Why did you choose the BMW?

[SteveADV]

Here in north east Ohio we actually got some of that heavy wet snow last night. So my 650GT with exactly 2,000 miles on it since I bought it one month ago stayed in the garage. I started her up this morning just to warm it up with the thought that "what the heck, the roads are only wet". Also thought about the thread Jaime started about winter tires and in as much as my previous experience is more knobby than smooth, I figured with my limited experience with this bike that maybe I would pass on taking her out.

Got home from work and started her up again. Man, that is a great sound isn't it. Somehow, after sitting on the bike, it started backing out of the garage and started down the driveway.....until kid #4 pulled in and said, "Dad, you're not really going out riding are you? There are limbs down, the road is wet, it's cold, and it's going to be dark soon."

I had enough room to pull around her car and head out.

 

[SteveADV]

And, uh, yeah the bike is great. It is supremely well balanced. Super brakes. High quality and high tech. Stock seat is perfect for me as are the ergonomics for long rides (6'2" and old ). I only owned 2 bikes before this one and the last was a couple decades ago. So unlike some others, I do not have a lot to compare it to...other than the half dozen I tested. Frankly, I think the 650GT is a major factor in reminding me about how much I enjoyed the freedom of riding a motorcycle.

 

[SCOOTERHELP]

My C650GT was repurchased by BMW under the Lemon Law. I hope to purchase another BMW scooter once I see most if not all of the issues are addressed. It is a great all around bike and easy to ride.

 

[Dale]

Why did I choose the BMW, well..............

I was looking for a maxi scooter after a Yamaha FJR which was to top heavy, to much power, and low speeds was a 50% problem for me each time I went to stop if I would be body-slammed to the ground. I wanted another Burgman, they were not out and I could not get an answer as to when they would be out. I had noted the Burgman handling issue was still a problem according to Europe blogs. (come on man)

I went to BMW got a good test ride. Could not deal with the local dealer so I picked mine up in Indy, great dealer by the way. I wanted an electric windshield, heated seat and grips. Most people are changing windshields I find mine to be fine good protection when up and good cooling air flow when down. No real buffet problem, you should ride an FJR if you want to see a buffet problem. Europe is complaining about exhaust noise, It does not bother me. I would not change exhaust because you need some back pressure to close the valves. Without proper back pressure the valves can rattle and start valve guide wear. I am not as smart as the design engineer so I do not fool with much.

Every place I look on the BMW it is over engineered as I suspected it would be. The first bike I have ever seen delivered with braded brake hoses. I have also noted CVT inspections of some of the components that is good, the Burgman is a run to fail so when do you see it start to fail. Handling is great and was the most impressive thing noted in my test ride. I like my bike better than any I have owned, I do hope the reliability is as good as it should be.

Burgman has the electric shift, I only ran my electric shift once ever 6 months to see if it all worked so the missing electric shift is no big deal. Why have something you do not use.

 

[AZ Tee Jay]

Dale, the only opposition I have to your very nice entry is: too much power? I don't think that exists - except maybe in the Kawasaki 2 stroke triples of the 70's.
I'm hoping to improve passing acceleration with the addition of 30 gram sliders when the time comes (that can be a translation of "more power").
I've had my 600 Sport for all of 6 weeks and like you, I hope for the reliability that "should" be there - cause I sure do love this ride!

 

[Dale]

AZ Tee Jay
My FJR front wheel would come off the ground if you shifted to 2nd and 3/4 throttle, without traction control that is too much power for an old goat like myself.

 

[SteveADV]

"Wise you are cause young you ain't". Phil Robertson

 

[AZ Tee Jay]

Hmm, never shifted with 3/4 throttle. Dare I say your passenger needs to go on a diet?
Nuff jokin', I don't care for wheelies either (that's only cause I never was any good at it).

 

[SteveADV]

I rode my 650 GT to work today. One of the building maintenance guys saw me with my helmet and followed me into the garage. He could not stop saying how "beautiful" he thought the bike was. Obviously he was a two wheeler guy so I asked him if he had a bike.

