New R1200RX at IMOT...

[ChrisGeuting]

I bet BMW shows the new R1200RT tomorrow at the IMOT.
Since the RS and RT were always pretty much the same under their plastic skirts that means the wait is finally over and we may finally know how what to expect from the new RS.How it looks like and when it will finally come might be the only two questions left.If I am wrong I'll buy one of the last old R1100S non ABS 04 Boxercup Replikas..;-) since there will b no Boxercup anymore in 2005...:-(
Hoped they would introduce the new R1200S and would use this bike for the Boxercup and know it looks like they'll use the new K12S but this is no Boxercup anymore and too generic for BMW...
The new RS and also S can't be too far anymore...
Chris,still happy with his "old" 1150 but looking forward for a lighter RS with liitle smoother more powerful engine...
PS:Still can't believe that we will be bypassed gain after the GS and now RT (if I am right),since we should hae been first in line...;-)

[kzz]

And why didn't they show today as they did with the new K1200R (http://www.motorcyclenews.com/nav?page=motorcyclenews.articles.articleCategory.a rticle&resourceId=1256187&articleCategory=NEWS_NEW-BIKES)?

[JimVonBaden]

And why didn't they show today as they did with the new K1200R (http://www.motorcyclenews.com/nav?page=motorcyclenews.articles.articleCategory.a rticle&resourceId=1256187&articleCategory=NEWS_NEW-BIKES)?
I knew they would make a naked version. It looks great!

http://www.motorcyclenews.com/jpeg/125/1322328.jpeg

Jim:cool:

[MikeH]

According to my dealer, the new R1200RS will appear next spring along with the RT. Just a rumour? Who knows - let's wait and see. I'm somewhat suprised from the comments in MCN that BMW are going to be discontinuing the R series custom bikes. Maybe just a 'curved ball' to throw the opposition off the scent?

BMW are really pushing the boat out by launching a new K and R series almost together. That spells total commitment to attacking the bike market head on. The new K1200R looks cool. :cool: I can see a lot of people buying it just to flaunt that quirky front suspension. The ultimate 'Street Fighter'?

[Terry]

Mind you, I think it looks like the engine is about to drop out of the frame !

NEC should be something to see this year.

[ChrisGeuting]

And why did they not show today as with the K1200R?
Because they sriously want to piss me off...;-)
Somebody from BMW who should have known told me the RT would be at the show.It's like in politics,the core customer gets neglected/taken for granted (boxerriders) and new customers are wanted who previously rode jap bikes with the new K-S and K-R duo.Not bad for former XX1100,FJR1300,ST1300,Hayabusa,ZX1100 and ZX12R riders but I myself is left cold.And for the K1200R,who needs a 160hp naked bike?Maybe the mostly british wheely/stoppy/titty magazines..;-) But at least they ditch the wannabe rider cruiser line and free some development money/manpower for some real bikes for real riders I hope...
The wait is on.
Chris

[JimVonBaden]

Relax Chris, Life is too short to get this heated about such things!:bang:


Jim:cool:

[darrylri]

Quitcherbitchin, Chris. BMW is losing market share in the US and needs to bring in more new riders (KTM has a bigger slice of the pie right now, and they did it by "conquest sales"). They've already proved that they're not giving up on the twins. Who cares whether they are making other bikes, as long as it lets them continue making an R-RS, right? I say, it's too bad that the cruiser hasn't proved more successful for them.

[Wayne Dowers]

BMW is in a tricky position being a high priced niche product. It's difficult to break out and get conquest sales while at the same time keeping your faithful following. BMW needs a faithful following, they cannot abandond it since they will never be in the "commodity" motorcycle market so they need the bread and butter sales but also have goals to grow like any company. What competitor do you go after and what clientele?

If you look at HD they didn't have to change the product (a lot) in order to get conquest sales OR to keep the faithful - tastes changed in their direction, money poured in. BMW will probably never have that luxury.

