Greatest BMW Ad Ever (if it were an Ad)

Alex · February 8th, 2011, 10:44 PM

(for best results, click the full screen button in the bottom right before playing)

Link to original page on YouTube.

from here.

Quote:

This is for marketers who believe that advertising featuring stereotypically petty backbiting between men and women, humor involving nudity, nutshots or passed gas or sarcastic meta-absurdity like the Old Spice Guy is good brand building.

Above is a video put together by the son of a motorcycle owner. It is the greatest brand-building commercial of all time and BMW should buy rights to it immediately and show it all over the world forever.

The backstory to the video, which was posted last August and is big in fan forums (especially in Japan), as offered by its creator, YouTube user 42bill:

"This is a photo story of my father's 1958 BMW R50:

Boy meets girl, gets married, buys motorcycle. Rides it for 60,000 miles and has accident when wife is pregnant with 3rd child. (me) Wife orders motorcycle to be taken off road until all her children are grown and on their own. One day when bike is moved to a different storage location, son sits on bike and dreams of being a Jedi Master like his father. Couple grows old together and bike is not ridden for 40 years. Husband is now a grandfather of 7 and married for 50 years, when he dies of a stroke at age 71.

Son looks over the old rotting machine and finds note attached to it from his father to him. Son decides to restore the old 1958 BMW R-50 as a tribute to his father. With the help of many friends, especially Peter Nettesheim, world renowned BMW collector, bike is restored to look even better than it did when it was built in Germany."

We simply defy anyone to point to a more moving, more brand-championing three minutes and forty seconds anywhere ever. We've already watched the above five times and going for a sixth. The guy even paid $1,000 for rights to the song — and Pearl Jam's label is only letting him use it for a year? Good gravy.

Furthermore, if BMW owned the rights to this story it would make a perfect foundation for expansion into a brand-focused full-length film. BMW, Pearl Jam — the ball's in your court.

kkim · February 8th, 2011, 10:59 PM

wow. simply... wow.

Shiloh · February 8th, 2011, 11:14 PM

wow--just awesome--

gogoKawi · February 9th, 2011, 12:29 AM

Very moving.

dubojr1 · February 9th, 2011, 05:44 AM

Inspirational!!!

Fathers.... Teach your sons, don't let someone or something else lead them.

mj23retired · February 9th, 2011, 07:18 AM

what an awesome freaking story...well done video

rockNroll · February 9th, 2011, 11:07 AM

had to watch it twice just now

FrugalNinja250 · February 9th, 2011, 12:00 PM

Dang, must be allergies...

Bill N · February 9th, 2011, 03:38 PM

I'm at loss for words. Incredible story. Incredible artistic presentation, very professional. True genious and a great story of family love and respect.
Geeze this really got to me and I thank you Alex for posting it here.
Bill

Chubbs032 · February 9th, 2011, 03:56 PM

i like the paint job

Animal78 · February 9th, 2011, 04:15 PM

All I could ever hope to aspire to in my own sons eyes! Also reminds me of the times I have shared with my Father.

Flashmonkey · February 9th, 2011, 05:16 PM

Awesome vid! Thanks for bringing it to us.

Ninjalee · February 11th, 2011, 01:16 PM

wow...this video almost made me cry...i love the story, very touching

kkim · February 11th, 2011, 01:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ninjalee

wow...this video almost made me cry...i love the story, very touching

lol... wadda ya' mean almost?

CZroe · February 11th, 2011, 03:21 PM

I know someone who has to see this video... if he hasn't already.

ninjabrewer · February 13th, 2011, 08:08 AM

Big WOW.

Sailariel · February 13th, 2011, 08:36 AM

Exceptionally well done--almost as good as Kelly's DIYs-- Back in those days, BMW came in Black with white striping or White with black striping. I agree that it would make a fine marketing film for BMW.

mrlmd · February 13th, 2011, 08:45 AM

Aside from the dedication in time and energy and sweat and thought and memories, that bike now is probably worth 20 X what it sold for originally. Looks beautiful and probably runs perfectly, a tribute to the son.

Sailariel · February 13th, 2011, 09:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrlmd

Aside from the dedication in time and energy and sweat and thought and memories, that bike now is probably worth 20 X what it sold for originally. Looks beautiful and probably runs perfectly, a tribute to the son.

