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.
In This Article...
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.
F 850 GS Adventure by BMW
The BMW F 850 GS Adventure is the ideal BMW adventure motorbike for a rider who plans to spend a lot of time in the dirt. The same factors that made the motorcycle the top choice overall apply here.
This off-road bike is even better thanks to the Adventure model’s 23 liter (6 gallon) fuel tank, greater engine and drivetrain component protection, height-adjustable windscreen, riding modes, and upgraded electronics.
This motorcycle is intended to transform the incredibly capable F 850 GS into a vehicle that can easily tackle any terrain. This is the BMW motorcycle I’d buy if I was intending to travel very far off the beaten path.
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 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.
Why does law enforcement utilize BMW motorcycles?
One of the bikes used by police departments the most frequently is certainly the BMW RT. Due to its improved maneuverability, dependable engine, and cutting-edge rider aids, it quickly became a favorite. The American and British police patrols, as well as several other European nations, all employ the RT.
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.
All BMW motorcycles are they produced in Germany?
present-day production All BMW Motorrad motorcycle manufacture, with the exception of the G310 series, takes place at the company’s plant in Berlin, Germany. TVS produces the G310 series at its plant in Tamil Nadu, India. Some engines are produced in Taiwan, China, and Austria.
Is purchasing a BMW motorcycle in Germany less expensive?
Germany and Austria offer BMW and KTM at lower prices than the US or Canada. Even new BMW models cost less in the UK than in the US. Japanese bicycles cost a lot less.
What is the world’s best motorcycle?
The Royal Enfield Meteor 350 has already received an astounding assortment of prizes, including the IMOTY 2021 and Two-Wheeler of the Year, despite the fact that it has a small-displacement, low horsepower engine. This cruiser is an excellent entry-level vehicle that provides exceptional value for the little money because of its luxurious high-quality retro style, very low price, and a range of more than 300 miles.
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.
Which motorbike company has the best value retention?
The most popular motorcycles on the road are not inexpensive. However, some of the better ones retain their worth even after being driven. In fact, motorcycles built by Harley-Davidson, BMW, and Ducati appear to retain their MSRP value the best of all.
According to information gathered by the Kelley Blue Book Official Motorcycle Guide, Harley-Davidson motorcycles had the best brand-specific value retention during a five-year period, holding onto an average of 84% of its value. Indian, Ducati, and Triumph lagged slightly behind BMW at 77%, 73%, and 72%, respectively, but BMW was not far behind at 81%.
According to Kelley’s research for the model year 2010, the Ducati GT1000 achieved a best-in-show retention rate of 97%, indicating it only lost 3% of its MSRP value after three years of use. After five years, 90% of the 2008 model were still in use.
Similarly, the company’s 2008 Sport1000S achieved an 87% retention rate over a five-year period. Over the same time period, the 2008 BMW F800GS had an 83% retention rate.
Harley-Softail Davidson’s Deluxe, Fat Boy, and Street Glide as well as BMW’s R1200GS and F800GS all achieved scores of above 90% in the 2010 field.
Other top-scoring motorcycles over the five-year period included the BMW R1200GS, Ducati Sport 1000 Biposto, Honda GL18P Gold Wing, and Bimota DB5R (all with ratings just above 81%), as well as the Triumph Bonneville T100 and Bimota DB5R (both with ratings just above 76%).
Even a pricey road king like the $30,999 Harley CVO Street Glide touring bike held 87% of its value over a three-year period.