...was the shouted greeting by a fellow biker at the petrol pumps today. He came over, pointed to the bike and said "blimey, you've been splashing out haven't you?". What followed was a full 6 minute rant telling me what "a pile of crap" BMW's are, citing evidence from a chat with a local (and I know the guy, quite an excellent) BMW independent mechanic. Transpires this chap who accosted me had a 2005 GS and he proceeded to tell me what an unserviceable heap of rubbish it was, listing all that had gone wrong with it, including needing two drive shafts by the time it hit 42K miles (he, paying for the final drive (sorry...couldn't resist) at the princely sum of £1300). He reckoned best thing for anyone wanting one ("and why anyone would want one is beyond me" was added) is to buy a newish one and sell after two years, taking the hit. I couldn't even be bothered trying to explain that the hit in doing that likely would pay for a new driveshaft every two years LoL! Then followed the story of self destructing camshafts and other terminal engine issues. Finally he signed off with "Utter junk, you'd be better off with one of these" pointing to his 600 Fazer, which he assured me "nowt has gone wrong wiv it in 45K miles...buy Japanese, not that bmw rubbish"
He parted with a friendly enough wave but only after castigating me for not wearing a high enough Hi-Viz jacket, and particularly for not having reflective bands on my arms , then went on his way.
Ahem.
What just happened?
I then filled up with petrol feeling a little dazed and verbally battered. He may be right, who knows, but I enjoyed my mercifully peaceful ride home
Note to self: I must send this to our friendly blood bike fleet manager who's only just scrapped a 2016 RT which had covered 155K miles....
He parted with a friendly enough wave but only after castigating me for not wearing a high enough Hi-Viz jacket, and particularly for not having reflective bands on my arms , then went on his way.
Ahem.
What just happened?
I then filled up with petrol feeling a little dazed and verbally battered. He may be right, who knows, but I enjoyed my mercifully peaceful ride home
Note to self: I must send this to our friendly blood bike fleet manager who's only just scrapped a 2016 RT which had covered 155K miles....