The R-50 is, in my opinion one of the best BMWs built. It is really low-so a person with short legs can flatfoot it easily. It was also whisper quiet. Wish I never sold mine.

slolane · February 13th, 2011, 06:06 PM

Great video!!

spooph · February 14th, 2011, 09:43 AM

Agreed, best ad ever! This is why motos are special, different from cars or any other object that could carry on a legacy beyond death.

Reminds me of the norton project:

Link to original page on YouTube.

Snake · February 14th, 2011, 10:55 AM

Very touching story.

ManyCavies · February 15th, 2011, 09:34 PM

Nice!

Bill N · February 16th, 2011, 07:03 PM

This is a good thread and I've saved the videos that I would never had seen. So many thanks to those that brought them to my attention.
Bill

RaceBikeRentals · February 20th, 2011, 09:21 AM

Beautiful

February 8th, 2011, 11:14 PM	#3
Shiloh QuarterLiter Affectionado Name: Andy Location: Houston - Katy Join Date: Jan 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2010 Ninja 250R , 2009 Yamaha FZ6 Fazer Posts: 20	*wow--just awesome--* __________________________________________________ K&N 0990, FP Jet Kit, Yoshimura Full System, Kleen Air Removed, Kisan Modulators Front and Rear

February 9th, 2011, 05:44 AM	#5
dubojr1 ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Jason Location: Jacksonville, Florida Join Date: May 2010 Motorcycle(s): 09 Ninja 250R SE, 07 Honda CRF230F, 06 Honda CRF150F Posts: A lot.	Inspirational!!! Fathers.... Teach your sons, don't let someone or something else lead them. __________________________________________________ 09 250R SE: Paying it forward one post at a time! Don't forget to add yourself to our Member Map

February 9th, 2011, 11:07 AM	#7
rockNroll . Name: rock Location: greenville, south carolina Join Date: Jun 2009 Motorcycle(s): black Posts: A lot.	had to watch it twice just now __________________________________________________ Always get a second opinion because most of these people are makin' this stuff up

February 13th, 2011, 08:08 AM	#16
ninjabrewer dirty old man Name: Chris Location: Hazel Green, AL Join Date: Nov 2008 Motorcycle(s): Blue '08 Ninja 250 Posts: A lot. Blog Entries: 1	Big WOW. __________________________________________________ Death tugs at my ear and says, "Live, I am coming." -Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr., poet, novelist, essayist, and physician (1809-1894) www.friendsofsanonofre.org

February 13th, 2011, 08:36 AM	#17
Sailariel ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Alex Location: Belfast, ME Join Date: Jul 2008 Motorcycle(s): 2010 Honda NT-700-V, formerly, Green 2008 Ninja 250R Posts: A lot.	Exceptionally well done--almost as good as Kelly's DIYs-- Back in those days, BMW came in Black with white striping or White with black striping. I agree that it would make a fine marketing film for BMW. __________________________________________________ Ninjette, Sold. New Bike: 2010 Honda NT-700V/VA, 73 Honda 550, 74 Honda 550

February 8th, 2011, 10:59 PM	#2
kkim Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: Too much.	wow. simply... wow.

February 9th, 2011, 12:29 AM	#4
gogoKawi ninjette.org sage Name: Dre Location: DMV Join Date: Aug 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2014 Ninja 300, 2008 ZX6, 2011 Ninja 1000 Posts: 622	Very moving.

February 9th, 2011, 07:18 AM	#6
mj23retired ninjette.org member Name: Ernie Location: Tempe, AZ Join Date: Feb 2011 Motorcycle(s): green 2010 ninja 250r Posts: 35	what an awesome freaking story...well done video

February 9th, 2011, 12:00 PM	#8
FrugalNinja250 ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Frugal Location: Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW) Join Date: Mar 2010 Motorcycle(s): Several Posts: A lot.	Dang, must be allergies...

