I cant help feeling that BMW put no effort at all into its styling. Its just a frame with various randomly shaped panels tacked on. Theres no cohesion or a hint at flowing design. At the NEC under all the bright lights it didnt really strike me but in reality both are just awful looking.

Seriously BMW, even a child could do it better. People have said the Integra is ugly, but the BMW scooters takeugly to a new level!

barryG wrote:I cant help feeling that BMW put no effort at all into its styling.

Yes they did, they made the C600 look almost indistinguishable from a TMax! and the C650 a bit like a K-RT! Effort, yes, taste, not really

Meldrew wrote:

MrGrumpy wrote:

barryG wrote:I cant help feeling that BMW put no effort at all into its styling.

Yes they did, they made the C600 look almost indistinguishable from a TMax! and the C650 a bit like a K-RT! Effort, yes, taste, not really

I think the front end on the C650 GT looks similar to the current BMW R1200 RT and is none the worse for it either.

Sorry - yes it looks like the R-RT, not K-RT model. I'm obviously not ready to take the BMW Ownership entrance exam yet! The C650GT looks a bit odd from the side, with that pushed forward side fairing.

Yes I believe BMW proudly claim the C600 takes many of it's styling cues from the motorcycle ranges.

The designer of the scooter should be taken out and shot. Management who approved such inane association should be taken out and shot. The marketing team who thought that they could turn that into a styling advantage should be taken out and shot.

When the 600-class maxis look like cars, because thats where all the aerodynamic and ergonomic advances are - that stylist should be taken out and...

given a world class dinner... and honorary Presidency of the `I-don't-give-a-shit-what-you-think-because-if-you-were-that-smart-you'd-have-done-this-already` Society .

I've already posted a test ride report on this very forum. Looky here: http://www.maxi-muppets.co.uk/forum/vie ... =5&t=11596

And I'm sorry, but I have to disagree with most of the whinging naysayers on this forum who always seem ready, at the drop of the hat, to come out and criticise. I was one of those naysayers, until I actually rode the damned thing. Yes, the perception of build quality isn't up there with the TMAX, but it rides better, performs better, is more economical (if the trip computer is to be believed) and has more storage space than the TMAX. That's my opinion and I've ridden it. I've also bought and read the French magazines, who have tested it against the likes of the Aprilia SRV 850, the Honda Integra and, of course, the TMAX 530. Guess what? It won. By a meagre margin. But it won. So at the moment it's the best we've got. Let's hope the reliability is OK....

Copy and paste the following link into google and hit the translate button if you don't understand French to get the gist.

http://www.scooter-station.com/Comparat ... rtpage=1-5

The sales figures will determine if it can be considered a success.
I feel a new thread coming on...

irev wrote:When the 600-class maxis look like cars, because thats where all the aerodynamic and ergonomic advances are.

Ergenomics look pretty spot on to me but I haven't sat on it yet.

[quote="yellowMax" I was one of those naysayers, until I actually rode the damned thing. Yes, the perception of build quality isn't up there with the TMAX, but it rides better, performs better, is more economical (if the trip computer is to be believed) and has more storage space than the TMAX. That's my opinion and I've ridden it. I've also bought and read the French magazines, who have tested it against the likes of the Aprilia SRV 850, the Honda Integra and, of course, the TMAX 530. Guess what? It won. By a meagre margin. But it won. So at the moment it's the best we've got. Let's hope the reliability is OK....

[/quote]

Well, I think thats the most positive thing I've ever read about the BMWs!!!!!

I posted a link to that test a while back....as you say the BMW won but by a meagre margin....what worries me slightly is that a brand new design - no expense spared - ought to be a bigger step ahead of its rivals. I expected the BMs to be game changers, but it doesn't seem as if they are (I've yet to ride one). In some respects it seems that the c600 doesn't even match the TMax. On the other hand, Scooter-Station have said that in the touring category, the C650GT beats the big Burger decisively, but at the best part of £2k more, it damn well ought to!!!

This morning I went down to our local BMW dealer as Ed has had to have two new tyres on his 1150RT and I went to bring him home.
By chance they're having an 'open week' featuring the new scooters.
They have on display two 650's and one 600.
One of the 650's had a 'Sold' notice on it. I think the other is a demonstrator - I remember the owner saying that all their allocation was accounted for as soon as they were announced.
Anyway, I went in and had a good look and I must say they look stunning 'in the flesh'. I poked the formerly dodgy plastic and saw no sign of inferiority.

I prefer the 650 for various reasons and wouldn't hesitate to buy one if circumstances allowed.

Waldorf wrote: I prefer the 650 for various reasons and wouldn't hesitate to buy one if circumstances allowed.

I have been in a whirlwind of activity over the last few days which has precluded my use of the scoot. Mike, I'm glad your perceptions match mine! I think there had been a lot of undue negativity about these. Hopefully the eating will prove everybody wrong. I am really impressed with the level of kit on mine and what it actually does. It measures, tyre pressure, oil level and on and on. The only thing I thought it might do, which it doesn't appear to do (haven't tested it, but it is not mentioned in the manual) is self cancel the indicators....