BMW quits SBK

[montmil]

Bummer...

http://www.cycleworld.com/2013/07/24/bmw-withdraws-from-world-superbike-at-end-of-season/?cmpid=enews072513&spPodID=020&spMailingID=5596559&spUserID=MjA0MDMxNDg1MDMS1&spJobID=326272572&spReportId=MzI2MjcyNTcyS0

[nhmaf]

Interesting - I think that part of their motivation was to further develop and enhance the technology and visibility/hype for their ridiculously powerful S1000RR bikes.  And now they are dropping out.   Perhaps they weren't seeing good return on the investment.

I'm not sure how well these bike sell around other parts of the country, but I do seem to see a fair number of them sitting in the showroom up here at MAX's, and not so many of them out on the roads.   They also seem to be among the more commonly found used BMW bikes in the "for sale" sections..

[montmil]

It's just a guess on my part, but I think the sales of BMW "adventure-style" motorcycles are what's keeping the lights on in their offices and factories.

And as you mention, Mike, return on investment may not be on the positive side of the ledger page.

I'll also miss seeing Manuele Raffaeta, BMW factory rider Marco Melandri's girlfriend, dressing up the races.  [smiley=whistling.gif]

http://www.google.com/images?client=safari&rls=en&q=Manuela+Raffaetà&oe=UTF-8&hl=en&sa=X&oi=image_result_group&ei=l1jxUcTPL8nlyAGai4GgCg&ved=0CBgQsAQ

[tvrla]

She doesn't seem to dress up much - if you know what I mean.

What a gorgeous doll!

[MR.E]

Thats a shame, i love my RR!

It's the greatest superbike i've ever ridden, but due to the pure power i use it as a track day tool, it will kill me on the road!!
I know a few lads near me that buy them and sell it shortly after as it's too powerful, most have gone on to 800GS ADV's!!

[Justin B.]

Pity.  Seems BMW has never heard the old automotove sales slogan, "Win on Sunday, sell it on Monday..."

[tvrla]

They used to do a lot of racing in the early days and set a lot of long standing records.

Seems they just got into the racing game a couple years ago, and now they're bowing out. Guess they weren't in it for the research and development, or even just the fun of it. Sounds like it was to make a statement, then get out.

And it does seem to ring true that these things are so powerful, what's the point? They're not any kind of real-world bike. Your public would shortly be without driver's licenses or locked behind bars if they don't exhibit incredible self restraint. My R11S wasn't nearly as bad and it only did twice the speed limit, and it really proved the adage 'it's more fun riding a slow bike fast than a fast bike slow'.

[MR.E]

'it's more fun riding a slow bike fast than a fast bike slow'.  

Never heard that before, i like it.
the RR is a track bike, and man it's a good one. Mine won't be going back on the road anytime soon, the R65 is a perfect road bike for me.

[Bengt_Phorqs]

.I'll also miss seeing Manuele Raffaeta, BMW factory rider Marco Melandri's girlfriend, dressing up the races.http://www.google.com/images?client=safari [/quote]

Kind of slutty but in a good way.

[livingdeadhead]

HEY, thats my mother you're talking about!  

[Semper Gumby]

There may be something else going on.  I've heard rumblings that the new generation doesn't ride like we do.  They're not into motorcycles or cars for that matter.  They have their iPods and whatever...the average age for first time road licenses I think is rising.

I heard that GM is concerned about how the younger generation is not into their products (i.e. Corvette etc.)

PS - the heck with the R1000RR - let me have a 2013 HP4 please - mit competition package.  

[Justin B.]

Although I'm "old" I'd love a 'Vette if they were in the $20k range...

[Luca]

There may be something else going on.  I've heard rumblings that the new generation doesn't ride like we do.  They're not into motorcycles or cars for that matter.  They have their iPods and whatever...the average age for first time road licenses I think is rising.

Since when has BMW marketed to the younglings with their premium prices?

I've been accused of being an old soul at 24.  I like computers and I like motor vehicles, and I like them separate!  FWIW, I seem to notice a lot of folks my age go out and buy a sport bike, ride it a little bit, and then when it breaks down they sell it and are done.  Even the fancy new bikes still need maintenance, especially when they sit eight months out of the year.  I know just about nobody my age who can turn a wrench.

Also, a lot more riders on the road now are over the hill, and the average age of motorcyclists in crashes has gone up too.  I think the mid-life-crisis-buy-a-hardley crowd has something to do with it, and I also think my generation sees motorcycles more as an image thing now than a transportation thing.