BMW Recalling 49,000 motorcycles in U.S.A. and Canada.

BMW is recalling nearly 49,000 motorcycles in the U.S. and Canada because flanges that hold the rear wheel can crack if bolts are too tight.

The recall covers multiple models including certain 2005-2010 R1200GS and R1200RT motorcycles, as well as the 2006-2010 R1200GS Adventure and the 2007-2010 R1200R, 2007 R1200S and K1200R Sport. Also included are the 2005-2007 R1200ST, the 2008-2009 HP2 Megamoto, the 2006 HP2 Enduro, the 2008-2010 HP2 Sport, and the 2005-2008 K1200S, 2006-2008 K1200R and K1200GT. The recall also covers the 2009-2011 K1300S, 2010-2011 K1300R, and the 2009-2010 K1300GT.

BMW says if bolts that hold the rear wheels to a flange are over-tightened, the flange can crack. If that happens, the bolts can loosen and the wheel may not stay secured to the bike.

The problem was discovered after a 2004 motorcycle crashed in Spain last August. BMW says the rider and passenger were bruised and scraped.

The recall is expected to begin April 21. Dealers will replace the aluminum flange with a steel one at no cost to owners.

A BMW spokesman says owners should check their rear wheel flanges for cracks near the bolts. If there are none, the motorcycles are safe to ride until recall repairs can be done.


(#2 in diagram below)

Tailormade BMW's, by Petrolicious

This is my 1200GS, (spoof)

Be Bike Aware, Take Another Look

Big BMW motorcycle recall is coming.

BMW is recalling 367,000 motorcycles, including 43,425 units in the U.S. alone, because of a problem with their rear wheel carrier flanges. The recall affects K and R models produced from November 2003 to April 2011.
According to BMW, the rear wheel brake disc bolts or wheel nuts may have received excessive torque during incorrectly-executed maintenance. Tightening the bolts too much could result in cracks to the wheel flange. BMW will replace the aluminum wheel flanges on affected motorcycles with a stronger steel component.  As of this writing, the recall has not yet been announced by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration but we expect to see one in the next week which will provide more information about the problem.

Insight to Preloading, RoadRunner Magazine, by Charles Neeley

As those of us who ride know, motorcycles and cars are completely different animals. Each can be tamed, but the bikes tend to bite harder. We, the operators, have the final say on the safety of our machines prior to a ride. Without all the steel, belts, and bags of a car, motorcyclists are more vulnerable to the dangers the modern roadway throws at us. One way to even things out is to make sure our machines are able to perform to their engineered capabilities, especially in the handling and braking departments. One of the most basic ways to ensure a motorcycle handles properly is to adjust the preload to a setting appropriate to the weight that will be added to the bike.
The concept of preload is simple. Motorcycles, unlike cars, don’t tend to weigh too much more than their operators. A 200-pound man in a 3800-pound car is one-twentieth of their combined weight of 4000 pounds. A 200-pound man on a 600-pound motorcycle is one-fourth of the total weight (800 pounds) of both rolling down the street. Manufacturers take this into consideration and the bike should still handle well. Now, put that guy’s 250-pound girlfriend and gear combo on the back (Sturgis anyone?) and the total weight is 1,050 pounds. The suspension is now under a load that is over two-thirds the weight of the bike alone. Someone might want to let the suspension know this prior to pulling into traffic. Preload adjusts the suspension to compensate for the larger load. (Motorcycle engineers are awesome!) Typically, an adjustable mechanism compresses the spring that surrounds the shock slightly, making it “stiffer.” The result is that the suspension is better able to handle the forces applied by the added weight. A further benefit is the geometry of the motorcycle is kept nearer to its ideal position.
The motorcycle’s geometry is important to operational safety. In a situation where a bike is loaded heavily to the rear, one will likely end up with a front-high, tail-low posture. Shining your headlight off the road and into the trees, or into the eyes of some 16-year-old coming at you on his first night out with his shiny new license may be a concern. If not, there are other factors to ponder.
Maneuvering and braking performance in this circumstance will suffer, especially in an emergency. Relatively little braking power comes from the rear wheel, yet much of the overall mass would be situated nearer that point. The forks would have to load up (compress) prior to the front tire traction being sufficient to accommodate the braking forces necessary during an emergency stop. That takes valuable time and distance. In an evasive turning maneuver, the front tire could be more susceptible to “washing out” due to the aforementioned lessened handling characteristics when trying to change the direction of all that rearward mass. Braking and swerving involve the dynamic changing of speed and direction, otherwise known as a vector. This can spell double-barrel havoc in those moments when you need every ounce of help you can get. In an emergency you don’t need your bike working against you. Having the bike sitting properly really helps level the playing field (pun intended).
Leveling the bike means looking up front sometimes as well. Some motorcycles, such as BMW’s, have preload adjustment in the front suspension. The ability to adjust the front suspension translates into improved handling. But, not every bike is designed for preload to be adjusted easily up front. Sometimes the only way to adjust the forks for load is to change-out the fork springs or even the entire forks, usually, this is done as an upgrade by those who know they’ll be riding heavy a lot of the time. However, more and more manufacturers are allowing for the adjustment of rebound and compression both up front and in back. These adjustments address how the suspension responds moving into and out of a loaded condition.
Remember, be it riding solo, two-up, laden with gear, or whatever combination thereof, adjusting the preload on a motorcycle can help it handle better and more safely. Folks who are unfamiliar should consult their owner’s manual on adjusting the suspension settings for their specific machines. Dealerships, mechanics, and even online tutorials can provide valuable insight and instruction for proper suspension setup. Don’t be afraid to adjust and readjust to your liking. Make adjusting the preload part of your pre-ride check. Make it a habit.
Text and Photography: Charles Neeley

