Time to get a new BMW

bmwdean said:

My dealer just sent me the attached photo, which he called "Planet blue." If that is blue, it is a very dark blue. He has ordered one and it should arrive in 2-3 months.

I tried lightening the photo in Photoshop to see if I could recognize blue; it still looked black. I was not able to, but it does look like the kind of photo BMW AG would release. I guess we will have to wait for future photos.

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That looks more like what my dealer described. Not as dark as the cobalt color but not as bright as San Marino. He said it is supposed to have a lot or metallic hence the added cost. Not sure I would pay $1700 though.

He also said BMW is once again messing with the "packages" and making it a bit more complicated to order individual items w/o getting the whole package. And with 5 colors it will add to the variety of the optioned bikes we will see. Each dealer orders bikes with their own build specifications.

These new colours are part of what BMW calls it's "Spezial" program, or customization from the factory. It really started with the introduction of the RNineT, and at BMW Motorrad Days in Garmisch a few weeks back, they did a presentation on this program. If you watch this video until near the end, you'll see custom colours for the K1600, and the RT, which would appear to include hand-pinstriping. You'll hear the presenter mention how it takes someone 40 minutes to paint the pin stripes on the body panels covering the tank. You'll also see that custom "Blue Planet" colour (as he referred to it) on an RT.

See here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k2pYHyzq1HM&t=320s

Thanks, Mark. I looked at the video and it allow only a split second for the planet blue R1200RT. I grabbed the best still I could. It is not much, but here it is. In spite of the fact that the RT is always one of BMW's top sellers, it seems to be an also-ran among BMW's promotions.

If you want to know if you are looking at a planet blue RT, look for the tan saddle and white pinstripes.

Here is a better photo

More pix.

Here is the poop on this program. Personally I think it will be very confusing but only time will tell.

BMW Motorrad Spezial. Customisation ex works – BMW Motorrad’s response to the ever increasing customer demand for individualisation.

With the launch of the R nineT, BMW Motorrad recognised the trend towards individualisation early on and has taken significant steps into this segment by enlarging the R nineT family to include five models in 2017. BMW Motorrad is now expanding its individualisation range with BMW Motorrad Spezial and is offering distinctive-design, performance-enhancing and exclusive customisation options ex works. Highest-grade materials, genuine surfaces, skilled craftsmanship and the love of detail are what define BMW Motorrad Spezial as well as the harmonious integration of all parts into the overall design of the motorcycle. Starting with the Touring and Heritage models, the Spezial range will be continuously expanded.

From the design and development to the testing stages, the parts from the Spezial program meet the high BMW Motorrad standards thereby supplementing the current product portfolio at the highest level of quality. This is achieved through the interplay of years of BMW Motorrad development expertise and the interaction of complex production processes in combination with the very finest craftsmanship. From August 2017, the Spezial product range will not only include exclusive optional equipment ex works, but also products from the current Original BMW Motorrad Accessories range, which fulfil the high requirements of BMW Motorrad Spezial.

When customising his motorcycle, the customer can proceed in two different ways. On the one hand he can equip his motorcycle directly ex works with all the visual upgrading by ordering it with the Spezial equipment already installed. On the other hand he will be able to choose special accessories from a “Spezial World” in the future where all his high customisation demands will be met. This means that the customer will still be able to customise his motorcycle via the dealer in the traditional way.

While many manufacturers offer their accessories almost exclusively on a retrofit basis, ordering special equipment ex-works is a decades-old tradition at BMW Motorrad. The equipment and accessories are listed on the vehicle invoice and thus are fully covered by the warranty, can be financed together with the new motorcycle thus also saving the customer additional costs and time. In addition the customer can still continue to customise his motorcycle further with the wide range of special accessories from the BMW Motorrad Spezial range.

With the launch of BMW Motorrad Spezial, a new generation of the BMW Motorrad Configurator will also be introduced. For the first time a large section of the special accessories range will be fully included in the digital presentation for the R nineT models – in addition to the full range of ex works special equipment. In this way the customer can configure his personalised BMW motorcycle with all the special equipment/Spezial parts before it is manufactured and also look at his bike with one or more Original BMW Motorrad Accessories installed. The new BMW Motorrad Spezial program starts from August 2017.

And here is what they call Sparkling Storm metallic with Option 719 seat

Here is a good shot of the Planet Blue Metallic and you can see the heavy metallic in the paint.

gsinnc said:

Here is the poop on this program. Personally I think it will be very confusing but only time will tell.

BMW Motorrad Spezial. Customisation ex works – BMW Motorrad’s response to the ever increasing customer demand for individualisation.

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Surely sounds like BMW press writing. Where is the use of "dynamic," which is usually abundant in their press releases?

