would have benefitted from doing some homework before making a review. Almost everything that was said about this bike is either wrong or completely opposite to my experience, based not only on the 2 hour test ride I had in all conditions - freeway and in traffic, including stop and go traffic - but also inriding it afterwards. I have no clue what the expectation was coming from a ZX-6 but it would appear that this is not the bike at all for the reviewer. Wrong demographic.
I do own this bike and have had it for 8 months and 8700+ miles and know it pretty well. Longest trip so far was 1500 miles in 4 days, cruising all day at 75+ and enjoying 47+ mpg with panniers and top box. Seat was perfect! Riding position was excellent and did not aggravate my back which I had surgery on about 5 years ago. It has lots of torque and more than enough power. Commutes perfectly in Houston traffic. Great in the twisties or on super slab. Look up what "RS" means in German and it might make more sense. Or maybe not ...
Homework was done on technical info, see labels everywhere. Expectations are spelled out in the first 5 sentences. People`s backs, legs, joints, proportions differ, hence the differences. Likewise, sportbikes are known to be miserably uncomfortable for most people, I`ve been riding them the last 25 years.
Thank you Grumpy Goat for commenting, I`m aware the RS is built and proven to suit thousands of people.
RS stands for road sport, hence the idea to go from supersport to RS. Nothing German, global marketing thing.
+theoverengineer - RS is Reisen Sport or sport touring, which is what this bike is intended to be - a sport tourer with emphasis on sport. Thanks for the reply. I agree that different bodies would have different fitment to the bike and at 5'-8" I am a tad short for the handlebar reach but nevertheless it works. Quick shifter is very good both up and down except for the 1-2 shift if not riding hard. Dynamic Suspension is superb as are the brakes. The bike likes to be driven hard and tracks like it is on rails. As for stabilty at the top end - not much difference between 40 and 140 although she has a little more left. Cornering traction control and ABS are excellent. The GPS location is not the best and the stock windshield could be quieter but that is the only negatives I would allow. Fueling is wonderful and the bike can be either a scooter or a monster. Riding on an escorted demo ride tells you hardly anything about the bike. And fuel economy is great - I have managed over 51 miles per US.gallon. I could go on and on but have to go. All the best finding the right bike for you.
I like your choice of details to pay attention too. Thank you!
Thanks for watching.
Congratulations, and thanks for taking the time for such a thorough and critical review.
What other bikes are you considering for future tests?
+Rd Rg Coming up (footage is in editing): BMW S1000R, BMWF800GT, Honda VFR800, Honda CBR650F. Planning Suzuki GSX-S1000 and Triumph Tiger 800 XrX and Yamaha MT-10. Whenever I get to these ...
Thanks for watching.
Thanks.
Great review, thanks!
Bartholomeo i
Bartholomeo *
Good honest review, BMW is like a Rolex but at the end of the day it only tells the time.
grumpyengineer: you should do your homework, the clutch is at the very front of the engine on the new liquid cooled 1200cc models and is actually very accessible and easy to change, if that should ever become necessary. Also the 20k km service on the valves is simple enough for most home mechanics to do themselves. I've commuted on mine for over 10k km now in summer and winter, plus several trips of 6+ hours in the saddle and I find it very comfortable and practical. I will admit I fitted the larger Powerbronze windscreen which makes a significant difference. Otherwise, I don't agree with many of your findings. To each his own, I suppose.
Thanks for sharing your riding experience. I asked Corporate BMW about the service labor hours, that`s the only figure I have. Of course what can be done at home is up to the owner`s skill level.
I`ve known since a teenager my body geometry is special/off, I can`t sit on most chairs longer than 15 minutes my parent expected me to sit on for a dinner. I sleep on the floor. Or on a loveseat, knees and head up on the armrests which makes anyone quadriplegic for 3 days, so my bike riding ergos are likewise off mainstream. The bike that fits me best is 2016 Suzuki GSX-S1000F, just tested and found out recently (review coming). Try it if you like, just for fun.
Thanks for watching.
