Why Are Bmws Called Ditch Pumps

Discussion in 'Lounge' started by cliverdee, Mar 31, 2020.

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  1. cliverdee

    cliverdee Well-Known Member

    Aug 5, 2014
    346
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    Nottingham
    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 ...
     
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  2. Scrambled head

    Scrambled head Well-Known Member

    Mar 2, 2019
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    Sussex
    I always thought the term ditch pumps was a Harley thing?
     
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  3. Bad Billy

    Bad Billy Baddest Member

    Jun 1, 2017
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    By Saying nothing, are you really saying something else ... mmmm! mind games eh!
     
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  4. steve lovatt

    steve lovatt Something else

    May 12, 2014
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    I give you the one true Ditch pump or Güllepumpe as the Germans called it.
    The Honda CX500. 20180628_190828.jpg
     
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  5. Bad Billy

    Bad Billy Baddest Member

    Jun 1, 2017
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    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! :p
     
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  6. Tallpaul

    Tallpaul Noble Member

    Apr 7, 2019
    610
    393
    Kidderminster
    I think you are correct. My own CX500 is referred to as a ditch pump by friends.
     
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  7. MARKYMARKTHREE

    MARKYMARKTHREE Senior Member

    Feb 11, 2020
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    SOMERSET
    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. o_O
     
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  8. OldNick

    OldNick Elite Member

    Aug 11, 2019
    1,259
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    South Coast UK
    Brilliant - there is no better reason not to buy a BMW
     
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  9. cliverdee

    cliverdee Well-Known Member

    Aug 5, 2014
    346
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    Nottingham
    Well I’m glad I asked the question :) ...but still haven’t a clue what the answer is ! ... ha ha :dizzy:... not that it matters as the comments are hilarious :D... keep safe all :mask:
     
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  10. Alatamoc

    Alatamoc Senior Member

    Mar 29, 2019
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    I believe the Germans used to refer to their beloved flat twins as " rubber cows."
    Having owned 3 seventies BMWs I can understand why.
     
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  11. Tigcraft

    Tigcraft Unheard of Member

    Mar 29, 2014
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    Holmfirth West Yorkshire
    Gummi kuh!
     
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  12. Alatamoc

    Alatamoc Senior Member

    Mar 29, 2019
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    • That's the one!
     
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  13. Tigcraft

    Tigcraft Unheard of Member

    Mar 29, 2014
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    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!
     
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  14. Alatamoc

    Alatamoc Senior Member

    Mar 29, 2019
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    It's an apt description of the alarming tendency of those seventies BMWs to weave when slowing down from speed
     
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  15. cliverdee

    cliverdee Well-Known Member

    Aug 5, 2014
    346
    63
    Nottingham
    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:confused:... just glad I didn’t google ‘shaking cow’ or I’d have the deviant behaviour squad round to my door... schnell :worried:
     
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  16. Alatamoc

    Alatamoc Senior Member

    Mar 29, 2019
    493
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    Actually they're very pleasant bikes...I'd have another if they weren't so pricey these days.
     
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  17. Alatamoc

    Alatamoc Senior Member

    Mar 29, 2019
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    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
     
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  18. Schuey

    Schuey Senior Member

    Mar 3, 2020
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    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!
     
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  19. steve lovatt

    steve lovatt Something else

    May 12, 2014
    9,211
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    I used to have a 2000 GXL Mk3 - dark blue with blue vinyl roof. Got totalled on Dartmoor in 1982. :mad:
     
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  20. Tigcraft

    Tigcraft Unheard of Member

    Mar 29, 2014
    2,565
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    Holmfirth West Yorkshire
    Now those shook like ‘ditch pumps’ when travelling round bends. In fact they reminded me also as a petrol powered waterbed
     
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