Why Are Bmws Called Ditch Pumps

Pardon my ignorance but am I right that when members use the word ditch pump they are referring to BMW motorbikes ... at least that seems it to me... but if so what’s the reason behind it ? .. I’ve tried googling it but the results just come up with sucking water out of a ditch .... perhaps I was asking too much of google so know I’ll get more sense here ...

 

I always thought the term ditch pumps was a Harley thing?

 

By Saying nothing, are you really saying something else ... mmmm! mind games eh!

 

I give you the one true Ditch pump or Güllepumpe as the Germans called it.
The Honda CX500.

 

I think it may well be another Dozerism meant to be used in a derogatory way suggesting the the BMW engine was more suited to a ditch pump than a motorcycle!

@Dozers Dad has a few of these expressions that have now been adopted by the Forum, another popular one is CESM (Cheese eating surrender monkey) when referring to anyone French, I think the Dozerisms could probably do with their own thread as there are plenty more!

 

I think you are correct. My own CX500 is referred to as a ditch pump by friends.

 

Thanks for asking the ? as I have been far too embarrassed to ask being a gentle, timid, soft southerner. Still not sure if its a Harley or a BMW though, hopefully its a BMW as my nans shed got bombed in the war and she/we have never forgiven them.
On another note I drive Mk3 Cortina's and the Mk2 brigade refer to them as "ditch lovers" due to their crap handling.

 

Brilliant - there is no better reason not to buy a BMW

 

Well I’m glad I asked the question ...but still haven’t a clue what the answer is ! ... ha ha ... not that it matters as the comments are hilarious ... keep safe all

 

I believe the Germans used to refer to their beloved flat twins as " rubber cows."
Having owned 3 seventies BMWs I can understand why.

 

Gummi kuh!

 

• That's the one!

 

Yes gummi kuh is what the deutche themselves call the boxer and known by them. I heard that from the first time a couple of years ago and was in stitches over it. A shaking big cow!

 

It's an apt description of the alarming tendency of those seventies BMWs to weave when slowing down from speed

 

Ooh eck... with google not answering my search on the ‘ditch pump’ I thought I was just asking a one answer question... but now it’s got even more complicated... just glad I didn’t google ‘shaking cow’ or I’d have the deviant behaviour squad round to my door... schnell

 

Actually they're very pleasant bikes...I'd have another if they weren't so pricey these days.

 

My old 60/6 was the first bike I owned on which I could ( and did) ride the 500 miles home to the west coast of Scotland from Kent with only a fuel stop....and also knowing it'd get me there and back without breakdown and bits dropping off...oh and it was comfortable too

 

My dad had a Mk3 Cortina 2000E back in the day before I was born. Seen lots of pics of it, was Red, with chrome wheels and black vinyl roof and rear boot spoiler. Looked pretty good actually!

 

I used to have a 2000 GXL Mk3 - dark blue with blue vinyl roof. Got totalled on Dartmoor in 1982.

 

Now those shook like ‘ditch pumps’ when travelling round bends. In fact they reminded me also as a petrol powered waterbed