9291150 wrote:I gotta say, with pictures of the new R1200S coming out, I'm becoming really concerned with BMW. On the heals of the butt ugly ST, I think BMW is going the wrong direction with their twins.
So buy an actual old one and quit worrying about the new styles. I personally don't like the looks of the new Ks but they are apparently flying out the doors! BMW is going to go where the money is and the new models are right in line with the angular styling of several other new models from other brands.
I'll definitely keep my Rock, though!
~Scott
"If you can't say anything nice, at least have the decency to be vague."
I'm personally tired of the retro thing and I'm beginning to think it's an excuse for a serious lack of imagination by modern-day designers. Look at the Ford Motor Company--they're down right crippled with retro-itis.
While I agree that BMW's designs (in both its cars and motorcycles) are unusual, and perhaps an acquired taste to some and hideous to others, at least they've shown the corporate nads to create and push design instead of taking the easier retro route. I also applaud KTM's new Duke, and the Benelli TnT, both uniquely good-looking bikes.
Hey, there are plenty of inbred universal Japanese designs available for those with more pedestrian tastes.
Pat wrote:Without a doubt, the R1150R is really quite stunning!
I'm communicating right now with a guy who wants to sell his '03 RT, in Blue, at a VERY competitive price....... with a Wunderlich LOW seat! I have always been in love with the lines of the '02-'04 RT's, so I couldn't help myself.... I had to open a line of communication with him.
I've always accepted BMW motorcycles to be a bit "Quirky", I would say though that ALL their models between '02 & '04 are absolutely beautiful! In the same breath, I might suggest that '05 mighta been a return to it's "Quirky" uniquness'.......
Pat - go for it, bro! The bike is a classic in the looks department. You can speed on it, but it doesn't beg you to, like some other bikes I have ridden - and ride now....
I am really blessed, all three of my current bikes, IMO, are classically and beautifully styled. Like all you with R1150R's - those fit in to that beautiful category as well. Park next to me any time!
....I am trying to picture what carbon fiber aftermarket cans (can?) will look like on the new R1200R - can't quite picture it....
I love it when guests pop on and have conversations with themselves to start a flame. 9291150 and THE RAT....I'm sure you are two different people, though...no really.
The looks of the ST and RT are definitely more widely accepted than when first glimpsed in pics. I love my ST's looks or I wouldn't have bought her. How can beauty NOT be in the eye of the beholder? Never discount that.
But I must ask how someone could tag the ST a "real dog". This could only come from one who has not ridden one. If you are speaking of speed...you are sorely mistaken. The ST can hang with or squash many a bike out there with speed alone, not factoring in the typical handling that any Beemer is known for.
As far as retro Ducs. Nice looking. Purposely built to reflect and pay homage to an OLD design. Even has a redone suspension and nice Ducati , modern powerplant. Now take it out for a spin against an ST or RT and get back to me.....after you catch up.
Now, go get your friggin' shine box, flamer.
The Velvet Monkey wrote:I'm personally tired of the retro thing and I'm beginning to think it's an excuse for a serious lack of imagination by modern-day designers. Look at the Ford Motor Company--they're down right crippled with retro-itis.
While I agree that BMW's designs (in both its cars and motorcycles) are unusual, and perhaps an acquired taste to some and hideous to others, at least they've shown the corporate nads to create and push design instead of taking the easier retro route.
Yes, absolutely. In the car world, I would rather drive a new, odd looking BMW than some POS PT cruiser or the like.
Hmm, now a Ford GT might be an exception to that !
Oh, this thread has all the makings of a classic.
First things first:
PAT... jump, man, down in the saddle again, that vintage RT's are the best RT's ever STYLED.
Ok, on to business, since we each are given space to declare good from bad, here goes, from Bakernks' line of sight.
R1150R, hands down best styled BMW ever. Big bike that looks like a mid sized bike and can be set up to be sport, tour, combo of both.
'02-'04 RT, pleasing, smooth, highway burner looks expensive from any angle, and delivers.
Hexhead bikes? ST, RT, S, they've not yet shown a bike with this engine that the styling can stand with the engineering achievement the engine possesses. That's polite speak for, they've got a great engine but are ugly bikes. Please redo at earliest so the rest of us can stop waiting on a Hexhead, please. Or, at least make a couple models with the new R1200 engine that look smooth instead of a collection of misbegotten spare parts that you couldn't use on anything else.
And, by the way, that K1200R ranks right up there with a V-Max for most odd collection of shapes yet put on the same piece of engineering paper..Maybe BMW want's "Looks Odd", this buyer certainly doesn't. I have to be seen on this thing, guys!
I'd like a Hexhead in an '04 RS, please.
Hexhead GS? hell, those adventure type bikes are supposed to be ugly, they've got that much right anyway. Except the GS owners sure are having their share of mechanicals...being a Beta tester isn't the place I want to be.
Oh, you'll be waiting around a while for a design flow like the Roadster has with a hexhead engine. Me...I love my *^$&@!ed up ST. And I guarantee when the R1200R comes out...it'll be ^$#$%@!ed up, too. I can't wait to see it.
I just can't say enough...after a ride on the ST, beating it silly and having it perform like it does...I can get off that thing, walk around it and think it is one of the most distinct, beautiful, head turning machines. After parading it up to Canada and back, I get the impression BMW is doing SOMETHING right as most people, like it or not, realize nobody is doing ANYTHING like THAT.
"...most people, like it or not, realize nobody is doing ANYTHING like THAT."
Yes, thank God for that. Nobody else needs to be.
