At last I'm liking this bike

[Sooty09]

Just returned from a 2100 mile round trip to the Vosages, my favourite region of France. I had to do this tour two up with full luggage so it should have damped down some of the fun, but the bike coped very well. All up we are in the region of 185kg + luggage, the 260 mile motorway trip down to Folkesten was easy and 70+ speeds were fairly smooth and easily achieved and 53 mpg was acceptable. Im 6'2" and found the screen at motorway speed just right for me, just don't wave at other bikes because it will wrench your arm off.
After arriving at our Gite in Kaysersberg and removing the luggage it was a chance to ride the mountains, initially I was very disappointed, the drop in engine speed for the many hairpin bends put it below 2500 into the poor torque dip compared to the old 09 model. It took a few days and a daft solo trip out to find its true potential, just a bit up the scale from my usual pace.
Back to two up riding I readjusted to upping the revs but its just a bit rough at the low speeds I like. As the week progressed I just got on with riding and realised I really like the bike, its taken 5100 miles of love/hate. The bike at a sedate pace two up on mountain passes was returning 61mpg, it was comfy for me and passenger, used no oil or water, and carried all our luggage without spoiling the riding.
I still dislike the rough patch you get through the transmission at certain speeds/revs, almost like a chain drive with a tight spot. I also found on occasions the front end feels like there is a flat spot on the front wheel, something I found worrying on a motorway after hitting a bird at 70mph (no damage)
I can forgive the bikes return fuel consumption, 43mpg into a vicious headwind.

6 weeks to go and I'm off to the Alps to reconfirm the bikes abilities.

Nice one BMW, next bike loose the top 20 hp and give us back the bottom end for a perfect bike.

 

[snaponphil]

I agree, There is an awful lot to like..
The more I ride mine the happier I am with it..
I think I have also 'adjusted' myself to suit the bike..
I'm in the right gear now
I'm used to the indicator switch
I'm not hitting the scroll wheel every other corner
I'm happy with the standard GS screen, especially with the wind recently..

& I wish I was going back to the alps too ..
Enjoy the riding..

 

[Nutty]

Glad you're enjoying the bike. We came back on Saturday, and I've never ridden in wind like that before. We thought the bikes would get blown over at Calais.

 

[TONE.C]

I'm loving the bike as well , a far better bike than my previous s10 and a nice, brief hair pin review sooty, I'm of to the alps next month as well,,, Friday 13th.

 

[Sooty09]

The crew on the Ferry pointed to a sign "Owners responsibility to strap down the bike etc" then told us a few had fallen over on the way out, they come down half way through the crossing to check. Only one strapping point over the seat was available.
I suspect it was their humour to worry us, and it worked every time the ferry boomed after hitting a wave, What a relief to find all the bikes standing at Dover. Note this latest P&O super ferry has ratchet straps, much better than a length of nylon rope on the older ferries, my knotting ability must have provided hours of entertainment to skilled sea men.

 

[LiquidLAN]

The crew on the Ferry pointed to a sign "Owners responsibility to strap down the bike etc" then told us a few had fallen over on the way out, they come down half way through the crossing to check. Only one strapping point over the seat was available.
I suspect it was their humour to worry us, and it worked every time the ferry boomed after hitting a wave, What a relief to find all the bikes standing at Dover. Note this latest P&O super ferry has ratchet straps, much better than a length of nylon rope on the older ferries, my knotting ability must have provided hours of entertainment to skilled sea men.

Maybe I'm just anal, but I've always taken my own ratchet scraps and done what I can to secure my own bike. I don't really care who's responsibility it is, I just don't what the hassle of having to fix anything portside, especially on the outward journey as that's my time.

 

[JohnnyBoxer]

Maybe I'm just anal, but I've always taken my own ratchet scraps and done what I can to secure my own bike. I don't really care who's responsibility it is, I just don't what the hassle of having to fix anything portside, especially on the outward journey as that's my time.

Me too

Couple of the white BMW straps that they crate new bikes with, is what I use

Take up no space & make sure bike is fine

 

[Engineer]

Use the tunnel it is much faster and no need to strap down - book early and it ain't too expensive

 

[Nice 'n' Fat]

I like the tunnel too but it is a bit disconcerting when you see just how much the bikes can rock

 

[Engineer]

I like the tunnel too but it is a bit disconcerting when you see just how much the bikes can rock

You get used to that, just wedge it up against the 'kerb' at the side of the carriage at 45° and all is good it can't roll forwards off the side-stand and unless the train driver does an emergency stop then the bike will never go over - even if it did the car in front will cushion its fall.

£74 return it cost me this year, which for a half-hour crossing ain't bad.

 

[Aidan1150]

Maybe I'm just anal, but I've always taken my own ratchet scraps and done what I can to secure my own bike.

Me too

Look away now then lads.

On the SNAV ferry from Napoli to Palermo last summer.

 

[Deleted account 251212001]

I like the tunnel too but it is a bit disconcerting when you see just how much the bikes can rock

Strange comment as engineer said you line it up to the kerb and leave the bike in gear....cant say ive ever been remotely worried its a train on rails.

£49 quid return this time, half an hour each way with about half an hour check in lead time beforehand.....no brainer for me.