bmw motorcycle

BMW Motorcycles - A Little Motorcycle Wisdom

Why choose BMW motorcycles? There are many reasons, I'm sure. One reason I can give you is that I've been riding them for over 10 years and they have never left me stranded. Except for running out of gas once because of my own stupidity.

Some of the other pluses are: they have good power, get great gas mileage (usually 45-70 MPG depending on which model you choose), have very stable handling, long distance comfort and they are just plain fun to ride!

What's not to like?

I know that some think that BMW motorcycles are the highest priced bikes around, but that's not really true. Just like anything else, you can spend a large or small amount on them depending on the type, size and amount of accessories you decide on. They have entry level bikes up to high end models and everything in between. Other manufacturers have bikes that cost as much or more.

I have been riding motorcycles since 1987, and have owned many different brands and sizes. I've owned Gold Wings, and several others including Harley, Yamaha and a few smaller Hondas.

I traded in a Gold Wing after test riding a BMW R1100GS. It was the first of many BMW's I've had; a big dual sport bike that handled great and was a lot of fun. There have been several others over the years, including the K1200LT, which is a big luxury touring bike that my wife and I rode to Georgia and back. That was a really fun trip. Saw temperatures from 32 deg F to about 90 deg F, fog and rain.

I currently have an R1200RT. It's a sport touring type of bike and my favorite so far. It weighs less than the full-boat touring bikes, but is still very comfortable. Since it has about 100 horsepower it can move quickly if you need it to. Or just want it to.

This bike has a lot of goodies on it that my wife really enjoys. Heated seats, a power outlet that she can plug in an electric vest to (one of the many available BMW motorcycle accessories) on cold days, and a suspension that I can adjust with the touch of a button to select a comfort setting for her. That is an important consideration for us, since she has had back surgery and can't really take too harsh of a ride without it causing pain. She says this bike is the most comfortable one I've had. She loves it! And when she's happy, I'm happy!

It also has an electrically adjustable windshield that's the cat's meow! It can be adjusted on the fly so I can dial it in to that "just right" position for wind control. Also on this fine machine are heated hand grips, cruise control, removable side bags / trunk and anti-lock brakes. In my humble opinion this is the best bike around for motorcycle touring. I just need more time to ride.

Wisdom and Knowledge

My introduction to the world of BMW bikes began at Gina's BMW motorcycles in Iowa City, Iowa. The owners, Gina and Julius Dusterhoft, are riders too. They have always been a great source of help and advice to me.

If you are thinking about getting a motorcycle, then consider a BMW. Make sure to find a dealer that you like and are comfortable with. I did and I don't regret it. They will have a lot of experience and knowledge they can share with you to save you a lot of aggravation. Ride the different models and see for yourself how they perform and feel. I think you will find they are a pretty good value. Most of the time the old saying is true -- you get what you pay for. I believe that's true for the BMW motorcycles.

You may think this sounds like one long commercial for BMW bikes, but it's not. I'm just sharing my experience in order to help you make an informed decision when you decide to purchase your next bike. There are a lot of choices out there. After many years of riding I have chosen BMW's for my rides. I only wish I had done it sooner. Happy Riding!

yamaha motorcycle Super Tenere

Yamaha 1200ZZ Super Tenere

Fuel economy is where you would expect for a big adventure bike, it seems to easily get 16 to 17 KPL in serious dirt situations and if ridden on highways for fuel economy I believe 19 to 23 KPL is very achievable, the km per litre read-out on the dashboard does often get into the 24 km plus per litre readings, but I have never followed through for long enough to get the best out of it. I'm sure in the hands of a really sensible and patient rider the bike would be capable of awesome KPL readings.

The bike was a bit of a surprise package because even though it is in the BMW 1200GS class, it still felt surprisingly light and nimble to throw around in reasonably tight off-road situations, this is obviously because Yamaha have put a lot of thought into having a low centre of gravity.

On our long-term demo XT1200, all we have done to improve the ergonomics is to remove the foot peg rubbers which unveals an absolutely top quality set of off-road foot pegs that are not only strong but wide and comfortable to stand on all day. As the writer is over 6 feet tall, we turned the handlebars forward just a little more and put the seat in the higher position.

If I was running adventure riding training schools, then I would be doing demonstrations by applying the rear brake to back it in and then powering it out, and I could not do that with the ABS brakes. I think Yamaha have nailed this bike fairly nicely, but they really should of fitted an ABS on/off switch.

I previously mentioned a set of heavier springs when talking about the bash plate, well the next modification we will be doing to this bike is definitely to fit heavier suspension springs front and rear, there is a slight lack of dampening adjustment on the suspension, but I feel with a reoil and the correct springs for the weight of the bike, it would make a large difference in more serious conditions with capable riders, and would help keep the belly of the bike off the rocks. Of course, you could always go to the next step and fit a high-quality shock absorber and do some serious re-valving mods to the front end, but if you want to keep costs down and still have a good ride, some simple really affordable suspension modifications will be fine, and that is what we will be doing for our next major adventure ride on the bike.

