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Why the beak? Why the beak?
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Photo by Sean Howman, The Pamir highway in an unseasonably cold late October, Tajikistan

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Sean Howman,
The Pamir highway in an unseasonably
cold late October, Tajikistan



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  #16  
Old 22 Jul 2012
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If you don't like the beak on the Tiger 800XC (and is that really the thing stopping you from owning one?) then just take it off. You can even have the blanking piece I took from my Tiger 800 when I fitted a beak


Yes, it's almost certainly 99.9% for the look. I did read that on the Tiger 800 it has a genuine aero benefit on the road. I do wonder how many fractions of a % of the total lift/downforce it makes a difference to, but I'm sure it will make all the difference to me in my quest to be first out of the last corner
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  #17  
Old 22 Jul 2012
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Quote:
Originally Posted by -Dex- View Post
If you don't like the beak on the Tiger 800XC (and is that really the thing stopping you from owning one?)
Heh - and the price!
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  #18  
Old 22 Jul 2012
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dash View Post
Nah, BMW nicked it from Suzuki...
I'm pretty sure this french-build BMW is older then the DR-BIG.


But maybe it started with the italians:
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  #19  
Old 22 Jul 2012
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Neither of those BMWs has a front mudguard, so the beaks could be considered functional. The Suzuki has a mudguard, which renders the beak superfluous - just like the modern Beemers.

Please note: I am not knocking BMW or their fans here, even though the look is not to my taste - just curious.
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  #20  
Old 23 Jul 2012
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Why a beak? You be the judge


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  #21  
Old 23 Jul 2012
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BlackDogZulu View Post
Neither of those BMWs has a front mudguard, so the beaks could be considered functional. The Suzuki has a mudguard, which renders the beak superfluous - just like the modern Beemers.
The second BMW is a Moto Guzzi, so there's 3 beaked bikes prior to BMW going with the beaky look.
One day, every one will appreciate the beak and wonder what the fuss was all about.

As a point, the provision of the beak does mean that the mudguard can be removed when riding in the claggy stuff, thereby preventing the front wheel from clogging up with the sticky stuff, while the beak serves the purpose of a high-level mudguard.
(But the F650GS Dakar was not sold with the low level mudguard fitted as standard to the more road oriented version of that bike).
How practical is that?
You be the judge.
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  #22  
Old 23 Jul 2012
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  #23  
Old 23 Jul 2012
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NSU Rennmax -

What a picture!

My Magistrate friend (used to have a C90 - no beak) will definitely like that a lot, your worship!
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  #24  
Old 23 Jul 2012
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I believe there may be a very small reason for the beak

I rode the same ford on two seperate occasions once one an a aprilla peagso 650 (no beak) and once on bmw 650gs (beak) I was suprised as to how much wetter I got on the aprilla as opposed to the bmw.

My conslusion was the beak in some way creates a water free zone at about head height. As does a high mudguard.

Please note: there is no science involved in this just the random conclusion reached by some one who has no idea what they're on about.
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  #25  
Old 24 Jul 2012
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Walkabout View Post
The second BMW is a Moto Guzzi
The cylinders were out of the picture, so I plead ignorance

Quote:
Originally Posted by Fantastic Mister Fox View Post
I believe there may be a very small reason for the beak

I rode the same ford on two seperate occasions once one an a aprilla peagso 650 (no beak) and once on bmw 650gs (beak) I was suprised as to how much wetter I got on the aprilla as opposed to the bmw.

My conslusion was the beak in some way creates a water free zone at about head height. As does a high mudguard.
Nothing so far that a high mudguard won't do ...

Quote:
Originally Posted by Fantastic Mister Fox View Post
Please note: there is no science involved in this just the random conclusion reached by some one who has no idea what they're on about.
Same here.
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  #26  
Old 25 Jul 2012
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Hi All,

I believe that the 650GS was the first in the BMW family to sport the beak and it looks to me like it derives from the aesthetics. If you look at the way the bodywork 'flows' the beak is a natural extension (a sort of flat S shape on its side comprising the exhaust covers, the seat, the fake tank and the beak).

I certainly didn't like it when I was looking for a bike but it has grown on me and I am converted. Sure it looks different but that is character and personality.

I remember when the Ford Sierra came out first and I though it was the weirdest looking car in the world, but now it looks old fashioned and most cars have that basic Sierra look (4x4 wannabes excepted). To do with aerodynamics I expect.

Looks are subjective and your appreciation changes as your perspective changes. You wouldn't choose a wife on her looks (or you will be disappointed) but on personality and character -so don't choose your bike on looks alone. Take it for a ride and if it feels right then you will come to love it despite the looks.

Mine's a pint of bitter thanks!

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  #27  
Old 29 Jul 2012
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Originally Posted by Wheeee! View Post
I believe that the 650GS was the first in the BMW family to sport the beak and it looks to me like it derives from the aesthetics.
The 1100 GS was a strong believer in... "redundancy"
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  #28  
Old 30 Jul 2012
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My recent purchase of a ex-BMW off road school G650GS for a bargain, meant that my chosen bike had a few bangs and scrapes. One of the minor bits of damage was to its beak, resulting in a rather shorter than intended by BMW beak.

After receiving several bags worth of road dirt, debris, small animals, red headed children and other choice items getting flung into my visor/eyes I can confirm that the beak is actually very useful in stopping this stuff being flung off the front wheel ahead of the bike....to then be whipped back into your face.

I have also bought the extended beak, because it looks well hard.
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  #29  
Old 31 Jul 2012
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Originally Posted by BaldBaBoon View Post

I have also bought the extended beak, because it looks well hard.
Always a good reason
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  #30  
Old 31 Jul 2012
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My two bobs worth...

It could also serve the following purposes, even if a bit far-fetched:
1. Pointer where the front wheel is, as if you couldn't see it from behind the handlebars and that windshield.
2. To peg down pedestrians, ie. when they split their legs, the front wheel misses but the beak will surely get them and right where it hurts too.
3. Serving tray for holding the cold drinks, aka . Although the slight tilt is annoying unless you have a cosy to stop it from sliding off.
4. Attachement for useless and expensive TT gadgets, like their first-aid kit.
5. Air funnel to create more turbulance, and make you feel like you're going faster than you are. Provides the illusion of speed.
6. Extra space to put stickers for RTWers that are into collecting stickers.
7. To put a number on it to identify it from the air (ie. by helicopter) when you're in the Dakar or another pretigous rally.
8. Same as above but from a plane.
9. All of the above.
10. And my favourite: A spare toilet seat. Hole sold separately!!



Although in my defense apart for using it for a shouvel in the sand*, I haven't used my r1200 beak for any of the above.

* I had a little spill in the Sahara, full write-up can be found here: http://blog.riding2up.net/2011/11/11...of-the-sahara/
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