It am still waiting in the U.S. for:

bmwdean said:

Surely sounds like BMW press writing. Where is the use of "dynamic," which is usually abundant in their press releases?

It am still waiting in the U.S. for:

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Being a red/burgundy fan I like that one too. Can you make the call to the mother land and get some sent east?

LFarling said:

Hold that call until the TFT, and VVT with the 1250 motor are out. Then get that color rolling.

I was told the TFT will be in the next GS, no time frame on the VVT with the 1250 motor.

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BMW may be prepping a new generation of 1250cc boxer twins with variable valve timing (VVT) and thin-film-transistor (TFT) liquid-crystal displays, presumably to appear in future incarnations of the R1200GS, R1200R, and R1200RT. Nearly half of BMW's motorcycle sales have boxer engines.

BMW has already announced -- and shown publicly -- a new full-colour 6.5" TFT display for GSs/GSAs that will be offered as an option starting with the 2018 models. It replaces the current analogue gauges, and incorporates what BMW calls "connectivity", meaning it will pair with a BMW Motorrad App on your smartphone. Among other features, it will provide a simplified navigation function onscreen (though it does not replace the Navigator GPS).

See it all here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1d6SXXwMIGw&t=575s

bmwdean said:

Actually this new 2018 color is more orange than red. And IMHO the San Marino blue bike is much prettier.

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******
That's why I bought it, very different color scheme for a Beemer. Rode to the gun range a few weeks ago and pulled in and parked near the pistol range. Another member pulled in riding a Triumph Tiger and walked over to admire the San Marino blue. A minute later another member pulled in and walked over to admire the color also. He told me he had a K bike at home.

marcopolo said:

BMW has already announced -- and shown publicly -- a new full-colour 6.5" TFT display for GSs/GSAs that will be offered as an option starting with the 2018 models. It replaces the current analogue gauges, and incorporates what BMW calls "connectivity", meaning it will pair with a BMW Motorrad App on your smartphone. Among other features, it will provide a simplified navigation function onscreen (though it does not replace the Navigator GPS).

See it all here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1d6SXXwMIGw&t=575s

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********
Wow!

rwl1955 said:

******
That's why I bought it, very different color scheme for a Beemer. Rode to the gun range a few weeks ago and pulled in and parked near the pistol range. Another member pulled in riding a Triumph Tiger and walked over to admire the San Marino blue. A minute later another member pulled in and walked over to admire the color also. He told me he had a K bike at home.

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I will hold off final opinion until I see them in person. That smokey color looks very interesting. But hey ... color of bike is truly personal. So long as BMW has something for everyone we are happy!

marcopolo said:

BMW has already announced -- and shown publicly -- a new full-colour 6.5" TFT display for GSs/GSAs that will be offered as an option starting with the 2018 models. It replaces the current analogue gauges, and incorporates what BMW calls "connectivity", meaning it will pair with a BMW Motorrad App on your smartphone. Among other features, it will provide a simplified navigation function onscreen (though it does not replace the Navigator GPS).

See it all here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1d6SXXwMIGw&t=575s

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I hope this is the end of the add-on GPS for those who'd rather keep their phone in their pocket and use Waze and Google/Apple maps and Spotify (or equivalent) music. I have owned the Garmin IV, V and now VI and I am probably in the minority but I can't stand using them, especially on the K1600 where it's about 500 feet away from me. OK, not 500 feet but far. Way too fiddly to use under way. My phones respond very well to voice command through the Sena.

rudyinla said:

I hope this is the end of the add-on GPS for those who'd rather keep their phone in their pocket and use Waze and Google/Apple maps and Spotify (or equivalent) music. I have owned the Garmin IV, V and now VI and I am probably in the minority but I can't stand using them, especially on the K1600 where it's about 500 feet away from me. OK, not 500 feet but far. Way too fiddly to use under way. My phones respond very well to voice command through the Sena.

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I ride in area's with no internet service how's that work? I guess anther reason to carry paper maps (wouldn't leave home without)

Jay

strataj said:

I ride in area's with no internet service how's that work? I guess anther reason to carry paper maps (wouldn't leave home without)

Jay

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Having a Nav integrated into a bike doesn't preclude adding another device if the rider chooses. My Garmin has sent me on the wrong path in cities and the wilderness quite a few times over the years. I download routes and music into my phone if I think cell service might be spotty. There's nothing keeping the bike manufacturers from installing satellite receivers. Sirius is satellite based, just on a different network. I still love paper maps though. They're fun to peruse.

Great thread



Thanks Jeff and others for all the information and photos on this thread. There are some beautiful RT's coming down the line soon.