Apparently, his last bike was a Honda Shadow that he lost in a divorce. He kept telling me how much he missed riding and i even thought for a moment or two about letting him take my bike for a ride. That wasn't really going to happen but we talked for awhile about riding and how difficult it is to explain the feeling to those that do not own a bike.

I have owned other bikes. This one is the best for me at this time of my life for what I want a bike to do. I own no other bikes (at this time). For those looking for free and easy freedom and the ability to explore with a high quality piece of equipment, take a look at the BMW maxi-scooters. it may not be much of a scooter for those looking for an around town little toy (is it really a scooter??), but it is one hell of a bike.

 

[Skutorr]

...we talked for awhile about riding and how difficult it is to explain the feeling to those that do not own a bike.

As they put it on a Spanish forum:

SOLO LOS MOTEROS SABEMOS PORQUE LOS PERROS SACAN LA CABEZA POR LA VENTANILLA DEL COCHE...

"Only Bike Riders know why dogs stick their heads out of the car's window"

 

[hardright]

I started riding rather late in life. Actually, after retiring from work. As a teenager, my parents wouldn't let me ride. Too dangerous. Grandma and uncles won't lend me the money to buy my own bike. They didn't want to be responsible for anything that happened to me while on 2 wheels. Marriage didn't help either as wives had a strong opinion about motorcycles. So I had to wait...really long. Fast forward 40 years later....

I got my first bike in March 2012. A Duc Diavel. Loved it. So much power. Got a BMW F650GS a few months later. Something smaller. Very comfortable! Easy to get around in traffic.

If you ride, you can't ignore a Harley. Friend showed me a 100 year old anniversary Fatboy. Got that one too. Collection purposes.

But I loved the BMW R1200GS. A legendary dual sport bike. Had to have one. That was bike number 4.

My brother introduced me to a KTM 990. I like that bike too. Highly responsive and easy to handle. That became bike number 5.

Enough bikes said my old lady.

I got a HD Sportster last year and also a Street Bob. Bikes 6 and 7.

Hey, a guy's gotta have a bike for every riding situation, right?

Finally, I realized I was missing something in the stable. I didn't have a scooter to go to work, make a short errand to buy soy sauce or a hand tool from the hardware store. What better way than to get a BMW Scoot? I got 2 beemers already, why not a 3rd? I just love BMW engineering. Bike 8 is the C600 Sport. My Christmas gift to myself.

 

[JaimeC]

Mabuhay! And welcome to the insanity!

 

[hardright]

Mabuhay! And welcome to the insanity!

Ha ha ha! Thanks Jimmy! Suppressed childhood dreams = insanity!

 

[Doraemon]

Ha ha ha! Thanks Jimmy! Suppressed childhood dreams = insanity!

careful, There are alot of Maliboog here, we ride our Mahalko's in public.....I call mine Greta.

congrats on the faster of the two BMW's, hope it's in the best color.......Blue! he he

 

[qualt]

Why did I buy my BMW?

To answer the question I need to first give a little personal history. I will try to keep it short.

I have been riding motorcycles since the mid 60's and therefore have had numerous brands and models (I am not brand loyal).

At one time I wouldn't have even considered riding a scooter but about 15 years ago I bought a small scooter only to carry and use with my motorhome. However, it didn't remain just a motorhome toy very long as I soon realized just how much nicer a scooter was for short local errands. Of course all my friends laughed at it but since I am smarter than all of them combined (and I'm humble too) I didn't care (obtw, four of them now have scooters too).

I eventually bought a larger 150cc scooter and then an even larger scooter and for many years had both scooters and motorcycles. The scooters were for short local trips and the motorcycles for the longer rides.

Having had so many different bikes, with some features I liked and some I didn't, I often said, "I wish I could put together a bike with only the features I like." A few important ones were, anti-lock brakes (very important on a motorcycle), a minimum 200 mi fuel range, 80 mph all day cruising ability, a neutral upright seating position, weighs between 400 lbs and 600 lbs, has a minimum of 55 - 60 hp, a rider adjustable windshield (my Yamaha FJR1300 had it and I loved it), has the ability to stretch out your legs, has good weather protection, and, after having scooters and liking them, some kind of automatic transmission. There were a few more things like cruise control, but that covers most of them. Oh yeah, and sport bike like handling.

