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Going down to see Kacey? Are they flying or driving?

I think switching to BMW's.

I'm guessing the 2-wheeled variety of BMW, if Earthling is involved.

Very nice result from this car! I stopped at the local dealer and showed it to my wife last night, even though we won't be shopping for a while. Such a great car!

BTW:

I talked with Wayne a little over an hour ago. He and Harry are headed south on 2 BMW motorcycles. They were sitting by the road in the middle of nowhere with a flat tire on his bike. He was trying to contact someone with BMW to help them out.

Wayne and Harry left this morning for a trip to the Blue Ridge Mountains somewhere in the Carolinas. I have photos I will post shortly.

They left a bit after morning drive time, and will be heading down the Delmarva Peninsula toward their first stop near Williamsburg, VA.

They have their GPSs all charged up, the bikes are packed, and they are on their way!

When I go to a motorcycle school again, I've got to ask about flat tires....know just enough to realize it's NOT a snap. :(

When I go to a motorcycle school again, I've got to ask about flat tires....know just enough to realize it's NOT a snap. :(

If you can ream-and-plug the tire, its no big deal. A sidewall puncture leaves you with 2 options: repair truck pickup or hoping fix-a-flat from a gas station will keep the tire inflated enough to make it to a dealer.

Wayne called in at 6:15pm. As mentioned above, he's stopped near Dover, DE with a flat tire. He called BMW Assist and they are sending help. The nearest BMW Motorrad service facility is in Pennsylvania, so Wayne will be heading there for the tire repair. Then he will head down to South Carolina. Harry went on to their intended destination in Virginia.

Photos taken this morning, as the bikes were packed -n- prepped for the trip

Wayne's motorcycle: Instrumentation:

http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/523/Instr1.jpg



Wayne's motorcycle: Rear view showing storage compartments:

http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/523/medium/Bike1rear.jpg



Wayne's motorcycle: Closer view of storage available for over the road motorcycle travel. Roomy and secure.

http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/523/medium/Bike1rearqtr.jpg



Harry's motorcycle: Instrumentation:

http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/523/Instr2.jpg



Harry's motorcycle: Rear view showing storage compartments:

http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/523/Bike2rear.jpg



Wayne and Harry ready to head down to Virginia on a beautiful sunny June morning.

http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/523/medium/OpenRoad.jpg



...And away they go, just after 9am.

http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/523/AwayTheyGo.jpg

Well, Wayne's second leg of this trip ran into technical difficulties. He was on his way to the Great Smoky Mountains on a motorcycle ride with a friend Harry. While passing thru the Dover, Delaware area, Wayne's bike developed a flat tire. The nearest sponsor approved repair facilty is near Philadelphia, PA.

Wayne is presently stuck at a McDonalds in Dover, waiting for the tow truck. He's okay, but complaining about a sore butt sitting in a plastic McDonalds seat for over 5 hours waiting for this fabled tow truck. :eyebrow:

Harry has continued on to Salisbury, MD where he staying in a motel. I assume they will be figuring out what to do after repairs are completed.

Thanks,

Bob Winger

Bugger... I'm going to be in VA today. Would have been nice to see them, if they were going to be off I95.

Do you have any details about the bikes? I know they are BMW's. What model? CC? Is Harry riding a press bike?

Wayne and Harry both have press bikes. Harry's is the BMW R1200GSA. Wayne's is the BMW GS - not sure of the displacement.

I wanted to get the photos posted above, but I don't have much more information on them. I know Wayne and Harry will be filling in the technical details when they return. From the viewpoint of someone who is clueless about motorcycles (ie; me), I can say they are extraordinarily quiet and refined, and even the smallest components on each bike are very well engineered.

BMW has always had a great reputation for durability. Their trademark rectangular boxes stand out from the streamlined containers on other manufacturers.

Wayne checked in at 1:15pm EDT
He was at the BMW service center roughly 100 miles north of the flat-tire location from 3:30am to 11:30am this morning. Took six hours to get there, too.

He's back on the road, crossing into Delaware earlier for the second time in as many days, heading down toward the Carolinas. Harry is already in Virginia, heading in the same direction.

Hi All:

Checking in from Fredericksburg, VA. Harry is already in SC maybe an hour from Kacey's. I'll be riding through the night to catch up in the wee hours... Boy do I have a story about this review... Harry is on the 1200 GS Adventure and mine is the 1200 GS.

