BMW ON Letter to the Editor

ckcarr · ckcarr's Garage

I was perusing my latest edition of BMW ON and reading the letters to the editor and much to my surprise I found regarding the R1200S.

What a surprise! It was very informative, letting me know of the way too small gas tanks, Silly little or no bags at all, no luggage racks, and no center stand or passenger pad on the K1200S and R1200S bikes.

It took a couple paragraphs of Harley bashing first though to get to these very important points! I would have never known otherwise.

Thanks #73588 !!

Chris Geuting · 11-14-2006, 01:02 PM

CK,you are welcome.I'm glad you liked it!But you forgot to mention that it was an answer to an article written from our friend Sharam Shiva that begged to be answered being so full of Harley and Beem stereotypical b.s.Too bad he did not mention Ducati.I would have had a lot more nice things to say...
Like I said fake bikers and fake S-bikes...both genuine as hell...;-)
73588
PS:Wasn't Sharams article about the R1200S supposed to appear anytime soon?Maybe he got cold feet and write for the "Enthusiast" now making some noise on his "Road King"...

ckcarr · ckcarr's Garage

I'd rather read the article from Dr. Curve when it comes out to be truthful.

Steve Carlton · 11-14-2006, 02:59 PM

This thread is worthless without scans!

Chris Geuting · 11-14-2006, 03:20 PM

I am also a big fan of the curvemeisters tales...
Chris

Steve Carlton · 11-15-2006, 08:05 AM

tbsstunta · 11-15-2006, 09:02 AM

Now that Chris has been published maybe he can shut up about it on here and just say, "please refer to my letter". At least Chris qualifies in the make a lot of noise category...does that make him a fake biker?

sfarson · 11-15-2006, 09:56 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by tbsstunta
Now that Chris has been published maybe he can shut up about it on here and just say, "please refer to my letter"...

Probably not likely. He wrote letters to ON and OTL maybe 6-8 months ago whining about the same lack of bags and was published. The repetition continues, ad nauseum. Close-minded points are the only tally.

Chris Geuting · 11-15-2006, 11:02 AM

Actually I hate to tell you guys other letters concerning the same subject appeared in MOTORRAD and the MO BMW Motorraeder...;-)
I had way bettr letters than this here but the B.S. Shiva wrote got me fired up...;-)
And one day when we see the R1200R-S or sport touring version of the R1200S a.k.a. R1200ST/2 at least a few R1100RS and R1100S riders will be happy so it was not a total waste of time to write those letters...(I hope)
Chris
PS:Here is the letter published in june06
MOA magazine which I still think is pretty good...
NEW R1200S NEEDS WORK
"With its sporty but relaxed riding position the new bike's strenght is its practicality and versatility over other machines in the sports genre."(BMW PR babble as printed in jan06 MOA R1200S intro)This was true for the old R1100S but unfortunately not true for the new R1200S anymore.With it's even smaller tank,no hardbags (did not know the accordeon bags would be available later),no optional centerstand and real passenger seat (forgot to mention the missing luggage rack..;-) ) it is just as single minded and unpractical/useless for sport-touring as the competition from italy or japan.Which is a pity for people who loved the R1100S but wished for the hp/weight improvement.I don't understand why BMW would make the bike less attractive for a big group of customers only to appease to the Zeitgeist that a "real sportbike" has to be really impratical.Oh I forgot the R1200ST is supposed to be the bike for R11RS and R11S sport-tourers.As sales indicate it is not.Not as pretty and good handling as the S not as comfortable and practical (smaller tank,no underseat storage) as the R-RS.But oh well.The more things change the more they stay the same.BMW still makes great tourers that offer real improvement over the predecessors in form of R1200GSAdventurer,R1200RT and K1200GT and my R1100S is still a great and very much loved bike,too.As much as I would like the smoother and more powerful hexhead engine,practicality and looks are as important and here are the new R12S and ST unfortunately lacking.
You can stone me now...;-)

tbsstunta · 11:37 AM

Are you still going to b1tch about the S once the ST is rereleased?

You have yet to give one significant reason why a shaft drive bike needs a centerstand if you have a work stand at home. Only thing I can think of is plugging a tire and its never been an issue on my other bikes.

