Your questions about bmw motorcycles

Wize Guy answers:

Manufacturers normally offer discounts when they have trouble selling their stock, this has never been a problem for most BMW models, especially the larger ones. You might get a better deal if you offer cash, accepting the dealer finance will also get you a reduction (but cost you in the long run).

Wize Guy answers:

This is a good question.
By BMW’s own admission, their quality has slipped in the last four or five years. See 2008 article below.
I read that several 2009 Iron Butt Rally riders switched from BMW to either Honda or Yamaha due to reliability issues. A couple of riders carried a complete final drive assembly. I would dearly love to get another BMW, but I will not spend my money on a bike with reliability issues and/or poor customer service. Plus the nearest dealer is about 150 miles away from my home.

Wize Guy answers:

ALL motorized vehicles have a drivetrain of some sort. The DRIVETRAIN is normally thought to be the method that the vehicle uses to transmit power from the transmission to the rear wheels.

If you mean DRIVESHAFT, then no… Not ALL BMW motorcycles are shaft-driven. The F800 and G/F650s are chain driven.

Several other motorcycles feature shaft-drive, including the 1500 and 1600cc Kawasaki Vulcans, The Honda Gold Wing, the Yamaha Royal Star, and too many others to mention.

Wize Guy answers:

BMW motorcycles have a reputation for being ultra-conservative and reliable. They seem to attract an older, more sporting group of riders than the Harley-Davidson cruiser/chopper style bikes. BMW motorcycles are usually fairly quiet, almost stealthy. Normally you won’t find BMWs riding in large groups, therefore, you probably don’t notice them unless you’re actively looking for them. I have seen many more BMWs on the road since I bought my own Beemer a few years back. Now I notice them all over the country.

Wize Guy answers:

you gave the answer yourself. it’s a bavarian company and not a british one.
in german it is Bayerische Motoren Werke (Bavarian Motor Works).

addition for those who care:
anyway i prefer mercedes. even if its only a stereotype (and thinking in stereotypes is always bad) a BMW has the reputation to be driven by young proles with a immigration background and a criminal lifestyle (especially the 3xx models). i dont want to be misunderstood, i do know that it’s a stereotype and that most of the people with immigration backgrounds aren’t criminals but if i had the choice between a BMW 3xx and a mercedes c-class i would take the mercedes. just my two cents.