[The CyberPoet]

Then again, why would BMW be so overly concerned about a bunch of adventure-Amera-yuppies whining that their recreational bikes broke. I'm pretty sure BMW gets their major road evals from daily riders on euro hell-roads, not wannabees that "brave" the dangerous 405.

I think a lot of it is venting of anger over the drive-train issue (and hoping BMW will see it and step-up to the bat) -- the last thing you expect after spending $18k - $27k for a top-of-the-line über-tourer is for the thing not to last 15k miles from date of break-in before stranding you somewhere due to a complete drive shaft failure. The shaft drives over the last several years have had a couple different (IHMO engineering) failures that proved problematic across several models, including common failures at the shaft support bearings by CV/Universal close to the pumpkin, and the seal(s) adjacent to it.

The secondary problems are that BMW has refused to acknowledge it as a systemic failure across their fleet (better hope it fails while you are still under warrantee, or you're out $4k!) -- and the re-engineering efforts in subsequent model years from the date of first-introduction of that particular drive-shaft system have been minor band-aids (change in the bearing type) instead of a full-on redesign to eliminate the potential of the problem in the first place.

All of this is compounded by the fact that BMW claims the shaft oil is a "lifetime oil" requiring no change or maintenance -- something that 1000 miles a day fully-loaded negates effectively, it would seem, running that oil hot and deteriorating both the bearing and the seal.

Lord knows, I'd be awfully pizz'd if my almost-new BMW failed on the road -- and honestly, knowledge of this systemic failure actually dissuaded me from buying a K1200 this past summer.

I did note that the new K1300 models all claim a revamped drive-shaft system, but whether it's more band-aids on the existing design or a truly new design is beyond me...

Cheers,
=-= The CyberPoet

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CyberPoet's KR Specials
Suzuki Stratosphere - 6 Cylinders, the new Katana?
The Best Motorcycle Metal Billet Tire Valves in the World, plus lots of motorcycle & Katana (GSX600F / GSX750F) specific help files.

[Tokalosh]

Never understood the logic behind towing a perfectly good/operational vehicle. especially a sport TOURING motorcycle ride it?

If I could ride mine to the US I would, just to be at the rally.

Tok

[StevieB]

Uh, folks, can we get back to the original subject? That being, the means for Western US Katriders to attend the rally? And maybe, by extension, our over-seas bretheren, too?

Here's another suggestion- a fund to give modest grants to those far off who want to attend but can't come with all the money they need to make it.

[DumbLuck]

I"m not far off I90 in Minnesota, and am more than willing to put someone up for the night, and offer the garage for any maint/repairs possible here. Could even prolly fetch someone broke down within a hundred or so miles, or even more with some gas money help. fixed incomes really stink