Chris Geuting · 11-15-2006, 01:01 PM

tbs,if the S would have been as versatile and true successor to the R1100S and would have never biatched,heck last year I was accused of beeing a mindless fanboi wearing blue and white glasses...;-)
Don't get me rong I love beemers but not mindless cheerleading here and critique is due when critique is due...
A centerstand has the only disadvantage of adding maybe 3 lbs of weight and scraping if designed wrong like on the R1100S but oherwise it is so practical for checking oil,changing oil,changing tires even the shops like it when the see a bike with a centerstand;so much easier to work on...
Even filling the bike up or parking it without using a lot of space.Or do you have a team with rae stands waiting for you every time you pull off the road...;-)?I bike without a centerstand is like a bike with a chain,a pain in the a..
Thinking about chains I thought sportbikes don't have shaftdrive...;-)
Chris

MoDog · 01:46 PM

Yikes, Geuting, old boy...what a mean spirited letter...ouch. Where's the love, man? Sounds to me like you need to get yourself a VW micro-bus and go chill with a peace loving hairy legged woman whose favorite song is "Have you ever been mellow?"

I sure hope you're taking your blood pressure pills, your depression meds, and have quit drinking because you're sounding way too angry over some pretty meaningless issues. In short, and with regard to your letter to MOA, who cares?

Hey man, go smoke a doobie and relax before you blow a vein.

If you're so all-fired ready to regress to BMW's wonder years, buy a Ural.

tbsstunta · 02:04 PM

If the 12S were a tourerer is irrelevant and my question still stands, if BMW releases a ST (or that RS we all like) that looks good, gives you bags, a bigger tank, and a good seat, are you still going to complain on here about the S?

Changing oil, checking oil, all done in my garage with my work stand, and if there isn't enough space to park the bike on a side stand there isnt enough space to stand beside it and lift it onto the centerstand. If you cant figure out how to fill the bike up on the sidestand you have bigger issues than not liking the S. Heck BMW was even nice enough to offset the gas cap so it would be vertical on the sidestand.

So again, since I have a work stand at home I have yet to need a centerstand on the road.

zx9rmal · 11-15-2006, 03:04 PM

Chris -

Don't listen to that toad MoDog. You do NOT need a VW microbus.
YOU NEED TO GET LAID!!!! Man, are you tight!

The R12S NOT being a practical sport tourer? It IS in MY world, because I don't need a touring bike amenities to tour. Hey man, I'm 59, with all the normal (and then some) aches and pains for my age, and I'll travel on almost anything.

I don't get what you're saying. Umm, strap on a tank bag or a tail bag/pack, bring some quick dry clothing...........DONE. The R12S will be perfect for that multi-thousand mile trip I do every year, as well as the 900-1,200 mile overnights I do every month.

You (and those naysayers in the press) make these blanket statements without experiencing miles on the bike. Does the R12S have less touring "amenities" for those who have less "ability" for travel? Perhaps. Then those riders should buy accordingly.

Repeat after me..........THIS IS NOT BMW'S SPORT TOURING BIKE. IT'S BMW'S SPORTBIKE...........THAT YOU CAN SPORT-TOUR ON, IF YOU GOT WHAT IT TAKES.

Oh, BTW, I have NEVER had a situation where the lack of a centerstand created any kind of problem. Yes, it would be nice to have, but I couldn't care less about it.

jonyo · 11-15-2006, 03:12 PM

I'm with MoDog, Geuting is one screaming *****.

Phil Buttolph · 11-15-2006, 03:32 PM

Chris...not piling on but why do you care at all about the R12S..you have written it off...get over it Dude...buy something else, BMW has a zillion models...and I must take umbrage to your statement that :..fake S-bikes are neither really hardcore track toys.." Oh really...I guess the Daytona R12S was a fluke and it really would have been much more successful had it had a LARGE tank and luggage...then they might have eaten "on the run" and only stopped once for fuel! Damn Chris contact SJBMW immediately! Just ask for the fake racers...

Chris Geuting · 11-15-2006, 04:10 PM

I'm glad you all liked my letters...
Maybe I should think about a career change and start writing books...;-)
Chris

signit98 · 11-15-2006, 04:17 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Phil Buttolph
Chris...not piling on but why do you care at all about the R12S..you have written it off...

Because he has to much time on his hand, daydreamin' while riding his 18 wheeler... it's a shame, really... if he was to put his mind and the effort he puts into bashing the bikes he'll never buy into something useful, like supporting the elderly, helping kids or even support PEETA (he certainly has their mindnumbing, pointless repetetiveness going for himself!)... now that would be something.

You write like a reasonably educated person, Chris... unfortunately that only reflects in your choice of words... not in the content.

moto45 · 10:44 AM

"the Buell cheating AMA disaster is really nothing to brag about"

I hope this is not all that you knew about the Harley racing history before you referenced it. Trying to make a point with this response really seems short sighted.

