Questions for David Robb, vice president of Motorrad design

[websterize]

After a quick reply to a request two weeks ago for an e-mail Q&A, radio silence from headquarters. I'm beginning to think they're not interested.

[websterize]

I wrote too soon — heard from Motorrad today. I submitted 10 R1200R design questions for Mr. Robb. If he replies, will post in a new topic.

[Sander Abernathy]

My question is this:

Can a paint truly be smoked, matte and metallic?

If I must be a bit less pedantic my questions are the following:

Why not offer the following aftermarket design elements?

A belly pan/engine fairing,
A seat cowling, and
An alternative to the very staid front headlight.

Of course I know the answer. If they did offer those parts they would be so expensive no one would buy them.

Also, since I'm about to go through the (4+ hour) process of replacing the license plate bracket again, can't they make a license plate bracket that isn't the attachment point for pretty much every part of the bike behind and above the passenger footpegs?

[websterize]

My question is this:

Can a paint truly be smoked, matte and metallic?

I actually asked him a question about this color. I hope he responds.

Hope the third time is the charm for you.

[dbrick]

BTW - if you really want to know what's up with BMW-Motorrad AG - this article with the head dude is really revealing (including debunking the water-cooled-boxer hoax..): http://cyclenews.coverleaf.com/cyclenews/20110426/#pg49. Very interesting reading..

It is interesting. However, I think he doesn't "debunk the water-cooled boxer hoax:" what he says is that "It's a tricky question," then he sails on to remind the interviewer that BMW has experimented with many engine layouts and designs, and that not all make it to production. We might want him to have laid this idea to rest...but he didn't.

[ContraMoto]

We might want him to have laid this idea to rest...but he didn't.

That was my impression, too. But still...a water-cooled 1200 twin. Gotta make 150hp without even trying. What do you do with that motor, with their basic product segmentation? Ducati uses it in (a) a sport-touring bike, the Mulitstrada; (b) a naked hooligan streetfighter, the Streetfighter; and (c) a race-replica sport bike.

Thinking about it...BMW already has the race-replica bike nailed, and the boxer configuration has failed on the track already (aerodynamic problems, mainly). So, that's out.

The new 1600 touring bike isn't really a sport tourer, it's the full monty. So, I could see a 150hp RT having a market and competing with the Multistrada. The GS would probably also benefit from the ability to compete head-to-head with the Multi.

The final category...the urban hooligan bike...Streetfighter and Speed Triple segment. Is that really BMW's customer?

[sweatmark]

Past the submission deadline, but what I would ask given the opportunity:

What protocol was used to isolate and remedy the design and/or quality defects apparent in R1150** series drivetrain, in preparation for R1200GS/R/RT?

[CRazyCam]

The final category...the urban hooligan bike...Streetfighter and Speed Triple segment. Is that really BMW's customer?

Who knows, since BMW have never really built one.

I certainly bought a Triumph Street Triple, which I love, but it's lack of usefulness drove me back to owning a BMW as well.

regards,CrazyCam

[deilenberger]

The final category...the urban hooligan bike...Streetfighter and Speed Triple segment. Is that really BMW's customer?

It is actually one of BMW's target demographics.

Really interesting talk this past Saturday night at Morton's Spring Fling rally by Lawrence Kuckendel (spelling is obviously wrong..) He presented the slide show that BMW-Motorrad US gave to the BMW board about 5 years ago about where the market is going, and how BMW Motorrad might survive.

The Cliffs note version is - the only growth market BMW-Motorrad has is the US market. And to really grow in that market - they must broaden the range of people the bikes appeal to. He did make the point that they'll continue making the BMW "standards" - such as our much-loved Roadsters, because that is the heritage of BMW, and those of us buying them still are a viable market base.

Europe didn't have a Baby-Boomer generation (which was pegged at 77,000,000 people roughly). The US did - and that's primarily BMW-US's current customers. Problem is - we're all getting older, and for many of us - the next bike we buy may well be the last bike we buy.

Gen-X wasn't near as large - and the feeling was they didn't present a good demographic because they can't afford a new BMW, they're too busy building careers and paying mortgages and college tuition off (for themselves, and saving for their kids.)

That left Gen-Y - the Baby-Boomer-Result generation. This groups presented a second "boom" - about (from memory) 37,000,000 people. This is the group younger then 35 or so - and this is BMW's potential growth market.

The other market they presented as possible growth markets are the conquest market - grabbing buyers from other makers.

Lawrence also discussed the devaluing of the Yen as a big factor - prices on "comparable" Japanese bikes are now nearing the prices on a basic BMW bike (size for size and features.) BMWs don't seem so out of reach or excessively priced to the potential conquest buyer.

So - the outcome of the talk they gave to the BMW board was the new bikes we see them releasing now. It takes this long to design and get things into the pipeline. The S1000RR has been a stunning success for them - sales continue strong, demand is still high, and it's taking them into markets they never anticipated (like the drag-bike market.) The new 1600 has also been a remarkable success - they are sold out for this year's production, and the reception by potential buyers has been spectacular (as have been the magazine reviews.)

So - hooligan bikes, super-motards from BMW-Motorrad - wouldn't surprise me a bit. You can expect to see them start to really push the Husky's as an alternative for KTM.

Lawrence was asked about the water cooled boxer - his reply was along the lines of "Next question?.."

Oh - one interesting note was the amount of money BMW spends for R&D on motorcycles. I forget the exact number - but it's a good percentage of the cost of a BMW, and the absolute dollar amount was more then Honda spends with bike sales roughly 10x that of BMW.

[websterize]

It's a busy spring/summer for Mr. Robb, and he won't be able to answer the submitted R12R questions. He will, however, attend BMW Motorrad Days in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany, July 1-3. If you're in that part of the world, stop by — he'll probably talk your ear off about the Maxi-Scooter.

[Robb] asked me to pass on his best regards and asked for your kind understanding.

[CRazyCam]

If you're in that part of the world, stop by — he'll probably talk your ear off about the Maxi-Scooter.

The Maxi scoot looks interesting, but presumably, if it reaches production would have to be a C2.

I was really taken with BMW's C1, but they were never officially sold in Australia, some arrived for evaluation, in 2000.

Although they didn't get the dispensation here that you could ride them without a helmet (seat belt was fitted!) I'd still love to at least have a ride on one.

Have a look at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BMW_C1

regards,CrazyCam