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Tags: fork, heavy, luggage, preload, rear, shock, Suspension, Touring, two-up, weight Categories: Technical Tips

BMW patents strange 3 cylinder motorcycle engine

For decades BMW's motorcycles were easily identified by the two opposed cylinders sticking out of each side of the bike. While you can still find this layout on some of its products, these days the company also uses a variety of other layouts, depending on the model line. Based on European patents, there might even be a Bimmer in the ranks eventually with an absolutely bizarre-looking W3 configuration.

BMW actually has two separate patents on these W3 designs, and both of them have the goal of cramming three cylinders into the space of a traditional V-twin. The first splays the cylinder out into a fan shape with pushrods operating the valves. The description submitted to the World Intellectual Property Organization describes the solution as, "The embodiment according to the invention represents an as of yet unknown type of W-3 reciprocating piston internal combustion engine having cylinder angles which can be largely freely sized."

The other solution is more of a modification to the traditional V-twin. Two of the cylinders share a crankpin, but the third has its own and is positioned inside the angle of the V. It's a very odd-looking engine.

With BMW's assertion that these designs are meant to fit in place of a traditional V-twin, Jalopnik speculates that they could be for a future cruiser from the company, and that would make sense. While brand offers a line of sport tourers with the K1600 line, it doesn't have something more classic to take on the likes of the Ducati Diavel. Creating such a weird engine would probably grab early interest from riders.

BAK BMW Spring Open House March 27th & 28th, Fri & Sat

I just wanted to take a minute and remind you of the festivities coming up at my store so take a look and put it on your calendar now so you don't miss out.

Friday and Saturday March 27th and 28th we will have discounts on all parts, accessories and apparel both in stock and special order.  You will receive 10% off on all your purchases up to $500 and if you spend more than that you will get 15% off.  So make sure you get your list ready.  Look at the catalogs at http://www.bakmc.com/catalog.php?cat=street to check out all sorts of cool new stuff.

There will also be some great sale prices on all of the bikes we have in stock.  With the current programs that could mean a discount of up to $2500 if you qualify for all of them.  That is some serious savings.

We will also be demo riding bikes.  We will have the following bikes available for test rides:

Victory:
Vision
Cross Country Tour
Cross Country
Gunner

BMW:
R1200GS Adventure
F800R
F700GS
R1200RT

KTM:
1190R Adventure
690 Duke


We will also be serving lunch on Saturday starting at about 11:00 am.

Get ready for a great time and a great riding season.  It's gonna be a fantastic year!

Thanks,
Dave Bak
Bak BMW Victory KTM
1900 Hwy 75 N Business
Sioux City, IA  51105
712-258-7900
www.bakmc.com
sales@bakmc.com

Guy Martin and William Dunlop to race Tyco BMW's in 2015 Isle of Man TT.

The 17th Century National Trust plantation house at Springhill, just a stone's throw from TAS Racing's headquarters in Moneymore, was the perfect venue to launch this year's Tyco BMW International Road Racing team of Guy Martin and William Dunlop for the 2015 Isle of Man TT Races fuelled by Monster Energy.

Both men will open their account on the all-new Tyco BMW Motorrad machinery during a scheduled test in Spain next month, riding alongside their British championship team-mates Michael Laverty, Tommy Bridewell and Alastair Seeley.

Martin said of the new venture by TAS Racing and his stable of Tyco BMW Motorrad machinery for this season: "I always give one hundred percent effort, no matter what I'm doing but I'm not going to make any stupid predictions for the year ahead. I'm confident that the Tyco BMW Motorrad bikes will make all the difference this year. It really does look mint.

"People have been asking questions about the retirement story that was in the press, but all I'm interested in is going to the TT and trying to win on this new bike. I'll only start to think about what I'm doing after that when I'm on the boat home."

 On his pre-season preparations Martin added: "I wouldn't even consider turning up if I wasn't fully prepared. It's not about money for me, or waving at the crowd and picking up cheques. Stuff that. I go to the TT to try and win and I believe with the same effort as before, and with these guys behind me, the Tyco BMW will be good enough for the job. I will be well prepared and after that what-will-be will-be."

His team-mate for a second consecutive season will be William Dunlop, an international Superbike winner with TAS Racing and Tyco last year at the North West 200. The Ballymoney man does his talking on track, but did say of the new BMW Motorrad machinery.

"Yeah I just love the look of the new bike, and if it goes as well as it looks then we are in for a good year. I enjoy working with Guy; he's great craic and we had fun working together last year. To win a TT is the main goal for us both and on these new S1000RR bikes both in Superbike and Superstock trim - we shouldn't be too far away."

Team Manager Philip Neill concluded: "It was worth the extra effort getting two bikes prepared and what a setting we have in Springhill House, right here on our doorstep. It was great to get Guy and William together for the shoot, and the next step is to get them out on track in Spain in the next couple of weeks. Both are looking fit and well and like the BSB boys, they can't wait to get their first run on the Tyco BMW S1000RR. There's a lot of hard work still to do, but there's also a lot of excitement in our camp for the year ahead."