Have you been paid by a Japanese motorcycle company to do this so called review.To all people thinking of buying an RS,take note,this man has no idea what he is talking about.For example,the clutch is a wet clutch and is quickly replaced via the front of the engine,not 6 hours work as he says,secondly,he says valve adjustment is a major job when all you need to do is remove two valve covers,which takes a long time,about 5 minutes,then check your clearances with feeler gauges 30 minutes at most.If any adjustment is needed which is rare,its easy to remove the cams to re-shim whichever valve requires it.Try that on your Japanese bike,you would spend more time removing all the tinware before you can even get access to the rocker cover.
People,go out and test ride one for yourself or take a look at some professional unbiased reviews because you are not looking at one here.
I quoted the actual bmw printed literature, terminology and service department figures. Prove it wrong, cluless.
@@theoverengineer what turbo said is absolutely correct ..
I love motorcycle reviews
Hello from France (and its beautiful roads)...It s interesting to see what different people expect and feel from different bikes.I have the R1200LC model and find it so good.I agree with Grumpy Goat...everything said is opposite to my opinion and sensations....last trip was 450 miles in 2 days and I enjoyed it so much even with less protection.Definitely...you don't deserve this bike...;))
Thanks for sharing. Yup, definitely did not buy it, but I keep riding and smiling.
Friends of mine ride bmw and try to convince me to change from my usual Japanese bikes. I can't really see the justification for such expense. Thanks for the review and your valid points. I'll be sticking with my less expensive and equally well (better?) engineered Honda, Suzuki and Kawasaki for the time being..
To appreciate the difference you need to buy one and having in your garage for some time (years), I bought a used one and after 6 years is still perfect. Coldn t say the same when I had a japanese....lot of problems with electric circuiit (hope this is the exact name).. kind of a nightmare....
I agree about hydraulic clutches, I think they auto adjust though right? For a touring type of bike it has a lot of exposed bits, I'm sure the steel frame will last as I've seen few bicycles with steel frames last ages as the surface rust helps preventing further rust. Steel frame may be better for touring in case it fails I guess and it's easier to find someone to weld it in case of a crack.
+Bikers Quest They auto adjust to take up the wear in the clutch plates as long as the reservoir has enough fluid in it. It only adjusts to hand size if fitted with a screw-type fine adjuster. Yes, steel is possible to re-weld but I`ve seen shop re-welded frames crack 2 inches away from the fresh weld due to thermal shock. Much like my window frame: th-cam.com/video/_B1r7eEZrNw/w-d-xo.html
I like to view all types of reviews but I have a few issues with your review. First, there are a number of errors with some of the points that you make and secondly, comparing any boxer engine BMW to your bike is like comparing apples to oranges. You should look more at the K or S BMW bikes (4 cylinders instead of 2). I have both an R and a K bike but not the RS. The K's and R's are like night and day. And the K is much more like my Honda than the R will ever be. I ride my RT 90% of the time... the KS 8% of the time and the Honda VTR 2%. But I'm an old guy. That accounts for a lot in my bike choice.
Some quick points:
Do any modern bikes still use cables for the clutch? Hydraulics don't require adjustment. Cylinders can leak - cables can break. And BTW, the clutch is 1) wet and 2) in the front on all LC boxers (2014+).
I noticed you left for your ride in dynamic mode. If you want a smooth ride use soft or normal mode (ESA Pro might be different - I have just ESA). There is a big difference in the different modes on my bike. I also like the rain mode in the newer bikes. You may not need at home but when you are in new areas while touring it can be very helpful.
All boxers shake at low speed. They get smooth at highway speed. Did you ride at highway speeds? That being said - low frequency vibrations are always better than a high frequency buzz in my opinion. It's one of the reasons that I like the boxer engine. Boxers have a fairly wide sweet spot but it's not down low.
Shaft drives are near zero maintenance. Chains are messy and require a bit of maintenance but are perhaps a bit more efficient.
The RS windshield HAS to be better than what you have on your bike. Same for forward lean. I'm not sure... I don't have either your bike or the RS. Rider dimensions play a big part as you stated in your comments.