The pillion seat is well designed and if you want to carry additional luggage across the top of your saddlebags or pannier boxes, you can remove the seat and make it an integral part of your luggage carrying system, not that I recommend overloading any adventure bike too much. A back pack, saddlebags and tank bag with a swag on the carrier is as far as the loading should go, if you can't fit it in those items, don't take it. Leave room on the seat to be able to stand up, move around and control the bike.

My personal preference is with saddlebags as they are soft and fairly narrow and traditionally mount further forward, which gives better weight distribution. They are also easier on the body if you happen to end up lying underneath them. The genuine Yamaha panniers do work well, they are easy to remove, and if you like big box panniers, don't detract from the looks of the bike too much. I have used the genuine Yamaha panniers and they are a quality piece of gear, easy to get on off and a good size. For the record you can actually fit 30 stubbies in the right hand pannier!

We fitted the standard steel pipe engine guard, and this works exceptionally well, it definitely helps protect the engine cases plus everything above the cases behind the fairing side covers to a certain extent. As bike lift tests have shown if the bike is on its side, these engine cases actually make it easier to pick up as the bike seems to pivot on them.

The Yamaha headlight protector was also fitted. The genuine Yamaha tank bag uses magnets as well as strap system which does seem to work quite well, it's easy to get into the fuel cap, it does need stabilising a little bit if you've got a lot of gear in it on a really rough mongrel track.

For the winter months and the southern states, the bike would definitely benefit from a set of grip warmers, so if we keep it long enough a good set of Oxford grip warmers will be fitted, of course, for a little more money Yamaha supply a quality set of genuine grip warmers.

The servicing schedule on this bike is a motorcycle riders dream, oil changes and minor services are recommended every 10,000 km, this comprises mainly of checking all bolt tensions and control adjustments are within limits.

To sum the XT 1200 Super Tenere up, it ain't no KTM 990 Adventure but that is not it's class, but if youare after a bike that fits into the BMW1200GS category, the Yamaha more than fills the bill, and at a retail price that you could fully set it up with accessories including GPS and more and still be under the price of a BMW, and the really great thing about the XT1200 Super Tenere is that being a Yamaha it will be super reliable, as it has an already solid as a rock proven motor.

Sport Bike Equipment tips

Sport bike racing is an adrenaline-pumping activity. Flying down the track, weaving in and out of other racers, watching the track turn to a blur is a real rush. Another aspect of riding fast is it isn't just exciting, it's also dangerous. Racers protect themselves with the right equipment for the job. You need the best equipment to protect yourself from the road and to protect your bike during maintenance. Some essentials include a well-made helmet, protective boots, gloves, and armor, and well-made shop equipment like a bike stand to support your bike.

Motorcycle racing can get expensive fast. You need protective gear for safe riding. Even for non-racing, street riding many countries have made wearing of personal protective equipment the law. Protective clothing includes jackets, gloves, boots, and pants. Many of these items are typically made of nylon, leather, and even Kevlar. Kevlar is an expensive material but can prevent things from piercing into you if you fall on it hard, such as when you fall off your bike and land on a sharp object. You can see that the cost of riding can escalate quickly.

Racing jackets combine style, comfort, and protecting. Most of these jackets have armor in the shoulder and elbow area. Some have armor in the back and other high impact areas. Brands that are popular with motorcyclists include First Gear, Icon, Moose, Shift, Alpinestars, and Joe Rocket. All the aforementioned companies offer jackets made up of textiles or leather, in different sizes and types.

Motorcycle boots have motorcycle specific features such as air flow enhancements and reinforcements on the shifting foot. Many of them provide extra protection not found in ordinary boots. Popular bands include Alpinestars, Sidi, ICON, Puma, TCX, and AXO.

You'll need gear designed for use during cold weather or warm weather, depending on when you race. Cold-weather gear could be uncomfortable and much too warm if you race in it during the summer. It's bad enough that the wrong gear could be uncomfortable and affect your performance, but it could also make racing less safe.

Sometimes overlooked in the motorcycle safety area is the equipment used to work on a bike. Many accidents actually happen in the shop while performing maintenance. There are plenty of statistics showing heavy bikes falling over and causing injury. Your motorcycle is heavy, and if the motorcycle stand fails your bike will fall and possibly land on some part of your body. I suggest you look into a well-made, heavy-duty stand.

Inspect your equipment often and always make sure it's in good working condition. If something you are wearing is involved in a crash, make sure to doublecheck it's in working order. Having your body armor plat slip at just the wrong time can be devastating, painful, and possibly deadly.

