New BMW Book: The Evolution of Excellence

[Mika]

The Evolution of Excellence (http://www.worldofbmw.com/content/article.asp?article=563&artDate=24/07/2006)

From the English - World of BMW - site
English-born Kevin Ash has written a new book that covers the history of BMW Motorrad from its inception in 1917 to the present. BMW Motorcycles: The Evolution of Excellence has 178 pages dedicated to the fascinating story of one of the world's most admired and enduring motorcycle companies.

Follow the link for their complete blurr on about the book.

[The_Veg]

Follow the link for their complete blurr on about the book.
Is that to say that they're vague about the subject?

[Mika]

That is to say it was complete blur, hence a blurr, when I read the blurb and posted before my second cup of coffee. :wave

[bubbagazoo]

That is to say it was complete blur, hence a blurr, when I read the blurb and posted before my second cup of coffee. :wave

Mmmmmmmmmmmm Coffee :coffee

[flash412]

They misspelt The Devolution of Excellence.

[Mika]

They misspelt The Devolution of Excellence.
If things evolve to meet the increasing demands of the environment they live in, what does DEVOLUTION, as you put it, say about the riding demands of the environment BMW perceives itself to be in?

[Motorman]

Well since you put it like that.....
Perception is reality to the one making the perception. It may also be the case that the perception of BMW is to reject reality and substitute their own with the claim "technology uber alles".

























:stick :nyah

[BMWDEAN]

Save a chunk of change. Available at 37% discount:

http://tinyurl.com/rh2mh

[Mika]

Motorman,
Still wondering what their perception of us is. I know what our perception of "Technology Uber Alles" tends to be.

BMWDean,
Do you think the 37% discount is marketing or and editorial comment?

Thanks for the amazon link. I don't post links like that so that I don't fall in the advertising ban. I like it when people post these as part of a response.

[flash412]

what does DEVOLUTION, as you put it, say about the riding demands of the environment BMW perceives itself to be in?BMW perceives themselves to be in the Hardly Davidson "riding demand" environment, where people buy motorcycles to OWN, not to actually ride. Unfortunately for BMW riders, many (most?) BMW riders tend to RIDE, not just own, their motorcycles. Hence, the LOSS that comes with more recent changes to BMW's products.

Get it?

That's my perception anyway.

And anyone who has had their super-uber-hyper-technical BMW ultra-advanced-computer-controlled braking system not do ANYTHING for the first half second after they squeezed the lever will probably agree.

Technology for its own sake, paid for with the loss of owner (or even trained, third-party mechanic) maintainability is a LOSS for those who actually ride and need service. Closing dealerships leads to month-long delays for access to roundel-wearing, factory-trained, dealer mechanics during the riding season. Is this considered a PLUS if you happen to be on tour and need service & maintenance?

Sure, nobody who owns a "garage queen" cares. They can truck the bike to the dealer in January for it's annual $400 oil change and bi-annual Botched Moronic computer-controlled brake fluid change. And then truck it home until next year.

The BMW riders who put more miles on their bike in a weekend than most Harley riders do in a whole riding season may have a different opinion. Then again, maybe not. I know I am not a "conventional thinker." (I never did understand pet rocks or happy face t-shirts either.)

[Mika]

Well put, but the question I am asking is not about how BMW perceives itself. The question is how they perceive us?
Get it?
By extention and implication I don't think they uderstand me.
The fixer in me wants to bring a better resolution of the two.
As my granddaughter often says, Silly Mika

[dlearl476]

They misspelt The Devolution of Excellence.


I just think he should have done two volumes: VOL I "The Evolution of Excellence: BMW 1917-1995 and VOL II "The Illusion of Excellence:BMW 1995-2006, the final drive era" :german :bikes

[flash412]

Well put, but the question I am asking is not about how BMW perceives itself. The question is how they perceive us?Clearly BMW perceives us as Harley owners. After all, the whining eagle is THE biggest seller in the USA and the USA is THE biggest market in the world (for now, but not for long). BMW wants a hunk of that pie.

Remember Oldsmobile? Remember how they sold the same cars to the same old guys? Then they had an ad campaign, "It's not your father's Oldsmobile." This campaign alienated their existing customer base yet did not attract new customers. They are now defunct.

BMW is devolving their way down the Oldsmobile path in pursuit of Harley Davidson's market.

[Motorman]

David as we said when I was still green: Target! Cease fire. Nice grouping there.