BMW 450 enduro (merged) threadfest...

[Possu]

Originally Posted by Steady

Talking about price, it would seem as though BMW are pricing the bike to compete with the competition. Problem is that here in South Africa the KTM is overpriced when compared to the Jap bikes.

In the 450 category,

Yamaha WR450F R69999.00 (ZAR, that's SA Rands) US$ 8750.00
Honda CRF450X R 65000.00 US$ 81250.00
Kawasaki KDX450 R59999.00 US$ 7500.00

KTM EXC (2009) R 83999.00 US$ 10500.00
Husky TE450 (2008) R 74000.00 US$ 9250. Clearing 2007's at R59000.00

The BM's have arrived here but are not on the floor yet as they are awaiting the spares shipment, but they might be waiting to launch the bike after the annual GS Challenge, 24 - 29 September? Rumor has it that they will be priced at the same price as the KTM. What irritates me is that the engine is made in China to reduce costs but the savings are not being passed on to the consumer. The other problem I foresee is the cost of maintenance on this bike, BMW spares prices are outrageous in comparison with the Jap prices.

BMW spares are not expensive IMO, certainly no more than the competition. One or tow items might be but then others are cheaper. I know for a fact that in the UK at least, the cost of replacement plastics will be competitive with comparable models.

Check your recent history, Taiwan is not China although the mainland Chinese like to think different.

[GSDude]

Originally Posted by kiwiAdventure

Simple don't buy the bike.

The engine is made in Taiwan not China.

Built by Kymco, one of the worlds largest manufacturers of scooters...bullet proof I tells ya!!

[kiwiAdventure]

Not sure if this has been posted

450 brochure

http://www.motorcycles.bmw.com.au/co...X_MJ08_EAL.pdf

There is a BMW 450 DVD as well. My dealer gave me a couple.

http://www.motorcycles.bmw.com.au/ look under G 450 X

[rwamf]

Originally Posted by rmhrc628

I;m not sure what constitutes a no slack chain but my CRF450 runs a very tight chain.

Simple answer a G450X, only bike that I know of that the swing arm pivot is the same as the counter shaft sprocket, hence chain tension stays the same all through the suspension travel, NO your 450x does not do that, You should have slack in your chain to allow for travel.
From BMW
"The swing-arm is mounted on a steel axle that passes through the transmission output shaft, meaning that the length of the drive chain remains constant, whatever the suspension travel. The tension in the chain remains constant, and the pinion, chain and chain ring wear considerably less than in conventional systems"

[Steady]

Originally Posted by Possu

BMW spares are not expensive IMO, certainly no more than the competition. One or tow items might be but then others are cheaper. I know for a fact that in the UK at least, the cost of replacement plastics will be competitive with comparable models.

Check your recent history, Taiwan is not China although the mainland Chinese like to think different.

Taiwan, China... it's a matter of opinion, in this part of the world Taiwan is not recognized as a separate country. However, the fact is that the engine is made in the East to reduce costs, as quoted by BMW, and the costs have not been passed on to the consumer!

Cost of spares. A set of plastics for the Yamaha in this part of the world cost US$ 125, generics even less. Set of "plastics" on my XChallenge cost me US$ 775 Not the same kind of bike I know but I would be willing to bet my XChallenge that the 450's replacement plastics will be way more expensive than the Jap bikes.

The point of my post was not to criticize BMW, but, as the Rooster said to the hen whilst pointing to an ostrich egg "I am not criticizing, I am not disparaging, I am merely indicating what is being done elsewhere!" Hence my quoting prices of other bikes.

To those buying the bike, enjoy. I would look at one if they were in the same price bracket as the Jap bikes cost in this neck of the woods, but with two BMW's in the garage I am all filled up on the Kool Aid.

[Possu]

Originally Posted by Steady

Talking about price, it would seem as though BMW are pricing the bike to compete with the competition. Problem is that here in South Africa the KTM is overpriced when compared to the Jap bikes.

