BMW Touring Club of NSW Newsletter April 2008 BMWTCNSW PO BOX 53 Adorning the cover this month is an image of my new riding mate, RYDALMERE BC “Cutie Pie” the Chihuahua. She’s suitably harnessed and fits very NSW 1710 nicely into the lined glove compartment of my 96 K1100LT. In the first few minutes of her introductory ride, she decided she wanted Website : http://www.bmwtcnsw.org “out” while I was hanging a U turn. There she was 450mm from the Full and Family Memberships welcome tarmac swinging on her bungie chord. She quickly adapted to her situation and sits there looking up at me or sleeps until we stop. Due to last month’s unusual meeting there are no Minutes to present. Treasurer’s Reports haven’t been submitted, no sweat – your Newsletter is chockers with heaps of interesting stuff, once again I ran COMMITTEE out of room. For two months I haven’t emailed members with the website link to PRESIDENT Andrew Le Lievre download the PDF Newsletter. I haven’t had one enquiry. Waddup NSW MCC Representative M 0418 220 658 guys? Is the PDF unnecessary at the moment? Let me know. ED ■ [email protected] VICE PRESIDENT Paul Evans P 0296 742 361 [email protected]

SECRETARY Andrew Watson REGALIA Andrew Watson M 0419 255 290 P 0298 963 335 [email protected] MEMBERSHIP SECTRETARY Marie Pennykid M 0428 393 093 P 0247 393 093 [email protected] TREASURER Chris Huddy M 0438 407 146 P 0298 084 645 [email protected] Checkout this rave review on the F800GS, it’s a beauty. page 12

CONTENTS NEWSLETTER PRODUCTION Editor & BMWCA Delegate Malcolm McKay President’s Report 3 M 0432 802 820 P 0249 911 900 New Noise Laws, MCC of NSW Delegate 4 [email protected] Front Number Plate, MCC of NSW Delegate 5 I Love Bikes, Front Number Plate MCC of NSW Delegate 5 MCC NSW DELEGATE Warren Buffett Music for Motorcycling Review, Rob Lovett 6 ASSESTS and ARCHIVES Ride Report Kiama March 2008, Jennie Banks 7 NEWSLETTER DISTRIBUTION New Members’ Ride Report, Stephen Pauline aka The Trailerman 7 M 0411 076 941 P 0296 224 254 [email protected] Summer Blood Challenge, Warren Buffett 8 Karuah River Rally Ride Report, Henning Jorgensen 10 NEWSLETTER DISTRIBUTION Tony Conliffe Bike Review, 2008 F800GS 12 WEB MANAGER Roger Martyn Tips and Tricks, be your own mechanic 13 [email protected] There’s A Rally Somewhere & Classifieds 14 Events and Ride Calendar, Bruce Campbell 15 This Newsletter is a forum for all members of the BMWTCNSW. Views expressed herein do not necessarily represent the views or BMWTCNSW Classic Register Registrars opinions of The Editor or the Committee of BMW Touring Club of Contact these people if you are interested in older Beemers NSW. Publication of all materials is at the Editor’s discretion. All Northern Region Craig Hancock 1Nimala Ave, Koolewong 2256 content © BMW Touring Club of NSW. P 0243 431 818 M 0419 557 014 [email protected] Your Article in our Newsletter. Send what you would like published Sydney Region Graham Johns, 8B Gunners Mews, Holsworthy 2173 in ms word format or notepad text. Include small versions of images in 0297 310 934 [email protected] the article if you like, but send me the originals as down-loaded from Southern Region John Marquette 174 Thornford Rd, Yarra 2850 your camera. I can then ensure a high quality product. P 0248 297 104 M 0425 280 290 johnm@ goulburn.net.au Join the BMWTCNSW. Download the pdf from our website. Print and fill it out. Send it to the Membership Secretary with your cheque. Our Internet Forum is the place to post messages to other members of your club. Go to the website and click on the e-groups link. From there it’s a simple matter to sign-up, log-on and join in the action; find out stuff about rides, rallies & gossip. http://www.bmwtcnsw.org Please refer all Advertising requests to The Editor. ■ Proudly printed by Kwik Kopy, Wst Ryde. Phone Bruce 0298 046 677

COVER PHOTO, “Cutie Pie” enjoying her ride, photo Ed

BMW Touring Club of NSW NEWSLETTER 2 APRIL 2008 I had walked 45mins towards Cooma and stopped, deciding to go back to the bike and wait. I was taking a load of camping gear to Thredbo for the cold Flame rally so I knew I would be G’day – Happy Easter to everyone and here’s to a safe and ok if I pitched the tent and at least I’d be warm. I had passed a demerit free month of riding. junction sign that had been turned around the wrong way as it was pointing towards Braidwood and not Cooma and cussed Welcome to all the new members and thanks to Marie and Paul the local kids whom I blamed for the misdeed. About another for arranging the New Members Ride last month. I understand 500mtrs towards the bike, a car appeared out of nowhere. I had it was such a success that the next “New” event will be a my mobile phone light on and waved him down. He just went camping weekend in the not too distant future. past me but thankfully stopped about 200mtres down the road. I Last month I mentioned I had an “off” and a few good souls walked up to him said hello and told him what happened. Colin were kind enough to inquire as to my health and get the low was a farmer that had been to the sales in Sydney. It was purely down on just what happened. Well a week before the Safari I coincidence he was there at all and he very kindly drove me had a bit of a mishap. On my way to Thredbo, riding along back to the bike - 5kms! I was standing on his tow bar as there roads I have ridden many times before I was involved in a fatal was no room in the cab. We stopped at a T intersection and MVA – Thank god it was the other bloke that karked it!! dropped of his trailer and at that point had a chat and I guess he I admit to many mistakes on the night – where I was, riding thought I was well enough to then go to Cooma hospital. alone, late evening , fatigue etc but that’s what I had done It was only later that it became clear to me why Colin thought I several hundred times before! may have been slightly out of shape. It turned out that that sign I’d only seen two other wombats since leaving the freeway. post had been correct and disoriented after the stack, I had been One peacefully was eating – the other running flat out across walking a not so short 120kms towards Braidwood. the road. That one was a near miss and I thought to myself At Cooma Base they checked me out, full x-rays; head, neck, watch out for number three. My GPS indicated less than 40kms shoulders & spine. It took forever and was bloody cold. The to Cooma so I slowed to around 50 km/h – figuring better to go doctor struggled with some new blood kit which made me slow and enjoy the ride with only about 1km of a short gravel worry but after a while he explained that the Police were on section to go. their way as the accident occurred on a public road. Apparently A flash of red appeared from the left – I thought it was a pig as it’s mandatory to have blood alcohol testing under such it was travelling very fast. I braked hard but it ran into the back circumstances. By this time I was experiencing full on shock. of the front wheel, effectively tripping the bike just like a bull Uncontrollable shivering, and really not feeling so well. Col wrestler in a rodeo. had stayed with me and was a much more attentive nurse than Such was the impact that my bike travelled only about 5mtrs on the medical staff who seemed more interested in the late night its side spinning around to face the other way –the wombat was radio talk back than the latest Wombat Slayer. killed instantly and I was flat on my face in the dirt saying out What I haven’t told you is that my family, who I was on the loud, “fark that hurt”. Spitting the dirt out from inside my way to meet at Thredbo had expected me around midnight. helmet (I couldn’t see because of the dust and grit) I stood up After receiving a call from me which started, “Hi, it’s me, I’m and knew that I was concussed as everything was a blur. ok.” Robyne drove up from Thredbo and arrived at 3am. The It took me about three goes to get the bike up even with one Police still hadn’t arrived and under the new honesty system I “Oh please God” moment. After the impact the bike was still was asked to present myself to give a statement. running so I flicked it off, the clutch had no pressure which Cooma Police took my statement and completed the trifecta. meant that while I could start the bike, as soon as it clicked into Col, Nurse and now Police all said the world was all the better gear, it stalled. At 350kgs plus fully loaded you can’t even roll for having one less wombat. the big adventure – I tried and just got more tired. I checked the Having declared my innocence, Rob took me back to the bike GPS and with 40kms to Cooma and no mobile reception, I to get clothes etc and finally back to Thredbo, arriving at 7am. parked the bike and decided to walk for 20mins towards Cooma Rob had done over 300kms round trip worrying about just what to see if I could get reception to call Emergency Services. At “I’m ok” means. this stage I was lucid and thinking things through, concussed, After about 2hrs sleep I managed to hire a trailer from nothing obviously broken, stay with bike or make a deliberate Jindabyne and went out with my older son Nick, to get the bike. foray to find reception. It actually looked ok, except the wheel was pointing at 45deg Now despite what you may have been told or even what you from the bars. want to believe if there is no network there is NO contact. 112 The wombat was huge, a full grown male and very dead. My failed as did 000. No reception equaled no contact with the skid marks ran clearly for about 5mtres, you could see the black outside world. from the tyres where the bike had slid down the centre of road

