K1200GT Blog

BMWs in Nashville

2008-10-12T17:52:00.006-04:00

I never got to Bloodworth Motorcycles. BMW, Ducati, and Vespa. It was a busy weekend in Nashville. E and I were downtown at a hotel across the street from the Book Festival. We never took the car out of the parking garage.

It's Getting Hard Out There

2008-10-09T20:47:00.008-04:00

Let's find some socks for kids in Indiana. It's socks, people. Winter is coming. I would love to offer a gallon of gas for every pair of socks donated, but e and I aren't prospering either.

K1300GT

2008-10-06T19:40:00.003-04:00

The design is busier than the 2006-2008 version. It might take getting used to.

Click on "Galleries" and then "K1300GT" here for more pictures of the rumored 2009 model.

New Garmin GPS

2008-10-05T11:17:00.005-04:00

I think I am going to hold out for the Garmin GPSMAP 640. It's coming in the first quarter of 2009, just in time for my birthday (that's a hint, E).

The 640 has a 4.5 x 2.7 screen with 800 x 480 pixel resolution. (Heck, I have a still-running laptop with worse resolution.) Compare and contrast to my current 276, which has a 3.0 x 2.2 screen at 480 x 320.

The newly announced unit also has XM radio and weather availability.

Competition for the Spyder?

2008-10-02T17:39:00.003-04:00

Who wouldn't want to try the Ariel Atom. Considering the price differential, it really isn't competition for the BRP Can-Am Spyder.

I've followed two of the Spyders in the North Georgia Mountains. They don't corner well, as best I can tell.

I've never seen an Atom before. In fact, I had not heard of this vehicle until today. I am interested.

National Geographic Shwag

2008-09-30T20:10:00.003-04:00

National Geographic's Guide to Scenic Byways. Don't spend 20 bucks on Amazon. Get it for free. Don't forget to uncheck the email boxes at the bottom of the request page.

Short Sunday Ride

2008-09-28T14:42:00.004-04:00

E and I decided to take advantage of the great weather and head out east for a nice motorcycle ride.

After sleeping late, we took I-20 out of town. We got off the freeway quickly, heading past the Georgia International Horse Park first. On to Jersey, where we were able to find gas, if only regular. We bypassed Social Circle and kept going.

Once we got to Rutledge, we had lunch at Yesterday's Cafe. Oh, my. Crowder peas, collards, and squash casserole. The collards were pretty much the best I have ever had, and we soaked our excellent cornbread in the pot likker.

A very nice day. We rode about 130 miles and only had to u-turn once when the route I designed turned to dirt.

And Yet Another Music Deal

2008-09-23T18:04:00.007-04:00

Another good deal on a classic album. This time it isn't Appalachian music like the post just previous. It's Led Zeppelin IV! Kind of fitting, considering the name of my bike (see the title bar of this blog). This one has the eight minute version of Stairway to Heaven.

Little Sparrow

2008-09-17T19:58:00.007-04:00

Dolly. Excellent Appalachian music. I know this album enhances a ride. I listen often. The link to Amazon has a bargain price.

Double Bubble Acres

2008-09-16T21:41:00.010-04:00

I want to go to the Microcar Museum. It's only about 50 miles from Atlanta.

Alas, Double Bubble Acres is only open on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays.

Check out the last item on the video page. Vespas!

Route Testing

2008-09-13T20:23:00.007-04:00

Elements of the NGRATPack attended a planning meeting for the Dream House 500 this morning. After a lovely breakfast that included a five gallon bucket of gravy and deep fried bacon (that was just Bill's plate), we tested the afternoon legs of the 2008 route. Some of us had to punt a few pickup trucks out of our lanes, but we did make it to Rider's Hill in the afternoon.

We saw our third Spyder of the day there.

We had to punt one of those, too. I'm getting less enamoured of the darn things everytime I have to pass one.