“both served their military very well in the past”
“really, the Germans lost both wars and Harley copied the R71 just to crush them after the war”

Is this a logical response? Was the war lost because of this? Is it possible to have effective military assets and still lose a war? Do some research and you’ll also see how much of an asset the Harleys were during the war. If I read this without knowing where it came from, I would guess it was some letter to the editor in some mag. Its common place to see these short illogical responses that do little but show the shortcomings of the person that is responding. I think you need give a little more thought to your arguments or at least do a better job communicating your points.

Nothing personal, just my 2 cents.

Btw, I don’t own a Harley or a do rag

R111S · R111S's Garage

MotoGuzzi won at Daytona last Spring...whodathunkit! Evidently Shaft Drive isn't the Handicap it used to be.

SHAFT DRIVE BOXERS FOREVER!

A double victory for Gianfranco Guareschi and Moto Guzzi in the Formula 1 class of the Battle of Twins at Daytona

Daytona, 8th March 2006. Guareschi and the Moto Guzzi MGS-01 Corsa clocked up two brilliant wins! The news comes from the Bike Week held at the International Speedway, Daytona Beach, Florida, one of the most spectacular and legendary motor races in the USA, and a key event in the AHRMA Modern Roadrace Classes championship calendar.

The Formula 1 class of the BOT (Battle of Twins) race is for motorcycles with no limitations as to engine displacement or modifications. Gianfranco Guareschi’s standard Moto Guzzi MGS-01 Corsa came home in first place in the two races, held on the 6th and 7th of March 2006. On the first day, Guareschi’s Guzzi finished ahead of a Ducati 999S and a H-D Sundance, while on the second it crossed the line in front of Ducatis, Hondas and the ambitious Buell XBRR. Both races were hard fought, with numerous Italian riders and bikes battling for victory.

The MGS-01 Corsa triumphed thanks to a chassis that enables it to make full use of the Guzzi V twin, which once again proved how versatile and reliable it is in competition, and, of course, thanks to the determination of Gianfranco Guareschi, who demonstrated his ability to maximise the Corsa’s racing characteristics by winning both races.

Guareschi also wanted to show what the MGS-01 Corsa can do in the “Sound of Thunder” class, which also admits superbikes. Guareschi finished second in this class, ahead of many determined big name riders. Daniele Bandiera, CEO of Moto Guzzi, was delighted about Guareschi’s performance. "I’m absolutely thrilled to hear of Gianfranco Guareschi’s win at Daytona. Guareschi has the guts and spirit of a real Guzzista. His win at Daytona comes just a few days before a very important occasion for Moto Guzzi, namely our 85th anniversary. This victory is particularly significant for us, coming as it does at a time when Guzzi is presenting a magnificent range of new bikes on the world’s markets. We were determined to keep a dedicated track racer like the MGS-01 in our range. Thanks to Guareschi, this bike has now won one of the world’s great races, in front of the American motorcycling public at Daytona. The Battle of Twins is a fantastic race, with the same sort of sporting heritage as Moto Guzzi".

Gianfranco Guareschi spoke to us after his historic double. “It’s always great to win, but to ride a Moto Guzzi to victory is simply amazing! You can see how the public admire the bike and love everything about Moto Guzzi. This was my first visit to Daytona, but I came here with the intention of winning the International Speedway. I was hoping I’d be facing some easier competition, but when I got out there I found myself up against some of the best bikes and riders in the world, like the official Buells and Ducati Superbikes. Nevertheless I managed to keep my concentration and motivation, and the MGS-01 is a fantastic racing machine to ride. I’d like to thank Moto Guzzi for the way they’ve supported me in the run-up to Daytona, and especially for having designed such an amazing racing motorcycle as the MGS-01”.

The MGS-01 Corsa is designed for racetrack use only and is built by Moto Guzzi to the highest standards of craftsmanship to satisfy the demands of real sports bike enthusiasts. It is powered by an air cooled, four valve, four stroke 90° V twin engine of 1225 cc that packs a massive punch at all engine speeds. Ohlins suspensions, Cosworth pistons and a Brembo braking system complete the top level equipment of a bike that this double victory at Daytona has admitted to the motorcycle hall of fame, already populated by innumerable world-beating Guzzis from past. Each MGS-01 Corsa is delivered with a log-book recording the rider’s details and the bike’s frame number, along with a bike cover and paddock stand decorated with the MGS-01 Corsa logo. Even the packaging is personalised!

It is a cause for celebration for all Guzzisti that Moto Guzzi has again proven that its air-cooled transverse v-twin is the premier twin cylinder motorcycle engine design.

The above news item was largely sourced from the Moto Guzzi factory website (www.motoguzzi.it).