Hey Mikey O!!!

[freakingRTrider]

Mike,

I'm not sure if you're headed out here to California, but if you get to San Francisco, let me know and we'll get together for a beer.

Send me a PM over at www.advrider.com if you get here.

I'm enjoying looking at our country through the eyes of a Brit. We're quite different, but in many ways, quite alike.

Dave
KBasa

Kbasa, he's headed that way. he's fun guy to be around when tossing back a pint. when will he get there??

if he takes Jeff's and my advice and stays with a bunch of advriders along the way, he could extend his trip in a very nice manner.

we're spread out really well for somebody touring the states. don't ya think??

 

[MikeO]

Hi Buddy,

thanks again to you and Sue for your superb hospitality - hope your wireless router gets better soon

Got to Kittyhawk today in beautiful weather, spent quite a long time down there, so took an early stop - I'm currently in Edenton, planning to set off reasonably early tomorrow & push towards the Blue Ridge Parkway.

Cheers

Mike

ps How did that interview go? - did she pass?

 

[Deleted Member Mtn]

your plug is in the post mike xx

 

[MikeO]

your plug is in the post mike xx

Cheers Matron, top girl!

Mike

 

[freakingRTrider]

Hi Buddy,

thanks again to you and Sue for your superb hospitality - hope your wireless router gets better soon

Got to Kittyhawk today in beautiful weather, spent quite a long time down there, so took an early stop - I'm currently in Edenton, planning to set off reasonably early tomorrow & push towards the Blue Ridge Parkway.

Cheers

Mike

ps How did that interview go? - did she pass?

no problem, Mike!!

KittyHawk is a great place. the roads are flat and straight, but with your aviation background, it's a must see kind of place.

if the BRP is still closed in sections just wiggle back and forth across it. don't forget 219, 220, 91 and 42 are good roads that will get you headed back to bike week.

:lol2 the interview, well I decided the nice lady was just a little to hyperactive for my taste. I'll be hooking up with a firm that is a little more laid back. damn, I'll have to start working again.

keep the shiney side up will ya!! and tell all the advriders you meet on the road I said hello!!

if you decide to attend the advrider Ouray rally, I'll see ya in Colorado in July!

 

[bmwrich58]

I'll look for you GS heads Friday at the Hooters east of the track. I'll probably leave Chicago wednesday sometime,C-YA!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Krautbikeman]

Mike,

I noticed in your last ride report that you were going to ride the Cherohala, but the forecast was for rain.

Do be careful in those conditions. The last time I rode that section of road in February, there was snow/slush/ice at the peak (over 5000' above sea level).

We'll look forward to seeing you soon!

Jeff

 

[MikeO]

Mike,

I noticed in your last ride report that you were going to ride the Cherohala, but the forecast was for rain.

Do be careful in those conditions. The last time I rode that section of road in February, there was snow/slush/ice at the peak (over 5000' above sea level).

We'll look forward to seeing you soon!

Jeff

Thanks Jeff (although I read this the evening after I'd done it ).

Thankfully there wasn't any slush on the road (plenty of water though ). You'll see from my Journal post that it wasn't much fun - still, at least I did the Dragon in good conditions

Looks like I'll need a pair of Tourances and (maybe) a 48k service shortly - any recommendations??

See you at the weekend (probably Saturday, if that's OK?)

All the best

Mike

 

[Aurelius]

Thanks Jeff (although I read this the evening after I'd done it ).

Thankfully there wasn't any slush on the road (plenty of water though ). You'll see from my Journal post that it wasn't much fun - still, at least I did the Dragon in good conditions

Looks like I'll need a pair of Tourances and (maybe) a 48k service shortly - any recommendations??

See you at the weekend (probably Saturday, if that's OK?)

All the best

Mike

Mike,

I just purchased a set of Tourances for my 1150GS from Southwest Moto. Total price for both tires, including next day delivery was $205. I've never seen these tires offered for less anywhere. You can order them through their website: www.swmototires.com

 

[MikeO]

Andrew,

Many thanks mate - just ordered them - I make that about £118 for a pair, on the exchange rate I'm getting on Visa - I may just move here

Mike

 

[Aurelius]

Andrew,

Many thanks mate - just ordered them - I make that about £118 for a pair, on the exchange rate I'm getting on Visa - I may just move here

Mike

Glad I could help. Krautbikeman can probably suggest an independent shop to get them mounted and balanced for considerably less than BMW of Daytona charges.

 

[Krautbikeman]

Ironically, I can't make a good recommendation for an independent shop. The only independent that I consider reputable will only install tires that you buy from THEIR shop.

I suggested to Mike via email that he get the bike serviced there but have not yet discussed the possibility of doing what I do and removing the wheels at the house and taking them back to Daytona for them to just change out the tires without all of the peripheral charges.

Maybe it's time I learned how to change them at home. I do have the instructions and two new tire irons! Let's experiment on Mike's bike. Beers at Bernkastel afterwards Aurelius?

 

[Aurelius]

Ironically, I can't make a good recommendation for an independent shop. The only independent that I consider reputable will only install tires that you buy from THEIR shop.

Cycle Sports Center will mount and balance both tires for just $24.95. Unfortunately downtown Orlando is a bit out of your way. Considering all the bike shops in Daytona, its hard to believe there isn't a similar deal to be found there.

Maybe it's time I learned how to change them at home. I do have the instructions and two new tire irons! Let's experiment on Mike's bike. Beers at Bernkastel afterwards Aurelius?

