Motorcycle Dreaming

[Feltwell]

To be honest, I'd expect any bike to do at least 10 years trouble free. My 33 year old VFR has never missed a beat. There were much simpler back then mind - no ABS, no fuel injection, suspension adjustment involves a spanner, etc. The only real weak point on them was the regulator/rectifier, touch wood mine has always been OK.

I've a different experience with KTM I'm afraid, lovely bikes but a mates bike fried it's electrics completely when just out of warranty - KTM didn't want to know.

BMW absolutely should deliver a quality product for what they charge. I had the option (permission from the Mrs!) to get a new GS, but I just couldn't justify it to myself - I'm not a great bike polisher at the best of times anyway, I hate cleaning them! £9k got me a 20k mile, very tidy top spec '14 plate a few years ago. I feel less guilty when I don't polish it after a ride!

Alas I think Revs Suspension are no more

 

[Gazuk]

For the people who tour Europe and further on old bikes, what (if any) recovery cover do you buy? Some of the quoes my friends have received have been in the hundreds.

I have a 1996 VFR750 which I love, but also have a newish bike I use for non UK tours.

 

[Feltwell]

For the people who tour Europe and further on old bikes, what (if any) recovery cover do you buy? Some of the quoes my friends have received have been in the hundreds.

I have a 1996 VFR750 which I love, but also have a newish bike I use for non UK tours.

Back in the day, none! Bit daft really.

Now, the breakdown cover that comes with the Nationwide Flexplus account covers me for my motorhome, everyday car, kit car and bikes, UK & Europe. No vehicle age restriction that I can see. Covers me, Mrs F and my daughter whatever vehicle we're in. It's about £13 a month from memory, quite good value I think.

Section D: Vehicle Specifications Breakdown assistance is only available for cars, light van, campervan, motor caravan, minibus, trailer, motorhomes, vans, minibuses or motorcycles (including quads and trikes) which meet the specifications set out below. Please note that “car, van, minibus or motorcycle” does not include, amongst other things, electric pavement vehicles, electrical wheelchairs, bicycles (including electric bicycles), any vehicle which cannot lawfully be used on the public highway and/or any non-motorised vehicle. • Maximum Vehicle Weight: 3.5 tonnes (3,500kg) gross vehicle weight • Maximum Vehicle Weight for Motorhomes ONLY: 7.5 tonnes gross vehicle weight • Maximum Vehicle Width: 8ft 3in (2.55m) which constitutes the overall width of the vehicle bodywork excluding mirrors, measured at the widest points. *These dimensions will be calculated taking into account anything attached to your vehicle and any trailer or caravan, including but not limited to towing equipment, any carriers or racks (e.g. bike or luggage), or anything else attached to the vehicle or the carriers/racks.

 

[Spriddler]

For the people who tour Europe and further on old bikes, what (if any) recovery cover do you buy? Some of the quoes my friends have received have been in the hundreds.

I have a 1996 VFR750 which I love, but also have a newish bike I use for non UK tours.

For my pre-60's bikes it's included automatically with my Peter James Ins. policies.
For my modern (2016) bike, car and m/home I rely on my Nationwide FlexPlus cover.

FlexPlus | Packaged bank account | Nationwide

Open a FlexPlus current account, a packaged bank account with travel insurance, breakdown recovery and mobile phone cover.

www.nationwide.co.uk

 

[Gazuk]

As for motorbike and MH's, I'm new to MH's but had bikes for over 35 years.

I used to tour with the wife as pillion, but when we got the MH, the bike tours stopped. We put a small bike in the MH garage, and tour that way. Doing it that way you don't need a large touring bike, and you won't need luggage or the ability to cover hudreds of miles in comfort. And I get my bike fix.

The bike is a 2021 BMW G310R (310cc). Unlike alot of small bikes, it has a payload of 186kg and feels like a proper bike. Happily do 70mph one up and 50mph two up. Suprisingly very stable 2 up and never struggles for power below 50mph.

I'm not a small unit at 95kg and two up we do look like Mr and Mrs Donkey Kong, but I don't care, I just enjoy the ride.

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[RowleyBirkinQC]

Some changes
Current ride is a 2019 R1250RT LE
Which has the BMW low seat set on its lowest setting. Still can’t get both feet flat on the ground but can get enough to be happy to ride it.

I had the then new 2014 RT which got recalled due to potential for rear suspension failure.
Still have a set of inner bags for panniers and top box somewhere if anyone needs them.
Think I may still have the high seat too.

 

[bigalw35]

I still have a R1150GS bought new in April 2001, have toured Europe on it and done several trips to Spain and Portugal, mostly with a tent... (from Calais).

