[Dave Ross]

in reply to: F800 ABS – still a problem #10387

http://www.sr-racing.de  and there is a button for English for us non German speakers.Have you seen their product before.

No I haven't, thanks for the link. I have always had a soft spot for Neptune exhaust. However, it looks like they've closed shop. Didn't you have a nice sounding after-market system on your bike? While I would like a nicer sounding pipe, I can't get myself to change something that works perfectly well and does not upset the neighbours when I start the bike early on a Sunday morning. I am expecting my new shocks to arrive soon. They look like these here

[Dave Ross]

in reply to: F800 ABS – still a problem #10384

If the R1200R has many of the same niggles and the Sprint site doesn't it can only mean the English are building better bikes than the Germans. (Any comments Alex).

It's entirely possible Des. Perhaps those people wanting a Sprint are very lucky. If I remember correctly the original Triumph was started by a German :-).

The funny thing about bikes is we all have our own likes and dislikes and I just haven't warmed to the Triumph. But then I also like the MZ and would probably buy one if I had the money even though the factory is closing at year end. (and its German Alex)

The motorcycle business is a great way to lose money. MZ is not the first to learn that and won't be the last. I think towards the end the looked at making bikes that people would not just like, but actually buy. BMW can afford to experiment and produce the odd flop, without going down the gurgler. I think it's great that they are risk takers, because every now and then they produce some brilliant bikes. However, it is no longer the company it once was and for some that's a bad thing. I like that they are moving with the times and can't wait to see what else they've got in store. I am just concerned that I might not be one of the people who can afford to buy their stuff.

Mind you so does the BMW 450, and the F650GS and F800GS.

There you go Dean, another potential fan of the G450

Just out of curiosity does BMW also have a lot of problems with their cars?

Only with the electronics. They are good at designing gadgets that nobody needs and then have them break down. That's probably unfair, but has  been true in many cases.

[Dave Ross]

in reply to: Made in China #10344

I've never understood the problems some people have had with the BMW indicators, what could be more comfortable. Every time I ride Gerda's F650 I struggle with the indicators, especially with winter gloves on. My bike has been virtually trouble free for 90 000km. My rear wheel bearing has now reached the end of its life, but it still doesn't need immediate attention. I am looking forward to the next 90 000km, with the same bike.

[Dave Ross]

in reply to: F800 ABS – still a problem #10382

Well my life is worth more than the $5-6000 that I will loose from trading in an otherwise good bike . I cant undersatnd those that have a fanatical fear of the ABS operation on their bikes they continue to ride them. Trade in and buy a non ABS model or a different bike.Off to look at the Sprint forums..  😐

It's what people do, they discuss various issues. What's wrong with that? Des obviously likes his bike and wishes to have the issues sorted. He has been very patient and I am sure he will get to the bottom of it. In most forums you'll hear more about negative aspects of any make. People who have a problem tend to tell anyone who has the patience to listen, it's just human nature. With BMW's some people have unrealistic expectations because they've paid a premium for the bike, so their tolerance for faults it likely to be less than they may have had if they'd bought a cheaper bike. BMW has bee a very innovative company and they have pioneered the introduction of many features that are now becoming available on other makes as well. I still think that they are providing an excellent product, but at a higher price. As the bikes have become more complex the likelihood of nigglely failures has increased, but the substance of the bikes is still very good. See if you can walk into a Honda dealership and buy parts for a 30 year old bike and the parts guy will just take them of the shelf or get them to you within a week, regardless of which part you want.Anyway, the topic of ABS always takes on religious dimensions. You like it or you don't, or you don't care either way. Pretty simple. I am not going let anyone else make me feel miserable about my bike, just because it doesn't conform with their expectations. Variety is the spice of life, enjoy. I am sure the people on the Sprint forum are very nice. may their bikes run well for them. 

