I will be there on Saturday before noon. BTW, Long Beach BMW is having a special event in the morning.
I'm sorry but I think the whole thing looks as ugly as a hat full of stretched %#@&*$ ! I'll stick with my 2009 GSA or get a late model GS.
And which GS isn't ugly? There aren't any beauty contest winners in the entire GS line. Great bikes, butt ugly.
Looks like I'm not going to make it, I'm having back surgery next Thursday. Only the second time I've missed since the mid-ninties.
Jim! Are you getting the new Wet Head? I'll be doing my own repairs, so would love to see you diving into the bike. Maybe I can offer help with video/editing.
Lookng at the recently released photos of this new powerplant, I am pleased that it gets the multiplate wet clutch, and access to the clutch internals seems to easier than any previous boxer twin. Looks to be a simple matter of draining the oil, popping off a cover, with only needing a new gasket and oil to put back together. My Airhead GSPD can have the clutch accessed by removing the transmission & Paralever assembly with the motor in place. It is my understanding that Oilheads require complete removal of the engine/transmission assembly to access the clutch. Clutch work should be rare on this new unit, and easy to perform, without major disassembly of the motorcycle. My question is, could the transmission be as easy to service? Looks to me that one could remove the Paralever assembly and pull the rear cover while the motor/transmission case are still in the frame (think "trap door" transmissions, like the old Harley Sportsters). Not that this type of access should be necessary very often, if ever, in the life of the motorcycle, unless they leave a circlip or something out of this new transmission.....! Tom in Salem
Anyone care to comment on the possibility that heat radiation from the radiators onto the rider's thighs might be problematic in warm weather?
Come on, really? Give the BMW engineers some credit. They are afterall some of the best in the world. I'm pretty sure they thought about that and did extensive testing...
Pssst. Ever heard of irony? This whole topic about too hot ... I have never rode a bike that was too hot to ride in proper riding gear. And I rode a few ...
I recall someone posting a picture showing a small deflector in place to move the air away from the rider's legs...how effective it will be, who knows.
I sat on the bike at the San Mateo show. From that perspective I don't think your thighs will feel any heat at all.
Really? I've been on more than a few that were very toasty. This is a potential problem on any bike with high mounted (most commonly side mounted) radiators that discharge their heat load along the side of the bike. The Yamaha FJR had this problem for many years. I'm sure there are others. Never, ever had an issue with heat riding on my GS1200 oilheads. I suspect that given the relatively minor role that the water cooling plays vs.air cooling it will not be a problem. Time will tell.
Thanks. If the heat discharge is directed low and laterally enough it shouldn't be a problem. I've just been on a few bikes with high lateral radiators where the heat from the radiator dumps right on the legs, either while in progress or, worse, when the fan is running while stopped. Not usually an issue on normal or cool days. Can be unpleasant on hot days.
Really. And I rode Honda STs, FJRs, and others that are supposed to grill their owners. Never noticed. When it was that warm, I had other issues. But I wear full gear 99% of the time. Even in heat. I rather sweat than loose my skin ...