Must admit that since getting our moho, I haven't used it much at allView attachment 670337

We’re much the same, I’ve got the Vmax, had it since 2005 but haven’t used since we got the Hymer

 

[Vansflyer]

To be honest, I'd expect any bike to do at least 10 years trouble free. My 33 year old VFR has never missed a beat. There were much simpler back then mind - no ABS, no fuel injection, suspension adjustment involves a spanner, etc. The only real weak point on them was the regulator/rectifier, touch wood mine has always been OK.

I've a different experience with KTM I'm afraid, lovely bikes but a mates bike fried it's electrics completely when just out of warranty - KTM didn't want to know.

BMW absolutely should deliver a quality product for what they charge. I had the option (permission from the Mrs!) to get a new GS, but I just couldn't justify it to myself - I'm not a great bike polisher at the best of times anyway, I hate cleaning them! £9k got me a 20k mile, very tidy top spec '14 plate a few years ago. I feel less guilty when I don't polish it after a ride!

Alas I think Revs Suspension are no more

Old school VFR were the dogs unless the reg blew as you say. I knew a guy who had one and it went up in flames at RTTW a few years ago.. such a shame as it was lovely. As ever the dealer is key to get support work done with any manufacturer, crap dealer = crap support. When did Revs go? Not used them since 2017 but they were always rammed and top blokes as well. ;-(

 

[Coastal Cruiser.]

very sad considering how mighty they were

Think this is the way with a lot of German products, still trading on their old reputation

 

[Spriddler]

Think this is the way with a lot of German products, still trading on their old reputation

I have a Bosch branded washing machine and a Bosch dishwasher. Both were made/assembled by Hotpoint in Poland.
(However, both have been very reliable).

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[Feltwell]

Old school VFR were the dogs unless the reg blew as you say. I knew a guy who had one and it went up in flames at RTTW a few years ago.. such a shame as it was lovely. As ever the dealer is key to get support work done with any manufacturer, crap dealer = crap support. When did Revs go? Not used them since 2017 but they were always rammed and top blokes as well. ;-(

Not sure, but Google says permanently closed. Companies House shows there were on track for Compulsory strike off as a company, but that was stopped a few weeks ago - so maybe they will come back? They're clearly had severe problems though.

 

[Feltwell]

The bike is a 2021 BMW G310R (310cc). Unlike alot of small bikes, it has a payload of 186kg and feels like a proper bike. Happily do 70mph one up and 50mph two up. Suprisingly very stable 2 up and never struggles for power below 50mph.

I'm not a small unit at 95kg and two up we do look like Mr and Mrs Donkey Kong, but I don't care, I just enjoy the ride.

Never heard of or seen one of those - just Googled, dinky wee thing isn't it?

I can see why it's fun. Years ago as a student, bikes being my sole form of transport, I bought a little CB250RS single as a temporary stop gap between bigger bikes. I loved that little RS - you could ride it flat out everywhere, really push it to the limit of both it's handling and performance and not kill yourself in the process! I was going back and forth between Knutsford and Sheffield at the time, so it got hammered over the Cat & Fiddle on a regular basis, including in the snow!

I quite like some of the smaller KTM singles as a possible "goes in the garage" bike. Something around 600cc would be good. I've always liked a 4-stroke thumper.

 

[jongood]

As for motorbike and MH's, I'm new to MH's but had bikes for over 35 years.

I used to tour with the wife as pillion, but when we got the MH, the bike tours stopped. We put a small bike in the MH garage, and tour that way. Doing it that way you don't need a large touring bike, and you won't need luggage or the ability to cover hudreds of miles in comfort. And I get my bike fix.

The bike is a 2021 BMW G310R (310cc). Unlike alot of small bikes, it has a payload of 186kg and feels like a proper bike. Happily do 70mph one up and 50mph two up. Suprisingly very stable 2 up and never struggles for power below 50mph.

I'm not a small unit at 95kg and two up we do look like Mr and Mrs Donkey Kong, but I don't care, I just enjoy the ride.

they look an interesting bike, but surely it will go faster than that? my Aprilia 300 scooter will do 70 2 up pretty easily ( if Swmbo isnt paying attention)

 

[Roger20]

Back in the day, none! Bit daft really.

Now, the breakdown cover that comes with the Nationwide Flexplus account covers me for my motorhome, everyday car, kit car and bikes, UK & Europe. No vehicle age restriction that I can see. Covers me, Mrs F and my daughter whatever vehicle we're in. It's about £13 a month from memory, quite good value I think.

Can you say whether the travel insurance cover with a Flexplus account has a <125cc riding restriction?

 

[Feltwell]

Can you say whether the travel insurance cover with a Flexplus account has a <125cc riding restriction?

Sort of - there is a 125cc restriction if you've hired a bike whilst away, but not if you've brought it from home. There's other restrictions like needing to wear protective clothing. Have a look on Nationwide's website, the policy documents are all on there.

