Farmer Palmer
Registered user
Since i'm touring the Western Isles in May on the HP2E(after nearly selling it a few weeks back for a new 12ADV) I thought i'd say hi again to all the other HP2 riders especially north of the border and give an update on my HP2E.
My last few rides have been great fun on the 'wee twisties' and as long as I stay clear of the dual carriageways the HP2E is fantastic, so light and nimble I'm really enjoying it again! I think i'm riding it a bit differently now aswell!
I've solved my fuel range issues by carrying a couiple of 2 litre cans on the panniers when they're on the bike and just relying on the distance countdown readout which seems to be accurate and the warning light has been working consistantly. Oil consumption is pretty minimal and there's no corrosion on the engine front cover yet though it's Waxoyed underneath.
My HP2 has now done 4000miles and has been pretty reliable with regards to battery and fork legs(they clunked a wee bit but BMW say they're within tolerances) The battery is holding well after spending most of the winter on the Optimate and if any problems occur then at least the extended warranty should cover them now i've got that sorted.
Most of the miles(3000) were in northern Scandanavia last May and in those miles the bike was pretty good as a 'tourer' especially on the swedish gravel roads. I missed having heated grips and the seat was like the proverbial plank on longish 450 mile days but the ride was comfortable with the rear airshock. I've also fitted handguard extenders and the Wunderlich Rallye screen which seems to make a big difference to the windblast and I can read the GPS screen more easily now.
I'm on my second set of new Karoos and the previous set lasted well although a slow puncture in the front caused it to wear more quickly. The new front tyre had the same slow leak but it's cured with a new valve and Ultraseal just in case!
I know I havn't ridden my HP2E in anger or even offroad yet apart from gravel but as a very lightweight tourer it's doing the job well enough. The Touratech panniers and other bits and bobs make it a pretty unique and versatile bike without the lardiness of the 12GSA and it still very much stands out in the crowd(I haven't seen another one up here yet apart from my friends in Iceland)
I'm looking forward to a fortnights riding round the roads in the Highlands and Islands and hopefully the HP2 will be used a lot more this summer!
FP
My last few rides have been great fun on the 'wee twisties' and as long as I stay clear of the dual carriageways the HP2E is fantastic, so light and nimble I'm really enjoying it again! I think i'm riding it a bit differently now aswell!
I've solved my fuel range issues by carrying a couiple of 2 litre cans on the panniers when they're on the bike and just relying on the distance countdown readout which seems to be accurate and the warning light has been working consistantly. Oil consumption is pretty minimal and there's no corrosion on the engine front cover yet though it's Waxoyed underneath.
My HP2 has now done 4000miles and has been pretty reliable with regards to battery and fork legs(they clunked a wee bit but BMW say they're within tolerances
) The battery is holding well after spending most of the winter on the Optimate and if any problems occur then at least the extended warranty should cover them now i've got that sorted.Most of the miles(3000) were in northern Scandanavia last May and in those miles the bike was pretty good as a 'tourer' especially on the swedish gravel roads. I missed having heated grips and the seat was like the proverbial plank on longish 450 mile days but the ride was comfortable with the rear airshock. I've also fitted handguard extenders and the Wunderlich Rallye screen which seems to make a big difference to the windblast and I can read the GPS screen more easily now.
I'm on my second set of new Karoos and the previous set lasted well although a slow puncture in the front caused it to wear more quickly. The new front tyre had the same slow leak but it's cured with a new valve and Ultraseal just in case!
I know I havn't ridden my HP2E in anger or even offroad yet apart from gravel but as a very lightweight tourer it's doing the job well enough. The Touratech panniers and other bits and bobs make it a pretty unique and versatile bike without the lardiness of the 12GSA and it still very much stands out in the crowd(I haven't seen another one up here yet apart from my friends in Iceland)
I'm looking forward to a fortnights riding round the roads in the Highlands and Islands and hopefully the HP2 will be used a lot more this summer!
FP