BMW Touring Club of NSW NEWSLETTER 3 APRIL 2008 across the rocks. You could also see where I had face planted - Lesson - This could have happened anywhere at night even in pieces of broken visor were on the ground. Sydney, near bush land. Next time you pass road kill just I was lucky and I had been wearing top of the line gear. My consider that someone hit it to kill it. This evening the car in BMW System helmet had worn through the outer fibre glass front of me narrowly missed a wallaby on Burns Road, St Ives. casing and along with a torn jacket shoulder and ripped leather It really could happen anywhere is the point. I’m not making knee it highlights the severity of the impact. excuses but had my accident been at 100km/h plus on a freeway I can’t see how anyone would survive ploughing into Apparently wombats can get to about 40kgs and they can also one of these living rocks. run at over 40km/h. The impact I felt was extraordinary, the full momentum of the That would put the impact of the collision at around 500kgs bike just stopped and threw me into the dirt at 60 km/h plus. hitting a brick wall a collective 100km/h – no wonder it hurt! I reflected a great deal for the 72hrs after the event and was There’s no doubt I’m lucky. A week after my accident a mate subdued by the whole thing. of Hennings hit a kangaroo near Bright and was killed. A guy on the safari hit a roo near Jundabyne and broke his collarbone, I love riding at night but it has really been hammered home that so what have I learned? one mistake such as riding with fatigue can kill. It’s now four weeks after the event, there’s another full moon and I expect to Lessons – Fatigue get my bike back next week. It’s certainly given me pause to I had flown in from Singapore with less than 3hrs sleep and think and probably it’s day time riding for me from now on. was rushing all day to get work out of the way so I could get to AL ■ Thredbo. I was tired and at 5pm should have stayed in town and simply gone down Saturday early. I didn’t. Fatigue leads to poor decisions. I was running low on fuel at Pheasants Nest, the cars were lined up about 10 deep so I kept going towards Marulan. My reserve light was on but I decided At the March 2008 MCC of NSW monthly meeting an to push it. When I got to Sally’s Corner, the servo was also full overview of the new noise regulations (laws) issued by the so on to Marulan. I was pushing everything and 1km from Department of Environment and Climate Change (DECC) was Marulan I ran out of fuel. Something should have clicked then presented. (DECC administers what was previously known as but it didn’t. There was already a pattern of poor decision the EPA). making and I didn’t pick it up. A guy stopped (he has KTM’s) The regulations being the "Protection Of The Environment Operations and took me to the BP servo and then back to the bike. I filled Noise Control Regulation 2008" (POEO). This is NSW legislation. up and managed to put 33lts into a 30lt tank. It was still light The following is a select motorcycle centric summary from the new and yet no light bulb was going on in my head. regulations. The really bad decision I made was that at Marulan South I From March 1, 2008 enforcement agencies are to be held more decided to go via Tarago to ACT. I thought there would be less accountable when issuing fines under the POEO. Authorised traffic / stress and I had ridden it a hundred times and always Officers, who intend to use certain sections of clause 5 and 18, enjoyed it. When I got to the Tarago turn off I made yet another must now have substantial reasoning to do so. In the previous poor decision which was to go via Windellama not Tarago. It regulations no reasoning was required and as such alternate was still light and I hadn’t been on that road before and wanted agendas could be readily serviced by the POEO. Further to see what it was like. Maybe it’d be a great way down next information on this issue may be found in "0871infomv.pdf" weekend on the way to the safari! and also in the definition of “defective noise control equipment” in “Protection Of The Environment Operations Just after here, it got dark very quickly. Instead of turning Noise Control Regulation 2008.pdf”, both of which can be around I kept going and by the time I reached Braidwood, it downloaded at… was black. Still there was a huge full moon so I decided to take http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/noise/poeonoisereg08.htm the Numeralla Road to Cooma. Again it’s a road I have ridden Provisions where made in the regulations that take into account before and it is an easy and good ride unless it’s been raining. that motorcycle exhaust systems, including mufflers are Lesson - You can’t control everything! substantially different from those of other vehicles and as such This could easily have been a fatal – that’s really scary. It was shall be exempt from certain construction requirements, see perhaps only luck that I didn’t incur severe damage. I was clauses 5 and 18. isolated, disorientated after the fall, alone and had also deviated There are other implications; these may be found in the from my planned route without telling anyone. documents referred to above. The accident was entirely avoidable from the perspective of With the introduction of these regs a more equitable system has where I was, the time, the fatigue etc however the sobering been created for all. It is also worth noting that the MCC of aspect is the wild life factor. NSW where taken seriously by DECC law makers and credit BMW Touring Club of NSW NEWSLETTER 4 APRIL 2008 must be given to all those in DECC who understood us and took onboard our concerns. A thank you is in order to the Policy Section at DECC. Exemptions on motorcycle muffler construction were achieved. Some issues remain to be dealt with. Overall, we as riders remain responsible for the noise level from our vehicles, but now there is also very limited scope for opportunistic miss-use of legislation. Regards, Chris Turner Chairman, Noise Committee MCC of NSW Footnote. This significant turn around on motorcycle specific noise regulations is the fine work of Chris Turner who is an How’s this for saying it like it is? Just substitute the US names for acoustics engineer and Guy Stanford, MCC Chairman. There Aussie places and roads, The Old Road, Bucketts Way, Snowy were others involved at various times but these two men in Mountains, The Great Ocean Road, Nymboida Loop for us locals, particular worked painstakingly and consistently on this over Road Warriors Cafe, Putty Road, the Oxley, Canungra etc. several years and in one case fought a personal court battle on For those that understand and for those I’d like to understand…, this subject. It consumed hundreds of hours of their time and The following appeared in the September 2007 issue of Cycle World they took leave from their work to attend meetings with DECC magazine. It was written by Peter Jones. WB ■ and others in business hours so there was a financial cost to I love old bikes for what they were and new bikes for what they are. I them as well. These are good men who saw wrong and fought love the romance of kick starts and the convenience of starter buttons. to make it right. Riders are indebted to them for the dedication I love bikes with more power than I sometimes have the discretion to and tenacity. use properly. I love passing cars where no car can pass. I love how Warren Buffett motorcycles keep getting quicker, if not faster. I love the feeling of freedom and power the bike gives me. BMWTCNSW Delegate to MCCofNSW ■ I love the responsibility of riding smartly. I love being alone on a The Dreaded FRONT NUMBER PLATE Debate motorcycle. I love riding in groups. I love how motorcycles make me As a summary of why the front number plate (FNP) debate is feel like the hero I’m not. I love that riding a motorcycle means I still going on and has been getting press coverage, the might be half as cool as Steve McQueen. following is as succinct as you will find. I love that motorcycles are confusing to non-bikers. I love how being a biker is to be a member of a special club. I love how bad girls are Please inform the members turned on by guys who ride bikes. I love how good girls are turned on via the Newsletter. by guys who ride bikes. Dr Scotch (David Scott) is I love how a motorcycle is the cheapest way to go racing–road racing, the DSMRA delegate to drag racing, dirt racing, and all racing. I love choppers. I love MCCofNSW. Woz sportbikes. I love riding down a long road to nowhere. I love riding too fast down curvy roads. I love the boom of Singles. the bellow of · Victoria's toll road Twins, the In-A-Gadda-DaVida beat of Triples, the screams of Fours companies decided to put and Sixes…I’d love the sound of a five-cylinder if someone made one. in front facing cameras on I love complex valvetrains. I love fully adjustable upside-down forks. I their tollways love modifying a perfectly good bike into a beastly machine that’s a pain to ride. · They weren't getting toll money from bikes. I love putting on my leathers. I love hanging out in leathers, but only if They asked the Victorian I have a bike nearby. I love girls who ride…in leathers. I love attending roadracing events. I love the sound of a bike taken to redline government to fix their in every single gear. I love the thrill. the look, the art, the feel, the income shortfall. smell, the taste, the sensual adventure of motorcycles. · The government knew I love wide tires. I love spoked rims. I love magnesium wheels. I love that changing things to suit being able to pick up an engine with my own two arms that can take the bottom-line of a private me to speeds more than twice any legal limit. I love doing stoppies. I company was difficult to love dragging my knees through turns. I love two-fingered braking sell to the public, so even more. I love my memories of the Syracuse Mile. I love the hints of crazy hope that emanated from Jimmy Adamo every time he threw someone came up with the his leg over a Ducati. I love the stunning artistic beauty of the 1974 old favorite “it's for road Laverda 750SFC. safety” catchline. I love 70-year old bikers who ride like there’s no tomorrow. I love · The WA government supported the move because it lacked watching the road fly by just below my feet. I love standing on the suitable legislation to force a vehicle's registered owner to pegs and seeing the front tire go ’round. I love riding a bike as fast as “hand-over” the responsible driver ... so WA has front facing it will possibly go. I love going 140 mph for three minutes straight cameras (still no use with full-face helmets). (that’s 6.99 miles). I love riding with no particular place to go. I love that being a biker means something, even if I don’t always like what it Various anti-motorcycle “safety groups” jumped on the means to some. I love how bikes have connected me with people acoss bandwagon. the country and worldwide. I love hanging out at motorcycle nights. I The simple reality here is that there was, and is, no safety love the foolish hell of Daytona Bike Week. I love saying aloud the mysteriously promising names GiaCaMoto, Yoshimura, Yoshima, related question for which FNP's are the answer. They already Dunstall and Ferracci. had the answer they wanted FNP's -.they just had to dream up the question. I love clip-ons and rearsets. I love loud pipes. I love tight racing gloves. I love wearing black leather. I love wearing leather of loud Dr Scotch, DSMRA MCCofNSW ■ colors. I love going 175mph with only the dyed skin of a dead cow