[cat0020]

A fellow BMW R1150GS Adv rider recently purchased a brand new Harley Deuce from a Harley dealer, he has nothing but praise to the way Harley dealer ran their business and took his money.

The day that he picked up his Harley, he was given a tour of the Dealership, in every dept., introduced to almost every personnel work at the place and he received gifts such as key chains, chrome valve caps, cleaning cloth/sponge, cleaning foam/wax, service calendar, coupons for his scheduled maintenance services, coupons for scheduled accessory purchases etc.. seems like the Harley has figured out ways to keep their customer coming back to their stores from the start.

Just the accessory catalog for his Deuce is over 2 inch thick.

I bought my R1150RS brand new, and I did not get a tour of the dealership, not was I introduced to all the staff that could possibily be working on my bike, nor did I receive any gifts along to my purchase. :swivel:
As much as I dislike the Harleys as motorcycles, their way of business sure seem more customer (who spend money) oriented.
I know I'm a cheap baster who don't spend anything on things like chrome or leather on my bike.

[RSdoc]

Did the HD dealer include a complementary sample of vaseline? Most HD dealers sell at retail or above, many adding mandatory accesories. HD wouldn't warranty their cam bearings until they actually failed, meaning when you were out on a trip. Last time I saw in Motorcycle Consumer News, HD and Buell had the highest percentage of product recalls. I am glad your buddy got the chrome valve stem caps, but I think I will stick with my RS and my Hondas. HD riders are drinking some kind of Kool-aid,( like the stuff Jim Jones was dishing out) to put up with that treatment. Sorry for the rant.

[cat0020]

Harleys may not be the most reliable or well constructed machines, but I think you're missing the point.
The point is that Harley takes more market share than BMW.
Imagine how much more market share BMW could gain, if BMW motorcycles dealers operated in similar ways than the Harley dealers??
A good product may sell itself, but a bad product can sell even more if advertized properly.. I think Harley has done it... it doesn't make me like them anymore, but I kinda wish BMW could learn a little from them.

[JimVonBaden]

Harleys may not be the most reliable or well constructed machines, but I think you're missing the point.
The point is that Harley takes more market share than BMW.
Imagine how much more market share BMW could gain, if BMW motorcycles dealers operated in similar ways than the Harley dealers??
A good product may sell itself, but a bad product can sell even more if advertized properly.. I think Harley has done it... it doesn't make me like them anymore, but I kinda wish BMW could learn a little from them.
Exactly,:yo: BMW could definitely take some marketing cues from HD!

Jim:cool:

[PlaynGuitar]

Hi Cat0020;

I think you've got some very valid points and there are many dealerships that could obviously learn from the competition....

FWIW, I just wanted to jump in and say that when I bought my first new BMW, the folks at Mortons in Fredericksburg, VA did everything you've just described. In addition to introducing me to the people in every department, the owner of the dealership personally took me back to introduce me to the Service Manager. I spent a good 15 minutes talking with him about the bike and its servicing. And, when I brought it in for the 6,000 mile service -- the tech brought me back into the shop and easily spent 45 minutes going over what he was doing with the bike. During the process he asked me about my riding style, how and where I was riding, and tailored his approach to my ride based on the answers. I can tell you that on both occasions I was surprised at how different this treatment was to the way I'm commonly handled by auto repair facilities.

In any case, marketing cues -- you betcha they could learn a thing or two. The other stuff -- to me sounds like it may have more to do with the management of the particular dealership. And that may come down to the difference between a well run business vs a poorly run one. May not be the marque to blame in that case, but the individual owners.

I've been very happy with the way I've been treated... but it looks like more dealers could pick up the pace.

Thanks!!

