Mark, I see your point but..
Up to about 2004, I would say that the average BMW rider was categorized as someone who toured a lot, had a bit of a passion for bikes and knew that they wanted.
After then I think the "lifestyle" thing became a bit of a deciding factor, coupled with the fact that the R1200GS in particular started falling to bits on a more than acceptable (by those standards applied to Japanese bikes) rate, probably before then.
BMW became the recall king, for a year or two at least, so things have shifted a bit. I WAS looking at buying a BMW GS until just too many people I knew had issues (R series again).
I checked on line thinking it may have been a "cluster" and I found out it was more of a "cluster fuck" and I decided it was a bit of a lottery.
The fact that it almost emulates HD as a "lifestyle" thing I think is interesting.
Rich Boomers ride Harleys more often than not now who want the "Rebel without a cause" look.
I think the same has happened to the GS. Except they want the latest lifestyle fad. Rebels are just so 90's. Adventure is the New Black.
I am sure 90% of those that actually ride and maintain their bikes probably do OK, but for the money we pay where I live it would want to be better than the Japanese by 40% not Worse by 40%.
I don't like being ripped off that bad and noting about a BMW is so special, especially now, that I feel I need to do without a few trips just to pay their price.
There has also been plenty of shit leveled at the S10, if you look around, and the VFR and Metric Cruisers and Stroms.
I'm not going to give BMW any dispensations because they are BMW. If they want to pump stuff like "best motorcycle in the world" in their ads and charge accordingly they damn well better be.
They are not. They are just another Brand that has bad QA ATM and Major Chinese parts in some bikes. They are not what they used to be.
In fact the S10 appeals because it is what BMW used to be. A refined, reliable, capable solid motorcycle. The fact that it doesn't win drag races is so far down my list of priorities I can't really see it anymore. The eyes aren't what they used to be.
Exactly what I didn't buy when I was younger. ::024::