BMW Touring Club of NSW NEWSLETTER 5 APRIL 2008 between me and planet Earth. I love riding bikes and writing about If you like your blues delivered with explosive force and ear shattering them. I love hanging in the streets of LA with other bikers. I love volume, with primitive simplicity without finesse or pretension, then riding the mountains of North Carolina. I love walking through seas of this record is an absolute must for your shelf (and your record player). parked bikes. I love motorcycling’s brave history. I love taking girls On , delivers stadium-blasting lead for rides. I love how children stare in wonder at motorcycles. I love overlays and near-nuclear chord crescendos, while Dickie Petersen riding in any mountains. I love riding across the desert. I love splitting screams the blues (as they should be), while playing a thunderous bass, lanes in California. I love washing and polishing my own motorcycle. supported by pounding out a cavernous driving beat - I love visiting bike shops in whatever state or country I’m in. I love often creating his own lead-drum solos. Feedback is plentiful, the doing that for no special reason at all. I love dragging the pegs and mood is raw, and the resonance tension filled, so the tracks explode in bags of cruisers. I love customizing bikes. I love admiring someone your senses with a thunderstorm of sound. If you are into Robbie else’s customized bike. I love lightweight 600cc sportbikes. I love Williams, Michael Buble, or Julio Iglesias then don't even think of heavy sportbikes with insanely excessive power–I love those very going near this record. much, thank you. I love riding around the Grattan racecourse outside Most of the tracks run well beyond the 3 minute 30 mark, so nothing Grand Rapids, Michigan. I love the streets of Willow. ever got to mainstream radio (a real shame). leads I love holding modern, thin, lightweight. chemically coated pistons in off with a rapid beat dominated by bass and drums punctuated by my hand.I love the chatter of flatslides. I love the rattle of a dry clutch. guitar riffs that would have given Eddie Cochran (it was his original I love the intake honk of big bikes. I love the crisp rasp of an open hit) an apoplexy. Rock me Baby (track two), is slower and more exhaust. I love the beastly booming brutish bellow of a big Vee’s low- deliberate, while Doctor Please at track three contains massive end torque. I love the risks of riding. I love 90-degree Twins. I also feedback solos and an equally massive bass of rumbling chords and love 45- and 60-degree Twins. I even love parallel Twins. I guess I solos. Out of Focus at track four has the amps at near maximum with love Twins. I love old GSX-Rs. I love the feeling of anticipation while a riff that etches your psyche. Parchment Farm follows - sit down with rolling a motorcycle out of the garage on a cool morning.. I love the your favourite brew and soak up Leigh Stephens' massive comeback smell of burning two-stroke oil any time of day. I love the conspicuous after a fade in the middle of the piece. Track six - Second Time Round mechanics of motorcycles. I love the stance of a bike resting on a rear delivers a chord crescendo, a feedback interlude, and searing lead that stand. I love the insane hubris of the Isle of Man. I love riding ratty old has the guitar hyper-ventilating with speakers pushed to near bike that remind me of my original thrill of motorcycling.I love bob- destruction. The next couple of minutes has Leigh putting the guitar jobs. I love re-reading old motorcycling magazines. I love collecting and amp through a torture session approaching meltdown that neither stickers from aftermarket companies. could ever forget, and Paul Whaley does a pounding drum solo in the middle. All in all, the album represents a unique recording that I love how motorcycling makes travel intimate. I love how a bike gives satisfies the heavy metal in you without compromising the blues, and it me an immediate feel of subtle changes in temperature. I love wearing makes many notable heavy rock groups in subsequent years sound full-face helmets, because I’ve used every inch of the exterior of them anaemic and washed out. The album is available from CD Universe at one time or another. I love how, on a bike, each of my limbs has (among others) for US $9.35. controls of its own. I love right-side-shifting bikes. I love riding for I was fortunate enough to make contact with Leigh Stephens recently. days on end. I love hiding under a bridge during a thunderstorm. I love He said they were playing most of the Vincebus Eruptum tracks for a how riding clears my head. I love bike clubs. I love motorcycle couple of years before recording them, and used 3 - 6 amplifier stacks movies. I love parking on a mountain summit and staring at my bike’s each (Leigh now thinks it was way overkill - I think it would have engine. I love machine-billet brake calipers. I love windowed case been pretty brilliant). He recalls they recorded Vincebus Eruptum covers. I love how a motorcycle is sometimes a preposterous “deus ex using 3 stacks each and a Fender Jazz Master guitar (his guitar work machina”. I love the echo of a drive chain on tight left-hand curves. I beautifully dominates most of the tracks). Leigh recalls their biggest love the technological efficiency of modern sportbikes. I love the crowd was about 100,000 at the Newport Rock Festival in Southern simplicity of old naked bikes. I love the imposing nastiness of rat California (where he split his velvet pants - but didn't realise until they bikes. I love the mystery, romance and sexa appeal of motorcycles. I finished their set). He left in 1969, and has since had four love how bikes make me dream. I love how bikes make me who I am. solo albums - the more recent being Chronic with a K and High Strung I love how a motorcycle is never just a motorcycle. I love motorcycles. Low Key available from CDBaby.com. When he's not producing And so do I! Clinton (04) 1133-7522 ■ fantastic music, Leigh (according to his website), does design and illustration, photography and special effects (eg for the Abyss, Dancing With Wolves, Honey I Shrunk the Kids and Tremor).

