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in reply to: Melting Roads #8999
I was just wondering today why NZ tarseal is so crap and melts at temp under 30. Saw it this weekend on the roads around Hastings and on the Wairoa road early January. I have never seen this happen in South Africa at temps of 40 plus. Bloody dangerous as it is often worst around corners.
in reply to: Motorad – Bad Service #8883I have my 1200 serviced twice in Hamilton and have been impressed by the work done on the bike. Sure pleased I gave Wellington a miss ! Just a pain getting the bike there from Hawkes Bay. R
in reply to: 2007 BMW Safari in NZ #6138Typo error – meant Yamaha ! 😀 And I used to ride a Yamaha. 🙁Unfortunately you probably won't see me forking out cash for a Yamaha sponsored ride in this country again.
in reply to: 2007 BMW Safari in NZ #6132Mate, I am not sure what planet you live on – there were plenty of disatified bikers at the 2007 safari, including some very experienced riders on VStroms, KTMs and the like. One such rider, who also happens to be an ex NZ enduro champ, expressed his disappointment at some of the sections particularly with regard big bikes. I can count at least 15 bikes, many 650s, who pulled out of the ride earlier on. The bottom line is that the advertising for the ride was aimed at the wrong end of the market and was misleading and for that they could at least have responded to our comments during the event and after. One of the Suzuki sponsors even went as far as saying he couldn't care less if no BMWs turned up at the next event as it was for Suzukis. And thats no bullshit. Heard it with my own ears.I certainly don't have 30grand to throw away on a yearly basis. And why shouldn't I want to share the back country with my wife. I am not an inexperienced rider either however don't see the point in stoking my ego on a ride like that especially when it was NOT advertised as such.Having said that the organisation of the event was very well done, the catering was excellent. The attitude sucks though !
in reply to: 2007 BMW Safari in NZ #6127There were a fair number of BMWs at the Adventure Ride this year – 650s and the bigger bikes. There were also a large number of very unhappy BMW riders, myself included. it was advertised as a ride with 2 options 1.) for both larger Adv bikes (1200) with/out pillion and 2.) an alternative more adventurous route for those wanting to test their skill base. This turned out not to be the case – most of the course was doiwnright dangerous for 1200s 2 up and there were many unhappy riders – a large group of us ended up doing our own rides and just meeting at the motel in the evening. I was very disappointed with the organisers attitude and some of their comments and in fact wrote them a diplomatic email on my return home – have yet to get a response and its 3 months ago. I know I am not alone in my feelings. Having said that the 1200 is certainly capable of holding its own on most gravel roads but its a bitch on the technical sections and 2 up its nigh impossible. One poor fella rammed his gear box on day 1 on his nearly new 1200 - end of the road for him. I saw a fella on his 650 fall infront of me app 5 times. The rider was exhausted and terrified.My wife and I did nearly 2000km of gravel and dirt on South Island on that trip incl. the Molesworth both directions. We had a wonderful trip and met some great people on the adventure ride. It would be absolutely fantastic if it were sponsored by BMW again however I have no problem with it being open to other bigger bikes as long as the route is sutable for the 1200 !Had I been riding an HP solo - no worries ! Rich
Using the rear brake on loose gravel with ABS on is like trying to stop on an ice rink ! The front brake has greater stopping power although should be used with some gentle rear brake too. 2 up its not an issue as the weight makes the rear brake more effective. Solo its @##@ dangerous relying on the rear with ABS. if I am going to go any distance at speed then I switch ABS off – its much safer and more reliable as one can use the rear brake more effectively. And it only takes a few seconds to stop and switch it off. I agree 100% re engine braking going down hill – i would never contemplate going down a steep section of gravel with ABS on ! Rich
in reply to: Gravel riding…. #7627Gravel rules ! Give me a long stretch of the dirt over tar seal anyday ! In Feb my wife and I did the Molesworth in both directions, the Rainbow plus as many other dirt/gravel roads as we could on our trip aroound South Island (incl NZ Adv Ride). Total of 6000km with app 2000km on gravel. Pretty bloody awesome. Check out http:/kiwiland.typepad.com/ for photos but beware there are a lot !R
in reply to: Cook Strait Ferry #6753Have a look at this link for tieing down a 1200GS on a trailer. http://www.ascycles.com/pdf/Tiedown2.pdf I used the same principlles and tie down points and followed their advice exactly ie no tie downs to the handlebars (the hand protectors are in the way) when I travelled across on the Aratere in Jan. I took my own ratchet straps as they work a lot better and one can get better tension. i also followed the advice in the Motorcycle Atlas of NZ re putting bike in gear etc. Alternatively strap the front hand brake on. The Aratere ran out of straps anyway and some guys had to use rope. Not ideal.Richard
in reply to: Front Wheel Removal Tool #6395Neil at Experience was very helpful and ordered one from Germany for 20 odd $. Also traced one on UK Ebay for a quid. My 05 GS did not have a spark plug removal tool under the tool tray either = purchased a neat aluminium one from the USA. All good to go. Not sure how we survived without the internet.CheersRich
in reply to: Battery tender #6072Thanks for the advice- have tried it all to no avail. The intercom worked perfectly until the first service. The only thing I haven’t done is wire it straight to the factory harness (I use accesory socket – either via Canbus or direct to battery via additional harness) as I don’t feel too confident playing around with the wiring for fear of botching it up. I will explore that avenue when I take the bike for its next service to an accredited BMW dealer.
Thanks again
RichardThanks for all the replies. I do understand they are expensive and there probably are not that many around – all the pity. There are just so many beautiful back country roads to explore – magic scenery. Hell my GS is always dirty – just rinse it off quickly after a dusty ride. Made to get dirty – whats the point of owning one otherwise.
I will add this forum to ones I hang around and check it regularly. I am quite keen to participate in the South Island Adventure Tour in late January - sounds pretty awesome - I havent' toured S Island on a bike yet. Earlier this year my wife and I toured Nothland up to Cape Reinga etc - awesome. All the back roads too.
Cheers
Richardin reply to: Battery tender #6070Thanks. I was just answering the previous question.
I have only used my tender once when I was away for 2 months and the bike was left standing and I didn't want a flat battery seeing as the nearest BMW dealer is in Hamilton. The harness was installed to run my intercom to specifically to get rid of the static interference using the Canbus. It did help but not as much as I would have liked.
Richardin reply to: Battery tender #6068Sorry only saw your posting now – seems there is a decidedly lack of interest in yourt posting. I have done a lot of homework in this regard.
I use a Projecta battery tender (made in Australia) on my 1200GS (I have wired a fused seperate harness direct to my battery which attaches to my standard accesory socket to bypass the dreaded CANBUS- purchased from Powerlet in USA). The tender plugs into the accessory socket. Works great.
I believe the "BMW tender" is nothing more than a Battery Tender Plus (brand name) which can be purchased directly from Motomail in Auckland probably at half the price. Had i know this before I purchased the Projecta I would have bought it. They can also be ordered direct from the USA (see there website).
Cheers
Richardin reply to: 1200GS Topbox #6007Yeah mate now thats a solution – throw it way after paying a fortune for it. I certainly won’t replace it though. If i had known about the TT luggage before I bought the bike …………….. different story.
Bungee cords sound like a good idea.in reply to: 1200GS Topbox #6004Yeah apparently it will fall under warranty. I am surprised I haven’t heard of this issue before in NZ. And was’nt notified by the dealers to take precautions. Shit could have killed someone !
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