[Dave Ross]

in reply to: 450 first ride #10312

Dean, have you had a ticket recently? You seem to have this antagonism against the police. If it's just Steve B. you can't stand, just tell him. I always thought that BMW stood for Bayrische Motoren Werke, I am sure that he's misinformed. As a tax payer you are ultimately the employer of the Police, so you could always make a case for buying them postie bikes. They would be much cheaper to buy and use a lot less fuel. People would just have to be a little more patient the next time they'd want police to attend an incident. I don't see people queuing up wanting to do the job, just maybe it isn't the cushy number some seem to think it is.  I am sure if they'd wanted  a cushy job, they would have gone teaching.

[Dave Ross]

in reply to: Made in China #10335

Am surised at the lack of protest to chinese BMWs. It appears value for money is no longer of interest.As Jeremy Clarkson would say, some people will buy a dead cat for as long it has got a BMW badge on it.Bet Steve B. wont get one.

I almost wrote something that might have offended people who like cats. But judging by what I keep finding around the house, the BMW badge is not the important part in the equation.

[Dave Ross]

in reply to: New enthusiast #10405

Welcome to the forum. I hope you'll find it useful.

[Dave Ross]

in reply to: after market hand protectors #10402

bitch fight - bitch fight, bulletin boards do show context something is said very well 👿

[Dave Ross]

in reply to: after market hand protectors #10400

I've read my reply again and it makes stuff all sense. What I was trying to say is that the protectors on the 1150 are way better than what you had on your Hp2. They are made from a pretty tough plastic and work well  in wind and rain. I've pulled the wobbly bit of plastic, that passed for protectors, off the r80 and replaced them with Acerbis ones, but without the Aluminium bar. As I understand it they are there to deflect small branches off your levers, that worked quite well during the CCA.  I don't really think they can do all that much more.

[Dave Ross]

in reply to: after market hand protectors #10398

Garry, the protectors fitted to the 1150 are pretty good. The Hp2 had a couple of wobbly shields fitted, similar to what used to be on my R80GS. They also work very well on keeping the rain off and make the heated grips much more effective. If you are going to go crashing into trees, the hand protectors will be the least of your worries.

[Dave Ross]

in reply to: after market hand protectors #10396

Hi Roger and welcome to the forum. The hand protectors for my wife's F650 were $150 and they look very similar to the ones on my R1150GS. I suspect that the ones for your bike would be similarly priced. After market versions such as from Acerbis cost at least $100, so you might as well go for the BMW parts, unless of course the pricing is way of. Sometimes there is no logic to their pricing.

[Dave Ross]

in reply to: Made in China #10330

Once you have had ABS you will never go back to standard brakes on road riding.

Possibly right, but you did just that when you bought the Hp2. How many riders of non ABS bikes do you hear complaining about their brakes. I know that my brakes perform as advertised, therefore I trust them.  No doubt ABS is excellent, but only if they can achieve the same reliability as with standard brakes. Boiling brakes usually means that there is water in the system. You do need to change the fluid occasionally to avoid this.

[Dave Ross]

in reply to: 450 first ride #10307

So you reckon big brother is watching us? I hate it when my bike is smarter than I am. At least I am still ahead of the airhead :-D.

[Dave Ross]

in reply to: Made in China #10328

I am pretty comfortable without ABS. There are no suprises, I know it's not going to come on and adjust my riding accordingly. The ABS on Gerda's bike seems to work fine. While I think that ABS is a great idea, it will only be helpful if you can fully trust that it is going to work as intended. If it doesn't, grabbing a handful of brakes could have been the wrong decision.  I'd hate to have that doubt in the back of my mind.I certainly hope you'll be able to have it sorted for you.

[Dave Ross]

in reply to: F800 ABS – still a problem #10369

For those who need other wording ABS idiosyncrasy or ABS feature 😀  You could say the F800 gives you an added level of excitement.

You are catching on quickly 🙂 Isn't sarcasm a wonderful form of wit  😀

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