Music for Motorcycling written by Rob Lovett By 1968, the US had well and truly retaliated against the British rock invasion of the previous three years with the west coast in particular producing its own revolution led by The Grateful Dead, Canned Heat, Jefferson Airplane, The Doors, Iron Butterfly and Linda Ronstadt (who had several hits in Australia). This musical revolution was accentuated by some pretty revolutionary thinking on social issues led by Alan Ginsberg, Jack Kerouac, Abbie Hoffman and of course, Timothy Leary, who typified the "beat generation". Back on the music scene, there was another great band developing in San Francisco around 1966 in the form of Blue Cheer, who, in January 1968, released their first album titled Vincebus Eruptum on the Phillips label. I came across this amazing piece in 1970 or so, and have since updated to a CD. Blue Cheer had its musical foundations in the blues with the original

6-piece band trimming down to a 3-piece some time in 1967. That line-up comprised Leigh Stephens on guitar, Dickie Petersen on bass If you like the blues, and like them heavy, then you won't be and vocals and Paul Whaley on drums, and together, they produced disappointed by Vincebus Eruptum - a great work of music for Vincebus Eruptum exactly 40 years ago last January. motorcycling. RL ■ BMW Touring Club of NSW NEWSLETTER 6 APRIL 2008 Wayne and I left around 10 a.m., as did most everyone else. He thought it would be good to go up the Jamberoo Mountain Road which I’m sure would have been a nice ride for most of KIAMA, March 2008 you riders. However, 18kms out of Kiama, we came to a written by Jennie Banks hairpin left turn that went straight up and unfortunately, I had a bit of a spill. I won’t go into great detail and I don’t know how any of you who have come off feel, but I was so embarrassed and then disappointed in myself! It could have been a lot worse, but in the end I only broke the clutch lever. Luckily we had a phone signal and Wayne called down to Kiama to Mick, and he and Dave set about trying to find a new lever to no avail because it was Sunday and nothing was opened. We figured we could call the NRMA and have us towed back down to Kiama but it seems they only pay for it if it is a “breakdown” not an accident. Dave and Alison arrived a bit later with water and sandwiches (I fell off at 10:30 and it was now closer to 2). In the end, we got a hold of Woz, who put us in touch with Ian and Carrie Idle. All I can say is thank goodness for the BMW What a great weekend it was! The weather in the days leading Club and its members! Ian and Carrie live near by and arrived up to the ride was a bit rainy and dreary. I was so hoping for with a trailer in tow. As it turned out, Ian rode the bike down to good weather but it seemed to me, on Friday night, that it was Kiama and I rode in the truck with Carrie (for which I am not to be! Around 11 p.m. it started pouring, with thunder and forever grateful as I could not have gotten back on the bike at lightening so loud it shook the windows. I was SURE we were that time!) Mick had held rooms at the Kiama Cove Motel in for a wet weekend! We had a very early start on Saturday, where they were staying, for Wayne and I and Dave and Alison meeting the Central Coasties at the twin servos at Wyong. so the 6 of us stayed another night, which turned out to be a Wayne and I rode with Glen Wylie and met up with Glenn great night! Brown, Mick and Gail Furchert, Evan Furchert, Jill Moncrieff, Alison Ashby, Dave Ellis, and Rod Jarman at the servo. We somehow managed to miss Christine and Michael Collis at the start. The ride was good, the weather held out with only a few spits and spats along the way. The ride through Sydney was no problem and we all managed to stay together with Mick doing a fine job leading the way and Glenn Brown keeping an eye on us at the back. Glen Wylie and Rod Jarman left us in Sydney as they had other commitments. The ride through the Royal National Park was beautiful. Though the winding roads had a bit of moss on them occasionally, it was well worth the trip So, many thanks to all my friends for a great weekend and to through the park. We met up with Bala at the Stanwell Park Mick and Gail, Dave and Alison, Woz and especially to Ian and Lookout, where you got spectacular views of the road that goes Carrie, who helped us when I was “down”! JB ■ out over the water. We all rode down and had lunch at the Austinmeer Pub. It was here that Bala left us to go home, but not after a lot of laughs and great pictures! When we booked this weekend, we had no idea that a Blues & Jazz Festival was happening, so this was an added bonus New Members Ride & BBQ, March 02 2008 (though some could not come along because they left it too late images & words, Stephen Pauline, aka The Trailerman to book a room). As we got into Kiama, we spotted Christine and Michael Collis who were walking around enjoying the The day started overcast with the odd drift of light rain as we music and shops. We all went to our prospective waited at the BP Service station in North Richmond. accommodation and settled in. Some then went for a swim and New and old members arrived over the thirty minutes or so others of us went on a little pub-crawl. Most of us had booked prior to our 10.30am scheduled departure time. into a pub, whose name I will not mention as the As we waited it was obvious that we were not the only ones accommodation was a bit ordinary to say the least. However, with plans to run up the Bells Line, phalanxes of riders passed they did excel in their dinner menu and we all had a great meal. by on bikes ranging from Harleys to assorted Japanese bikes Marrianne and Malcolm Cattermole joined us for dinner and and other odd machines as well. there was lots of chit chat, laughter, a band playing and some We set off on time amid light traffic, the pace was reasonable were dancing, and though rumor would have it that there was although I do admit to holding others up at times until they had naked dancing on tables…we were all very well behaved! opportunities to pass me. Kiama is a lovely little town and we will definitely go back again. Having been off a bike for about ten years and as I have only been using the 1985 R65LS I am on for the last three weeks to Sunday morning came and we all had a nice breakfast and commute to work, I am being a bit tentative about exploring the packed up and headed in our own directions. Gail and Mick limits of adhesion on the damp corners. were staying another night, Wayne and I were heading to Cowra to visit family and the rest were going home. So ends It is also obvious that my pleasure these days comes from the wonderful weekend in Kiama…so we thought! touring along enjoying the scenery and the feeling of rolling through corners.

BMW Touring Club of NSW NEWSLETTER 7 APRIL 2008

New & Old Members enjoying lunch on this, an inaugural event In years long past the scenery on those long, straight roads of Western Victoria went past in a 220km/h blur on a Honda CB 900 ex. Police bike, bends in the road usually only required slowing to around 160km/h. Everything was seen as merely splashes of changing colour as the paddocks, plantations, sheep and cattle and the odd tractor appeared and disappeared in a blink. We reached the regrouping point at the Mount Wilson turn off with Alan performing the diligent role of sweeper behind me (thank you Alan, for your patience). From this point on down to the picnic ground is very picturesque as you wind along with the trees close at times on both sides of the road. Arriving at the picnic ground we found a few people there for Phil Fields R75/6, image Al Pennykid picnics and also a couple of tents pitched by campers. A table was selected at the lower end of the picnic area and the rather unique “Beer Keg BBQ.” was quickly set up and in action.

As the kettles boiled Tea Cake was brought out, oops- is there a New Members enjoying lunch with Old Members, you’d better believe it! doctor about? We need a knife! Someone missed packing that?. Thankfully an ever reliable leatherman tool was produced and the cake was sliced and diced successfully thanks to a very sharp knife blade. The sausages and onions were cooked to perfection and consumed in fresh bread roles, what more could you want in that ideal bush setting? With a camp fire burning and with the odd burst of sunshine the cool air was tolerable.