Classical Music for Your Motorcycle

2008-09-11T19:40:00.007-04:00

Mahler, Strozzi, Saint-Saens? I hear Passionato is the new place to go. DRM-free, with good prices. I have only downloaded my ten (really thirteen) free tracks, after signing up. All of the free tracks are lovely, and at CD-quality. I will continue to test this site.

I bet the east end of Warwoman Road would be even better while listening to Rimsky-Korsakov.

Tiny Tire Pump

2008-09-10T18:44:00.006-04:00

Just get it.

The Cycle Pump Adventure replaces those pesky CO2 cartridges with aplomb.

I have had mine for about a year. I tested it once when I first got it. I've had to use it twice on the road. Both bikes got home on time. Enough said.

Woolie also sells it at about the same price as Whitehorse Press. After your Club discount, he might even be cheaper.

Edit: It will take a tire from flat to full inflation in about two minutes. This pump is not just a stop-gap to get you to the next gas station.

New iPod Weatherproof Case (Plus More)

2008-09-09T20:26:00.004-04:00

Here's another weatherproof iPod case for bicycles that could be used on a motorcycle. The iBike Console is about the same cost as the H2O Audio case I use, but it offers some odd remote control units that might work nicely.

If I didn't already have the H2O, I would try this. Seventy six bucks.

Farkle Lust

2008-09-08T15:33:00.005-04:00

I lust after the Garmin 376C. Fellow riders who have them are able to avoid rain and listen to college football games on Saturdays. I covet. I want to enter my credit card data at GPS City.

Benefit Ride

2008-09-06T18:31:00.004-04:00

The Ride for BBQ Benefit was also a success, but my picture-taking skills leave a lot to be desired. I think that is Jane hiding behind Bill's topcase.

I started out getting a new tire at BMW Motorcycles of Atlanta. After a very nice cuppa and a test ride of an electric scoot, I was on my way to the Cumming Fairgrounds. There I met several RATPack members, and Jackie and a guy who probably doesn't like me much - I was in quite the irreverent form while slurping up BBQ and stew.

After lunch, we were treated to a very nice ride led by the Admiral. On 60 north of Suches, we were passed by a Kawasaki Green Kawasaki, ridden by a leather clad color coordinated hotshot. I CANNOT resist what Bill coined as "catch and release," so I went after him. I shadowed him until it was time for me to turn off. He was quite smooth. We never got over 70 that I noticed, but we also never used our brakes, either.

All in all, a great day. The food, roads and company were, as alway, above average.

Join us tomorrow at Alpha Soda for a secret ride. I gotta go print maps and finish making my White Bean Turkey Chili.

BBQ Benefit Ride Saturday, September 6, 2008

2008-09-03T17:51:00.006-04:00

Join the RATPack for breakfast, then a BBQ benefit lunch, then a nice ride in the mountains. The lunch is a fundraiser to help pay uncovered medical expenses for the wife of Jeff Anderson, a member of the BMW Motorcycle Owners of Georgia.

Meet at the Palace Bagel at 9:00 AM, Saturday, September 6, 2008.

Countersteering Exposed!

2008-09-01T20:31:00.002-04:00

Attached to this post is a very good basic explanation of countersteering.

Most of us know about this. Pay it forward.

Funny GS Video

2008-09-01T11:11:00.002-04:00

A short, cute video from YouTube. And an experiment in embedding video.

Spine Success

2008-08-30T18:54:00.004-04:00

The Spine of Georgia 2 is in the books, and it was a success. Splat, Flying Roger, and I started at the Marietta Diner this morning, where we met lots of friendly folks. After a nice ride over Salacoa Road, we headed to Ellijay, and then across GA 2 past Fort Mountain State Park.

We attempted to head to Reliance on TN 30, but the road was closed due to a wreck. So we blasted through the Olympic Gorge and had lunch at Georgia Boys BBQ in McCaysville.

After a stop for water and tire-kicking at Rider's Hill, we blasted home on 400.

A great day. Good weather, great roads, great company.

