BMW myth

[Zip]

I see and hear a lot about BMW riders being stick up. To day we were parked by the lake and A BMW pulled up next to us. The guy got off his bike and walked over to us. He was very nice, asked questions about our spyder . We had a nice discussion. After wished each other well and rode off .

 

[BoilerAnimal]

I've had most BMW, Honda, Kawasaki, Harley, Victory, etc. riders wave as they go by. Far and away, the majority who don't wave are Harley riders but that is most likely due to the fact that they are the most populous among riders.

 

[Chupaca]

Always a few...

Sour apples in the barrel...:lecturef_smilie:I have met them both but don't judge them all because of that. Glad you met a good one.:clap:

 

[bmwlarry]

I have been a BMW rider when I had many BMW motorcycles as well as two M branded BMW cars. The bikers are wonderful folks as are "most" Bmw car owners. There are some car owners that I believe are a bit of an snobby person. All you have to do is say you love their car and ask some question and they will be your best friend. Of course this is my experience!.

 

[Bob Denman]

It's not the ride: it's the rider!
Glad to see that you found someone who could appreciate another bike for what is it... :2thumbs:

 

[robhowen]

Great

I experience positive interactions with 99.9% of the riders I meet. The rest are rounding errors.
Rob

I see and hear a lot about BMW riders being stick up. To day we were parked by the lake and A BMW pulled up next to us. The guy got off his bike and walked over to us. He was very nice, asked questions about our spyder . We had a nice discussion. After wished each other well and rode off .

 

[UtahPete]

I've had most BMW, Honda, Kawasaki, Harley, Victory, etc. riders wave as they go by. Far and away, the majority who don't wave are Harley riders but that is most likely due to the fact that they are the most populous among riders.

Most other riders wave back to me. There's no pattern of type of bike whose rider doesn't. Except for crotch rockets of course - they're in a world of their own.

 

[2dogs]

No waves........

No waves from the crotch rocket guys/gals (most of the time) or the ape hanger guys. On occasion the ape hanger guys will give the middle finger wave.

 

[gnorthern]

A former BMW owner

I bought a BMW 800 street bike after a V-Strom 650 and later a Triumph Tiger 800. I rode it for a year before deciding to sell it (long story) and attended a national and state BMW rally. I found the people there just as nice as at a general rally I attended in the past, except they did not have Christian bikers who had coffee waiting for everybody in the morning.

Looking forward to making a final decision on a Spyder tomorrow.

 

[ARtraveler]

There are always a few who get the most publicity--allowing us to "type" riders into categories.

I have met a few of the "categoried" riders, but overall, to paraphrase the Honda commercial from the 60's, "you meet the nicest people on a (fill in the blank)." :yes::yes:

 

[2dogs]

Just rember........

.

Looking forward to making a final decision on a Spyder tomorrow.

Pick a good dealer with a shop/service manager who you can trust and get along with; because after the purchase you won't get any help from BRP! The only time they'll contact you is when the new models come out and they want you to buy a new one.

 

[RinconRyder]

I see and hear a lot about BMW riders being stick up. To day we were parked by the lake and A BMW pulled up next to us. The guy got off his bike and walked over to us. He was very nice, asked questions about our spyder . We had a nice discussion. After wished each other well and rode off .

There are undoubtedly "nice" Beemer riders but significantly, the ones I've met on the road are very snobbish. Maybe that is a requirement to buy one I don't know but it has happened to me whether I am riding my Wing, crotch rocket (Bandit) or street cruiser. They don't seem to consider a trike as a "real" motorcycle (or don't know what it is).

 

[UtahPete]

I bought a BMW 800 street bike after a V-Strom 650 and later a Triumph Tiger 800. I rode it for a year before deciding to sell it (long story) and attended a national and state BMW rally. I found the people there just as nice as at a general rally I attended in the past, except they did not have Christian bikers who had coffee waiting for everybody in the morning. Looking forward to making a final decision on a Spyder tomorrow.

I don't understand that comment.

 

[ARtraveler]

Another point: I have only met two BMW "snobs." And, I have been riding since the early 1960's.

I almost bought one myself. In 1978, I test drove a BMW 650 and compared it to the Kawi 650/4. As I was riding the Beemer, it was like I kept hearing this gestapo type voice in my head..."Ve have vays of making you ride." The ride--to me--was a bit stiff and uncomfortable. I am sure I would have liked it had I stayed with it.

I ended up with the Kawi 650. I "vetterized" it with fairing and saddlebags. Added a LTD seat and a passenger back bar. It was beautiful and I made many trips on it from IN to MN.

