[Arne Rohde]

in reply to: News, reviews and articles about BMW bikes on the ‘net #18344

Motorcyclist Online also has a first ride review of the R1200R. This one by Ari Henning. It can be found at http://www.motorcyclistonline.com/reviews/2015-bmw-r1200r-first-ride-motorcycle-reviewPart of the conclusion, before he started speculating about the price: "The new R1200R is another worthy home for BMW’s new Boxer engine, and should prove to be a tremendous all-around motorcycle, much like it’s many predecessors."

[Arne Rohde]

in reply to: Lowered BMW G650GS #18168

I can't help with the lowering options, but one useful resource for checking on bike ergonomics is the web site http://cycle-ergo.com/You select the bike, enter height and inseam length, and adjust any bike settings such as lowering the seat. You can then see how easily you can reach the ground, or how much your knee and, back are bent when riding the bike. They have a 2011 G650GS with standard 815mm seat height listed. I'm not sure they have all bike details correct, as the F650GS twin is listed as 840mm seat height, where the user's manual says 820mm, or 765 with lowered suspension.

[Arne Rohde]

in reply to: Safety issues with tubed tyres #18113

Is there a mousse or something similar available which could be pumped into the tube to maintain some semblance of rigidity in the tyre after a puncture? I know it is frowned upon to have tyre sealants inside tubeless tyres by those who have the change the tyres, but tubes are or should be discarded anyway when the tyre is replaced, so anything sticky inside the tube should have minimal effect on the process. Making tubes with multiple chambers connected only by very small holes would presumably end up being too complex and too expensive.

[Arne Rohde]

in reply to: looking on ebay USA for vechiles #18096

I don't normally look at eBay, but geographic restrictions on other sites can be circumvented by using a VPN connection. I use AlwaysVPN (https://ssl.alwaysvpn.com/) which requires prepayment of $US8.50 for 5GB of data. My 5GB allocation has lasted a few years so far, as I don't use it very often. AFAIK there are a few free VPN services available, but prefer to pay a nominal amount for a reliable and known service provider.

[Arne Rohde]

in reply to: Fuel Economy #17766

They were replaced for the first time at 48,000km, but should probably have been done at about 40,000, instead of blaming the tyres for the waywardness. Apparently it is a common problem. Some blame knobbly tyres and lots of off-road riding for shortening the lifetime of the bearings. Others claim they are not tightened according to BMW specifications. Others go for non-BMW bearings and claim a much longer lifespan. I'd accept a 40,000km lifespan, but would be unhappy and asking serious questions if they only lasted about 15,000km on average.

[Arne Rohde]

in reply to: Fuel Economy #17764

Normally I use b, but will calculate an approximate c in my head if I need to know how far I can travel on a given amount of fuel. So being able to switch between those two would be practical. I never calculate a, so no need to have that as an option.By the way, the software update done at the 50,000km service on the F650GS seems to have improved fuel economy. The 2,000km since then have seen an average of 3.9 l/100km according to the on-board computer, compared to 4.1 or 4.2 at various times before the update. The computer is only reset when the software is updated, or the battery is replaced.

[Arne Rohde]

in reply to: Great dirt roads #17622

It's getting a bit outdated, but Peter Mitchell's “New Zealand Motorcycle Atlas”, published by Hema Maps, has a number of good suggestions. Although the book is good, I find that Kiwimaps publishes much better maps than Hema does. I took a copy of Kiwimaps “North Island Complete Drivers Atlas” apart, laminated the sheets, and carry the ones I need in the tankbag. It's a good source for finding gravel roads.

[Arne Rohde]

in reply to: Fuel economy #17481

A couple of years ago I stopped and asked if I could be of any assistance to a guy pushing a Yamaha up the Kaimais, a few kms from Tauriko. He didn't need my help, but he did tell me he had inadvertently filled it up with diesel. Pushing it home would presumably give quite good fuel economy.

[Arne Rohde]

in reply to: Quality insurance experience, have you had one? #17153

Never having had a bike accident claim my experience of insurance companies is mainly one of getting bikes insured and paying the premiums. However some years ago I changed from Protecta to John Baker Insurance, mainly because of a considerably lower premium and very low extra cost for insuring 2 (or more) bikes. Now I have no-claims bonus for life if I stay with JBI, so with no negative experiences I don't expect to be changing anytime soon.

[Arne Rohde]

in reply to: Spotlights and CANBUS #15169

Where do I go to get those maps?

http://gwprojects.org/forum/Look in the "Latest Map Set Information" for instructions and pointers to the download location. Also, to help improve map quality please notify the site in the appropriate feedback forum of any discrepancies you find.

[Arne Rohde]

in reply to: Pssst, it’s here. #17052

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.

[Arne Rohde]

in reply to: NZTA LAMS approved learner bikes #16915

Now, I guess, the next question after NZTA joins the 21st Century is, "Will ACC take any notice of this?"

Yes, they'll probably increase ACC levies for LAMS bikes, since learners have more injury accidents.

[Arne Rohde]

in reply to: Gear display not working #16878

Have a look at:http://www.motorcycleinfo.co.uk/index.cfm?fa=contentGeneric.nvxszdkebklxuaer&pageId=418303Lots more useful R1200GS information on that site, too.

[Arne Rohde]

in reply to: New F700GS and F800GS #16826

According to BMW's web site the colour options are:  muted Red Apple Metallic, masculine Ostra Grey metallic matt and dynamic Glacier Silver metallic.I can't find photos on their web site, but you can see the 3 colour options at:http://www.mcnews.com.au/2013_Bikes/BMW/BMW_F700_F800GS/index.htmMy preference would be for the red one. In second place probably the glacier silver.

[Arne Rohde]

in reply to: Advice Wanted, Please. #16862

I would suggest February and March. For option 2 I'd stay in Taupo or nearby for the golf part of the visit. It's central, there are several golf courses within easy driving distance, and you can do sightseeing of the North Island from there. Most of it is accessible in one or two-day trips.Motorcycle rental is quite expensive, but there are some places that rent bikes but don't much advertise the fact. For example, my local dealer, Mount Motorcycles rents a 1996 R1100R with unlimited km for $150 per day. You can probably get a lower price for longer rental. AFAIK they would also do a buy-back deal on other bikes.http://mountmotorcycles.motorcycletrader.co.nz/Stock.aspx?N=0

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