Euro Bike Night in Decatur

2008-08-28T18:38:00.008-04:00

Twain's in downtown Decatur hosts Euro Bike Night every Thursday. I hear the scene is a bit more relaxed than what goes on at the Vortex. And some of the BMWMOGA crowd attends.

I can't be there tonight, but I do intend to join the fray in the future. I live only about three miles away.

Aeroflow?

2008-08-27T19:25:00.000-04:00

The stock screen I have is fine for Summer, and I ride with it in the down position about 50% of the time. Freeway time, about 20% of my riding, is at full-up.

I would like more protection in Fall and Winter at all positions, and would like to reduce wind noise. The Aeroflow appears to be the shield of choice for K12GTs, even though there are several choices.

Does it look like a pig?

Spine of Georgia 2 Ride - August 30

2008-08-26T18:29:00.006-04:00

Last year, I organized the first Spine of Georgia day-ride. Jane and Bill joined me, and seemed to really enjoy it. So I have decided to repeat the route, with a few streamlining changes.

We will meet at the Marietta Diner at 7:30 AM, August 30, 2008 for breakfast. Your tank should be able to make it 100 miles from the restaurant. Highlights include Salacoa Road, Highway 2 over Fort Mountain, the lovely roads between Reliance and Tellico Plains, and 68 and 60 all the way back home.

Lunch will be at the TelliCafe in Tellico Plains. The RATPack has eaten here many times, and we have never been dissapointed. Even our heavyset friends from Connecticut enjoy the Cafe.

A Garmin NT 2009 file is available at the RATPack website. Note that there is a glitch in this route. There is a "pigtail" on 136 Connector just south of Ellijay, where Greta takes us about a half mile up and then back down a road. Neither Buster nor I could remove this pigtail. Please remind me to not follow the magenta line religiously at that point.

If you don't mind, post here or somewhere else if you plan to attend. If you would like to meet us at a northern stop, we could arrange for a meet-up in Waleska or Fairmount, but not both.

(The image is a Joe Rocket spine protector, by the way.)

At Toxaway Falls

2008-08-24T19:40:00.003-04:00

The RATPack had a very nice turnout today. Buster, the Admiral, and I were the Usual Suspects. Don and the Finch's joined us.

The photo above was supposed to be sent from my iPhone straight to the blog at about 1:00 PM today, but it didn't push. About a week ago I completely reset the iPhone with new firmware, and did not realize that I had set the default "send" account to an address that Blogger did not have as a registered account. I suppose that is all good, for security reasons. Fixed tonight.

What a great day. Breakfast was wonderful at the Bagel Palace in Toco Hills. Cheryl took great care of us once again. The ride up Ceasar's Head was clean. (Larry left some divots in the curves with his pegs, however, for all future riders.) Lunch was excellent - I had lobster and shrimp bisque with a ceasar's salad (go figure). The photo above is in front of the restaurant.

After lunch we tore up the roads from Rosman to Clayton. The Finch's RT has scrapes where scrapes should not be. You go, team. Jack up the preload for the next ride, please, Damian.

As always, great company and great riding. The weather even cooperated.

MapSource and Garmin 276C Updates Available

2008-08-23T12:31:00.003-04:00

MapSource 6.14.1 is available from your current MapSource program. I found it really changed how maps are displayed on my Windows XP computer. See the above screen capture for the new look. I was used to the old look. I suppose I will get used to this one.

Additionally, OS version 5.30 is available for the Garmin 276C. Use the Web Updater function, which is a different Garmin program than MapSource.

Electric Off Road Motorcycle

2008-08-21T21:59:00.004-04:00

It will go 40 miles on a charge. I suppose that's a good start.

The Zero X is strange-looking, and it costs a lot. But at least it's available.

Caesar's Head Ride on August 24

2008-08-20T18:07:00.005-04:00

Join the RATPack for a ride to Ceasar's Head, South Carolina. Meet at the Bagel Palace in the Toco Hills Shopping Center at 7:30 this Sunday. I have now configured my iPhone camera to send photos straight to Facebook or this blog, just in case we run into any bears or dirt banks.