I do like the new BMW "cruiser," yes, 1600 B, all the new bells & whistles and with the six cylinder 1600 engine with bags and no top trunk. Five years ago, I think I would have jumped aboard--but also kept a :spyder2:

 

[IdahoMtnSpyder]

The few times I've met and talked with BMW riders it was a great experience. One impression I have gotten about BMW riders is that the BMW organization is as passionate about rider safety and training as is Goldwing Road Riders. I just wish that same passion would permeate Spyder Ryders of America.

 

[WackyDan]

Most BMW riders wave... BMW's are a touring favorite and I think when they see a spyder out on the road loaded down with bags and additional soft luggage or a trailer they know we are into touring too...

 

[HankD]

No waves from the crotch rocket guys/gals (most of the time)....

If you had to ride in the crotch rocket position for an extended period, you would be grumpy too! :roflblack:

 

[cruisinTX]

long time BMW fan here

I started riding BMWs in 1977 and found the first few years to be a bit different as far as riders of other brands were concerned, but mostly one of quiet respect as fellow bikers all around. One of my best friends back in those days was a hard-core Harley rider. We poked a little fun at each other a bit but it never got serious or heated like I have experienced since I came off a 20 year hiatus from riding in April of 2000. Seems now-a-days the brand snobbery is found more amongst the HD crowd than anywhere else. I cannot count the number of HD owners I have encountered who are dead serious when they make some comment about if it's not a Harley then it's not a "real" motorcycle. I have never heard someone owning other brand make a statement even closely hinting at that thought. I have gotten so tired of that crap, I pretty much won't hang out with any HD riders when there are more than one or two. The few friends I have that ride them, are OK to be around so long as there is not a whole bunch of their HD buddies around that they are trying to impress with ditzing other brands. Of course my favorite response to them is to say, "let's go for a little ride of say---400 miles on some twisty roads. Then when you finally catch up with me, explain why it is your "real" motorcycle is unable to keep up with my "pretend" one". Needless to say, no one has yet taken me up on that challenge; probably because for most of them, that is about a quarter of the miles they ride for the year. I suspect I may have to make the same challenge with the Spyder some day.

As for BMW riders, yes there are a lot of them who have a mightier than thou attitude. The group on BMW Sport-Touring web page was pretty snobby as is the bunch in the MOA. Otherwise all that I have known personally, have been great guys who will bend over backwards to help a fellow biker no matter what brand they are riding.

 

[classicvw]

As for BMW riders, yes there are a lot of them who have a mightier than thou attitude. The group on BMW Sport-Touring web page was pretty snobby as is the bunch in the MOA. Otherwise all that I have known personally, have been great guys who will bend over backwards to help a fellow biker no matter what brand they are riding.

Every forum has a few obnoxious posters that seem to have little time to ride, as their post count is up to 20,000.
A few obnoxious loudmouths can cause us to feel that's the norm for that group.

 

[IdahoMtnSpyder]

As for BMW riders, yes there are a lot of them who have a mightier than thou attitude. The group on BMW Sport-Touring web page was pretty snobby as is the bunch in the MOA. Otherwise all that I have known personally, have been great guys who will bend over backwards to help a fellow biker no matter what brand they are riding.

Here's a quote from the local BMW club bylaws that could cause one to think the attitude comment has merit.

BAVARIAN MOUNTAIN WEST MOTORCYCLE CLUB OF IDAHO, Incorporated (BMW Motorcycle Club of Idaho, INC) April 2012
ARTICLE I NAME, ORGANIZATION, AND FOUNDING
This nonprofit club is known as the Bavarian Mountain West Motorcycle Club of Idaho, Incorporated. Founded in Boise, Idaho 1974 and incorporated June 2003.
ARTICLE ll PURPOSE
The purpose of the Club is to promote interest in ownership of BMW motorcycles; to promote safety and riding skills for persons who enjoy and appreciate BMW motorcycles; to exchange technical information among members and/or to acquire it from appropriate outside sources; and to promote and present a better image of motorcyclists to the general public. Club Motto: "We stress riding companionship, technical assistance and great fun".
ARTICLE III MEMBERSHIP
Membership in this Club shall:
Section 3.1 Be open to BMW motorcycle owners, and those interested in BMW motorcycle ownership, who support the purpose stated above and meet the standards of conduct prescribed in Article IX.

I'll add that the membership application for the local club has a required fill-in item for year and model of BMW. The national org app does not have that.