very interesting responses. We all understand that high reving engines can't have hydralic valves, but let's be practical; when was the last time you ran your engine near the red line? My 700GS red lines about 8000RPM which has never been reached. Most of the time it sits about 4000. The ONLY reason for high reving touring or GS engines is horsepower which is a function of torque and RPM. The marketing people want that high HP number at 8000RPM just to sell bikes. I'm pretty sure that the BMW marketing folks would never read this forum, but it would be nice. They seem to think that we all want super sport touring sport bikes. Can you imagine owning one of these high reving maintenance intensive bikes in outer Mongolia? Also, what about the high end touring companies that use these GS bikes, I wonder what their maintenance schedule is - if at all.