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...
Every model is explained in The Complete BMW Motorcycle Buying Guide.
BMW made their first motorbike before they made their first vehicle, despite being better recognized for their four-wheeled activities. Unfortunately, it can be equally difficult to sort through the two-wheeled lineup.
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Single-cylinder motorcycles and scooters for beginners aim to make urban transportation more enjoyable. Due to the horizontally opposed cylinders, adventure and classic motorcycles powered by the brand’s trademark boxer engine are easily recognized. And even those Beemers without such glaring markings may still be recognized because they all sport the recognizable blue-and-white roundel on the gas tank.
Responses
I own a 2010 K1300GT, and components are twice to triple the price of every other brand. 4 weeks or more for parts to arrive. I’m done with BMWs.
Consider that survey to be highly suspect. One of the most dependable motorcycle engines ever produced is the BMW Boxer.
For anyone looking to purchase a new motorcycle, the article is entirely true and helpful. I purchased two P1250s back-to-back in 2021, both of which later had factory flaws; the first was returned to the BMW right away, and the second was returned after five instances of carrying and wrangling with the authorized service. Lighting and electronic suspension issues were present.
About a year ago, I learned about the Consumer Report poll, and I was not shocked by BMW’s poor performance. However, I don’t believe they give a damn because they essentially dictate to the moto-journalists what to write about them.
I wouldn’t give this one survey a lot of weight (by Consumer Reports). The poll also revealed that the so-called failures “here” were often cheap (costing around $200) and more common on the bigger, more elaborately equipped motorcycles. Being stranded or experiencing more problems would make me MUCH MORE anxious. That query wasn’t raised. These were the owners’ responses as well. The average mileage of BMW riders is higher than that of any other brand. They are also known to be quite picky and have high standards, probably more so than the typical rider.
And these are the bike rankings: Kawasaki, Victory, HD, BMW, Can-Am, Ducati, Yamaha, and BMW.
If you go a little deeper into the poll, you’ll discover that BMW came in fourth overall, ahead of the other brands and behind Victory, HD, and Honda in Consumer Reports’ ratings of owner satisfaction and reader score.
Second, the report acknowledges that the survey’s findings could not be typical of the US populace as a whole.
What a depressing thing to read after choosing a BMW as my cruiser of choice. Perhaps I should continue with Yamaha, the manufacturer of my last three machines.
My grandpa and grandma were traveling to California from Ohio on their yearly trip in 1997. (riding a goldwing by the way). At a rest area in Arizona, they meet a French man and his wife (riding a BMW 100rt). At the time, the bike had 300,000 miles on it, and they had traveled across all seven continents.
Does BMW produce quality motorcycles?
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.
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.
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.
What advantages come with owning a BMW?
Really, it should go without saying that a BMW vehicle will always rank among the most opulent vehicles in its class. Each BMW cabin is made with more thinking, better craftsmanship, and superior design. Even on the entry-level vehicles, the materials are excellent, and you generally get the impression that you’re driving a high-end vehicle. The combination of that with a sporty vibe provided by aluminum or carbon fiber accents creates a truly unique interior that few businesses can match, let alone surpass.
What country produces BMW motorcycles?
Berlin has been the location of BMW motorcycle production since 1969. The rich history of our plant makes us proud. Tradition and progress, however, are not incompatible. BMW Group Plant Berlin has evolved from a simple production facility to the lead plant that oversees our BMW assembly plants in Brazil and Thailand and controls global production as a result of the consistently growing demand for BMW motorcycles around the world. The Berlin facility manufactures CKDs (Completely Knocked Down)—assembly kits with individual motorcycle components that are assembled at the overseas sites—to supply local markets.
Furthermore, since 2017, BMW Motorrad has been receiving products from contract manufacturing partners in China (Loncin) and India (TVS). By closely collaborating with the Berlin lead plant, BMW’s high quality is assured at these locations, allowing us to consistently extend our model lineup and introduce new products to fulfill consumer demand.
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.
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.
How much does a service on a BMW motorcycle run?
Since 1921, BMW has been a well-known manufacturer of premium motorbikes in a variety of styles. A basic Urban scooter or Adventure dirt bike model from BMW costs $6,000. Their luxurious Tour variants cost $26,000. You may frequently find secondhand BMW motorbikes for as little as $1,100 on used automobile websites, yet custom-made bikes can cost more than $100,000.
It can be challenging to determine the repair costs for BMW’s wide selection of motorcycles. Maintenance on new motorcycles through BMW dealers and mechanics can be pricey—up to $700 per visit—and parts for luxury and bespoke models are in high demand. Some parts are less expensive and easier to find for smaller, less expensive models.
What kind of mileage does a BMW motorcycle have to have?
Between 20,000 and 30,000 is on the high side for tiny sports bikes. 50,000 miles and higher are regarded as high motorcycle mileage for larger bikes.
Are genuine BMW repairs pricey?
Yes, BMW servicing is more expensive than many other manufacturers, whether they are premium or not, once the warranty expires. Over a ten-year period, a BMW may cost $12,000 more to maintain than a Toyota and $5,000 more than a Mercedes-Benz.
Because it’s a German car with specialized parts and technology, maintaining a BMW is pricey. It’s not merely a car to get people from point A to point B; it was designed for driving aficionados. A $400 battery replacement, for instance, might be necessary because the mechanic must register the battery with the engine control module. If not, the battery risk of an early demise since the vehicle won’t “know” how to charge it.
Additionally, the Digital Motor Electronics (DME) system in cars connects countless sensors and controls. A BMW may require a sophisticated method for a simple repair on another vehicle, which increases labor expenses.
Yes, a 3-Series BMW requires pricey maintenance once the manufacturer or certified pre-owned warranty has expired. A used BMW 3-Series typically costs $1,000 to $1,700 per year in maintenance and repairs.
A BMW 328i oil change can cost between $149 and $174, according to RepairPal. Nevertheless, depending on your area and BMW model, you can pay more than that.