To be fair, there is "verifyable data" on problems with the ST and any other bike as well. I'm certainly not dismissing facts, but I am dismissing the exaggerated hyperbole that some have dispensed suggesting problems are the rule and not the exception.
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Ah . . . OK, then. Like you, I would disagree with any ST owner who said that the majority of RTs have problems. The point I wanted to clarify is that not many ST people make those statements. In fact, over the years, I've found ST owners to be overwhelmingly friendly towards BMW, and interested in its newest offerings, positive attention because of BMW's many innovations and model updates, while our ST remains unchanged.
However, the fact remains that RTs' more serious problems do leave riders stranded, while the ST bugs their owners with less catastrophic [ though irritating] issues like coolant leaks, heat, and weight, but lets them finish the ride. There is a big difference in that degree.
According to the most recent 2009 IBA rally, this is one likely reason that some long-time BMW riders switched to the ST or FJR since the 2007 rally, allowing the ST to edge the RT [9-7 among finishers] as a more popular mount, though both are behind the GS [10] FJR [14] and Gold Wing [15].
Also, in that same rally 6 riders of BMW had mechanical problems: 2 were able to finish, 4 were DNF. No STs were DNF for mechanical problems that I read of.
Like many riders, I am interested in BMWs offerings in the GT and new 1600 lines. I learned that twins and dry clutches don?t do it for me. But I could see that 1600 in a few years if it proves to be a durable mount with an engine, clutch, and drive system as consistently rock solid as the ST 1300.
Fine, but I still think your opinion on it is a tad on the cursory side. The failure rate on the FD's going back to around 2005 is anywhere from 3-5%. This means 95% or more of owners have been trouble free.
Based on that, I looked into why or what might be causing the failures? Well, until 2008 BMW declared the FD's required no fluid changes. Then there were changes to internals, and more recently a change in fluid level reccomendations. Low and behold, the relatively small percentage of FD failures have been on the decline.
My point is that there are some particulars that are very worthy of conideration, and some/many read about FD failure on the internet, and right away it's gospel.
Believe me, I very much wish FD failures never happened. However, I'm sure Getrag or ZF is probably suppling these, and built them in a large production run. Hence the majority of problems were spread out over a few years, and it has required some changes. Meanwhile, it's cost them some public perception, though I don't believe it's completely justified.
Over the course of many bikes, I've had my share of issues...yes even with Honda. Front brake calipers flying off my Interceptor, burned out valves at less than 20k, charging system failures.
That being said, these "problems" should all be taken with an extra large grain of salt.
Again, when someone else can build a sub 600lb ST bike on par with what the RT does, I'll be in line for a look.