I have my first fill from the initial topoffs in Delaware yesterday. FCD was over 58 but after the shop got their hands on it, down to 50.0 .It is sitting at 54.6 with actuals coming in a minute. Not quite as good as the Hyundai Sonata of course ;)

Good Luck

Wayne

Wane arrived here in Irmo, SC (Just outside Columbia) about an hour ago and enjoyed a hot shower and in now resting peacefully in the A/C.

In just under another hour we're going to rudely interrupt his slumber and toss him in the back of an HCHII and take him to Midlands Honda.

Glad to hear that they arrived safely after such an ordeal. I should buy him a new keyboard for the PC because I think he's going to wear out his existing one writing the reviews and all the trip details after two weeks on the road. :)

This is Earthling (Harry). We are at a McDonalds in Waynesville, NC.

Next stop is the Dragon, US 129.

We are staying at the Blue Ridge Motorcycle Campground, where we've met new friends, including the proprietor, Jay.

Harry

Hi All:

Just a few pics...

http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/2/Waterfall.jpg

Waterfall on I-276 in Pisgah National Forest.

More...

http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/2/BMW_1200s_at_BMW.jpg

The 1200 GS and 1200 GS Adventure at the BMW Museum near Spartanburg, SC.

More...

The group we met at the Motorcycle Campground...

http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/2/Group_at_Camp.jpg

Wayne

Harry again:

We heard about the motorcycle campground from a guy who came over and talked to us at a gas station south of Spartanburg, SC. He was a middle aged guy who has traveled extensively on his motorcycles. He admitted to having owned 71 motorcycles over the years. He must have a list, to keep that number up to date.

The campground has wifi, a laundry, showers, a lounge with TV.

When traveling on a motorcycle, lots of times people will come up and strike up a conversation about bikes, or their first ride many years ago.

Harry

Those pictures look awfully familiar to me. :)

Oooooo I wish I was there - that waterfall is beautiful and the campground looks awesome.

Is that the tent we could not fit in the other (yellow) bag?

Stay safe and have fun!

PS oh and please take more pictures of pretty and cool stuff - rivers, the campgrounds, etc - I'd love to see them... I miss camping so much!

So you guys are gonna head for Sturgis on a pair of borrowed Harleys
right after Hybridfest, right? Want an escort cager?
.
_H*

Hi Karen:

Here you go...

http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/2/Camp_4.jpg

http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/2/Camp_2.jpg

http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/2/Camp_1.jpg

http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/523/Camp_3.jpg

Good Luck

Wayne

Hi Al:

Harry says maybe next year :D

Wayne

Hi All:

The bikes.

http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/523/1200_GSs_side_by_side.jpg

Road less traveled... On a 1200 GS no less!

http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/523/Road_Less_Traveled.jpg

Some Dragon action!

http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/523/Through_the_Corner.jpg

And a fast Suzuki in action...

http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/523/Suzuki_in_Corner.jpg

Good Luck

Wayne

Harry here again:

One thing we noticed at the "Dragon HQ," the motel, restaurant, store complex, which is the rally point for motorcyclists doing the Dragon was the camaradery, and the lack of brand rivalry. There was not the slightest bit of animosity between riders of different brands of motorcycles. As I described to Wayne, the general thought was "Anyone who can ride the Dragon and not wind up in the trees is okay, and it really doesn't matter what he is riding. The Dragon is a very demanding road with a huge number of very tight turns with nary a straight section anywhere, and many of the curves are decreasing radius turns that require a biker to do everything correctly to make it around and stay in his lane. The worst thing you could do would be to go wide in a turn and wind up in the opposing lane and hurt another biker.

On the way back from the campground, we saw at a gas station a couple with "his and hers" Goldwings. The guy did a snappy U-turn out from the gas pump, and his wife did an even tighter U-turn on that very large bike. She did it so well a CHP motor officer would have been envious.