The day was enjoyable and the opportunity to talk with the existing members and new members about a wide range of topics was pleasurable. The range of bikes, from older models to some newer space ships (thirteen in total I think), were also interesting to see. We parted company at the picnic area at different times to take our various routes back to where we came from. The new members were made welcome and the day was attended by about twenty people in all and of course I can’t forget to mention the three dogs that refuse to be left at home. Mal and Marianne cruising up Bells Line of Road, image Al Pennykid Thank you to all who attended. SP ■ BMW Touring Club of NSW NEWSLETTER 8 APRIL 2008

Australian Red Cross Blood Service (ARCBS) asked for someone who has been a blood recipient to give a talk on what it meant to them. I suggested our own Past President, Rob Milton who everyone knows can talk under water. He was great and shamelessly worked in two plugs for his radio show Ride Rage on 2RRR. Listen in on Tuesdays between 5 and 6pm at 88.5 on the FM dial. “When Too Much Motorcycling Is Barely Enough”. Rob Milton pictured above. Second Highest Aggregate in 16 years Insert. Participants left to right are Gary Wolfe ARCBS, Shawn Giles 3 time Summer Blood Challenge 2008 Austalian Super Bike Champion, Our celebrity , Mr Warren Buffett for MCC and Motorcyclists 2429 Commander John Hartley, Trafffic Services NSW Police. Police 2332

BMW Touring Club of NSW NEWSLETTER 9 APRIL 2008 Thirty One Karuah’s, but for my stead & I – let’s say about twenty. During the assent I passed a chap on a R1200GS, probably still The annual lap to the Karuah River Rally, catching up with running it in & enjoying the scenery. friends & my parents home - near Newcastle, more friends in This crispy freshness in the air always reveals the smells of Sydney & an inspection of real estate in Wollongong comes what lives in the bush, i.e. kangaroos, rabbits, foxes, cattle, around quicker each year, but never the less someone’s got to sheep are easily detected & even more so when they’ve been a do it. victim. 2pm Thursday was log off time at Hastings was time to hit the During a passing storm lunch was had at Gloucester. We then road to head north for a bit, to just north of Albury for this set off about 1pm ish for the 50 odd kms to Dungog. The right night. A pleasant journey was had - out through Lillydale, Yea, turn just before Stroud was nearly missed & then is was 29kms Benalla, Wangaratta & Wodonga. Only 65 kms on the Hume to go including a detour. The oldest Wooden Truss Bridge in with travelling being cool & easy. NSW (1877) was closed, but not for us lads. Having conquered Near Swanpool I was passing through a long avenue of gums Monkerai Bridge (the detour) over Karuah River, a nice name looking up was a flock of white cockies frolicking towards me for a rally, it was another pleasant trek through the ranges to in between the canopy. Soon after a family of magpies were Dungog. crossing the road & one failed to flee with the rest & became It’s always nice arriving this historic town but every time I’m my first causality. Also spotted was a stationary mobile hi- there, there’s a motorcycle invasion. Though not as many this speed permit vending machine, I had no change so money did year as usual with weather testing some peoples desire to leave not change hands. a warm bed for the weather!! A cool drink, a few reunions, a bit After visiting a dear olde lady in Wodonga saw me arrive at of a shop & it was off to Frying Pan Creek. We chose the high Lindsay’s in Jindera for a nice evening of dining, wining & road with the very passable water crossing. For all these years reminiscence. Also Lindsay had good used rear tyre that I coming here Chichester Dam always was overlooked & being would need. closed to the public the last few years this year was it. Well A good nights sleep, breaky & with 470 miles to Moonan Flat it worth a look & ride for the interesting road signs & spillway. was on the road about 8am. Being a bit cool & bit olde 3 wee Arrived at camp just before 4pm & with in 5 minutes did it stops had to be had before Wagga Wagga. The day warmed up come down dogs, cats & hail for about an hour. Lucky I chose with no rain being encountered all day. Cootamundra (Don to wear my bike boots in lieu of the Blunnies cos my feet & I Bradman’s Birthplace), Young, & Cowra came & went. Near were completely dry. From then on we only experienced a few Canowindra a trailer behind a 4WD developed a death wobble, showers. During all this a bush hen was enjoying scavenging I slowed & as passing the said vehicle the 4 faces inside were amongst all of us, after all we invaded her home. looking like they were saying “don’t look at me it wasn’t my Some months earlier I received a call from an old friend Ray job to tighten the ball”. from Wauchope I had not seen for nearly 30 years & we With having some recent rains there were lots of the white arranged to meet here for the weekend, and we did. His son had butterflies, apart from hitting the sunnies, doing what they just returned from a 9 year ride around the world – what a story supposed too. Gulgong is always worth a look, fueled up then that is. on to Scone & Moonan’s Flat at about six. No Rob & Stan?? Adrian offered me half of his tent so in went the swag. Then it Rob was on a job call out. was off to mix & meet, eat & mix. This years gathering of about 30 was much less than last year, The BMW club kitchen feed the troops & troopettes well, with but the social intercourse was equally as good. At about Gavin being the busiest of all. This was followed by the 10.30pm drizzle started so I quickly relocated my swag from formalities & raffle. Not too many hard luck stories which is across the river to the stage, soon after to be followed by a good good, but sometimes entertaining. About 830 miles from home downpour. This was followed by few more drizzles. surprisingly was enough to collect the Longest Male travelled. Hitting the sack around midnight a gentlemen known only as The next few hours was spent with more mixing with only 2 or Chris M placed his swag on the stage as well. Well, can he 3 campfires. The evening faded away till about 11.30 & an hour snore, snore & snore!!!! A very well relaxing 4 hour sleep was so after eye lids down the gay boys made their usual entry. had & then it was up to change the rear tyre, - casuality number A few clouds & drizzle greeted us early risers. A cuppa first two. thing in the morning is a popular need so I set of to the marquee The decision was to go over the top …. Barrington Tops ….. to fire up the clubs “boiler”. This done I set to & cleaned again, all being concerned about the road condition high up in prepared kitchen ready for the breakfast shift. A few more the clouds. It was a bit cloudy, the scenery spectacular, the “Gavins” arrived & Thunderbirds were a Go Go Go for the company good & the road was firmer than when dry last year. cooking of breaky. 10 dozens eggs cooked to order was my contribution & by about 8.30 the masses were duly fed.

