[BoxerFanatic]

I hope it is inexpensive...

What is on that bike that is so big? It doesn't have BMW-specific front suspension, but rather USD forks

It certainly doesn't have the HP2 Sport's DOHC engine, although it might be somewhat derived from the Megamoto in some ways...

It doesn't have big plastic, or any other accoutrements. It is an engine, two wheels, and a very thin seat. it is boiled down essence of motorcycle. What is there to cost a bunch of money? BMW doesn't have the fashion-statement aspect that the Ducatis have to cash in on. they have history, but the non-BMW motorcycle crowd would hardly know the extent of that. This bike speaks "value leader with some style points" to me. not fashion-horse uber-toy.

I am not saying it is going to be a bargain basement bike compared to the rest of the market, but there is nothing there... there is no reason for it to cost as much as more sophisticated BMW bike, like an HP2 or an R1200S. It doesn't have the full cruiser styling of the R1200C, either.

What is going to be the selling point of this bike, if it costs somewhere in the mid-teen thousands of dollars? It should start under ten grand base price, and that is a lot compared to asian-brand motorcycles of this style. And even at bargain prices, the Asian naked bikes are evaporating. SV1000 is gone, and Superhawk withered on the vine for years before it was finally allowed to retire.

One could argue that this is almost more like a bare cruiser, with the thick tires and spoked wheels... kind of a dirt tracker, like a Sportster, or something, or a high-piped Bonneville. Maybe in some configurations it might be as lithe and sporty as a Ducati Sport Classic, or a Thruxton, but it isn't as brutal as a Speed Triple, Brutale, or Ducati's naked version of the 1098. THOSE are getting to be uber-toys, and that is BMW K12R, and K13R territory, not this bike.

If it costs a lot of money, it will falter harder than the R1200S did. A bike without an audience. The R1200S had the equipment to justify it's price, just stuck between the better power of the K-series, Aprilia, and Speed Triple for fans of euro bikes, and the faster, lighter, cheaper, more popular asian sport bikes.

This seems like a much more stripped down bike than that, and shouldn't cost as much. It will be even harder for this bike to find a niche for itself if it is seen as too expensive for it's content.

I agree it should be modular, and the renderings and photos make it look like it would be easy to be modular with the bike... But if they price it like a uber-toy, practicality won't matter as it sits on the showroom floor. Especially in this market climate, where people are a LOT more skittish to spend hard earned currency in uncertain times.

A VALUE bike, pitched as such, low maintenance shaft drive, balanced boxer twin engine, and basic, pure fun for a good price might get people to buy. A ton of money for a spartan bike is going to be a harder sell.