Harry

I hope there was some quick correction on the Dragon action photo above. Back tire on the road side of the white line and the front tire on the ditch side. With the picture blown up, there seems to be only about 1" or less clearance between the center stand foot and the pavement.:eek:

Hi Mike:

Just giving the mighty GS all the room it wanted :rolleyes:

And look what I woke up with this morning ;)

http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/523/1200_GS_in_tent.jpg

Good Luck

Wayne

And more about our friends from Ocala, FL...

http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/2/Motorcycle_Club.jpg
Joe left - Rod Center and Brad right

They are members of the "Laid back, take it easy, I'll get there sooner or later motorcycle club." From 5 founding members, they now have close to 1,000, including people from England, Scotland, Italy, Sweden, Germany, Canada and Japan.

The club's banner has been taken by motorcycle to all states except Hawaii.

Oh, and we are riding the premiere Adventure bike(s) in the world ;)

First tank, Wayne's R1200GS: 4.789 gallons in 261.2 miles for 54.5416 mpg. Range to empty on bike computer 7 miles, in Fredericksburg, VA. AFCD was 56.0 (bike computer indicated average fuel economy.

Second fill 4.860 gallons, 270.8 miles for 55.72 mpg. AFCD read 57.3 mpg. Distance to empty was 4 miles.

Third fill, Roebuck, SC 4.779 gallons distance 248.4 miles. MPG was 51.977, AFCD was 54.7, dte was 1 mile.

Fourth fill Bryson City, NC 4.987 gallons, 304.5 miles, 61.05 mpg, aFCD 63.5 mpg, distance to empty was -10 miles.

Fifth fill - Draper, VA - 4.894 gallons, 278.7 miles, 57.476 mpg, aFCD 58.8 mpg, DTE +2.

Sixth Fill - Chambersburg, PA - 5.006 gallons, 289.8 miles, 57.890 mpg, aFCD 58.8 mpg, DTE -4.

Wayne: has issues with ergonomics on turn signals and other controls. You have to reach down and lift up to sound the horn and cancel the turn signals (although the turn signals are self-canceling).

Harry: I have no issues with switch gear layout, as they are standard BMW fare, and are the same as on my current BMW motorcycle and previous one.
I found the headlights to be excellent on my R1200GSA, with high beams lighting a very good distance ahead, as well as off the sides.

Wayne doesn't like the extra sound volume out of the Akropovic mufflers. I don't mind it. I don't feel it to be excessive. I believe that BMW is being realistic in marketing their bikes, and trying to offer customers what they want. I think the Akropvic's are optional equipment, too. These mufflers give a throaty "blat" that you may love, or not.

Wayne: I notice the big GS bikes attract favorable attention from most bikers, including Harley, Honda Goldwing and all the KTM riders.

Hi All:

A few quick updates on the GS'.

Harry was riding the R 1200 GS Adventure all week with the following results:

Initial fill ODO - 702 miles
Final Fill ODO – 2302 miles

Total Distance – 1,600 miles

First Fill - Courtland, VA - 6.242 gallons
Second Fill - Dillion, SC - 5.815 gallons
Third Fill – Roebuck, SC - 4.755 gallons
Fourth Fill - Bryson, SC - 6.403 gallons
Fifth Fill – Draper, VA - 5.433 gallons
Sixth Fill – Chambersburg, PA – 5.244 gallons
Total gallons – 33.892 gallons

Final mpg: 1,600/33.892 = 47.209 mpg
Final aFCD = 50.0 mpg

Wayne

http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/2/Texas_Goldwing_rider_in_VA.jpg

We met this Goldwing rider at a gas stop. He was headed back to Texas, but was having some overheating problems with his bike :(

http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/2/CA_Yamaha_Star_riders_heading_to_ME.jpg

This couple was riding from California, on their way to Bangor, Maine. He was originally from Maine. I started telling him not to miss Camden, ME, a nice coastal town, and Bar Harbor, but since he was from Maine, I wasn’t telling him anything he didn’t already know.

http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/2/MI_Harley_and_BMW_group.jpg
This was a mixed group of Harley and BMW enthusiasts, on their way south for a combined bike/family get-together.

Wayne

Wayne arrived back on LI after a trip through midtown Manhattan. The GS1200 goes back to BMW tomorrow. The 1200 Adventure was returned to BMW this afternoon and Harry headed home from there.

Memories of the last 50 miles of the trip

When Wayne was near Times Square, one of New York's Finest was asked to snap a photo of Wayne and the GS1200, and he obliged.