BMW Touring Club of NSW NEWSLETTER 10 APRIL 2008 Then it was time to pack, with just a hint of drizzle, all was the reply was “what a idiot owner asking $15,000 yep $15k got packed up dry. Adrian packed his tent with a little of my help. offered $13k & said no thanks” ‘you idiot’. During this Pete who is also known as “Pogo’ packed up all his Now for the last enjoyable leg of the day – down through camp & left well before the two of us & we were not on Cassilus to Swifts Creek then Bruthen, Bairnsdale, Sale etc etc. crutches! Well-done Pete. If you haven’t had the pleasure of this area then add it to the Then it was back to Dungog the same way we came in, with must do. concerns about the water level at the forde being wasted The second secondhand rear tyre was telling me that it had concerns but as always a very pleasant ride. Coffee’d , then it squared up, which is why I don’t like ruining new tyres on long was of through Stratford-on-Avon (No 1) to Swansea via an trips. Coming into Stratford on Avon (No 2) I thought a power Antique shop & lunch in Morpeth. nap was in order during which I dreamt about the rear tyre. The Sunday night wined & dined with olde friends of my parents. inspection revealed canvas all round, casualty No 3. The chap Monday inspected their tenanted house & shared a fish with in the servo’s suggestion was applied - 15 kames to Sale, $115 Dad at Palmdale, his final resting place. & 30 minutes & on my way again to be home about 6:30pm. Lunch was to be & was had at the Road Warriors Café on the What a great though longish day! Old Pacific Hwy. The single lane road was once the one & only Post rides obis. road north out of Sydney with a speed limit then of 60 mph. Casualties – magpie, brown snake, echidna, box trailer, lizard, Well now with much much much less traffic it’s that unsafe the horse poo, 2 tyres, turtle & handle bar heaters of course a few speed limit is now 35 mph. I reckon a road like this needs to be days of work. available for bikes and/or cars to hone there skills instead of in Gains – R + R, longest distance - whilst being lucky enough to some industrial estate at 2am, cos we are all allowed to have be on a great bike, a possible OCR venue. some fun & if you come to grief you’ve learnt something. Loses – Rabbits seem to be on their way back. Arrived (ahhhhhhhhh!! the fumes of a city) Greystanes ~5pm at Pauline & John’s & after catching up with the goss. It was of to Best bumper sticker – Australia: Love it or Leave it. Parramatta for another evening of wining & dining this time Birds encountered – parrots, cockies, galahs, bush hens, Greek with the olde gang from when living in Sydney last lyrebirds, black cockies, emu’s & wedgies. century. I reckon if one was clued up on birds you could work out your On the road at 7.30am & ‘fight’ the peak traffic Arrived where-a-bouts any where in our great country just by the (ahhhhhhhhh!! more fumes of a city) to Mascot to meet for birdcalls. breaky with Mick Matheson. Chatted about his Peking to Paris th Lucky or what? A few days after arriving home the BMW Gel adventure, 40 Alpine Rally & of course motorbikes. battery died prematurely after only 2 years of service. Then on to Wollongong to inspect my retirement investment Always looking forward to your company…. HJ ■ unit & onwards down the coast. One hour of good rain around Nowra & dried out in time for lunch on Bateman’s Bay Harbour. Life’s tough at the top, eh!! What a great hoot leading up to up over Brown’s Mountain, it’s been years since 85mph was the pace for a while. Stayed near Bombala once again to be wining & dining with a good friend. A cool crisp morning at 6.30am out of Bombala to McKillops Bridge via Delegate River Hotel - (a spot that I reckon would be a great destination for the Off Centre Run), then Bonang. Up over the isolation of Amboyne. Just before McKillops I looked up & for a bit was riding below a Wedge Tail Eagle, both equally as curios about each other. Got bogged on the banks of the Snowy whilst enjoying what is always on offer there. The river was higher & browner than normal, the recent rains raised the water level from a massive one percent to 2, what a sight it must have been to see the Snowy in full flood. Up the valley escarpment I passed the repaired slip that closed road a while back & was stopped by a coupla road workers. What a spectacular office they occupy, a bit of a chat then on to Wulgulmerang & left to Benambra past the Blazing Saddles Rally site. Crisp, cool & foggy, refreshing is the only way to describe this pleasant road. Whilst having a wee break a 4WD approached & again another chap stuck working in such an office. This time the chap’s job (with his dog) was baiting for the ferrule undesirable threats to the native inhabitants. Then there were 2 more blokes filling potholes in their grand office who also enjoyed a chat. Fuel being a bit of a concern didn’t eventuate & the drop down into Benambra is always a ‘great’ hoot. So far today only about 10 vehicles encoumtered. Refueling for us both was taken at Omeo, I had a great home baked Sausage Roll & cuppa & the bike got a gut full of fuel. What do some people expect? Behind the counter in the servo was a set of number plates “HOTHAM” for sale. I had to ask & images taken by Henning