In the 450 category,

Yamaha WR450F R69999.00 (ZAR, that's SA Rands) US$ 8750.00
Honda CRF450X R 65000.00 US$ 81250.00
Kawasaki KDX450 R59999.00 US$ 7500.00

KTM EXC (2009) R 83999.00 US$ 10500.00
Husky TE450 (2008) R 74000.00 US$ 9250. Clearing 2007's at R59000.00

The BM's have arrived here but are not on the floor yet as they are awaiting the spares shipment, but they might be waiting to launch the bike after the annual GS Challenge, 24 - 29 September? Rumor has it that they will be priced at the same price as the KTM. What irritates me is that the engine is made in China to reduce costs but the savings are not being passed on to the consumer. The other problem I foresee is the cost of maintenance on this bike, BMW spares prices are outrageous in comparison with the Jap prices.

Please note that the following are UK prices only and are inclusive of 17.5% tax:

Oil Filter £12.70
Oil Filter Housing O’Ring £tbc
Air Filter £10.10
Spark Plug £7.20
Front Brake Disc £44.51
Front Brake Pads £33.10 (3 grades available)
Rear Brake Disc £44.51
Rear Brake Pads £33.10
Throttle Cable £36.20
Clutch Cable £tbc
Front Brake Lever £22.61
Clutch Lever £17.71
Handlebars £76.50
Rear Brake Lever £61.50
Rear Brake Lever Tip £3.95
Gear Change Lever £37.99
Front Mudguard £14.40
Rear Tailpiece Plastic £27.40
Rear R/H Plastic £15.49
Rear L/H Plastic £13.50

[YOGOI]

YOGOI
Prick



Joined: Jun 2004
Location: Logan, Utah
Oddometer: 2,557

kiwiAdventure
Beastly Adventurer



Joined: Nov 2002
Location: Auckland New Zealand
Oddometer: 1,049

kiwiAdventure
Beastly Adventurer



Joined: Nov 2002
Location: Auckland New Zealand
Oddometer: 1,049

GSDude
Ah, the little grey cells



Joined: May 2005
Location: High Desert
Oddometer: 23,066

[YOGOI]

.

[Timpo]

Originally Posted by Possu

Oil Filter £12.70
Oil Filter Housing O’Ring £tbc
Air Filter £10.10
Spark Plug £7.20
Front Brake Disc £44.51
Front Brake Pads £33.10 (3 grades available)
Rear Brake Disc £44.51
Rear Brake Pads £33.10
Throttle Cable £36.20
Clutch Cable £tbc
Front Brake Lever £22.61
Clutch Lever £17.71
Handlebars £76.50
Rear Brake Lever £61.50
Rear Brake Lever Tip £3.95
Gear Change Lever £37.99
Front Mudguard £14.40
Rear Tailpiece Plastic £27.40
Rear R/H Plastic £15.49
Rear L/H Plastic £13.50

The only prices I think are too steep there are:-
Brake pads
Oil filter
Spark plug

Everything else seems the norm.......
It's weird how the 'consumerbles' are the dearest? Hardware is the same prices as any Jap/Euro weapon.

Timpo.

[mrkartoom]

Originally Posted by Timpo

The only prices I think are too steep there are:-
Brake pads
Oil filter
Spark plug

Everything else seems the norm.......
It's weird how the 'consumerbles' are the dearest? Hardware is the same prices as any Jap/Euro weapon.

Timpo.

Unless the spark plug is a special one-off deal, won't these things be available at your usual Galfer/TwinAir/NGK (for example) sources?

[Timpo]

Originally Posted by mrkartoom

Unless the spark plug is a special one-off deal, won't these things be available at your usual Galfer/TwinAir/NGK (for example) sources?

I should imagine that the warranty will require the use of OEM parts.

[mrkartoom]

Originally Posted by Timpo

I should imagine that the warranty will require the use of OEM parts.

Don't know much about BMW, but won't they be out-sourcing this stuff to NGK and TwinAir? I can't imagine what the risk would be running after-market brake pads.

[GSDude]

The Airfilter I Saw Was A Twin Air..

[kiwiAdventure]

How many spark plugs are you guys going to go through a year The air cleaner is the part I'll be changing regurally

[GSDude]

Originally Posted by kiwiAdventure

How many spark plugs are you guys going to go through a year The air cleaner is the part I'll be changing regurally

I think they assume it's a two-stroke...