A Garmin GDB file will be available at the RATPACK website.

Motorcycle Laptop?

2008-08-19T19:47:00.003-04:00

This little Dell might be something we could carry on the bikes. Check the specs. I wonder if a nine inch LCD and a 16 gig flash drive will support Garmin's Mapsource and all our maps?

More Facebook

2008-08-18T20:16:00.005-04:00

There are several long-distance and BMW Facebook pages. And even a K1200GT page. And one for Atlanta BMW riders. I have been a bit timid to explore any of those sites. As soon as I am more comfortable in Facebook, I will start posting to the more active pages. Check my profile (registration required) for more information. Look at the groups I have joined.

And I have set up a Facebook event for the Dream House 500, and published it.

Dream House 500

2008-08-17T09:58:00.003-04:00

I've added a link to the 2008 Dream House 500 in my links section of the sidebar. Register and come join us on October 4, 2008. I am the checkpoint coordinator this year, so I'm the one who will be making sure you get through the 500 kilometers, and giving you your poker hand cards.

You can win a motorcycle this year.

Facebook

2008-08-17T09:04:00.003-04:00

At the cajoling of Elizabeth, I joined Facebook. It's an experiment right now. I was mostly confused for the first few additions to it.

Facebook is not a blog, so I guess I need to keep this blog updated more. And so I've added a feed to this blog from my Profile at Facebook.

Scrolling Message Plate Holder

2008-01-12T20:06:00.000-05:00

Every time the Aerostich catalog comes in, I scour it to find that one thing. This year it's the Scrolling Message License Plate Holder. I want one. Bad. Comes with a remote, so I can change to one of four messages on the fly.

"You are driving too close to me."

"Back Off!"

"Get out of the left lane, dammit."

"Roger, your blinker is on."

Another Turnaround Photo

2008-01-09T23:03:00.001-05:00

I tried to cross the Cherohala Skyway recently. Black ice stopped me
before the top. Today's posts were taken that day with the iPhone. And
posted from the iPhone, too.

Winter Turnaround

2008-01-09T22:51:00.001-05:00

I had to stop here on December 26.

Another pic of Graf Zeppelin

2007-04-29T19:47:00.000-04:00

Just posting a photo of the bike with the small top case.

First Impressions of the Mighty GT

2007-04-26T18:25:00.000-04:00

Consider my post title foreshadowing. I will make this quick, I hope.

I came to BMW motorcycles later than some. And most of my motorcycle miles have been on K-bikes. However, I spent the last two years on a 2002 R1150RS. A fine motorcycle. With a big flaw. The R1150RS has rubber-mounted handlebars. I hated them. Turning felt like that old pickup we have all driven, where the first three inches of steering wheel movement left or right provided absolutely no change in course.

The K1200GT does not have any soft components between my hands and the asphalt. And that new front suspension system ... is like riding with both hands directly on the pavement.

This is the best motorcycle I have ever ridden. Handling is far superior to anything else in my experience.

Wind protection is spectacular - I stay warmer in very cold weather, even without electric help. Graf has an accessory plug wired directly to the battery, so I can use my Gerbings. And it has heated grips and seats. I have not found the need to use them much, except for that one ride where we got snowed on at TWO.

Rain protection, much needed lately, is far superior to my 2000 K1200LT. Yes, even better than the LuxoTub. In a recent driving rain, only my forearms got wet. I have an iPod remote control zip-tied to the left handlebar of Graf. It is fragile, and by no means even water-resistant. Not a drop of moisture on it in driving rain (or snow).

The engine is smooth as silk. And powerful enough to ride it like it has an automatic transmission. On a recent ride to TWO, approaching from the north, I put the bike in third gear in Fannin County and shifted once, down to second, when crossing the Union County line.

Plenty of storage, especially with the small top box. I love the "glove compartment." Ergonomics are perfect for the way I like to sit on a bike.

