General Question on Dealing with BMW as a company

[O'erTheHill]

We had a 1980 GS850G shaftdrive four years and 55,000 miles.
This was back when we rode 2up.

That picture brings back memories. My first brand new bike was a 1977 Yamaha XS650. I'm not sure it was a good idea to put a Vetter Windjammer SS fairing on it but it allowed me to ride over Donner Pass, in the middle of the night, in October.

[Motorhead1977]

I'm on my second "this century" BMW. My first BMW was a R65LS back in the early 80's. Recently privately purchased a lightly used 2020 1250RS and love it. Sold my '18 1200RT (which I also loved and traded a GL1800 for) as I wanted something lighter. Correct on your thoughts on both the dealership experience and the relative lack of available dealerships to use. The dealership I bought my 2018 from treated me so poorly (great price and trade value but after/beyond that the experience was so negative I wouldn't let them add air to the tires of someone else's bike) I now travel over 100 miles for dealer service rather than the 15 minutes to them. So yes, be sure you have access to a dealer you feel comfortable trusting. Reliability wise the BMW seems on par with the other bikes I've owned including the HDs. Parts are pricier than the Japanese bikes were but in keeping with the "it's a high end vehicle" marketing program. Enjoy your 1250RS.

[Lee]

Reply to Motorhead

We also started with BMW in the 80s.
Over the years we have dealt with family owned shops and had good luck.
Family owned shops are getting few and far between. The Iowa City shop is now a large multi brand shop now and it hard to know who's who in the zoo.
Most of the time we go to Engles in Kansas City 180 miles south of us.
Not very convenient but everyone is knowledgeable.
There's is a muti brand shop 65 miles from us that handles BMW but they do not seem to be very committed to BMW.