Although BMW is best known for its luxury automobiles, the company actually got its start making airplane engines in 1916, during World War 1.
A flat-twin boxer engine, which is still present in their bikes today, was incorporated in the original BMW Motorrad, which is German for motorbike.
Currently, the German company creates a range of motorbike types, including Street, Touring, and Roadsters… but are they pricey?
Due to its high-tech features, pleasant riding ergonomics, stylish aesthetics, sturdy build quality, and dynamic handling, BMW motorbikes are a good investment. The exceptional on- and off-road suspension and high-performance engines of BMW motorcycles make riding one of a kind.
You can decide for yourself after reading the following paragraphs whether BMW motorcycles are pricey or not.
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Most reliable motorcycles are BMW models. Not.
Brands are frequently linked to specific traits and stereotypes over the course of years of consistent advertising campaigns and personal experiences. BMW motorcycles are tough, utterly bulletproof, and will run forever. Ducatis are unreliable and expensive to repair. Porsche convertibles are for middle-aged men with little hair. In fact, they will continue moving even if you ride them through the gates of hell. Or not.
It turns out that the latter claim is untrue. According to the most recent Consumer Reports customer satisfaction survey, reliability is where BMW falls in the last. The reliability of newer Beemers appears to be a major problem, and owners are not happy about it. Similar problems have been observed for Ducati, which is not far behind. Issues are practically expected with Ducati because the brand has never been considered to be dependable.
Unsurprisingly, the top 4 brands are all Japanese. So basically, if you want dependable and indestructible bikes, stay with Japanese models. I simply wish they could figure out how to give their bikes a little personality and character. Or maybe the reason they feel like appliances is what makes them so dependable?
Strangely, every BMW owner I know raves about how dependable their vehicle is. However, it ranks worst in a reliability poll. There is a lie being told by someone. Could brand loyalty be rendering owners illiterate?
So get Japanese stone if you want it to be reliable. Stay with Germans if you seek character and excitement. Or Italians, if you’re feeling particularly daring.
The GS family of adventure motorcycles
The BMW GS adventure motorcycles are excellent. They are fully equipped with traction control, ABS, and semi-active suspension. Anyone looking for an adventure motorcycle should strongly consider the BMW R 1250 GS Adventure. It sports a 7.9 gallon gasoline tank and a 1254cc boxer engine with Shift cam variable valve timing. The bike has riding settings that let it adjust to the environment. ABS, an electronic suspension, and a vivid display are other features.
What kinds of issues are there with old GS bikes that you should look out for?
A used BMW R 1150 GS that has been well-maintained is a tough, dependable motorbike. Bennetts advises staying away from the servo-assisted ABS or looking for a late-model R 1150 GS with the’standard’ version already installed. However, the bike normally just has age-related issues; it even escaped the earlier stated fuel pump recall. Cycle World claims that this bike possesses “durability and reliability rivaling an anvil” for a reason. Furthermore, you may enjoy the advantages of a long-travel suspension without the disadvantages of brake dive thanks to the Telelever front end.
The R 1200 GS is similarly durable but is considered to have several weak areas. According to MCN, early models had some growing pains. The 2006 and later versions are typically more dependable, and MCN refers to the 2010 and later models as “the best of the bunch.” The clutch slave cylinder, according to Bennetts, is a “notorious weak place,” so be sure to inspect it. Additionally, the engine contains some foam soundproofing, which frequently collects moisture and promotes corrosion. For this reason, it has been deleted from several examples. Additionally, the aforementioned fuel pump recall included a few pre-owned BMW R 1200 GS motorcycles.
Bennetts warns that it’s important to keep in mind that the electronic suspension, often known as the “ESA,” cannot be fixed. You must replace the complete shock if it breaks. Thankfully, there was a choice. So stay away from bikes with it if you’re concerned about labor and part prices. Additionally, according to RideApart, some R 1200 GS motorcycles from the years 2014 to 2017 have been recalled owing to fork damage from heavy off-roading. Models made before 2014 and after 2018 seem to be excluded, though.
Since the BMW R 1250 GS models are so recent, it is challenging to assess their long-term dependability. However, some 2019 and 2020 bikes were recalled for a variety of reasons, including fuel pump concerns, swingarm pivot pin issues, and front brake caliper leaks. It’s important to remember that all of these recalls also applied to other BMW motorcycles. Some pre-owned BMW GS motorcycles even have warranties left on them.
As long as the bike you’re interested in has been properly maintained, none of these problems are necessarily deal-breakers. The R 1150 GS, however, is undoubtedly the most dependable pre-owned BMW motorbike for optimum peace of mind.
The most dependable BMW motorcycles are which ones?
The GS is arguably the most reliable and durable secondhand BMW motorcycle available. In the 1980s, the original R80 G/S pioneered the adventure bike market, and its successors quickly gained a reputation for dependable performance. And after Long Way Round debuted, they actually started to be used interchangeably. BMW has improved the GS bikes throughout time, and the R80 G/S and its offspring continue this tradition.
Remember that BMW frequently puts the designation “GS” on a variety of different models before you start looking for a secondhand GS. According to the table above, a R Series GS is what you’re looking for. Although they each have a unique combination of features, they are all based on the enduring BMW design with a boxer-twin engine and a low-maintenance shaft drive. Additionally, all of the aforementioned models have BMW’s innovative Telelever front suspension and six-speed gearboxes.
Do BMW motorcycles require pricey maintenance?
BMWs are renowned for being highly dependable and constructed from premium materials. You shouldn’t be surprised to learn that one of their motorcycles on our list of the most expensive to maintain as their products are likewise rather expensive.
This motorcycle is heavy and a little tricky to maneuver due to its large shape. It also has a police motorcycle-like appearance. Despite its aesthetics, you will pay more for parts for this motorcycle than for parts for other motorcycles due to its size and, obviously, brand.
