DEAN of BMW Motorcycles

DEAN of BMW Motorcycles

I saw a “slash-2” Granada red BMW motorcycle for the first time in 1968, when Harder’s Sales and Service, Janesville, Wisconsin (no longer a BMW dealer), had a new R60US in that color for sale. In the 1960s, BMW motorcycles could be special ordered in any color the BMW cars were painted. Granada red was one such color. I could not afford that BMW in 1968, but I remembered it and wanted to obtain one of my own eventially.

In January 2006, I met Tim Stafford at the MidAmerican motorcycle auction in Las Vegas, Nevada, where he was auctioning of the most beautifully restored BMWs I had ever seen. Tim, who works out of San Diego, does exquisite restorations of BMW motorcycles and Vespa motor scooters. I since have heard his restorations represent the “gold standard” of BMW motorcycle restorations.

I discussed my desire with Tim, and he indicated he could do a restoration for me. We concluded a deal with a handshake. By that autumn, the R60/2 was ready, and you see photographs of it on this page.
Above: I love the view of a BMW boxer-powered motorcycle, like this R60/2, from above. The cylinders protrude sideways from the engine, like stubby wings. No other motorcycles have such an affecting view.

In the montage below, you see the restoration of the red R60/2 under way in Tim’s work shop.
I wanted to make my “new” R60/2 functional, so that meant installing appropriate period saddlebags or panniers. I used Craven panniers in the 1960s, so I set about finding a pair of the handsome “Golden Arrow” panniers on eBay.

I obtained two bags, which were in the standard Craven color of black, and had them painted Granada red. The result is shown below.
Below: Here is “Scarlett” posing in front of Frank Lloyd Wright’s First Unitarian Society Meeting House in Madison, Wisconsin — a National Historic Landmark.

Above: BMW announced the arrival of the 2010 R1200RT in November 2009. Torque and RPMs are increased; horsepower is unchanged. Cylinders now have double overhead cams. There are modest changes in styling.

The R1200RT, shown here by Madison’s Lake Monona with the Wisconsin State Capitol behind, was one of the most anticipated new motorcycle designs of 2004. The R1200RT, a 2007 model is shown above, is the next iteration of BMW’s renowned “RT” series of sport-touring motorcycles, dating back to the 1978 R100RT (photo below, left), which was replaced in 1987 by a slightly revised R100RT (photo below, right). The “RT” designation stands for Reisetourer, German for “travel tourer.”

www.motorbikehub.co.za

Flames on my Tank

Flames on my Tank

Motorcycle accessories are expensive and while some are extremely valuable others are a waste of money. Therefore which motorcycle accessories should you fit to your dual-sport, touring motorcycle and in what order should you fit them considering you have a budget? Here is a suggested order of purchase table. Two tables are provided i.e. on road and off road touring

Engine protectors

Motorcycles fall over – fact, often at walking speed. Engine protectors can avoid expensive repairs to your bike but also give additional room for your legs should they be trapped under the fallen bike. On the big BMW GS models (see pic) the tappet cover is made of a soft magnesium and is easily damaged.

Omni vision mirror

Your motorcycle mirrors have to cover the real estate directly behind the motorbike as well as the two blind spots i.e. one on either side when riding on a multi lane highway. That’s three areas in total but your motorbike only has two mirrors! The addition of an inexpensive omni mirror can cover the third and final blind spot.

Bell Motorcross (MX) Helmet.
Note the very aggressive jaw protection. Choose this type only if most of your travelling is less than 120kph on dirt roads.

This damaged helmet clearly illustrates the impact

Golden Rules for Touring Africa

� Lay out all your clothes and all your money. Then take half the clothes and twice the money. (Susan Heller)

� Your big goofy smile and your “I’m just a stupid tourist, what do I know?’ attitude will ease your passage and achieve your objectives. Patience, patience, patience.

� The most important thing on your list of things to take, is information. The longer the tour the more vital this becomes

� Bandits, rebels? No! They are the least of your worries. Your own stupid mistakes will be your greatest enemy.

www.motorbikehub.co.za

Baehr Motorcycle Communications

Dear Motorcycles

Communication is important part of our life. Baehr products will give possibility to spend time together interractively, wether riding two-up or in a group.

Riders who have never experienced communication on a motorcycle, will propably not miss it. Riders, who experience improved motorcycling technology never go back. And riders who experience Baehr technology ? They wouldn’t do without sopfiscation and convience of their Baehr intercom or bike-to-bike radio systems ! Communication is the most important part of our life. Baehr products will give possibility to spend time together interactively, whether riding two-up or in group!

Make those long highway trips a lot more enjoyable. Give yourself and your passenger some musical entertainment for more smiles per hour. Any standard audio device with a 2.5mm or 3.5mm jack will work with your Baehr system – MP3 players, MiniDisk players, CD players, AM/FM radios, satellite radios, and even your old cassette player. Just plug it in, turn it on, and ride into the sunset!

A Motorcycle Intercom System is designed for conversation on a motorcycle between the rider and the passenger; Experience clear voice communication with living room quality audio and no external wind noise.

A Motorcycle Radio (Bike to Bike) System is designed for push-to-talk conversation between two or more individual motorcyclists. Now you can easily communicate with other riders for greater safety and convenience.

Baehr Communication Systems work with any helmet style: full-face, flip-up, or open-face.