THE GUY WHO SAVED BMW

Had a GREAT service or buying experience with a vendor then post it up here.
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moto al
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THE GUY WHO SAVED BMW

Post by moto al »

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moto al
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mark vb
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Re: THE GUY WHO SAVED BMW

Post by mark vb »

I bought a new K100 in 1985, sold after 3 years as I became bored with it.... very efficient but soulless, it ran like a sewing machine. Always wished I'd got an R80G/S instead! I did get an R65 which was too underpowered for autoroutes, then a CBR600 which was brilliant at most things....
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92kk k100lt 193214
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Re: THE GUY WHO SAVED BMW

Post by 92kk k100lt 193214 »

Have a nice 83 K100RS. It pulls a trailer too!
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1992 K100LT June 2010 110,000 miles
1984 K100RT July 2013 36,000 miles, 90,000
1983 K100RS Nov 2018 29,000 miles, 36,400 miles
1996 K1100LT Oct 2020 37,990 miles
1984 K100 Sprint March 2023 58,000 miles
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tuftywhite
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Re: THE GUY WHO SAVED BMW

Post by tuftywhite »

I heard or read somewhere that the R80g/s was going to be the last of the boxer engines and production was moving to be all K 'brick' engines.

However, the success of the g/s changed all that and the flat twin has been one of their most successful engines.
Richard Simpson Mark II
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Re: THE GUY WHO SAVED BMW

Post by Richard Simpson Mark II »

That's true...I was at the world press launch of the K75, three-pot 'brick'.

The 80G/S was there too, with the option of a big fuel tank and single seat, and pretty much ignored.

The weird thing about the original K75 was that it had a lot of really futuristic (for then) technology such as electronic engine management and fuel-injection...and a rod-operated rear drum brake! Even Triumph had gone over to rear discs years before.
garyboy
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Re: THE GUY WHO SAVED BMW

Post by garyboy »

I remember that .... boxer .. brick .. outcry .. brick plus boxer. The boxer twin was well-loved by enthusiasts, surprisingly so, and caught BMW unawares.

I once rode a mates new (then) K1 and was very impressed.. far superior to my then VF1000 in all aspects. Smooth powerful engine, fab brakes, great handling. 27 years later it is 'boring.. ah well, such is progress?

I also rode his R60 ? from Swindon to a North Wales rally .. got there dry and fresh wow, but struggled on the return with 'lack of power.
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Re: THE GUY WHO SAVED BMW

Post by Flipflop »

They did actually stop production of the boxer engine for a while but there was such an outcry from their customer base that they did a u turn - don’t forget, at this time, they were a niche manufacturer and had a small customer base compared to the Japanese makes.
I would have thought that the person that saved BMW was the person who commissioned the oil head motor - I’m biased as I had one 😃
The person that enabled BMW to become a world selling manufacturer was Howard Godolphin. He was the BMW executive that persuaded BMW to supply the bikes for Charlie and Ewan - they were set to say no like KTM.
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