[Dave Ross]

in reply to: Pssst, it’s here. #17070

Gazza, ya not doing a Dean on us are ya.

Nope, there's another couple of 100k in the HP2 yet  ;D

Yes, it's definitely special. I should have bought Dean's when I had a chance.

[Dave Ross]

in reply to: Any body know if there is Auckland meeting Monday night. #17086

I think there is, with a guest speaker. I might even go, if it is not raining.I just checked, there is. You must be off the mailing list :-).Our next Auckland Area meeting is on Monday 8th of October at the Vintage Car Clubrooms, Fairfax Ave, Penrose, 7.30pm. We have arranged a great show and tell - Motorcycle touring in Mongolia, so come along and experience something completely different, we had forty eight members at our last meeting and have room for more so if you haven't been along yet, or for a while, mark next monday evening on your calendar.

[Dave Ross]

in reply to: Pssst, it’s here. #17066

Yeah, buying used is the way to go. But I tend to keep my stuff for a long time, that's another way to take the sting out of the depreciation.  But I have to say, buying a bike and not riding it much has got to be worse :-). Anyway, there is no rush and it's fun reading about this and dreaming a little in the process.

[Dave Ross]

in reply to: Pssst, it’s here. #17064

Nice looking bike 25 hp and 10nm more torque than My 04 1200 and only 9 more kilos,But what about the new KTM adventure 150hp/125nm and only 230kgs with 23 litres of gas on board,But theres more ,no expensive final drive bills.I note the KTM has the same Tyre size as the new GS or Adventure R with 21 in front wheel .Not sure about 150hp and 90/90-21 front .Ok in the gravel but I cant use all the power of My 60hp GS/PD in the gravel let alone 150 HP!Might have to take them all for good ride?

The KTM 1190 Adventure is a nice looking bike. It might have more gas on board, but the 990 wasn't exactly frugal, so it probably needs the extra fuel to go places. From what I hear they are pretty highly strung bikes. A friend's KTM990 has had more surgery than Cher.  The outright performance is hypothetical anyway, unless you are a top rider. If I can't get where I want to on my $5000 R80GS, I am even less likely to make it on a $30000 bike. But really, it depends what you want and how badly you want it. BMW isn't going to stop developing new models, just because the old ones still work ok. I know that I can harp on all day long about all the complexities. But if it's anything like my 1150, not much will go wrong with it. The reason I won't be buying one any time soon is that I do too many km. This would mean steep depreciation coupled with high service costs, if it's too difficult to service myself. If it turns out that I could handle the service without a degree in computer programming and rocket science, I would probably consider it. But really, I don't have to have one badly enough.  If I win the Lotto tonight, all bets are off :-). If you don't need Lotto to buy one, lucky you.

[Dave Ross]

in reply to: Pssst, it’s here. #17063

An anti-hopping clutch just enables the engine brake torque to pass to the rear wheel at a reduced level during coasting. This prevents brief blocking or 'hopping' of the rear wheel due to the wheel load distribution when applying the brakes heavily and changing down at the same time. The bike is more stable and controlled under braking. Clutch disengagement during coasting is effected mechanically by means of a ramp mechanism.

Very impressive Garry, I had no idea you were such a technical guy.

[Dave Ross]

in reply to: Pssst, it’s here. #17059

Damn, I am starting to like it….

[Dave Ross]

in reply to: Pssst, it’s here. #17057

I had one of those, it was a superb bike. But the water pump liked to leak, for most this was an engine-out job. Thankfully, these days water pumps never leak.

[Dave Ross]

in reply to: Motorcycle touring in India by Royal Enfield 500cc Bullet #17047

I think the city council should build this along the water front, instead of a stadium. It has so much more character. Those Maharadjas were such hard-working people. Their whole family must have worked on this.

[Dave Ross]

in reply to: Motorcycle touring in India by Royal Enfield 500cc Bullet #17046

Thanks, but you know it's easy to link them to the forum. So people can ask questions about them.

[Dave Ross]

in reply to: Pssst, it’s here. #17055

My magnetic tank bag fits just fine onto my 1150.  Yeah, some people still think that the GSA is the off-road version of the GS range and it's just as heavy as my bike. At least it has a smaller first gear. I have, at times, taken it to some unusual places, but due to the gearing would not dare to take it though the 42nd traverse. That's what the airhead is for and yes, the same tank bag works on it as well. But at least I know that when I drop it, it's either oil or fuel that's dripping :-).

[Dave Ross]

in reply to: Pssst, it’s here. #17053

There's a great deal of information about the bike, in English, on the Australian mcnews web site:http://www.mcnews.com.au/2013_Bikes/BMW/R1200GS/Intro.htmSome of the more interesting features are a wet clutch at the front of the engine, and the gearbox integrated into the engine casing. Available with LED headlights. Cruise control. 238kg ready to ride. Longer swingarm. Anti-hop clutch (whatever that is. Sounds like a slipper clutch). 125 hp (92 kW), 125 Nm. One-hand adjustment of windscreen. Vertically-split engine case with cylinders integrated rather than bolt-on.

The LED lights look pretty good and the instrument panel is neat as well. The wet clutch will suit off-road riding more, as well as  people who like to slip their clutch. The weight has gone up a little, but it's not too bad. The 92 kw is for bragging rights, it's not going to help you get around corners. The extra torque is always nice. The side panels will take getting used to, but the rest doesn't look too bad. However, since I have a perfectly good magnetic tank bag, I will have to keep my old bike :-).

[Dave Ross]

in reply to: Pssst, it’s here. #17051

I will eventually have to upgrade buy a different bike, but it will be a while yet. Because I like what I have and due to financial constraints :-).  It looks like I have spoke too soon (nothing unusual) and they do have a more off road friendly version. At the moment I just can't see past this water-cooled business. Once you go down that road, there are a whole lot of other options. I like the idea of being able to service my own bike. But the new one may be way past of what I would feel comfortable working on. I realize that the show must go on and they will continue to come up with new ideas, and so it should be. But history has shown that your are more likely to fall for the charm of the new model. I am sure you have a full set of all the other bikes :-).

[Dave Ross]

in reply to: de Havilland Mosquito #17027

That is pretty selfish. Have you seen these crop dusters? Wouldn't you rather be flying a Messerschmitt?

[Dave Ross]

in reply to: de Havilland Mosquito #17025

For sure Alex, one of the greats, old Willy certainly designed a good one there.  Are there any flying?

Yes, there are a few around. I had a quick look and a Spanish version was built until 1958. The last version was quite a bit more powerful than the first ones. They should have used them as crop dusters.

[Dave Ross]

in reply to: de Havilland Mosquito #17022

It's a beautiful plane, even though I am more of a Bf-109 kind of a guy  ;D

[Author]

Posts