Patrick

[JimVonBaden]

FWIW, I just wanted to jump in and say that when I bought my first new BMW, the folks at Mortons in Fredericksburg, VA did everything you've just described. In addition to introducing me to the people in every department, the owner of the dealership personally took me back to introduce me to the Service Manager. I spent a good 15 minutes talking with him about the bike and its servicing. And, when I brought it in for the 6,000 mile service -- the tech brought me back into the shop and easily spent 45 minutes going over what he was doing with the bike. During the process he asked me about my riding style, how and where I was riding, and tailored his approach to my ride based on the answers. I can tell you that on both occasions I was surprised at how different this treatment was to the way I'm commonly handled by auto repair facilities. Thanks!!

PatrickCharlie is a great guy, if a bit cantankerous at times! I have had great service from Morton’s, and use them almost exclusively.



[rant]My issue is with the inconsistent lack of gear and service around the country.


I travel a lot for my work and stop in all manner of cycle shops around the country. The one thing that always strikes me is the HD dealers. They are uniformally stocked with a large supply of monogrammed gear and accessoriesand sell a lot of it.



BMW is second, by a big margin, at doing that, and they have a more upscale look, but still don't come close to HD. Maybe HD provides the gear to the dealers on a pay-as-you-sell basis and that accounts for some of it. But you go into the dealer in Tucson, AZ for instance, and he has one rack of riding gear containing maybe 10 jackets and pants, no boots, a couple helmets and a few gloves and T-shirts. Not very inviting.



Most of the non-HD/BMW dealers range from just above BMW for selection, to practically none at all.



If BMW Really wants to compete they need to start marketing their branded items more vigorously and supply their stores in ways that make purchasing BMW gear attractive. I admit that I like the BMW Logo on my stuff, as I am sure most of us do. BMW needs to capitalize on this.

[\End rant]

Jim:cool:

[cagiva50]

I may be the exception, but I only go to the dealer for parts and service on items I don't want to work on myself. That said, my local dealer still manages to know me and I've gathered lots of useful info from chats w/ their service techs and parts man.
Personally, if possible I avoid clothing/accessory items that display logos - I don't like advertising. The whole HD clothing explosion is amazing to me (you can even get clothes for your dog :laugh: ), but then image is very important to many HD riders. Just my 2 cents.

[PlaynGuitar]

Jim;

During that first meeting with Charlie I noticed the ever-present stogie... so, when I brought the bike in for my 600 mile service I brought two fine ceegars with it. When I came in for the 6000 mile service -- I had another fine ceegar in hand for him. That seemed to deflect the canterous from my general direction. (oh yeh, some might call that a bribe... not me, I just considered it sharing a mutually enjoyed past-time.)

great use of the [Rant] tags btw. I do agree with your perception from my limited travels. it does seem like some of these dealers are missing out.

Though, for myself, I figure the bike itself displays enough logo-ism on its own. Fact is, I usually can't afford those high priced togs and accessories with the rondel prominently displayed. usually end up being some high dollar items. (why doesn't that stuff eever end up in Rugged Wearhouse? LOL)

slainte!

Patrick

[TPadden]

Last time I saw in Motorcycle Consumer News, HD and Buell had the highest percentage of product recalls. ..... Sorry for the rant.

BMW definitely could learn a lot from Buell. Erik Buell IS a motorcycle enthusiast. He will get down on his knees and wrench a stranger's Buell in a parking lot (I saw him do it at Daytona). I remember about 3 or 4 years ago when they did a recall on all Buells and updated every Buell ever built to then current standards. They are happy to correct problems and issue a recall whenever necessary.

Instead BMW first denies, then blames the customer, then says they all do that and it is normal ..... and finally releases a super secret service memo that customers seldom find out about to fix the problem that didn't exist.

Now that's a RANT!!!

Love the bikes hate the company.

[Wayne Dowers]

Instead BMW first denies, then blames the customer, then says they all do that and it is normal ..... and finally releases a super secret service memo that customers seldom find out about to fix the problem that didn't exist.



Typical reaction. First response to a problem "impossible!" It's not so much the company as it is the (German) culture.