About two blocks later, a bunch of kids shouted out, "It looks like you belong in a Terminator movie." Must have been the protective gear.

The toll collector at the Lincoln Tunnel said, "That's not a motorcycle, that's a motorhome."

Inside the Lincoln Tunnel, the ambient temp gage on the motorcycle read 102F. Wayne felt like a baked potato wrapped in tin foil and parked on the barbie.

The Garmin 1490nuvi gave its all. The battery charge lasted to within three blocks of my house, so it offered enough guidance to get Wayne home for the night.

The reason they ride

Great fuel economy and the camaraderie of fellow motorcyclists. You can ride anywhere, thanks to the GS and GS Adventure bikes from BMW. No wonder they are so well regarded throughout the world. They are indeed "Unstoppable"

Fuel economy

The 1200GS steady state fuel economy numbers:
55mph - 57.4mpg per aFCD (about 56 actual)
60mph - 56.0mpg per aFCD (about 54.5 actual)
65mph - 54.7mpg per aFCD (about 53 actual)
70mph - 51.1mpg per aFCD (about 49.5 actual)
...And then over 70mph, it gets ugly. :D

Great adventure. Sounded like a fun trip. Wayne, you should enter the Iron Butt Rally next.

I'm home safe, doing laundry, catching up on emails, and I gave my dog a bath.

I was concerned about Wayne making that trip to Times Square, and on to Chris' place on LI. My air-conditioned Prius was there at BMW HQ in Woodcliff Lake, NJ. I did offer to take Wayne to LI in the Prius, but he wanted pics of the R1200GS at Times Square. I just wasn't up to fighting that traffic in the heat and humidity. BMW HQ was west of Manhattan and Long Island, and I was headed west to go home.

Here are some links to pics, which are for sale online. There are photographers set up on the "Dragon," US 129, on the curviest sections. Feel free to buy a print or CD of pics. I might do that myself.

Me on the R1200GSA:
http://www.photoreflect.com/store/Orderpage.aspx?pi=0QAK00PN020170&po=170&pc=213

http://www.photoreflect.com/store/Orderpage.aspx?pi=0QAK00PN020126&po=126&pc=213

Wayne and I:

http://www.photoreflect.com/store/Orderpage.aspx?pi=04RK0173000643&po=643&pc=1005

From that page, you can step thru some pics by hitting "next" or "prev."


You can find thumbs of Wayne and I on this page:

http://www.photoreflect.com/store/ThumbPage.aspx?e=6829328&g=0QAK00PN02 on pages 4, 5, & 6 of the thumbs.

If that link doesn't work, you can go to http://www.killboy.com or http://www.us129photos.com and look at June 22, 2010 photographs. We're found under "touring bikes" on the first site, dual-purpose bikes on the second.

The bravest guy on the Dragon that day:

http://www.photoreflect.com/store/Orderpage.aspx?pi=0QAK00PN020212&po=212&pc=213

The speed limit on US 129 for that section popular with motorcyclists (the Dragon) is set at 30 mph and is patrolled by police. Even so, the turns are so tight and relentless that 35 mph is about as fast as you'd sensibly go. I mostly kept the bike in second gear.

I can say that with all those curves, I actually was a better rider at the end of the day. I would say we did a year or more worth of curves in several days in SC, NC, and Tennessee, the site of the Dragon.

Great adventure. Sounded like a fun trip. Wayne, you should enter the Iron Butt Rally next.

Not me, I'm getting too old for that.

My buddy at work did an Iron Butt ride, down to the same area, Maggie Valley and the Dragon just a few weeks ago. As you know, it involves riding 1,000 miles in a 24-hour time period. Not for me, no thanks.

Harry

Wayne's GS1200 is back at BMW. Before we headed back to drop off the bike, we took some excellent photos of the top and rear cases. These cases were excellent quality, had superior utility, and were absolutely bulletproof and a must-have for any long distance adventure. They really made the trip noteworthy in that they took away all concern about personal luggage and security.

When Wayne attached the Garmin, he did a speedometer vs GPS comparison. The speedometer on the bike showed 57mph when the Garmin measured 55mph.