Are BMW motorcycles trustworthy?
The typical lifespan of a BMW motorbike is around 200,000 miles, though this might vary depending on the model, how well the bike is maintained, and the type of riding it is exposed to. A properly maintained BMW motorcycle can last 50 years if you ride it 4000 miles annually on average.
It’s not unusual for a BMW motorbike to reach 200,000 kilometers, according to our study and experience with BMW motorcycles.
Which BMW motorcycle sells the most?
In terms of global sales, 2021 was the brand’s biggest year ever according to BMW Motorrad. A total of 1,94,261 two-wheeler units were delivered to clients by the German manufacturer in 2021, representing a 14.8% increase over sales in 2020. In the previous year, BMW Motorrad had sent 1,69,272 motorcycles to clients all over the world. Prior to 2021, BMW Motorrad achieved its biggest sales year ever in 2019, when it shipped 1,75,162 motorcycles to clients around the world.
Wider enduro footrests, a bigger fuel tank, and a standard tire pressure monitoring system are all included with the 2021 BMW R 1250 GS Adventure.
With almost 60,000 units sold worldwide in 2021, the brand’s flagship adventure tourer, the BMW R 1250 GS, significantly aided the company’s growth. According to BMW Motorrad, the huge BMW R 18 cruiser models, with four variants offered thus far, and the brand-new BMW R 1250 RT both had successful debuts in international markets. One of the well-liked BMW Motorrad models that significantly boosted overall sales volumes was the BMW S 1000 RR.
The brand’s annual sales in 2021 saw notable contributions from the BMW R 1250 RT as well.
BMW Motorrad also redesigned the R 1250 GS in 2021, adding new paint jobs and modernized electronics while keeping the fundamental mechanicals the same. On the BMW R 1250 GS, the Hill Start Control (HSC) has been upgraded to HSC Pro. The 2021 R 1250 GS series adds Pro riding modes in addition to the road and wet riding modes. These include enduro, dynamic, dynamic pro, and dynamic. Additionally, the “dynamic pro” and “enduro pro” riding modes now include individualization choices to customize the motorcycle to specific needs.
BMW Motorrad India delivered 5,000 motorcycles to consumers in 2021, posting the best annual sales figures ever. The BMW G 310 R and BMW G 310 GS bikes, which accounted for approximately 90% of the company’s yearly sales, were the primary drivers of the sales momentum.
Who manufactures the engines for BMW motorcycles?
Loncin, a Chinese manufacturer, has been producing various engine parts, motorcycle parts, and entire engines for BMW Motorrad since September 2007. The business today employs more than 5,000 people and is one of the biggest makers of motorcycles and scooters in China. There is a research and development facility owned by Loncin. The BMW F 750 GS and F 850 GS engines are currently produced by Loncin. Additionally, the BMW C 400 X and C 400 GT midsize scooters are manufactured here.
What motorcycle made by BMW is the fastest?
Unlike many Japanese motorcycle manufacturers, BMW Motorrad inherits its racing DNA from its parent company, BMW. With a top speed of 224 mph, the S1000RR is the fastest BMW motorbike to date.
The BMW S1000RR was completely redesigned for the 2019 model year, elevating it to the company’s flagship supersport motorbike position. The motorcycle has a brand-new 999cc engine with 204 horsepower and 113 Nm of torque. At 197 kg, the bike is not very heavy.
How durable is a BMW motorcycle?
The average lifespan of a BMW motorbike is around 200,000 miles, but this might vary depending on the model, how well the bike is maintained, and the type of riding it is exposed to. A well-maintained BMW motorcycle can last 50 years if you ride it 4000 miles each year on average.
Are BMW engines durable?
When maintained in accordance with the manufacturer’s suggested maintenance schedule, which includes regular oil and filter changes, you can anticipate that BMW engines will last well over 200,000 kilometers.
Owners that neglect the aforementioned routine maintenance are typically the ones who complain the most about engine reliability. However, there are a few extra things to consider all during your ownership.
Because BMW engines are known to burn oil more quickly than those in other vehicles, it’s important to always maintain the oil level topped up in between repairs to prevent damage and prolong the engine’s life.
There have also been a few cases where parts in certain BMW engines have failed earlier than anticipated, and some models have had more issues than others, but overall, BMW makes durable, dependable engines.
Engines frequently last longer than many other automotive parts, and many complaints about breakdowns of BMW vehicles focus more on the electronic systems than the mechanical parts that make up the engine.
What does the R in BMW motorcycles stand for?
BMW Motorrad names its motorcycles using an alphanumeric system, just like it does with its automobiles. Currently, the BMW Motorrad lineup has engine types ranging from scooters with names that begin with a C (parallel twin-cylinder engines attached to a constantly variable clutch) to sport bikes like the discontinued $78,000 HP4 Race. The first part of the name is a letter that corresponds to an engine type (high-performance four-stroke four-cylinder). There are bikes beginning with the letters S (four-cylinder sport motor), R (opposed twin cylinder), G (single cylinder), F (parallel twin cylinder), and K that fall in between these two extremes (three or more cylinders).
Except when it’s actually just a random string of numbers, which does happen occasionally, the second part of the name is made up of numbers that indicate the engine’s cubic centimeter displacement.
The final component of the name, which describes the function of the bike, is the letter or letters that follow the numbers: In 2019, terms like L (luxury), T (touring), GTL (luxury sport touring), A (for adventure, sometimes spelled out), S (sometimes sport or Strasse, the German word for street), G (from the German word Gelande, which means terrain), GT (sport touring), RR (road racing), RT (road touring), B (bagger), R (road), X (extreme), and GSA (grand sport adventure, sometimes spelled out) are all in use.