Therefore since the BMW C650 GT supposedly had all of those features (except cruise control) I decided to test ride one. I liked it and a few days later went back to the dealer to check pricing.

I did not intend to buy one at that time so I was in a good position to negotiate. I also knew they wouldn't sell one below their lowest profit margin so I could offer anything I wanted; the worst they could do is say no. After a few no's on their part, they made me an offer that seemed reasonable so I then owned my first BMW product.

So why did I buy my BMW scooter? Because it is as close to what I consider the perfect bike as I have ever owned; well at least for my age it is. However if BMW comes out with a future scooter with cruise control and some better GT color choices (that wouldn't be hard to do), I will sell this one and then have the totally perfect bike.

 

[Tompierce]

Like many others here, I have been riding for a while. Unlike many others here, the C650GT is my first scooter. I started out with the typical beginners bike (Honda and a Honda) followed by the crotch rocket (Yamaha) followed by the touring rig (BMW). Recently, I finally figured out that I was missing the riding experience because the big BMWK100RT was just too big for the casual around-town trips and errands that I was doing.

I had read about the new BMW scooters and went to test drive one as soon as they came out. (Besides I figured the BMW dealer couldn't NOT take my 1985 K100RT as a trade-in I tend to keep vehicles for a while.

I am well pleased with the purchase. The scooter may not be as confident as a big touring rig on the interstate, but it certainly is interstate capable. Once you get off the interstate into the Georgia mountains, it is surprisingly competent sportbike when the road gets twisty. While I miss the 6-speed tranny when I'm up in the hills, I certainly prefer the CVT for around town and stop-and-go traffic (and not getting caught at a stop light in the wrong damn gear when the light turns green). And nothing I have owned so far has nearly as good weather protection.

Plenty of storage, comfortable seat, more than adequate lighting, really superior brakes and ABS - you know the list. While you can find motorcycles that are better on the interstate or better going around corners or better in heavy downtown traffic, the C650GT seems to be competent at almost everything you would reasonably as of it. I can't think of a better bike for me at this point in my riding life.

 

[Lcdrakallen]

I chose mine because of brand reliability, style, appearance, features, sales person was actually friendly and assistive. I like the warranty and all of the features. This is my first bike and I have been pleased since delivery. I have 650GT, and it's a joy to ride each time. I like the power but I don't find it intimidating. I feel safe at higher speeds (freeway speeds, max 70mph, no need for me to go any faster, but nice to know I could). Love the color Vermilion Red. I like it!


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[JaimeC]

Lcdrakallen, I too appreciate the far better handling offered by the vermillion red color of my C650GT.

 

[dascooter]

Your story a lot like mine. I always wanted a motorcycle but my wife was dead set against it. I even had gone so far as ordering a Sportster 1200 a few years ago but she put the brakes on that right away. I finally convinced her that a scooter would be OK. She reluctantly agreed and I bought a 2013 Honda PCX 150. Great little scoot, but always felt too small, limited where I could ride and I had an inferiority complex as I rode it. After a lot of comparison shopping it got down to the Burgman 650 or the BMW. With the help of sites like this the 2014 BMW came out on top. Also, just liked the way it looked and drank the "BMW badge cool-aid". Went with the GT because I wanted the storage along with the adjustable windshield (I do need to replace that to get a little more coverage), heated seats and grips. Only have had it a little over a week and the weather not cooperating. Couldn't be happier with my choice and look forward to many fine rides.

 

[qualt]

........... I always wanted a motorcycle but my wife was dead set against it. I even had gone so far as ordering a Sportster 1200 a few years ago but she put the brakes on that right away.........

Yes this off the subject but since you mentioned that your wife was against you having a motorcycle (as many wives are), I am posting this old ad. This has been around for years but it is still good.

FOR SALE

2006 Suzuki GSXR 1000 - $10,000. This bike is perfect!

I'm selling it because it was purchased without proper consent of a loving wife.

Apparently "do whatever the f*** you want" doesn't mean what I thought.

Call me, Steve. (801)xxx-xxxx Farmington , UT 84025