Finally, didn't need to do a final fill, but the three hour trip through NYC on top of the PA to LI final segment showed the aFCD at 58.8mpg. That was pretty good considering that this included a 2:45 trip from BMW through midtown Manhattan for a photo in Times Square, and then on to Long Island for the evening. Also included on this tank was the trip to BMW earlier today to return the bike. The 50 mile trip took a total of two hours, thanks to midday Friday traffic. The 92F temperature was not a welcome element of the journey during the stop-n-crawl.

"Jud, I think I'm gonna do an Iron Butt on the 250X next month, just before I start the cross-country 100mpg challenge to take it back to Yamaha in California."

Wayne's GS1200 is back at BMW. Before we headed back to drop off the bike, we took some excellent photos of the top and rear cases. These cases were excellent quality, had superior utility, and were absolutely bulletproof and a must-have for any long distance adventure.

The same can be said of the cases on the R1200GS Adventure, on the left in the photo.

http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/500/medium/SouthRide_043.jpg

These cases are top quality, and are made by Touratech. BMW is offering these cases as optional equipment, and they carry BMW parts numbers. Notice the rugged bracing between the side cases. This is to minimize damage on rough country trips where the bike may take a spill on rough terrain.

Harry

Hi All:

A few quick additions from the 1200 GS and GS Adventure ride last week…

Meet Sean Lobosco, BMW’s Group Fleet Specialist out of the BMW NJ HQ. This pic was taken just after he gave us the overview of the BMW “Super” GS and GS Adventure bikes and their included accessories.

http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/523/Sean_Lobosco_and_the_1200_GS_Adventure.jpg
Sean (rarely will you not catch him smiling for the camera ;)) behind the “Unstoppable” R 1200 GS Adventure.

This mother and daughter were headed I believe from Maryland to South Carolina to visit relatives. They walked over to talk about the bikes and we had a good 10-minutes time to learn about them and them about the bikes and ourselves.

http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/523/Mother_and_Daughter_talking_about_the_GS_.jpg
Whenever we stopped, the 1200 GS and GS Adventure attracted former, current or future rider’s conversation from all walks of life.

Here is an interesting guy that can be best described as the “genuine article”. Meet "Bob" of Montgomeryville Cycle in Hatsfield, PA. He was an absolute card all morning and was not afraid to say what he thought no matter how insignificant or trivial. He was also very sharp when it came to accessories and gear for bikes and humans of all types and sizes as well!

http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/523/Bob_of_Montgomeryville_Cycle_in_Hatsfield_PA.jpg
Bob inspecting the 2010 BMW R 1200 GS after the front tire was replaced just minutes before I was on my way for a hellish 95 to 101 degree and 550 mile ride day to Kacey’s in SC.

Wayne

Hi All:

As the sun was beginning to drop below the mountain peaks to the West, the long ride was in its 9th hour or thereabouts. I stopped at my favorite restaurant (can anyone guess what that is :D) for a few Wi-Fi updates and some sustenance.

http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/523/2010_R_1200_GS_at_a_McDonald_s_in_NC_somewhere.jpg
McDonald’s and WiFi access. What could be better after a long hot day with temps from 95 to 101 degrees F?

Carolina Cyclery stop for a repair that turned out to be a purchase…

http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/523/GS_parked_at_Carolina_Cyclery_for_a_new_helmet.jpg
Leaving Kacey’s home, we had to pick up a replacement helmet for Harry’s older Aria as one of the shield plate’s was coming apart. This large shop had no parts so Harry had to buy a new HJC CL-15 for the remainder of his ride.

We would stop about every hour or so just to stretch, hydrate and look over the maps…

http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/523/Taking_a_break_while_on_an_off-ramp_in_NC_somewhere.jpg

2010 BMW R 1200 GS Adventure w/ 1200 GS behind... Taking a break while on an off-ramp in NC somewhere.

Wayne

Hi All:

Like I was alluding to earlier, no matter where we stopped, a friendly conversation would ensue while traveling with the fully loaded 1200 GS’! We met friendly people from all over the country.

http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/523/Fellow_Rider_at_a_gas_station_in_NC_Somewhere.jpg

While at a station in SC, this individual (a lifelong rider headed to I believe Florida) told us about a motorcycle campground run by a guy and a dog in West Virginia somewhere… Would you believe it, not 8-hours later, we rode past the campground run by a guy and he had (2) dogs in the truck ;) While not in W. VA, it was in NC on I-276 (one of the best Blue Ridge Parkway riding roads in the country!!!) and it was a total fluke we found it. We stayed for two days in fact :)

If you notice, there is a bit of gas on the ground under the bike... If you top off two or more times, an overflow of sorts comes into play. After that little lesson, a one time, bring the fuel to into the opening was the only top off allowed!

