What do non-riders say about the R?

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1150929
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What do non-riders say about the R?

Post by 1150929 »

I always find it interesting to hear peoples opinions that aren't necessarily motorcyclists when they see the R. I had an old boss over, saw the R in the garage and said, "wow, that looks fast"...even though it was parked next to my Fireblade.

Most comments are simple "nice bike." But here are some memorable ones that I remember from various coffee shops, gas stations, etc.;
"nice restoration"
"what is that, really? What? BMW makes bikes?"
"nice bike, but it don't look like a bmw"
"why does the engine stick out like that?"
"wow, how does that (rear) wheel stay on?" or "I wouldn't trust that" - in reference to the single sided swingarm
"wow, how much we paying you?" (from my new boss)
And my all time favorite (from a old shovelhead rider) "those one of those autermatics"

Anyone else heard weird stuff?
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Bobby549
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Post by Bobby549 »

The one I like is "You'd better get some guards for those heads in case you have to lay her down".

I explained I have no intentions of "laying her down". She stops must faster on rubber tires.
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Post by OneShot »

"When did BMW start making motorcyles?"
"What did that cost, $30,000?"
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Post by BigJugs »

On my way back from a 3 hour ride thru the country I stopped by a Yamaha dealer who was having an open house. I wanted to look over an FJR and a FZ1. When I was leaving this 20 year old kid who details their bikes walks out, sees my engine and says "wow, is that a turbo-charger :smt103 "? I said "Umm, no, thats a cylinder head. There's one just like it on the other side." :smt104
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Post by LonestaRR »

From friends I hear: "you're going to get killed."
Last edited by LonestaRR on Tue Apr 18, 2006 9:20 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Post by beekstersocal »

i get alot of comments on the front suspension and alot of gazers out the car window ....and always a thumbs up from people in there beemer cars
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Post by GeoffJ »

My Harley riding friends say my BMW is ugly. On the other hand, BMW riders simply look at the odomoter and check the mileage. Some will occasionally ask if the bike surges.

Whether I'm riding my HD or BMW, most non-riders will typically ask how fast the bike will go or how much it cost. Then they'll sometimes tell a story about a friend who seriously injured himself on a motorcycle.
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Post by wncbmw »

BMW riders simply look at the odomoter and check the mileage
An old and honored BMW tradition!

As for the people who tell you horror stories about people killed on bikes, I usually tell some gory story about someone killed in a Taurus, or Dodge van or whatever they are riding in. :P (Made up of course!)
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Post by DJ Downunder »

I returned to my bike after shopping at a large shopping center and found a guy walking round and round my bike scratching his head...

When he saw me he said.."is that a rotary engine?".... :D

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Post by NK ED »

Coming home from Sw Arkansas we caught up with an M3 on some great Arkansas twistys. He was running fast and fun. Upon passing the M3 I saw a big smile on the dirivers face and a big frown on the wife's face. I thought to myself "I heard that!"
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Post by CycleRob »

The most common voluntered response from non-motorcycle strangers is;

"That's a beautiful bike."

My response;

"Thanks . . . . but there's a lot more to it than that (as I pat the passenger seat 3 times)."
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Post by Beemeridian »

564
Last edited by Beemeridian on Mon Jun 08, 2015 7:04 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Post by rivi7777 »

gas or diesel?
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What I have herd

Post by FirstBMW »

What are those? (pointing to the cylinders)

How does the back tire stay on?

That much and you did not even ge a windshield?

What do you do when it rains?

You can't tour on that.

BMW makes bikes? Since when?

And the one I will not hear again for another 8 months....."You ride in the winter, YOU ARE CRAZY!"
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Post by yjleesvrr »

Quite simply "Hey, that's a nice bike."
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Post by Tripton »

"Why did you put that BMW sign on that. That looks stupid."

"That F$%&er is SWEET!"

"That F#$%er is wierd!"

"Let me ride it, I rode a friends Ducati once." --Didnt know the guy at all..and he had been drinking. I told him to piss off.

"Is that one of the on-off roaders?" - I have a Rockster...??

"Wow that thing is HUGE!" - About the tank and oil coolers...
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Post by vinman »

Usually I hear: "Nice bike"

My favorite is from my girlfriend: "That's a very sexy bike" Which just goes to prove that red is definetly the best color. :D :D
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Post by BigJugs »

vinman wrote:My favorite is from my girlfriend: "That's a very sexy bike" Which just goes to prove that red is definetly the best color. :D :D
That's what I keep telling these guys..........
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What do non riders say

Post by king biscuit »

I had stopped to take a break and was sitting on the bench out in front of a rural gas station. A young kid, kinda punk lookin with piercings and tatoos came out the door. He just stopped in his tracks, looked at the R, looked over at me and said "Dude, that is sweet", shook his head and said "Sweet" and walked off.

Hey, you know what an RR looks like, how could I argue with that?

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Post by GeoffJ »

I rode my BMW to the 2004 Sturgis Rally with another BMW rider. At one point, we stopped at a Crackle Barrel for breakfast. On the way out, I was greeted at the cash register by a nice elderly lady. She smiled at me and asked if we were riding Harleys. When I told her we were BMW riders, she looked bewildered. Either she never heard of BMW two-wheelers or she couldn't believe we weren't following the sheep on Harleys. I didn't bothered to ask.
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