BMW R1200GS Oil Change Tutorial

As usual, when reading my mechanical advice…keep in mind I make my living in computers…not motorcycles.

My first oil change on the GS proved to be unexpectedly easy. (The bike’s oil had been changed this summer, at the dealer) As compared to BMW K bikes,the parts are easy to access. The only challenge was locating the right size tool to remove the aftermarket skid plate, why would the plate be secured with one 10mm bolt and 3 ½ inch bolts?

I marked the plate so that I’d remember how to put it back together.



I did need to purchase a new oil filter wrench, no doubt imported from Germany!


I ran the bike for about 10 minutes to warm things up. I’ve put on many unexpected miles this November, so I was a little bit overdue for a change.

Carefully remove the drain plug, try not to let it plop into the waste oil.


When the majority of the oil is drained, remove the oil filter. Take care to hand loosen it at the end so that you’ll have a good grip on it, and sweep it out of the way when the oil pours out.

Examine the old filter. If you look carefully, you’ll see the old filter is missing the ring.


This is an important point. You must now retrieve the old ring. Miss this step and you are in big trouble trying to get the new filter to seed.


Give the new filter a little drink before installing it.


Here is an undershot of the bike, this is where the new filter goes. Try not to get oily gloved hands on the camera! Oil changes are even quicker if you don’t take pictures of each step!


The oil filter and drain plug have been re-installed


Time to add the new oil, and pour the waste oil into a jug, waiting for a trip to the dump (transfer station round these parts)


Make note of your miles, and update your records. And you’re good to go for another…well you decide…I shoot for every 5,000. That way I’m not changing it 4 times a season.

1953 Motorcycle Tour

I ran across this link, I just love real people's history, especially interesting with the motorcycle twist. Enjoy.
1953 Motorcycle Touring Europe:

A Fine Day Out

It's been a while since I've done a plain and simple ride report.



And that's what it was today, plain and simple. After getting some things done in the morning, I headed out in the afternoon to play.

One last piece of business was to stop Concord DMV to renew my license. I was surprised with clerk asked me if I "wanted" to keep the MC on my license. "Why yes, that is how I got here." I wonder if women tend to drop their endorsement?


I then headed to Hopkington, NH to pick up the Northern New England tag which has been languishing since Sept 26th. I think there are too many TOR games going...

I stopped at the covered bridge first, there was already a photographer there! We tried to ignore each other. I was kind of blocking traffic.


Then down around the corner for the Tag.


Look at how incredible the weather is, it was in the low 60's, very nice for October. A real score for a day off!


Then I traveled 127N to catch 93 for the next tag. I can't recall taking this road before, not an easy thing to say when traveling in state. It was a very nice wooded back road, with gentle turns.

Today is the day that Garmin decided it would retire. It booted up, but is not taking screen commands. I had neither directions nor the name of the road I needed but I had a good idea where it was. And for once, I was right!

I found Tripoli Road in Thornton (Campton?) and followed it to Waterville Valley.

Here is the tag I was going for, but alas, I was Bruced.


No matter, it was my first time on the road, and I really enjoyed it!


May I say once again, it's great to have the right bike for the job


There you have it, just the right mix: a day off, good weather, good road and just a little sense of urgency for us here in New Hampshire as we know our days on two wheels are numbered

Product Review: BMW R1200GS

I received this inquiry recently, and thought it would be a good topic.

Hi Gail.

I wanted to ask you what is it that you like about your GS over the K bike you had? I too have a K bike that I'm putting up for sale after 5 years of ownership and have interest in either the 1200GS or maybe a 990 KTM.
[...]
Thanks for your time,
Mike

Dear Mike,
I hope I can be of some help as you make your decision to move away from the K bikes and into a dual sport. Your ’04 K12RS is practically identical to my '04 K12GT, give or take some Tupperware.
As I mentioned in my Adventures in Motorcycle Shopping post, the decision was several years in the making. I can only assume you have found yourself on the same path. The K bikes are great to look at, zippy on the road, but you can't keep up with your ADVenture friends.
So now that I’ve had the GS for 10,000 miles, do I think it was a good choice? I can sing the praises of this bike all day long, sit next to me at the campfire, and it will be all night long.

Comfort
No contest. But with a caveat – I immediately put a Corbin on the GS, never went that route on the GT, part of me wonders how much that would have helped. With virtually no lean angle (like the K75), the riding position on the GS is very comfortable for the long haul. The GT had bar backs, giving me a much needed boost to sit up more, but the approx 15% lean angle was a problem after 4 hours.

Economy
Neither of my K bikes got more than low 40’s for mileage, I was lucky to get 140 on a tank on the GT. It is very pleasing to see 250-270 range on the GS. It seems to make little difference if it's fully loaded with bags, or I'm just running the Givi on my commute to work, the range has been consistent.
Utility
A primary objective in my purchase of this bike was its utility - packing. I can pack for a long weekend of camping with nothing outside the bags except the lawn chair. Take the Mica Tech bags off, and the Givi is perfect for commuting.
Packed for a week

Two Up
The K75 is still the winner for two up. Lisa complains about two things riding on the back of the GS - first the seat is uncomfortable. Not surprising, it's stock. Also the passengers riding position is much high up, so more wind on her. This is not such a big deal for us, seeing as she is moving onto her own bike. I carry all her stuff, and she rides her Ninja. But if you need the two up aspect, this should be considered.
Two Up and over a 4x4

Performance
I was very concerned that the GS would be disappointing when it came to giddy-up and cornering. Those worries faded away as soon as I hit the Blue Ridge Parkway. I was pleased at how easy this bike is to handle. And while I may not be the quickest off the line, I am by no means embarrassed at the light. The GS can get out of its own way. And now I have the torque I need for long slow days in the back woods. I finally have the right bike for the dirt roads. I have not tried a more aggressive off road tire, and was quite happy to put a new set of Metzeler Tourance tires on last month.


Good luck with your shopping decisions!

Zero to 60

Could you increase your lifetime miles by 300% in one weekend? Probably not, but that is just what Lisa accomplished this weekend.


It was disappointing for her not to be able to ride to the BMW National Rally last month. We made a decision that we'd ride to our local club, the Yankee Beemers', Damn Yankee Rally - located 103 miles from us. She had been getting in a few miles here and there, but nothing over an hour. We decided to just do it!

Famous Western MA landmark


I was so proud of her, She had great form on the corners, and great courage to go on some challenging roads.
Oh what a site to see!


Here she is just posing on her Ninja at the Damn Yankee's Rally, where she won "Youngest Rider" recognition.


She took her first miles on an interstate.



Used a few tanks of gas (what a small tank!)


And rode her first driver miles in the rain...even though we know she's an old hand at riding in the rain.


What a great time we had! We even talked about rides for next season.
Wave if you see us out there!

From the Bridge of Flowers, Shelburne Falls, MA

BMW MOA Rally 2011 Pictures & Videos

Simple Slide show of the pics I've uploaded onto Flickr.


Here is a great video from RevZilla.com that gives you a flavor of this years rally.



From Andrew Phillips