Another shot of the Zentrum – BMW Museum in addition to the one we posted while on the road last week…

http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/523/BMW_1200_GS_at_BMW_s_Zentrum.jpg

The Zentrum – BMW Museum in Greenville, SC. Where BMW’s past, present and future come together in this one-of-a-kind building. The cars, bikes, speed, the innovation–all for free in the only BMW museum in North America. The Zentrum is way more than just a museum; it's a meeting and events center, a cafe, a gallery and a history lesson–all wrapped into one ultimate “visiting” (was someone expecting me to write "Driving" ;)) experience. The museum site is located right next to the only BMW manufacturing plant in the US and offers something for everyone. And indeed it did!

The 2010 R 1200 GS on the “Dragon”

http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/523/2010_-_1200_GS_on_the_Dragon.jpg

The Dragon is probably the only road in America (384 turns in 11-miles) that you can have more fun than sex at less than 35 mph :D

Wayne

Wayne,

I've been able to split the helmet cam footage of the Dragon to smaller, sub-10-minute clips using Quicktime Pro. With that, we should be able to post a YouTube video. It takes my rickity old computer many hours to process those clips, so it will be a while longer before that is done.

Here's another photo of our journey, after the flat-tire incident, where I proceeded down the DelMarVa peninsula, and am about to cross the Chesapeake Bay Bridge/Tunnel:

http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/500/SouthRide_015sized.jpg

Here's one of the "Tree of Shame," at the Dragon:
http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/500/SouthRideTree2sized.jpg

Bits and pieces of wrecked bikes, mostly fairing parts adorn the tree, the reminders of bikers who pushed it a bit too hard on the Dragon, and met with disaster. Luckily, Wayne and I left no BMW parts on the tree...

Harry

Hi Harry:

No problem about the vid. I will need it to add the "stuff" we were talking about as it will be a boring 20 + minutes without some "stuff" added and cut out.

And what good would a Ride or Drive report be without at least one shot of a fill??? I have plenty more where they came from as everyone knows ;)

http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/523/63_5_mpg_per_the_aFCD_AND_top_off_fill.jpg
The 1200 GS’ best segment - 304.5 miles on 4.987 gallons of fuel = 61.05 mpg. 63.5 mpg on the 1200 GS’ Trip Computer aFCD.

We stopped for a rest at a VFW and were presented with hospitality beyond reproach by one of the directors… As guests, we could not buy him a drink but we tipped the waitress well and hopefully she bought him a drink later :)

http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/523/Harry_getting_into_his_Rain_Gear.jpg
Harry at the VFW getting into his Rain gear for the deluge that is about to hit.

When we got to BMW HQ to drop off the GS Adventure, I wanted to snap this head on pic. What I noticed is the GS had a much more pronounced lean angle whenever we parked. Strange for being so close to the GS Adventure in build and design qualities.

2010 - 1200 GS vs. 1200 GS Adventure Lean angle when parked.

http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/523/GS_vs_GS_Adventure_lean_angle.jpg

Whenever I stopped, I was worried it was going to tip over so tried to park it on its center stand (like the white 1200 GS to the right of ours) as much as possible. I dropped it once while trying to get it up on the Center Stand but was better off then when it almost fell over while inside the tent on its side stand.

If I owned a 1200 GS, I would install the 1200 GS Adventure’s side stand at point of purchase.

Wayne

Hi All:

Last shot before the case detail…

http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/523/2010_1200_GS_near_Times_Square.jpgI took the 2010 1200 GS into Downtown NY City towards Times Square. About a block or so from Times Square, I asked a friendly NY City Police Officer if he would snap a pic while I was waiting at a light. He obliged and I thanked him greatly!

Temps on the pavement ranged from 96 to 98 degrees F and I saw 102 degrees on the BMW’s Trip Computer when riding through the Lincoln Tunnel that evening! It was hot and anytime traffic stopped (it took over an hour to get from the Lincoln Tunnel across town to the Queens Midtown Tunnel), it was scorching. The Aerostich Darien Gear and Arai XD-3 breath very well when moving at a 10 mph or more clip but when you stop, you roast!