Moonlighting Tour

2007-04-22T18:54:00.000-04:00

Buster and I moonlight as tour guides for motorcycle groups. We take the job very seriously, and test roads before we take our groups to places we have not been, or places we have been previously concerned about.

Yesterday, I tested a road we found on MapSource - Otter Creek Road. It connects Wayah Road with NC 28 and parallels the Nantahala Gorge. At mile four, it turned to what you see in the picture. Since this group is road-oriented, we won't be using Otter Creek Road. What a shame. The Nantahala Gorge road can be quite crowded during kayaking season.

On the same trip, I also tested the whole of Wayah Road. The last time we rode it, the surface had just been converted from very nice asphalt to a really bad application of chip seal at the Wayah Bald Summit going north for about five miles. The road went from an A to an F. It is now a C+/B- and I will see if I can talk Buster into using the road.

At the south end of Wayah Road, I stopped for a Gatorade and a bio break. A group of local riders showed up, one on an R1150R. He quizzed me about Graf, asking the usual horsepower question (I was asked three times about Graf's output on the trip). He asked where I was headed, too. I pointed north. He said, "Ah, Thunder Road."

I'm not sure I like the name. I'm also not sure Wayah Road needs a motorcyclists' nickname. Look what it did for the Dragon - police patrols and dead squids.

What a wonderful day. MapSource says 337 miles with about 3,000 feet of elevation change from my home. And the weather was perfect. If only I could find a decent lunch spot in Andrews, North Carolina. If you are ever there, don't bother with any restaurant with the word depot in it.

Gutting Graf Zeppelin

2007-04-18T16:53:00.000-04:00

Thanks, Ron, for the before picture of the bike.

Last Saturday, Ron, Buster and I spent most of the day gutting Graf Zeppelin. And bickering. We installed a RAM Mount for a Garmin 276C, the motorcycle power and audio cable for same, and a BMW accessory plug. Did I mention we bickered a lot?

The RAM mount attached to a bolt hole in the middle of the "triple clamp," under the plastic cap, located beneath the adjustable handlebar. I used a three inch arm to connect the bottom ball to the 276C holder.

We hard-wired the motorcycle power and audio cable to the battery, conveniently located under the small fairing piece just in front of the gas filler nozzle and just under the mounted GPS. The Garmin-supplied cable includes an audio-out patch cord which will allow interface with the BMW/J&M communications system yet to be installed.

Likewise, the BMW accessory plug was wired directly to the battery. The large side fairing piece required removal for this installation.

Both wirings either had or were fitted with in-line fuses.

And now for the rest of the story.... We bickered for hours. Several of us wanted to install a Centech fuse panel, switched with a relay, and route all wiring through that. One of us pointed out that we were only installing two items, one of which would be less useable if switched.

BMW uses a new wiring system in the K1200GT. The CAN Buss is a one-wire system, somewhat like ethernet. Amperage limitations exist, so battery tenders, air pumps, and most important, heated clothing may not run with an accessory plug fitted through the CAN Buss.

Projects One and Two complete. I owe Ron and Buster lunch for their help.

Ride: Saturday, April 21, 2007

2007-04-17T14:15:00.000-04:00

While most of the Nawth Jawja Rat Pack are weekending it to Chattanooga to see Allison Kraus in concert, I'm going to test some roads for my upcoming duty as tour guide. Meet me at the Palace Bagel in Toco Hills shopping center (see the map file starting point) at 7:00 AM Saturday morning, April 21, 2007.

I will be checking on the condition of Wayah Road on this trip, and I may detour from the route in the GDB file noted on the web page linked above.

And so it begins...

2007-04-16T18:38:00.000-04:00

BMW Motorcycles of Atlanta took bike number seven in trade for Graf Zeppelin. And so it begins ... my second hundred thousand miles on motorcycles.

Check back here often for roads my friends and I love, for riding and wrenching tips, and for pics of our adventures.