Honda makes an interesting bike - Honda NC700X

[Ridercam]

The new parallel twin F 700 GS and F 800 GS at the exceptional price of $12,890 and $16,690 respectively plus a 500 dollar local dealer charge. The F 700 GS, and the F 800 GS, both come standard with heated grips, on board computer, pannier fittings, main stand and switchable ABS and can be optionally delivered with switchable Automatic Stability Control (ASC) and Electronic Suspension Adjustment.

From what I read... 2012 NC700X DCT ABS MSRP $8,999 plus a 300 dealer set up. Heated grips are 299, a center stand is 139. Bash plate 149. Bags and mounts $599.95.

I see at least a 4 thousand dollar difference before the BMW even gets bags, bash plate or other comparable farkles. If we put it in perspective... this isn't like our old german bikes but assembled closer to the honda factories by the same sub contracting parts makers than BMW would admit.

[Steve in Golden]

I might like one, but wow, are they trying to make it ugly?

That is familiar... Pick any GS of any displacement and you say the same.
Like many things... It's not ugly if you are on one. Don't look when you pass a tanker truck!
http://advrider.com/forums/attachment.p ... 1325205064

My R1200GS isn't ugly; it's the bike of the apocalypse so it can't be.

The thing about Jap bikes in general is, they are faddish. Here today, gone tomorrow for the latest whizbang model that they will only make for a year or two before moving on to yet something else. Then parts are only available for the discontinued models for a few years at most. But parts are still available for BMW bikes they haven't made for 30 years.

I think I'll stick with BMW despite being more expensive. It's about more than just $.

[Major Softie]

The thing about Jap bikes in general is, they are faddish. Here today, gone tomorrow for the latest whizbang model that they will only make for a year or two before moving on to yet something else. Then parts are only available for the discontinued models for a few years at most. But parts are still available for BMW bikes they haven't made for 30 years.

I think I'll stick with BMW despite being more expensive. It's about more than just $.

This is very true. If you want to buy a new motorcycle that you will sell in 5 years time, the Japanese offer FAR more value per dollar. If you want to keep it, the dealer will start having trouble getting some parts at 10 years, if not before.

[Jeff in W.C.]

From what I read... 2012 NC700X DCT ABS MSRP $8,999 plus a 300 dealer set up. Heated grips are 299, a center stand is 139. Bash plate 149. Bags and mounts $599.95.

I see at least a 4 thousand dollar difference before the BMW even gets bags, bash plate or other comparable farkles. If we put it in perspective... this isn't like our old german bikes but assembled closer to the honda factories by the same sub contracting parts makers than BMW would admit.

According to Rider, Base $8,999. Price as tested $11,598. Options: tall windscreen, fairing & saddlebag accents, fairing air deflectors, light bar, 45-liter trunk, 29-liter saddlebags, centerstand, lower cowl deflector, heated grips, & 12v accessory socket.

Edit: Just checked a local dealer and a F 700 GS $11,785 with ABS, ESA II, heated grips, luxury package, on board computer, centerstand, saddlebag mounts, safety package, & TPM. I don't know what some of these options are. But, the price seems competitive to me. Certainly not off by $4,000.

[Ridercam]

The thing about Jap bikes in general is, they are faddish. Here today, gone tomorrow for the latest whizbang model that they will only make for a year or two before moving on to yet something else. Then parts are only available for the discontinued models for a few years at most. But parts are still available for BMW bikes they haven't made for 30 years.

I think I'll stick with BMW despite being more expensive. It's about more than just $.

This is very true. If you want to buy a new motorcycle that you will sell in 5 years time, the Japanese offer FAR more value per dollar. If you want to keep it, the dealer will start having trouble getting some parts at 10 years, if not before.

I think we are reaching if we believe any current motorcycle manufacturer will support any bike older than 10 years. Trends in many other industries including BMW themselves do not want to stock or supply spares for older models as the profit for such things are greatly reduced beyond what is contractually prudent. Honda successfully has made older bike parts unavailable - why would BMW not do the same?

They would prefer you buy a new one. They needn't have to have the legacy costs. And new is always better, right?