February 9th, 2011, 03:38 PM	#9
Bill N ninjette.org member Name: Bill Location: Tampa Fl Join Date: Dec 2008 Motorcycle(s): 250 Ninja Posts: 180	I'm at loss for words. Incredible story. Incredible artistic presentation, very professional. True genious and a great story of family love and respect. Geeze this really got to me and I thank you Alex for posting it here. Bill

February 9th, 2011, 03:56 PM	#10
Chubbs032 ninjette.org member Name: Chris Location: LA Join Date: Dec 2009 Motorcycle(s): 250r Posts: 199	i like the paint job

February 9th, 2011, 04:15 PM	#11
Animal78 ninjette.org member Name: Larry Location: Albemarle NC Join Date: Feb 2011 Motorcycle(s): 08 Ninja 250(sold) 2000 Ninja 250 (sold) 2012 Ninja 250r 2020 Harley Sportster (rarely ridden) Posts: 104	All I could ever hope to aspire to in my own sons eyes! Also reminds me of the times I have shared with my Father.

February 9th, 2011, 05:16 PM	#12
Flashmonkey Professional belly dancer Name: James Location: Toronto Join Date: Apr 2009 Motorcycle(s): 1992 GSX-R 750 Posts: A lot.	Awesome vid! Thanks for bringing it to us.

February 11th, 2011, 01:16 PM	#13
Ninjalee ninjette.org member Name: Coralee Location: Ontario Join Date: Jun 2010 Motorcycle(s): 2010 250 Ninja Posts: 61	wow...this video almost made me cry...i love the story, very touching

February 11th, 2011, 03:21 PM	#15
CZroe CPT Falcon Name: J.Emmett Turner Location: Newnan, GA Join Date: Apr 2009 Motorcycle(s): '08 CP Blue EX250J, '97 unpainted EX250F, 2nd '97 unpainted EX250F (no engine), '07 black EX250F Posts: A lot.	I know someone who has to see this video... if he hasn't already.

February 13th, 2011, 08:45 AM	#18
mrlmd ninjette.org sage Name: Marc Location: Crawfordville, Florida Join Date: Jan 2010 Motorcycle(s): 2005 Suzuki S50, 2006 Kawasaki Ninja EX250F, 1990 Honda PC800, 2000 Yamaha TW200 Posts: 848	Aside from the dedication in time and energy and sweat and thought and memories, that bike now is probably worth 20 X what it sold for originally. Looks beautiful and probably runs perfectly, a tribute to the son.

February 13th, 2011, 06:06 PM	#20
slolane Motorcyclist Name: James Location: Maryland Join Date: May 2010 Motorcycle(s): 2014 Ninja 300 ABS Posts: A lot.	Great video!!

February 14th, 2011, 09:43 AM	#21
spooph ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Spooph Location: Golden, CO Join Date: Jul 2010 Motorcycle(s): '08 Ninja 250R Posts: A lot. MOTM - Oct '15	Agreed, best ad ever! This is why motos are special, different from cars or any other object that could carry on a legacy beyond death. Reminds me of the norton project: Link to original page on YouTube. __________________________________________________ My therapist has 2 wheels and a seat. If you are ever in doubt to my tone, please refer to my avatar.

February 14th, 2011, 10:55 AM	#22
Snake ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Rick Location: Alexandria, Louisiana Join Date: Jan 2009 Motorcycle(s): 05 Blue Ninja 250 Posts: Too much. MOTY - 2017, MOTM - Jan '19, Oct '16, May '14	Very touching story.

February 15th, 2011, 09:34 PM	#23
ManyCavies ninjette.org sage Name: Crissy Location: Indio, CA Join Date: Jan 2009 Motorcycle(s): . . . . . . . 2000 Suzuki Intruder VS800 "Suzi", 2008 Kawasaki Ninja EX250 "Yoshi" Posts: 507	Nice! __________________________________________________ GO GREEN!! GOT MY PINK ON!!

February 16th, 2011, 07:03 PM	#24
Bill N ninjette.org member Name: Bill Location: Tampa Fl Join Date: Dec 2008 Motorcycle(s): 250 Ninja Posts: 180	This is a good thread and I've saved the videos that I would never had seen. So many thanks to those that brought them to my attention. Bill

February 20th, 2011, 09:21 AM	#25
RaceBikeRentals Pimpin Name: Richard Location: Ninja 250 Whorehouse Join Date: Nov 2008 Motorcycle(s): Bunch of em Posts: 973	Beautiful __________________________________________________ -Richard MotoList.com <<<List your stuff!

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