I've done my own tire change... once. Unless you have masochistic tendencies, I wouldn't suggest it. I don't know what other kind of servicing Mike's bike requires, but I suspect we can do most of it ourselves. Having spent all of last Saturday helping Randall install his new Rickey Bars (don't ask), almost anything else should be a cake walk.

 

[Krautbikeman]

Cycle Sports Center will mount and balance both tires for just $24.95. Unfortunately downtown Orlando is a bit out of your way. Considering all the bike shops in Daytona, its hard to believe there isn't a similar deal to be found there.



I've done my own tire change... once. Unless you have masochistic tendencies, I wouldn't suggest it. I don't know what other kind of servicing Mike's bike requires, but I suspect we can do most of it ourselves. Having spent all of last Saturday helping Randall install his new Rickey Bars (don't ask), almost anything else should be a cake walk.

Well, Mike needs a major service including TBS/Motronic analysis, fuel filter replacement, etc, and I'm not inclined to work on my GS without professional supervision, of which yours seems to have recently been tested.

Maybe we should give Mike a voice. I also don't necessarily think Orlando is too far, as it would be a nice ride if we included a trip to Howey in the Hills for the Yahala Bakery and then a scoot along the Ferndale Loop!

I am taking some time off next week for Bike Week, so we'll try to come up with a plan!

 

[MikeO]

Jeff,

what chance that your Daytona dealer will let us do the oil/filters/brake cleaning bits and do the Motronic/valves/throttle bodies etc, to keep the price down? - I'd already planned on de-mounting the panniers, tank bag etc.

Paying main dealer prices for tyre fitting seems daft, if we can avoid it, so Orlando sounds OK - we could ride up & do some lane-splitting - NOT

BTW Bakerman is giving me severe hassle via PM about not posting any pictures of bakeries, so this Yahala place might kill 2 birds with one stone...

Mike

 

[Krautbikeman]

Jeff,

what chance that your Daytona dealer will let us do the oil/filters/brake cleaning bits and do the Motronic/valves/throttle bodies etc, to keep the price down? - I'd already planned on de-mounting the panniers, tank bag etc.

Paying main dealer prices for tyre fitting seems daft, if we can avoid it, so Orlando sounds OK - we could ride up & do some lane-splitting - NOT

BTW Bakerman is giving me severe hassle via PM about not posting any pictures of bakeries, so this Yahala place might kill 2 birds with one stone...

Mike

I'm sure Daytona BMW would not have a problem doing the main service type items and leave the oil change to us. I have never asked, but I don't think that would be a problem.

I haven't been to that bakery in over a year, and definitely would look forward to a little riding diversion!

 

[MikeO]

OK, sounds like a plan. Where's the best place to get the consumables (oil, filter, air filter, plugs, brake cleaner) in Daytona? I'm guessing the main dealer is going to be the source for the genuine bits...

As an aside, I've also got snags with my XMA3 audio thingy (interference from the ignition system), so I'll need to spend a bit of time playing with the wiring & maybe re-positioning it (it's currently in front of the battery, in the gap where the ABS pump would sit - I may have to move it to under the seat).

All in all, it's going to be a fairly major pit stop

Mike

 

[Aurelius]

Well, Mike needs a major service including TBS/Motronic analysis, fuel filter replacement, etc, and I'm not inclined to work on my GS without professional supervision, of which yours seems to have recently been tested.

Fuel filter replacement is a bitch (unless his is externally mounted), so you'll likely want to have the BMW shop do that. Balancing the throttle bodies is simple enough, providing you have a Twin Max (which I don't), so that would be another item for BMW of Daytona. Virtually everything else I do myself, including valve adjustments and fluid changes.

Maybe we should give Mike a voice. I also don't necessarily think Orlando is too far, as it would be a nice ride if we included a trip to Howey in the Hills for the Yahala Bakery and then a scoot along the Ferndale Loop!

Well, I'm up for it if you are...

I am taking some time off next week for Bike Week, so we'll try to come up with a plan! [/B]

We should try to take care of as much of this as possible this weekend. As you well know, things get pretty crazy up there by the time Bike Week is in full swing. The traffic will be murder, and BMW of Daytona will probably be booked solid. I'm not doing anything Sat/Sun, so let me know if you can use another pair of hands.

 

[MikeO]

Okay,

I'm game Andrew, the bike's booked in for the major service on Tuesday next.

I can be down in Daytona anytime you like (I could be there tomorrow night if needed ).

Jeff, if you can confirm we can get all the parts we need for the weekend, I could plan to be there Friday (was planning Saturday) and we could attack it Sat morning - sound good?

Mike

 

[Aurelius]

Okay,

I'm game Andrew, the bike's booked in for the major service on Tuesday next.

I can be down in Daytona anytime you like (I could be there tomorrow night if needed ).

Jeff, if you can confirm we can get all the parts we need for the weekend, I could plan to be there Friday (was planning Saturday) and we could attack it Sat morning - sound good?

Mike

If you can buy the parts you'll need on Friday, I could ride up to Daytona on Saturday morning to render whatever assistance I can. Assuming its time for a valve adjustment, sparkplug, and oil & filter change, we could take care of all that first thing in the morning. In the afternoon, you could follow me back to Cycle Sports Center in Orlando to get your new tires mounted. That will leave most of the day free for whatever else we might decide to do. Have you been up to St. Augustine yet? Its well worth seeing, if you haven't.