BMW Touring Club of NSW NEWSLETTER 11 APRIL 2008 2008 BMW F 800 GS. My First Ride written by Tor Sagen There's a stray African dog that looks dead (but only resting) just metres in front of me. I lift the front slightly using the throttle, and change to the right hand trail avoiding the dog. I notice a lazy yawn just as I pass. Better watch out doggie, there are more GS coming. Once upon a time, back when the big adventure tourer market had its feeble birth (late eighties-early nineties) BMW had the boxer-twin GS, Cagiva the Elefant and Honda the Africa Twin. All derived from Paris-Dakar racing successes. With the introduction of the mammoth 1000-1200cc soft adventure touring motorcycles, the midrange bikes have largely disappeared from the market. Honda and Cagiva stopped making 750cc twins a long time ago, and the BMW GS have just grown bigger and bigger. The first indication of a revival in the mid-displacement adventure segment came in 2006 when BMW introduced its new F 800 range. It started with the F 800 S and ST, but BMW have been fairly open about the fact that there would be an F 800 GS. A lighter more agile GS was a mouth watering prospect, and here it is! I had the privilege of being in the first group of journalists testing the new GS in various terrains in South Africa. Last night upon my arrival in South Africa, lively Zulu music was accompanied by the smell of grilled lobster, but it was interrupted by some torrential rain. We all feared that what promised to be the most exciting experience on the GS, the offroad part, could be jeopardized. All the F 800 GS test bikes were fitted with the standard Bridgestone Battle Wings. They were not designed for deep mud or wet grass! Luckily, the next day was cloudy but dry. I chose to do the more challenging "black route" for a proper enduro experience on the F 800 GS. Slightly daunting it was as I soon realized the route was particularly challenging on a Trail Wing shod F 800 GS. I never regretted it, as that part of the ride is what sticks to my memory more strongly than the road riding. The route was fantastic -- with miles and miles of unpaved roads leading onto a steep mountain trail filled with challenging terrain. But to get there we had to do about 60 miles on country roads. The seat height is quite tall at 880mm. A lowering kit (850mm) is available at no extra cost when ordering. At 6 foot nothing I had both my feet firmly placed on the ground. The seat is narrow at the front and along with a very streamlined chassis there's no problem reaching the ground despite the tall seat height. If you are much shorter than 6 foot though the 850mm seat option might be a good idea. The foot pegs are low enough for comfort and placed correctly for stand up enduro riding. They are rubber mounted, but the rubber can be removed for safe grip riding offroad on a rainy day. Gear lever and foot brake were ergonomically correct for my offroad boots. The wide aluminum handlebar is made to absorb vibrations, however some low frequency vibrations do come through. The handlebar provides excellent control and the turning radius is both quick and good for slow speed manoeuvres and tight offroad corners. Without having tested it, the pillion seat looks even more comfortable than the rider's seat, and the foot pegs seem to provide enough leg room for comfortable touring. The 798cc parallel twin engine comes directly from the F 800 S. But for the F 800 GS, BMW have used modified camshafts to allow for an even torque response. While the F 800 S engine is tilted 30 degrees forward, the F 800 GS only tilts 8.3 degrees. This has obviously forced quite a few modifications to the engine. Efficient cooling while riding for miles in first and second gear terrain is one of the main developments. Room has been made for a much wider radiator, and the new placement of the cylinders provide ideal conditions for the lubrication system. It has also allowed quick steering as there is plenty of space in front of the engine both for exhaust tubing, wide radiator and the 21- inch front wheel without using excessive rake. The fuel injected twin cylinder engine produces a maximum 85hp @ 7,500 rpm and 83Nm @ 5,750rpm. The F 800 GS also features air suction snorkels on both sides of the fuel tank dummy. This allows the engine to receive the air volumes required for the torque output. The actual fuel tank is positioned under the seat and carries a total of 16 litres (4.2 U.S. gallons) of fuel. I did get a couple of chances to try the top speed on the quiet South African roads. Even when having time to push for several seconds in fifth and sixth the F 800 GS didn't accelerate with any authority above 200km/h (124 mph). You may be able to push to 210 or something in favourable conditions, but not with any ease. I was also slightly disappointed in the fact that the lower gears were not punchier. I couldn't help but think that I would rather have the F 800 GS accelerate quicker to, let's say 180-190km/h, than struggle asthmatically to 200+. Lucky for us the F 800 GS has chain final drive, so some sprocket modifications could address this. Paralever or shaft drive lack that adjustability. As for road handling, the F 800 GS is very stable. The handsome new double swingarm is made from die-cast aluminum. It is long for good traction, and attached to it is an adjustable mono shock with a massive 215mm spring travel. At the front, we find a solid 45mm upside down fork with 230mm of spring travel. Attached to the suspension are new aluminum spoked wheels. The tyres fitted are Bridgestone Battle Wings in 90/90-21 at the front and 150/70-17 at the rear. Knobby tires can easily be fitted. The F 800 GS has two 300mm brake discs and 2 piston calipers in front. On our test bikes, we also had ABS. ABS is good when you ride on unfamiliar images taken by Henning continued on page 13 BMW Touring Club of NSW NEWSLETTER 12 APRIL 2008 TIPS AND TRICKS, be your own mechanic Riding in the South African countryside in the Valley of 1000 Hills was a very discovered and submitted by Mick Furchert special experience. For that reason, I wasn't racing through too fast, as I wanted to enjoy the view. But when I did use the throttle through the many bends, the This is an easy and informative way to magically see inside your engine. suspension felt a tad soft with the standard settings. I added more preload with To read the filter, simply replace it, and leave the old one hanging overnight the easily accessible adjuster wheel. That was all I needed to feel more above the drain pan, so the oil drains off. comfortable through the bends. Then slit the outer perforated paper cover and discard it, then use a stout pair of Although a narrow front tyre is great for quick steering, but naturally less stable pliers and a little muscle to rip the end cap off the filter. Take a knife and slit at high speed than a wider road tire, on the 800 GS I could cruise effortlessly at the pleated paper on each side of the metal joint, and peel the pleated paper the same top speed of a typical single-cylinder 650 with much more stability. away. Stretch it out on a piece of paper or paper towel, and take it out into the The F 800 GS is definitely more of a long range motorcycle than any single direct sunlight (the sun light makes the subtle colors of various bits much easier cylinder enduro. The M-shaped fly fairing didn't protect that much from the to distinguish, and makes the reflective bits really evident). Look it over one wind, but helped minimize any headshake or buffeting to my offroad helmet. pleat at a time, and count the quantity and color of the various bits that you see. Fitted as standard is the mid-sized fly fairing in the GS programme. A taller A magnifying glass is also useful (and when you finish reading it, it's fun to touring screen is available. In sixth gear, which works mostly as an overdrive, I ignite the oil with the magnifying glass and sunlight). was quite happy with the response from around 100km/h (62 mph). This is all you need to pass a slower car on the motorway. For a really fast overtake on a You are looking for bits of parent metal and from there you will have to think single-lane road, I would click down a gear or two though. some to determine their origin. Shape of the particles, as well as color, will be I heard moaning from some other journos about the F 800 GS having too little important here. As a rule of thumb, if it is smaller than a pinhead, ignore it. It power. I agree that the GS feels a bit asthmatic on top, and that the three lower IS a filter, and engines DO wear. gears could be lower still for more punch, but I feel that the F 800 GS is a good There are a few characteristic “bad warnings” that a filter can give you. The package despite this. I believe that 85 horsepower in a travel enduro that is first and foremost is shards of babbit material, which can only originate from much lighter and more agile than one with 100 horsepower is a lot more useful the connecting rod and main bearing shells. These are instantly recognizable to a lot more people. because they will be a flat, dull gray on one side (the tin babbit) and coppery After lunch, a few of us psyched ourselves up to do the "black route" up a color on the other side of the flake (the copper bearing base material). The mountain and down the other side. BMW had on all of the bikes the semi flakes will be from 2-4mm in size, like a small fish scale. road/gravel Bridgestone Battle Wing tires. Our South African guides were on You may also see chunks of aluminum (nonmagnetic) that are torn away from machines such as the G 650 Xchallenge and HP2 Enduros with knobby tires. the corner of the main bearing carrier when a timing chain reaches the end of We did reduce the air pressure in the tires for more grip. After a few miles, I its' life (more likely on the pre-‘79 models). These will be from 1-3 mm in size, was aching for some knobby tires and I know that would have been a huge shaped like a real rough snowball. confidence boost for me and it would have allowed me to go much faster. At probably the trickiest place along the route, I got stuck in a steep uphill rut. If the cam chain tensioner is getting shredded by a whipping With knobbies and some more punch in that first gear, this wouldn't have been chain, you will see torn away chunks of rubber, or hard plastic, depending a problem at all. I could have paddled through and lifted the front wheel out which type of tensioner shoe is fitted in the motor. Earlier bikes had rubber, but with the engine power. However, the F 800 GS in standard shape isn't quite that replacement shoes are hard plastic. These will usually be shards, long and kind of bike. So I really was stuck and had to back up with some help. At that pointy, 3-5mm in size. point, I swapped the F 800 GS for a G 650 Xchallenge that easily criss-crossed If you see a shaving of brass or bronze, this is from the valve the rut and provided real grip on the grass next to the long rut on the narrow path. At the top of the mountain, I swapped back to the F 800 GS. guide, the only bronze part in the motor. If you recently had a valve job, this is Further down the mountain I passed that wild dog having his nap in the trail. It not usual to see a couple shavings. got steeper and steeper from there on, and momentum was important. Passing If you see soft white rubber, that is from cutting the O-ring on the oil filter. This some big rocks and horizontal trenches was no problem at all on the F 800 GS. indicates that you need to reread the $2000 O-ring articles in the archives and The suspension action, riding position and controls are all very suitable for this on Snowbum's site. This can indicate the possibility of a future failure of the O- type of riding. Low down torque was lacking though, so I had to keep it going ring, though you just replaced it. (see step 1). on momentum. But really, with some knobby tires it would have all been You may observe balls of various types of silicone sealant in the filter. This is cheesecake. to remind you that you should NOT use ANY sealant anywhere on a BMW You don't really get a true feeling for a bikes dry-weight until you are stuck and Airhead motor except at the cylinder base, in a very thin film. None should ever have to move forwards and backwards to get out. The F 800 GS is a claimed turn up in the lubrication system. 185 kilos (407 lbs.), roughly twice the weight of me, and neither light nor heavy in this segment. Sliding into ruts is mostly rider error, but with some If you find any sand, stones or dirt/sticks and eggshells, you need to clean your knobbies it would have been easier to make some mistakes and get out again. I work area, and review your basic clean working techniques. Every time a motor am not sure of the exact mileage we did on gravel and trails, but it took us is opened at ANY point, including the dipstick and valve covers, total sterile about 5 hours to get out and onto paved roads again. Only shame about it is that technique MUST be observed. none of the photographers managed to get up there in their 4x4's, so we didn't Tools, hands, new parts, removed/reinstalled parts should all be solvent get any shots of the action until we were down from the mountain on normal washed, water rinsed and compressed air dried. The work area should pr gravelled roads. protected from airborne dirt, so a windy day in the driveway is OUT for a valve I am quite impressed with how the new F 800 GS tackled all this on road tires. adjustment. You will do more damage inside the motor by introducing dirt than One thing that I am absolutely convinced of now is that the F 800 GS is a much you will prevent by maintenance. Tom Cutter ■ better offroad motorcycle than the big 1200 Boxer. On well maintained gravelled roads the F 800 GS is the best travel enduro I have ridden since the continued from page 12 KTM 990 Adventure. The handling is sublime, the suspension action roads and when it's wet, but for the offroad part I made sure to turn ABS off. predictable and the big 800cc engine doubles as a touring machine of some This is done by pushing the ABS button while the bike is in neutral until the class. The F 800 GS really works better as an all-rounder than the big 1200cc ABS warning light stops blinking. You need to do the same thing again each Boxer . . . mainly because it is narrower and lighter. time the ignition is turned off. There was no doubt that some of the roads we The most versatile motorcycle in the F-series. Decent suspension and handling were riding were very slippery, as the ABS worked hard when braking and I Really works well offroad. For the enthusiast the F 800 engine lacks a little bit had some slides when ABS was turned off. of oomph in lower gears. submitted by Al Pennykid ■

