I'll be heading to Baja in the next couple of weeks. I have an 08 BV 250 with under 300 miles I'll sell you for $2000.00 I could bring it with me.
You really don't need to. It's an impressive ride, and only issue that you might have is comfort/legroom if you're over 5'10". Everything else will make you buy it on the spot.
Bykpimp: If you don't go to Baja with your BV250 and you still want to sell it I know someone a lot closer who'd buy it.....
that is why I want to wait until I have the green in the hand... nothing worse than riding and not buying! And for the offer thank very much but today (until December) I have no space/more for another bike. Maybe then I will pm you! Cheers Damasovi
Most folks at the AF1 Aprilia Forum weren't that lucky. Electrical gremlins, "gear mode" lock up on the display and the bike won't shift out of 1st gear, won't start after riding in the rain etc. To tell the truth, I've been hearing a lot of the same from Pegaso 650 Strada (the new one) owners and there's a bunch of them here for the price of a good used Ninja 250 (guess why). 1st gen Shiver, same story. :huh
Not trying to discredit anything you state Cortez, I actually respect you and your opinions BUT the forums tend to represent a very small subset of the entire population of owners of any given bike. That said, people on forums typically are more "into" the subject matter that forum pertains to, and inasmuch makes them more critical of the product as a a whole. In other words there are plenty of people who own machines who aren't active in online groups about them, and who basically have quiet enjoyable relationships with their machines that we never hear from. More so, than are members of the user groups perhaps (even for low-volume products like BV and Pegasos) so what we hear about on an enthusiasts forum isnt the total picture about a product. Listen, Ive had my issues with my modern Vespa, and Piaggio and I dont believe they support their product well here in the states. But when I hear stories of the sky is falling around a particular bike on an internet forum, I have to take it in the context from which it was delivered. Here someone says their experience has been trouble-free with a given scoot and youre quoting what others, (none of whom are you btw) claim on an enthusiasts site and somewhere in-between those two sets of experiences is what I believe reality is.
I had hoped to ride the BV350 at my dealers open house Saturday, but that did not happen. I did get to put 40 miles on a C650GT and that was nice, lots of leg room, shitty seat, nice suspension. The scoot I rode is weeping oil from the rear drive at 500 miles, that's a little scary.
I was reading the BMW owners forum regarding the new scoots, and the oil leak was a topic of discussion over there too. If you are considering one, you might want to read the comments over there. Also, there is info and there are some pics of the weeping problem here: http://www.webbikeworld.com/bmw-c-650-gt/blog.htm
Correctamundo! I saw the posts there a few days ago and then I see at the open house the demo scooter is doing the same thing, not dripping on the ground on this scooter but coating the edges around where the case splits, collecting dirt and making a nice dark stain along the length of the mating surfaces. I talked to the sales guy and indicated my interest before I saw the weeping. They have a black one on the floor, no miles and it is just stunning, but I have a strong feeling it will do the same. This seems to be a very common problem. I am going to have to let him know I will pass right now. On the plus side the C650 is an amazing ride, with a decent seat it would be a mile eater. We left the dealer on the 40 mile demo ride and made our way through about 5 stop lights. I used the red light down time to figure out how to reset the trip meter, which also resets the average mpg reading. Not sure how accurate it is but the remaining 38 miles produced a 51 mpg readout. Note to demo ride leader, let the buyer find out the seat sucks after they buy the scooter. Maybe 95% of all bikes/scooters have crappy seats, at least according to my butt meter, 40 miles will get my butt burning on just about any factory seat. I sat on the BV for about half an hour on the center stand and it probably is too cramped for my size.
Fair enough and I'm aware of that (been on the boards since BBS times, 1990s..), but my current job has me visiting motorcycle shops and services around the country (more then 100 locations) monthly, and I hear a lot of the same from them too. I'd love to own a Mana naked with ABS. Seems like a perfect bike for me.
Man - this was an interesting thread to read. I pick up my BV 350 today. Really never pictured myself as a scooter guy, but heck it is one sweet little ride. Actually went into the dealer to by a 2013 Vstrom 650. .... I'll keep everyone posted on longevity of whatnot. Prolly get the first service done at the dealer at 620 miles. Bike comes with synth oil from the getgo. Gotta love Italians.
Try not to find out the longevity of the belt. Manual says they're replaced at 20.000km.. and I know two people who got to 12-13.000 and the belt snapped (actually typical for Italians, but might not be that well known overseas - we're used to them here).
I've been very interested in the new 650 Wee-Strom too & tested one last fall. I'm also considering the BV350 & a switch to scoots as I'm 69 & would like to go lighter. The Wee is too tall for me w/o lowering & I might even need to shave the seat??? on the BV for a decent ride height??? FWIW,I have some riding buddies that ride out of the Marion,VA area & ride both scoots & MC's. PM me for the contact. Keep me posted on your scoot impressions,thanks,Mike in KY What dealer & the price???
Based on my interest in the BV & being a tour type rider why do the belts snap? I thought it was more typical for a belt in that type of service application to get narrower? My (slow speed, machine I know) Kawasawki Mule belt still looks new after 300+ hours. Is a belt a difficult repair for a mechanic(me) while on a long ride of say 6-7,000 miles(not KM's)??? Price ??? I've seen $400+ USD for BMW MC belts recently-hope they are not that high??? Talk about a deal killer. I've read a bunch of threads & first comment I've seen on short belt life. Tires, yes but some much longer than others.
What do you mean why do they snap!? :huh They're supposed to wear out at some point, that and the CVT rollers. The important thing here is that they say it's good for 12.500 miles and it lasts about 8.000. It gets narrower over time, sure, but is usually within spec at the 6250 mile check-up, then snaps in half on your next ride. Maybe they'll fix the quality over time, but they're more likely to make the replacement interval shorter then make a proper belt.