[Major Softie]

I think we are reaching if we believe any current motorcycle manufacturer will support any bike older than 10 years. Trends in many other industries including BMW themselves do not want to stock or supply spares for older models as the profit for such things are greatly reduced beyond what is contractually prudent. Honda successfully has made older bike parts unavailable - why would BMW not do the same?

They would prefer you buy a new one. They needn't have to have the legacy costs. And new is always better, right?

There are two things you are ignoring here:

1. Honda has thousands of "legacy" models. BMW has a tiny fraction of that.

2. Honda has never supported most older models. BMW always has.


Since I can walk into my small local dealer and get most parts I need for my 17 year-old Oilhead right off the shelf, and they could always get me whatever I needed for my 45 year-old /2 within 2 days, I think it's clear that BMW does not follow the same model as Honda, and never has. In fact, BMW (motorcycles) gives dramatically better support to its older models than not only every other motorcycle company, but also every car company I know of.

So, to your question "why would BMW not do the same?": I don't know, but they don't.

[Ridercam]

We hope so. It is one of the reasons we still ride BMW's beyond the 15 year limit most other bikes have. When i ride my airhead, i know i can get most parts still. My San Francisco dealer does not service my 1983 bike though. Silly things like gaiters for the forks are not long available... we begin to work around them and find aftermarket solutions for the interium of our ownership.

The F700GS bike is a great bike- no doubt. Built to last like your /2 or my CS and supported for well for 45 years... I doubt it. I only know how most industry trends suggest that support and parts for durable goods has diminished. BMW has traditionally held parts readily. New customers who are first time buyers of their products have no long term relationship with them as we do. As we age out of the market, custom and practice of the motorcycle giants in this industry will prevail.

[Zombie Master]

We hope so. It is one of the reasons we still ride BMW's beyond the 15 year limit most other bikes have. When i ride my airhead, i know i can get most parts still. My San Francisco dealer does not service my 1983 bike though. Silly things like gaiters for the forks are not long available... we begin to work around them and find aftermarket solutions for the interium of our ownership.

The F700GS bike is a great bike- no doubt. Built to last like your /2 or my CS and supported for well for 45 years... I doubt it. I only know how most industry trends suggest that support and parts for durable goods has diminished. BMW has traditionally held parts readily. New customers who are first time buyers of their products have no long term relationship with them as we do. As we age out of the market, custom and practice of the motorcycle giants in this industry will prevail.

At this point most of us have our own 15 year limit!

[Jeff in W.C.]

We hope so. It is one of the reasons we still ride BMW's beyond the 15 year limit most other bikes have. When i ride my airhead, i know i can get most parts still. My San Francisco dealer does not service my 1983 bike though. Silly things like gaiters for the forks are not long available... we begin to work around them and find aftermarket solutions for the interium of our ownership.

The F700GS bike is a great bike- no doubt. Built to last like your /2 or my CS and supported for well for 45 years... I doubt it. I only know how most industry trends suggest that support and parts for durable goods has diminished. BMW has traditionally held parts readily. New customers who are first time buyers of their products have no long term relationship with them as we do. As we age out of the market, custom and practice of the motorcycle giants in this industry will prevail.

I agree with you. BMW seems to be lowering the quality on some of their parts for older vehicles (motorcycles and cars), which is worse in my books than no longer providing parts--to an extent. I drive a 96 328i convertible. I had to have the tensioner pulley for the AC system replaced. I'm on the second one in 12 months and it needs to be replaced again. Luckily, there's a two year warranty on replacement parts, so it’s not costing me anything. My mechanic has said they found the solution, which is to dismantle the new part then rebuild it with proper grease. Otherwise, they fail. I've had problems with other replacement parts that has me thinking about getting a newer car.

I’ve started to notice parts issues with my bike several years ago. Many have posted about the lower quality of replacement parts too. While I don’t think I’ll get rid of my bike, I’m hesitant to purchase another airhead.

[dougie]

Why is there both an F700GS and F800GS from BMW?
(The 700 isn't listed on the BMW Canada site.)