BMW Touring Club of NSW NEWSLETTER 13 APRIL 2008 BMW Touring Club of NSW · MONTHLY EVENTS CLUB MEETING, Toongabbie Sydney Our Monthly Meeting is held in the Toongabbie Community Hall, corner of Toongabbie and Targo Roads on the last Wednesday of the month at 7pm, with the exception of January when there is no meeting. The April 25-27 Club is in holiday mode, there is no Newsletter. 21st ANNIVERSARY Contact Paul Evans VP for details, 0296 742 361. AUTUMN LEAF RALLY Held by the Tumut Valley Riders SOCIAL SIPS at Tumorrama Hall, on the Wee Jas Just what the name suggests. -per Tumut road, approx 35kms east of Members gather monthly for a Tumut. $12 prepaid or $15 on arrival. Firewood and water at the site, chat over a drink & maybe a gymkhana Saturday afternoon, trophy presentation and live band in the meal. All members and friends hall Saturday night, huge bonfire. Fully catered by APEX. are encouraged to attend these Contact TVR PO Box 583 Tumut NSW 2720, 0424 042 275 or email functions. These are strictly [email protected], http://www.angelfire.com/in/tvrmc Social Events and are not to October 31 - November 02 be confused with our monthly 14th ANNUAL TROUT RALLY Club Meeting, see above. Our Held by Tumut Valley Riders at Three Mile Dam, near the turn off to Mt Selwyn, approx 16kms east of Cabramurra. Social Sips are popular with Contact TVR PO Box 583 Tumut NSW 2720, 0424 042 275 or email everyone. Cya there! [email protected], http://www.angelfire.com/in/tvrmc AP ■ Toongabbie, Sydney. Members gather at the Toon-gabbie Hotel for a chat and something to eat before crossing the Classifieds Column road to attend the monthly meeting at 7pm. For Sale K1200RS parts& accessories. Trevor Fitzpatrick (02) 9969-3110 Newcastle, Hunter Valley. Members gather anytime after For Sale K1200RS parts& accessories. Trevor Fitzpatrick (02) 9969-3110 6pm at the Mossie Bowling Club for a chat and something to For Sale MZ Skorpion., LAMS apprvd. Bruce Campbell (02) 9629-7624 eat. Held on the last Friday of the month. For Sale BMW R80R 1994 Rego March 08. Bruce (04) 0537-3797 Contact Jennie Banks RC for details, 0249 828 073. For Sale1953 BMW R25/2 and Sidecar Peter Holcombe (04) 1621-3616 Nowra, South Coast. Members gather anytime after 6pm at Wanted Ohlins or Koni ‘91 4v K100RS. Call David (04) 1046-0210 the North Nowra Tavern for a chat and something to eat. Wanted base of BMW tank bag suit K100RS.Call David (04) 1046-0210 Held on the 2nd Thursday of the month. Wanted R80GS. Basic/Paris/Dakar/Kalahari email [email protected] Contact Jane Schmierer RC for details 0412 866 151. ■ Wanted RT Fairing for airhead. Complete or Part. Pezz (04) 1897-8781 BMW Touring Club of NSW · CLUBMAN POINTSCORE Organise Ride or Event 2 Attend Social Sip 2 Attend Social Night - Restaurant Night, Party etc 3 Attend Maintenance Day 2 Attend Day Ride 6 Attend Weekend Run or Rally 10 Attend Long Weekend Run or Rally 12 Self written Newsletter article 4 Attend Club Meeting - City Member 4 Attend Club Meeting - Country Member 6 Attend Night Run 6 Tips for a successful BMW Touring Club of NSW Club Ride Arrive at Meeting Point in plenty of time. Be considerate of other riders, FILL YOUR TANK.. Exchange mobile numbers with all riders, in case of an emergency. Agree on the next stop every time the group pauses for gas & grub. Make sure everyone knows the destination; provide a map or at least handout written directions. Send me images of your motorcycle. Here’s mine to get the ball rolling. Maps showing our regular Meeting Points are on our website, No doubt the best example of a 96 K1100LT in existence. ED http://www.bmwtcnsw.org/meetingPoints.html ■

BMW Touring Club of NSW NEWSLETTER 14 APRIL 2008 Vice President’s Calendar for BMW Touring Club of NSW To claim Clubman Points for attending any listed events, someone attending must give the names of the event and the attendees to, Paul Evans our Vice President. To confirm a listed event, please ring or email the Vice President.

APRIL 2008 Wednesday, April 02 Qld BMW Club. O’night at Rabbit Trap Hotel, Albert (near Tottenham). Then either 2 days of ADV riding or tour to Canberra. Hopefully meeting SA BMW members. Contact Qld BMW Club, Ken Dyne 0755 983 050 Anzac Weekend:Saturday, April 25 to Monday, April 28 Laurel Hill Forest Lodge. $150 pp for the 3 nights. Includes breakfast and dinner. Supply own linen. Twin share bunkhouse type accommodation. Jane 0412 866 151

Hey guys, not many rides for April! Expect to be hassled over next few weeks! BC

MAY 2008 Saturday, May 03 Day Run for lunch at St Albans pub. Meet Mobil McGraths Hill 10:00am for 10:30 start. Andrew Watson: 0419 255 290 Saturday, May 10 to Sunday, May 11 Neil Philips Farm. Sleep in woolshed or tent. $15 to cover costs of gourmet BBQ dinner and breakfast. Join us for a Mothers Day of a weekend. Last year this weekend was stupendous! Jenny Banks 0249 828 073 or 0428 302 443 Sunday, May 18 Day Run for lunch at Milton pub. Meet Caltex Casula 9:30am for 10am start. Andrew Watson: 0419 255 290 Saturday, May 24 to Sunday, May 25 Abercrombie Caves. Leave Maccas Bomaderry 9am or join us at Goulburn, Central Park 11am Book accommodation 0263 688 603. Jane: 0412 866 151 Sunday, May 31 Brunch Run. Mt Victoria Hotel. Meet BP North Richmond 9:30 for 10:00am start. Chris Clear 0409 913 788

JUNE 2008 Saturday, June 14 to Sunday June 15 “The Pub With No Beer” Taylors Arm Pub. Pub pre-booked, 4 dbls & 5 dorms. If we can get 10 punters overnight tariff is $10 each. Camping is available across the road. Hot breaky $10. Meet Macquarie Park, Windsor, 9:00am for 9:30 start. Andrew Watson: 0419 255 290 Andrew will not attend this run. Sunday, June 22 Winter Solstice Brunch Run. Mt Victoria Hotel. Meet BP North Richmond 9:30 for 10:00am start. Chris Clear 0409 913 788

See previous page for Monthly Events, ie Sydney Meeting & Social Sips

OUR REGIONAL RIDE COORDINATORS

ACT Dave Ramsay, 0262 783 895 or [email protected] Dubbo Steve Treloar, 0268 849 602 or [email protected] Newcastle, Hunter Valley Jennie Banks, 0249 828 073 or [email protected] Nowra, South Coast Jane Schmierer, 0412 866 151 or [email protected] Port Macquarie, North Coast Lin van Coppenhagen, 0265 825 931 or [email protected] These are the special folk who liaise with the Committee and help to organise rides across our State wide network.

BMW Touring Club of NSW NEWSLETTER 15 APRIL 2008 If undelivered return to POSTAGE BMW TOURING CLUB of NSW SURFACE PAID PO Box 53 RYDALMERE BC MAIL NSW 1701 Australia AUSTRALIA

BMW TOURING CLUB of NSW NEWSLETTER

Print Post Approved PP 297537/0044

Pub With NO BEER Weekend FAR CAIRN RALLY Taylors Arms Phone: (02) 6564-2100 June 14-15 Definitely One for your Diary Guaranteed stocked with Beer Support our Inaugural BMWTCNSW Rally Pub pre-booked, 4 dbls & 5 dorms. Saturday, September 13 to Sunday, September 14 If we can get 10 punters overnight tariff is $10 each Tottenham Racecourse Camping is available across the road. Hot breaky $10 Camp or Hotel · Dirt or Bitumen · Proceeds to MARI Book through Wato to ensure your place President, Andrew LeLievre 0411 076 941 for info 0419 255 290 or email [email protected] BMW Touring Club of NSW NEWSLETTER 16 APRIL 2008