For those that have the BMW....are you concerned about the availability of dealerships to service your bike. I hear that dealerships are few and far between. That would be my only concern in buying one.
One of my guys at work that retired this past March has driven BMW's since he was 16 or so. Still has his original bike even. He's made that Beamer list of who ride the most miles a year, granted he's like 50-100 on the list (lol) the last I remember him saying. He also made the cover of the Beamer magazine back in the 70's I think it was. Had snow in the background if I remember right. He was pretty proud of that. Brought in the magazine to show us one day.
His biggest gripe is not enough dealerships. Something he's commended HD for. Twice that I know of, he's had to use an HD dealership for Beamer parts. One was a wheel bearing I believe he said (while in Sturgis). Not sure of the other part. The BMW dealership didn't stock a wheel bearing that he had on his old 1987 BMW. Apparently quite a few years of Beamer bikes used it. He found a close enough match at HD to get him home.
He just bought a 2004 Beamer for his retirement present, so I don't know what he keeps on that bike. But on his 1987, he carried an extra driveshaft, tire plugs, extra clutch cable (he later zip tied it next to the one on the bike (lol), spark plugs & tools to yank the wheels or driveshaft off the bike.
So to wrap it up. He's very disappointed in the amount of BMW dealership's as well as the parts they stock in general. (yea I know his bikes are pretty old). He generally rides with guys on HD's.