I tried to stop when crossing 42nd and whatever the cross street Times Square was on but the police presence said no you don’t and waved me forward… Great to see it and it was hopping with the streets crowded with people. Strange to see the large crowds out and about on such a hot night in downtown NY City?

Wayne

Wayne and Harry, these types of stories are among my favorites. Lots of pictures from around the country, plenty of info on all sorts of products, and putting the bikes through their paces in all sorts of conditions. More fun than many sports cars and a lot cheaper and better on fuel too. Just thought I'd say, thanks for the great read and keep up the good work!

Hi Mike:

Now that you have a bike, I hope you can come with on one of these rides someday! And thanks for the compliment on the ride report. While not a review yet, it gets all the “stuff” down before the formatting for the review to come later…

And about those excellent cases that came as an accessory on the 1200 GS. I am not sure who they are made by yet but have a request into BMW for more information.

This is one of the side cases removed and lying on the ground. Both sides and the top case can be expanded and collapsed in the exact same manner.

http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/523/1200_GS_Cases_2_-_Compact.jpg
The case locked in its most collapsed position with expansion lever secured.

http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/523/1200_GS_Cases_3_-_mid-expansion.jpg
Expanding the case with expansion lever in mid-position.

http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/523/1200_GS_Cases_4_-_Expanded_and_Locked.jpg
Case is now expanded to its maximum volume and the expansion lever is secured.

Wayne

Hi All:

BMW 1200 GS Case’s continued…

From attached to dismounted and carrying them to your tent, hotel, garage or basement for storage off the bike.


http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/523/1200_GS_Cases_1_-_Attached.jpg
Case attached, secured and key locked on the bike. With the case locked, pushing the yellow button on the carrying handle does nothing.


http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/523/1200_GS_Cases_5_-_Push_Yellow_Button_to_Open_Case.jpg
Unlock w/ the bikes key, push Yellow Button on carrying handle to lift out of the way and Push Yellow Tab inside the recess to Open Case for access to interior for loading or unloading of clothes, gear, whatever.


http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/523/1200_GS_Cases_6_-_Lift_Red_Button_in_recess_to_allow_case_to_be_unlocked_from_bike.jpg
Lift Red Tab in recess to allow case to be unlocked (but not yet removed) from the bike.


Not shown is a small black plastic closing hasp in the front of the case that has to be opened for the Case to be removed as well.


http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/523/1200_GS_Cases_7_-_Lift_Red_Handle_in_back_to_Unlock_Case_from_Bike.jpg
Lift Red Locking Handle in back to completely unlock Case from bike.



http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/523/1200_GS_Cases_8_-_Lift_Case_off_Bike.jpg
Lift Case off bike.



http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/523/1200_GS_Cases_9_-_Carry_Case_Away.jpg
Carry case(s) away…


These have to be the most ingenious set of cases I have ever seen attached to a bike. They are waterproof (I would not want to submerse them of course) and were tested during some heavy rain while crossing parts of VA and PA with no water making its way into the interior of the cases. They are tough as they protected the bike during its lay down at 0 mph while trying to get it up on the center stand and they are unique with the collapsible and expandable volume and locking/access/removal arrangement.

If you are going to purchase a 1200 GS for long distance Adventure Touring, I would highly recommend spending the estimated $1,500 for these expandable cases. They were worth their weight and made the review and ride that much more enjoyable.

That said, I did ride the bike back to BMW HW from Long Island with all my gear removed from the cases and there was a difference. A slightly more nimble feeling to the bike at a stop then when fully loaded and the top heavy feeling dissipated somewhat. This would be the case with any top cases loaded vs. unloaded but just be aware of the top heavy difference. While riding down the road at 3 mph or more, you will not realize they are even there which is exactly as it should be.

Also, with the cases fully expanded, they do stick out quite a ways as can be seen in some of the earlier photos. There was quite a bit of drag added to the bikes profile which surely affected the Fuel Economy somewhat. Even so, 57 mpg from a bike rated around an unadjusted EPA of ~ 45 mpg shows the bike even with the cases fully extended and packed cannot hold the mighty 1200 GS back.

Did I mention that these cases were fantastic!

Wayne