A Massive Tank Slapper......

[RedRick Esq.]

Every new GS has had 'dubious build quality' including the 1150's failing gearboxes, rear wheel bearings, poor fuel injection, corrosion issues etc whether real or imagined - it is the nature of internet forums to make mountains out of mole hills, mostly without any real statistical evidence. If you were to believe all this crap then you'd never buy anything.

Whilst i agree that forums tend to over blow things a little
I challenge you on the dubious build quality of every BMW bike tho as my 1200 Twinky has been faultless in every respect since bought new in August 2012. Everything as it should be straight from the stealers ( i have changed the shockers and been re mapped but for preference not neccesity)

 

[Beemerman59]

But you have left out the most important bit marketing - if they think that people will feel happier with a damper then they will add one.

You think marketing is more important than manufacturing cost and therefore profit margins? They have added a steering damper for a reason and that reason is known to BMW not to anyone on this forum. A steering damper is not an essential piece of bling that BMW think a prospective WC owner would smile wistfully on in a showroom, its a piece of costly engineering with a very definite purpose in life.

 

[Engineer]

Whilst i agree that forums tend to over blow things a little
I challenge you on the dubious build quality of every BMW bike tho as my 1200 Twinky has been faultless in every respect since bought new in August 2012. Everything as it should be straight from the stealers ( i have changed the shockers and been re mapped but for preference not neccesity)

I was just pointing out what happens on internet forums, my comment was in quotes to make the point that it isn't a reality - just that a small number of issues with all GSes get blown out of all proportion and it will be the same with the next GS and the one after that ad infinitum!

 

[Engineer]

You think marketing is more important than manufacturing cost and therefore profit margins? They have added a steering damper for a reason and that reason is known to BMW not to anyone on this forum. A steering damper is not an essential piece of bling that BMW think a prospective WC owner would smile wistfully on in a showroom, its a piece of costly engineering with a very definite purpose in life.

Marketing is just as important as the other aspects of manufacturing - if you can't communicate effectively with your potential customers it doesn't matter two hoots what the manufacturing costs are cos you ain't gonna sell didley-squat!

 

[Beemerman59]

Marketing is just as important as the other aspects of manufacturing - if you can't communicate effectively with your potential customers it doesn't matter two hoots what the manufacturing costs are cos you ain't gonna sell didley-squat!

So what is the "effective communication" then? We, BMW have added a steering damper to our 2014 1200GS models because it adds "blank, blank, blank" to the ownership experience that wasn't available to our 2013 customers. Please fill in the blanks.

 

[RedRick Esq.]

BMW have added a steering damper to our 2014 1200GS models because it adds "Life saving equipment" to the ownership experience that wasn't available to our 2013 customers.

 

[Giles]

I'm with .... (Gulp!) ... Engineer on this one. It's about money , making money and selling bikes. The head honchos at BMW have sat down, got their balance scales out and have weighed up production cost against marketing hype and future sales. Their business is about making money and selling bikes. The latest fad in bikes is high tech gizmos, tech specs and what yer getting for your buck. Wanna buy an FJ1300?? No?? Why - cos compared to the opposition it's dated and old tech?? Yep! People want the latest electrics package and the like, so BM give it to you to keep their bike current and at the top of the sales charts.
Does the new RT need a quick shifter? Of course not. They've fitted it as standard so that when you line up the tech specs on your potential purchase and compare your Pan , FJ, Triumph ST, BM RT, Kwak GTR ..... you consider what you're paying out your wallet, and what you're getting in return.
That's why FJ's ain't selling and why multistradas and LC GS's are ....
It's simple marketing versus production costs and on this occasion the marketing guys have won the boardroom battle (and probably used forums like this to evidence the shit that people come out with and what the public want!!)

 

[harry]

What issues did or does the R1200S and the R1150S and, i think the R1100S all have which led BMW to fit Steering Dampers as standard?

 

[krytengs]

What issues did or does the R1200S and the R1150S and, i think the R1100S all have which led BMW to fit Steering Dampers as standard?

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