How about this: Just take the R1150R, sans drive train, and slip in the R1200 Hexhead and attendant driveline, and call it good. I'd be Very happy with that, and would money up the diff and trade the '04 straight away, deal? One confirmed buyer, already in the line. Promise.
I find it ironic that this thread's title deals with a motorcycle manufacturer who, unless I am mistaken, is experiencing an upsurge in world-wide motorcycle sales.
If they are truly losing their way, I'm sure that they are happily finding themselves...at the bank. Laughing all the way!
I think BMW's latest designs are gorgeous.
God, Family, Country, BMW...in that order.
2003 R1150R in Piedmont Red
Pizzaman - Those ST's are hot bikes. I don't care what anyone else says or thinks. The KR looks great to me too, I would like to see a R1200R prior to any new bike.
Still having a lot of fun on the current RR though.
socalrob wrote:Pizzaman - Those ST's are hot bikes. I don't care what anyone else says or thinks. The KR looks great to me too, I would like to see a R1200R prior to any new bike.
Still having a lot of fun on the current RR though.
Please please, just one R1200 series with curved lines. Please BMW! Actually, after looking again at the R1200ST, pull the cylon http://images.google.com/images?q=tbn:p ... th-eye.jpg windscreen/headling and put somthing big and round, and pull in the oil-cooler flares so there's some wind on the legs and it would be pretty sweet.
I do think the new bikes are going to look dated in 10 years though. Just look at (for instance) a K100RT from the 80s, as opposed to a R80. I guess the motorcycle industry just has to go through a few 'square' years every once in awhile.
You guys are great. Arguing about ugly styling in motorcycles while riding around with a giant bird beak for a front fender!!!!
Personally I find the R1150R a real UGLY duckling. Yet an ugly duckling which i love more every time i ride it.
I also think that toyotas are the most hideous cars on the road. I've bought three in a row, and plan on more in the future. I still get compliments on an 8 year old camry. this was a boring looking car when it was new.
I was dreaming when I wrote this, forgive me if it goes astray...
I have riden the ST and I still say it's a dog. It looks great from every direction but the front. But it is a good bike to ride that I will say, although I'm not so sure about the lack of vibration. I kept thinking some thing was wrong, where was the twin? But it could have been on my wish list if only they had done something nive with the face. You can take form through function too far.
I don't get it...Leno...you rode the bike? And you think it's a dog? But you say it is a GOOD bike to ride? Dude.......??!
The bike vibrates less than my R. 150+mph does NOT a dog make. 90mph in 4th gear, smooth as a K at that point. You could ride it for hours in 5th gear and forget there is a 6th. I don't think there has been ANYONE that I've talked to or ridden with that, except for yourself, thinks the new boxer isn't smoother than than the last. If you thought something was wrong with your demo bike, maybe there was. To each their own. Enjoy your Roadster...I still love mine. Couldn't past with it.
I think BMW's have always looked a bit odd. The best set came from David Robb in the late 90's/early 00's when the bikes had very flowing lines. The new bikes have a more industrial and angular look. I dropped by the BMW dealer in Lynchburg yesterday on my way north and took a long hard look at the RT, ST, KR, and KS.
The KS' styling is almost typical Japanese except that parts of the engine is a little more visible. The ST looks better in person, but I agree that it looks a bit funky from the front. I find that there is little harmoney in the bike's styling.
The KR definitely looks better in person but will probably never wind up in a museum as an example of motorcycling design.
The RT looks great from the dingle vantage point, and I love the look of the fender and how it sticks forward underneath the front cowling like the beak of a hawk. But it looks very bulbous otherwise from other angles.
As I said before, the GS is the only bike whose design I thought looked just right from the beginning.
I don't know. I guess I need time to digest and get used to the new look. Given time, I'm sure I'll get used to it and begin preferring the new over the old.
Member #93, June 2002
'14 BMW R1200RT "Wethead"
'77 BMW R100/7 "Airhead"
BMW bikes (and their cars as well) have always had a "form follows function" design style. They are going a bit more extreme lately, but by exposing the paralever and telelever and the big twin engines, they want to show what the bike is made of. I always liked that and thought it was cool, but definitely not main stream. Which is a good thing.
14" ALUMINUM wheels, thank you very much. But it's been a hard-working delivery car for over 5 years now, i think i can live with the dorky accessories.
I'm just saying the debate over cosmetics is trivial. I simply prefer the discussions relating to funtionality, versatility, performance, ya know the important stuff. I will buy an ugly vehicle if it does its job and does it well.
Image is everything after all.
I was dreaming when I wrote this, forgive me if it goes astray...
pizzamannotloggedin wrote:I don't get it...Leno...you rode the bike? And you think it's a dog? But you say it is a GOOD bike to ride? Dude.......??!
The bike vibrates less than my R. 150+mph does NOT a dog make. 90mph in 4th gear, smooth as a K at that point. You could ride it for hours in 5th gear and forget there is a 6th. I don't think there has been ANYONE that I've talked to or ridden with that, except for yourself, thinks the new boxer isn't smoother than than the last. If you thought something was wrong with your demo bike, maybe there was. To each their own. Enjoy your Roadster...I still love mine. Couldn't past with it.
I think our definition of a dog is differant, but we don't need to fall out over it. My problem is that when I open the garage door on a wet and missrable morning I know that face is not going to make me want to ride. I would have to park it back end out. The bike is however a fine ride but I like the lumpy engine on my bike. The ST felt like a hairdryer, too smooth, sanitised, a bit too Jap bike like. And far too quiet and the wrong sound. I like a bike with soul and the ST does not one I could find on the day I had it. But then again if I needed a bike for the longer trips it would be on the list because I know it would do the job and do it well.
this was a boring looking car when it was new.