You said you kept the RS in the lower few gears. That's not how and why the RS was built. Don't believe BMW when they call it sport. LOL! It's strength is in the torque not the horsepower. I think it maintains 73 foot pounds over most of it's RPM range. BMW doesn't even mention how they manage the engines 125HP over the RPM range. That's not what they are noted for. Not in the boxer engines anyway. Touring riders like torque more than horsepower (for the most part) when touring or commuting. In the highway HP matters little to me. I know that when blasting stoplight to stoplight you want HP rather than torque. On the highway a sport rider on a sport bike will drop 3 gears and open throttle sharply. An old man touring simply wants to smoothly open throttle... no gear change required.
Have you tried the K1300S and the S1000XR? Those are more like your ride. And on those bikes you don't really need to drop gears at highway speeds unless you're racing. And if you want fast try the S1000RR.
Thanks for reading,
tsp
PS: I like all bikes...
Thank you so much for sharing you experience. I know, apples - oranges, commuting with touring bike ...
I did try the S1000R and the new F800 - which I think worked best for commuting out of the 3. Could not find a K1300 when I had time, not enough of those around here. Or anywhere. Sales are low, they are discontinued.
BMW now wants to "Craft a feeling" and make sales, "practical" is not emotional enough to sign people up for indebtedness.
Interesting review! Haven't heard this many complaints on this bike or those specific ones at all. What would you recommend instead?
I don`t do recommendations, advice or endorsements as I`m not a paid journalist. Individuals have different sensitivities to vibration, legroom, seat position, so test a BMW in the spring, see how they work for you.
I have a Kawasaki Ninja ZX-6 ABS.
Good point, maybe asking for a recommendation was bad wording. What works for you personally? Is that Kawasaki just right for your use?
The Ninja works fantastically well for my commute and zipping across town. (pop. 2 million) I even make it work in snow. Seriously. Videos to follow on that.
Extremes aside I found the new BMW F800GT works reasonably well th-cam.com/video/yitEwsuqhss/w-d-xo.html , as well as Honda VFR800, the Suzuki GSX-S1000F was outstanding (reviews coming soon).
That's pretty cool I've wondered about riding in light snow and icy conditions. I like the F800GT quite a bit, but I wish they would equip it with the same technology as the RS. Since it lacks that stuff seems to me why not get a ninja 650 and just mod it for the price difference.
Electronics (cruise control, traction control, power modes, cornering ABS, launch control, wheelie control, electronic suspension adjustments) is costly to get, hard to make.
You show yourself as a complete novice. I have been riding since 1963 when i turned 14. I am retired and still ride all over the US. I have never had a problem with any motorcycle rusting at the welds. First, you should understand that BMW stands for bavarian motorcycle works. They are made in germany, a country not known for great weather. You said that the frame is painted. It is powder coated. I have a 1982 BMW R1000RS. I still ride it and it has well over 100,000 miles on it. I alsi have a 1985 gold wing. Neither of these has rust problems. I doubt you will buy one but if you do, just wash the salt off periodically. The boxer twin is an incredible motor and they are bullet proof. If taken care of, you will want something else long before you wear it out.
Thanks for sharing your riding experience. I am aware people love BMWs, I have Hondas from the `80s with paint and metal still in good condition. Painting can be done by a number of newfangled electro-chemical ways, such as vacuum-deposition, electroplating or powder coating, it`s still paint on metal, just a lot thinner than in the 80s.
I have more than one bike. People that compare the price of a beemer with other bikes actually miss the point. It is explained very simply like this. You can get the exact time from your cell phone. You can buy a very inexpensive watch that will keep great time for a couple dollars. Why would people ever spend the money for an expensive watch? People think of Rolex but there are watches that are much more expensive. I have a bunch of watches, too. I just like them. The people that buy a Rolex, want perfection. That is what you get. Buying a beemer is pretty much the same mentality.
Good analogy, thx.
I have an R - same as the RS minus the front fairing and I disagree with almost all he says ...it's smooth, comfortable (im 6ft), torquey, fast, and has the sweetest gearbox of any BM i have owned...I have had over 50 bikes and I like it so much I just bought an RS as well....oh and he has no idea where the clutch is...it's at the front of the engine
Don't want to labour this point but the printed literature you saw was for the older dry clutch model,not this one.Oil changes for this bike are at 6000 miles or at it's annual service,whichever comes first.Just for your information,the black plastic thing that was spoiling the view from you camera,was the cradle for the excellent BMW Navigation system to fit into which is operated via the thumbwheel on the left handlebar grip.