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[Vansflyer]

Never heard of or seen one of those - just Googled, dinky wee thing isn't it?

I can see why it's fun. Years ago as a student, bikes being my sole form of transport, I bought a little CB250RS single as a temporary stop gap between bigger bikes. I loved that little RS - you could ride it flat out everywhere, really push it to the limit of both it's handling and performance and not kill yourself in the process! I was going back and forth between Knutsford and Sheffield at the time, so it got hammered over the Cat & Fiddle on a regular basis, including in the snow!

I quite like some of the smaller KTM singles as a possible "goes in the garage" bike. Something around 600cc would be good. I've always liked a 4-stroke thumper.

Had the 390 Duke in the vans garage before the 790. The bigger one is only slightly longer and heavier than the 390 and LOTS more fun

 

[Feltwell]

Had the 390 Duke in the vans garage before the 790. The bigger one is only slightly longer and heavier than the 390 and LOTS more fun

Ah, 790 is a twin though isn't it? I am rather partial to a big single.

I do like the look of Supermotos as a totally impractical bike, I've had an enduro bike in the past and always thought they could be fun with some street rubber on. The KTM 690 SMCR could be a laugh.

Mrs F would divorce me!

Ironically, one of the reasons for getting my GS1200 was I thought it would be a good pillion bike - Mrs F doesn't like it, as I'm sat relatively upright she keeps nutting the back of my lid, even if I ride gently and smoothly. She prefers my old VFR. How does others find the GS for passengers?

 

[Vansflyer]

Ah, 790 is a twin though isn't it? I am rather partial to a big single.

I do like the look of Supermotos as a totally impractical bike, I've had an enduro bike in the past and always thought they could be fun with some street rubber on. The KTM 690 SMCR could be a laugh.

Mrs F would divorce me!

Ironically, one of the reasons for getting my GS1200 was I thought it would be a good pillion bike - Mrs F doesn't like it, as I'm sat relatively upright she keeps nutting the back of my lid, even if I ride gently and smoothly. She prefers my old VFR. How does others find the GS for passengers?

Yep a twin, much smoother than the 390 single and my lady definitely prefers it for the lack of vibes and the pillion seat that stops her sliding into me.

 

[Arthur01]

Re Recovery, we have a K1200LT and when we were exiting a BF ferry in Santander a few years ago the ramp had a large rope under it and as we rode off it there was quite a bump which was believed to be the ramp bouncing up on the rope. The consequence was that it smashed the gearbox. Initial look all seemed fine - night time look & half a mile to the Hotel-, next morning it sounded like a transit with a shot rear axle.
Its now Easter Sunday in Spain, a call to the RAC, recovery of the bike 45mins, followed by a taxi to a car hire place where they had arranged a vehicle for us. Subsequently they moved the bike to BMW's in Santander & kept us informed of the progress at BMW. We ended up as the support vehicle for the 5 other bikes with us whilst we completed our tour. Back to Bilbao where they Taxied us from the car hire to the ferry. Arrival at Portsmouth a taxi waiting To another car hire place with the agreement to drop another hire car off locally to our home the next day. RAC then offered £500 for me to repatriate the repaired bike how ever I wished.
So for us RAC European cover is the one to have.
As an aside BF refused any responsibility for the incident & I eventually paid 3862 euros for a new gearbox fitted, but fortunately it has run very well since.

Arthur

 

[Milk Tray Man]

Loved my BMW GS1150, bought her 2nd hand from Park Lane BME in London when i should have been buying my wedding suit. Used the wife’s credit card for the deposit…that was an interesting call when they phoned her up for a fraud check to query the transaction! Took her all over UK, Europe and down to Gambia leaving the UK in the really crap winter to Jan 2010. Bent the frame on The Gambia trip and could never get her right again on return. Then like other life and motorhome got in the way before eventually sold her for scrap…very sad day. The new ones just never really floated my boat as much as the older ones. Now just have a Honda 350 Forza scooter to run around on which will eventually go on the back of the motorhome.

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[Greeners]

Wife and I are avid tourers especially the world war sites and Belgium for the beer
Current touring bike is a BMW S1000XR, amazing bike for 1 up touring but not for 2 up riding, sorry prefer my old Tiger 800, one of those bikes you regret selling ....the power of the Beemer is nuts, gearing is awful for touring in towns
Also have a Bonnie, this is going to be our campervan bike (on another thread.....garage big enough)
Just finished completely rebuilding a 2 stroke Suzuki GT550 Ram Air 1977 if of interest ....see pics
Keep safe
Mark

 

[Oldrat]

I had a number of those Suzuki triples,

Bloomin’ amazing things, a very narrow power band, but when you did hit it they just flew!

 

[Feltwell]

Nice old Suzuki triple! Not very often you see one of those any more.

