Yeah, I saw it, I liked it... and then I saw the price. WTF!

something else cheaper and durable and whatever the R1200 has? 

I don't know a whole lot about 'em, but here's a couple others to compare to: http://www.cycleworld.com/article.asp?section_id=12&article_id=113

Also, my first thought when it comes to adventure tourer on the cheap (relatively) is the V-Strom.  Did a quick search and came across the KTM 950 Adventure too. 

So thats:
Suzuki V-Strom
KTM 950 Adventure
Buell Ulysses
Ducati Multistrada

From what I've heard though, if you fall in love with a BMW model, it can be hard to find anything else that would satisfy you... good luck

BMW's demographic target is the male over 35 making $45,000/yr and up.
And I mean WAY up.

After I get kids out of college, I'm their typical customer.
There's a reason that the MV Augusta, Ducati, Aprilia, and BMW dealers are in one building.

Here's a hint - $$$$   That being the case BMW does their own financing - as they should when they are raking in the dough.

As if the hardware isn't expensive enough, to maintain their warranty, you must have their periodic inspections performed by them.

When you buy a Preowned BMW - the direction I plan to take at that time of my life - you can be certain it isn't ragged out and covered in squid juice.

I've seen the new Duc Multistrada - nice and $$ also.

Here's a funny story: One day while visiting the Greenville dealer - Touring Sport - I was looking at the preowned bikes. The sales manager, Fred Zust (super nice guy - heck so is Jeff Martin) tells me he had sold one of the bikes 3 times to the same family! Dad traded in, later Mom bought it and traded in, and then one of their kids bought it!

Another way to look at it: I know a fellow that said "I have never been dissappointed when I buy the best."

At one time in history, the preowned bike was the best. If one has been well cared for, something normal for a BMW (as opposed to the perpetual neglect most GSs receive), you will be getting something that will hold its value when/if you trade.

In short, let someone else take the $$ hit and be the early adopter. Let the sales people know what you are looking for and the price range you think you can swing...IF you really like that bike.

I have checked out the BMW's and have never really been impressed with them enough to pay the price tag. BMW doesnt stand out to me as AMAZING or BAD ASS. it just stands out as an overpriced German engineered motorcycle. even though I do agree German engineering is some of the best. because I love volvo's.  well they are actually swedish but european in general.

Now I do enjoy the old BMW bikes that you can  find here http://www.velocityvintage.com/VintageBikes.htm

if you want to really own a cool bike buy a vintage BMW. no new BMW could ever touch a vintage bike.

Quote from: starwalt on February 18, 2007, 10:04:38 AM

Another way to look at it: I know a fellow that said "I have never been dissappointed when I buy the best."

Oddly ... I have been disappointed often when I buy somehting purported to be the best ... especially if I pay the best price for it ...
I have honestly been never disappointed by total cheap ass crap ... if I pay the crap price for it ...
Having said that ...
BMW R bikes are decent and usually owned by people with more $$$ than sense ... and they are probably all dealer maintained. Now damned if I trust a dealer to do maintenance worth a nickel ... cos the worst sheiete I see is "dealer maintained" atleast in the GS and cheap ass jap bike realm.
Stripped screws, boogered up this or that ... common. Of course you may make a case for jap dealer monkeys being worse than the BMW monkeys ... but I'd say prove it ...
Cool.
Srinath.

so are you guys saying they are crap? 

ok ty, I will continue searching 

Ok, I was watching (for the 10th time) 'Hard Target' and I realized that the bikes the baddies have is just what I am looking for. What bike is that?

a few pics may help:




I'm already growing a mullet n' stuff 

somehow I don't trust shoei anymore 

looks like a slightly modified Kawasaki KLR from the late 80s to early 90s to me.  I could be wrong though.

KLR-650....NX-650....XR650L......i'd guess nx

yeah the NX does look as though it is the one.

you guys are confusing adventure bikes with dual sports.  Close, but not quite the same.

When it comes to the beamer, I hate it.  It's a beautiful machine to look at and the mechanics of it are superb...but it's ergonomics kill my back.  It's a bike I would like to have only to look at.  When it comes to riding, I would, hands down, trade it even for an XB12X Ulysses or DL1000 V-Strom.

The XBX is a great bike.  In all honesty it's only short-comings are the $11,500 tag and tiny size.  The suspension is wonderful.  The ergos are wonderful.  Despite being a bit cramped it's one of the most comfortable bikes I've been on.

The DL1000 is one of the sportiest adventure bikes you'll find, and it's one of he cheapest full size ADV's you'll find.  I think they gor for $9k new.  I didn't find it as comfy as the XB, though, and it's certainly not as interesting to look at as the R1200, but it IS the best bang for the buck.

Now, if you want a dual sport, DRZ hands down...or an old KL650, but I'd have a hard time picking between a tank and the DRZ.

The V-Strom and the KTM range are a good alternatives. Triumph Tiger and Yamaha XT660x,XT660R & MT-03 might be worth a look, obviously I don't know what is available in the US but there are a lot of BMWs available in UK that are quite a bit less money. F650GS is about 60% of the price, F650 Dakar is not a lot more nor are the 800 and 850 twins.

A neighbor of mine bought a new 850 a couple of years bike from the BMW stand at a national bike show, he recons he got a great deal and the BMW insurance scheme beats anything else, all in all the best thing since sliced bread.

Quote from: calamari on February 19, 2007, 12:48:17 AM
Ok, I was watching (for the 10th time) 'Hard Target' and I realized that the bikes the baddies have is just what I am looking for. What bike is that?

Looks like a klr, but the drz is the best bike in its class...  Here's my DRZSM converted to dirt, all I did was swap the supermoto wheel set for a set of knobbies.  Makes for a versatile bike, having knobbies for dual sporting and street rubber for canyon riding.


im a squid too.