Owning a BMW R1200GS LC

The bike began to start erratically in gear.  I thought it was the clutch interlock switch.  Easy to diagnose.  Just put bike in gear, side stand up, hold in the starter and then put bike in neutral.  If it starts, it's the switch.  You need to get the right one as there's a double switch for models with cruise control.  The first one is beginning of travel to turn off the cruise and the second activates close to the grip.  Hold your head close to hear a little click as they activate.  I had to bend the tang slightly to get the activation point right.  One small screw and a holding lug keeps it in place and I took the opportunity to lube the lever pivot too.  I continue to be impressed at the quality of the fittings on the bike. Sadly this little thing is NZD $111...

This is the BMW Motorrad licensed model GS (1:10 scale). Beautiful quality and incredibly realistic.  Must use the blueprints from BMW.  One of the better models and worth buying.  Shame they don't have alpine white  Well boxed

Looks like some folks are having issues with fork tubes separating at the top clamp.  Seems to be mainly the GSAs, but that's probably because they are more heavily loaded.  In a worst case scenario there is total steering loss, so not a great thing. A dedicated Facebook thread is set up so that should be the most up to date.  Not had anything raised in NZ yet. https://www.facebook.com/GS1200ForkIssue/?hc_ref=SEARCH&fref=nf BMW appear to be starting a recall/inspection.  There's details of what dealers need to do at this link: https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B5FKWxCoD8pYQms2bTZibDRoRWs There's a video here:   https://youtu.be/TaGaR9Fn4WE As at 28 August 2017 my bike has had its collars fitted.  A lovely job.  Looks good and in ky view stronge than the later stanchions with the modified crimp.  Thanks Motomart NZ 

Various bike pics from assorted locations in New Zealand.  Strangely they feature a white R1200GS. Wairarapa Te Anau Downs Makara Beach, Wellington Paekakariki Hill, Wellington Wairarapa Wairarapa - Castle Point Wairarapa - Castle Point Paekakariki Wellington Otematata South Island Clyde Dam, Alexandra Tea Anau Downs Milford Road, Homer Tunnel Waimakiriri Tapawera Mount Ruapehu The Chateau, Mt Ruapehu Lake Taupo Safety training Near Taupo Middle of nowhere

Some poor guy in the USA got rear ended at a quite decent pace.  He's writing it up on AdvRider at  http://advrider.com/index.php?threads/bayerische-phoenix-rising-bringing-the-2015-gs-back-from-the-dead.1232747/ It's a good read and shows how robust these things are

Hey folks.  I used to blog about the Suzuki Bandit 1250 at http://kewwibike.blogspot.co.nz  but now I'm a converted R1200GS owner, thought I'd carry on and talk about this thing. I bought this bike, a 2014 R1200GS K50 model brand new in Wellington New Zealand in 2014.  I had everything BMW offered at the time fitted, so it came with: ESA/ESC/Cruise control RDC (tyre pressure monitors) On board computer Wire wheels Nav V fitted BMW Vario side cases and top box BMW OEM headlight protector. BMW LED fog lights LED headlight LED indicators (turn signals) Heated grips BMW Shift Assist Pro I've now done 40,000 km on it during all sorts of New Zealand weather, and even fallen off it once, so here's some personal views on the bike and the various pieces I've fitted to it.  Of course, just personal views, so do any of this at your own risk. Performance/reliability/maintenance The GS has been surprisingly cheap to maintain.  The engine is accessible so lab