 

[jongood]

Ah, 790 is a twin though isn't it? I am rather partial to a big single.

I do like the look of Supermotos as a totally impractical bike, I've had an enduro bike in the past and always thought they could be fun with some street rubber on. The KTM 690 SMCR could be a laugh.

Mrs F would divorce me!

Ironically, one of the reasons for getting my GS1200 was I thought it would be a good pillion bike - Mrs F doesn't like it, as I'm sat relatively upright she keeps nutting the back of my lid, even if I ride gently and smoothly. She prefers my old VFR. How does others find the GS for passengers?

Do you Ktm fans realise that they re increasingly being made in China?

Second patent hints at KTM-powered Benellis

Following on from a KTM-alike parallel twin, Benelli’s owner has patented a matching V-twin design

www.bennetts.co.uk

 

[jongood]

It's worth noting that many of KTM’s engines are already manufactured in China, but not by Qianjiang. Instead, it’s CFMoto that makes the LC8c parallel twin engine, among others, on behalf of KTM. CFMoto also uses its own version of the 799cc LC8c in the newly-launched CFMoto 800MT adventure bike and has a purpose-made but KTM-derived 1279cc V-twin engine in its range-topping 1250TR-G touring bike – a model that’s currently only offered in China but is expected to reach global markets in the coming months.

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[Baldeagle7470]

Hi Jopparocks,

Here is a photo of a suspended motorcycle carrier.

Just popped in and will contribute later,great thread.Lifetime biker.
Just to say I live in Portugal and looked into these suspended carriers and from memory there are some rules in Spain and Portugal who don’t accept them.Worth a check before you buy just in case.
Bit like the A frame for cars rules.

 

[Hettie's Crew]

Mine was in a couple of weeks ago for issues, I mentioned the drive shaft mod, they weren't bothered about doing it, just basically saying that if it fails, they will replace the shaft assembly, which has left me wondering as the warranty as just expired!

In yesterday at Allan Jefferies, Baildon. The drive shaft failed the test at 7703 miles and was replaced with new one.

 

[Feltwell]

In yesterday at Allan Jefferies, Baildon. The drive shaft failed the test at 7703 miles and was replaced with new one.

I hadn't heard at all about this "technical enhancement" (read - we should do a recall but don't want to) until this thread.

I don't get my bike dealer serviced so will have to see what they will do. The recall website reckons they pay for it at least,

Google brings us this article on Bennetts website:-

The problem is one that’s been the cause of concern to some GS owners for several years: rust where the drive shaft connects to the final drive. A quick check of popular owners’ forums shows threads dating back as far as 2016 highlighting the issue.

The problem appears to be that, in some conditions, water can accumulate inside the swingarm containing the drive shaft, whether due to ingress during off-road use or fording deep water or thanks to riding in particularly wet or humid climates. Although largely the same design of swingarm is used on many BMW boxer models, the GS is the target of the enhancement work because it’s more likely to be used in those conditions and its higher suspension means the universal joints in the shaft drive assembly are at a greater angle, adding to the strain on them. Hence the update only applies to the GS and to rare ‘official use’ versions of the R1200RT and R1250RT – the sort sold to police or perhaps blood bike services.

The work that dealers will carry out varies depending on the age and mileage of the bikes. All get a vent hole drilled into the lowest point of the shaft drive assembly’s outer case, and bunged with a rubber one-way valve that allows water to be drained from inside without letting water in. Dealers will also do checks for excessive wear or signs that bikes have accumulated water inside the shaft assembly and may replace some parts.

 

[Vansflyer]

Do you Ktm fans realise that they re increasingly being made in China?

Second patent hints at KTM-powered Benellis

Following on from a KTM-alike parallel twin, Benelli’s owner has patented a matching V-twin design

www.bennetts.co.uk

Yarp, I am aware of the China's connection. I did read that the early 790 bikes were made elsewhere but that may not be true. Sadly we live in a world market, BMW make stuff in China as well.. Honda and Triumph manufacture in Thailand, just because it is made overseas doesn't make it poor quality. It is all about the QC and the budget for the job.

 

[Hettie's Crew]

I hadn't heard at all about this "technical enhancement" (read - we should do a recall but don't want to) until this thread.

I don't get my bike dealer serviced so will have to see what they will do. The recall website reckons they pay for it at least,

Google brings us this article on Bennetts website:-

I think that Bennetts article is misleading, it appears to be due to poor manufacture in the first place. My bike is under two years old, only 7700 miles and has never been off road, abused or through deep water. It’s apparently to do with the internal lubrication of the UJ joints.
Just contact a dealer and get it booked in, no cost to you. It may be fine and pass the test. In a way I was glad mine failed, at least I’ve got a brand new shaft.
Dealers are obliged to do this on any R1200/1250GS manufactured since 2013.

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