Yup, 6000 mi = 10,000 km, I`ll double check those labor-hour figures at dealer this week.
(Aware of the navigation mount, some sentences are left in after editing to generate personal interest)
I had a GSALC. I did 20.000 km with it. I have a RSLS today.
The RS is so much better on the road. It's a real sport bike with a lot of fun. The GS is realy to big to have fun.
Your engine rev imitation is so funny
+Albert Tran Thanks for watching it that far ;)
This is a disappointing attempt at a review despite hitting on a couple of valid points, like a broken clock showing the right time twice.. I appreciate the time you took for this review to happen but please reconsider on how you go about it..You are way off in describing and comprehending most attributes of this motorcycle. Thanks
Thank you for commenting, will reconsider.
+theoverengineer From my understanding of this you have nothing to reconsider. You clearly stated your personal requirements, perspective and requirements in the text, then judged the bike accordingly.
It was a refreshingly honest review.
Thanks for commenting. It sure is, as I experiment with content presentation I`m always looking for improvement. Facts, findings and observations don`t change, reconsiderations only affect sequencing of findings, etc. (and the shaky camera mount).
be nice if you got the facts right
I have never seen a less professional review! Sorry! You did not even make an effort to read the owners manual or any documentation about this bike. Example ESA stands for Electronic Suspension Adjustment not Electronic Stabillity Assist, which is a whole different thing. From the beginning you turn all in other reviews positive points into negative. Example the cylinder protect your legs against injury during a crash, which is much more important than to replace that cover if it is scratched! It seems you have a negative attitude from the beginning and try to talk the bike down as much as you can!
This is far away from a neutral review!
I read the latest owners manual, widely available in pdf from BMW, see notes and labels on video. Facts are neither positive nor negative, they`re just facts. The bike does as is, I`m telling as is, no sugarcoating needed. Just in case you`re looking for fair review, or a boost to self-esteem, don`t. Like the title says: commuter review, test parameters are detailed in video`s description.
Do you see anywhere on this channel "journalist"? or "professional"? Reason: I`m not paid by BMW, I can just tell as is when tested as described. It`s irrelevant what the manufacturer`s marketing the product for, it does as is in commuting.
If you read the manual, why didn`t you tell it correct? (ESA). If you talk about facts, stick to the facts and don`t interpretate them in a ridiculous way! I.e. you will hardly find a better paintjob in terms of resistance long term as on a BMW! Even your comment on the keyless go system is nuts, as you can not start the bike if you lost the key, even that I agree with you, that there is no advantage over a key system! I am not a BMW person, but I hate if somebody talks things bad if they are not, for whatever reason!
That`s just my opinion, never mind. I`m out!
I apologize, I should have remembered BMW terminology better. I had no way of re-shooting, it was one take. It also could have gotten more emphasis that the bike is a success and is enjoyed by thousands of people who use it as intended, touring in fair weather and it is high quality.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts, it`s appreciated.
You won't outlive the steel frame. Go to a vintage bike show sometime. You won't find an aluminum frame in the lot.
They started using aluminium frames in the `90s, of course they don`t show up at vintage events.
I think you're missing the point.
Ah. My point isn`t the superiority of one material over another, rather bringing attention to differences in build that affect initial cost, handling, repairability locally vs getting new part, ownership, fuel economy, load carrying ability ... etc.
Ah no, your point was that you worried about the longevity of steel frames. There are examples of them far older than you, your parents and even your grandparents. Your car has one too. It's okay, it won't melt. The plastic dashboard OTOH...
This happened to steel luggage frame of 2007 V-Strom 650 th-cam.com/video/EulqRQwy7M4/w-d-xo.html I threw it in the garbage in 2012. I`m just making observations, that`s all.
Those vibrations sound annoyinh
That's it you don't know what anything is for.....you don't have a clue!!!
Only you have the knowledge, we will pray to you from now on.
Dont quit your day job.
I`m not about to, that`s why I need a commuter bike. Better than this.
Annoying
its an ok bike i wouldnt buy it though