Motorcycle riding and racing is a blast. You need to do it responsibly; make sure you know what you are doing, get training, and practice safe racing. Research and own the right equipment to keep you and other racers safe on the track.

Honda Oree Electric Motorcycle Concepts

A design project by German college students Nike Albertus and Andre Look, the Honda Oree is a electric motorcycle concept model debuting at the 2008 INTERMOT Bike Show.

Wandering the 1057 booths at the 2008 INTERMOT Bike Show in Cologne, Germany, one of Motorcycle USA’s favorite exhibits was the Innovation Café. Featuring alternative two-wheeled designs, electric motorcycles and scooters were prominent. Yet there was one electric design that stood out in our minds, the Honda Oree. 

A naked street bike concept, the diminutive scale model size of the Oree doesn’t diminish its big ideas. The creation of two German design college students, Nike Albertus and Andre Look, the intention of the Oree “was to create a concept bike for dynamic road riding.” 

Creating the model only days before the INTERMOT show, Albertus and Look sourced their interest in motorcycles and honed their talent at the Academy of Art and Design in Offenbach am Main. 

The Oree concept is powered by an electric motor with battery packs mounted on the circular exterior.

“One of our first fundamentals was to create a concept bike which is made by riders for riders,” explains Look, “with the ambition of innovation and also the idea of making the technique and the concept work.” 

The minimalist design is fashioned around an electric motor, with radial battery packs placed around the circular edge of the powerplant – including the recharge plug. Citing the performance benefits of an electric motor, including high torque at low revs and quick acceleration, Look notes his design also does without a CVT gearbox or clutch. Instead power is transmitted directly via belt drive. 

The ambitious student design anticipates a motor producing 90-plus horsepower, 125 lb-ft of torque and top speed near 120 mph. Weight would be in the range of 290-375 lbs with a range of between 80-190 miles, depending on the number of batteries used. Of course, this is all speculative, as no such batteries or motor now exists (remember it’s a design college project!). 

“The main point of our design was to let the rider feel the action happening in and around the motorcycle,” says Look on the unique lines of the Oree. 

Albertus and Look wanted the rider to see the suspension working, so the rear shock is visible though the frame in front of the seat.

Claiming inspiration from popular European naked bikes like the Kawasaki ER-6, the bare styling of the Oree sports a less-is-more gestalt (that’s German for design). Odd-shaped hand controls include hanging mirrors. A circular control display is located in a more conventional position, above the fork – the front houses the headlight assembly. Taillights are tucked under the scant seat. 

Chassis design features a single pivot point around the motor for the single-sided swingarm and final drive. Looking down in their stance, a rider will see the shock in action, as it’s placed between the frame’s backbone spars. 

“The major aspect of the suspension is to expose functions and attitude – in standstill for every viewer and also while riding,” explains Look. “At first the direct effects of the road can be recognized through the fork and swingarm movement - further the motion of the suspension shocks between the frame halves can be realized.” 

Not an official Honda development, Look assures the two students “requested Honda R&D to backup our knowledge of motorcycles with their professional experience.” 

Readers may remember the big Honda news at the 2008 INTERMOT Bike Show in Cologne was the unveiling of its V-Four concept bike. More akin to a sculpture than a functional ride, the wild-looking V-Four concept got top billing. Sure, the Oree is a scale model, but it looks like a more finished product and in pure creativity, the college kids may have bested Big Red at INTERMOT. 

It will most likely never move beyond miniature model stage, but the Oree is still a design with big ideas.

The Oree was met with enthusiasm in the Innovation Café. “The response at the Intermot Cologne was stunning,” confirms Look, “even a lot of Ducati riders were zealous about the look of the bike and the idea behind it.” 

As for the Oree’s non-scale-model future? 

Although Honda CEO Takeo Fukui did announce the manufacturer plans to introduce an electric design in about two year’s time, don’t expect to see the Oree at your Honda dealership anytime soon. For now it remains an independent creative experiment, with Look saying, “how the project will continue is currently still open.” 

honda motorcycles 2013

History of Honda Motorcycle Success

The year 2013has started off as a financial success for the Honda Motor Company who has seen profits with a net income of just over 72 billion Yen in Q1 of January-March. Honda were hit by the recession hard back in 2009 when in the same period, they saw a loss of nearly 179 billion Yen but are celebrating the improved situation this year.

Honda Motor Company was originally set up in the late 1940's by Japanese entrepreneur Soichiro Honda who aimed to produce a cheap method of transport for those after the Second World War. The company found a niche in the production of Motorcycles and release the 'C' model which was considered a success. This led to the production of what was later known as the 'Dream D' model which was an inexpensive bike with three horsepower and two-speed transmission. Honda then continued on his journey to produce a vast array of machines and Honda motorcycle parts which resulted in the eventual trust of the consumer and financial success.

Having moved on significantly both in technological advances and history, Honda have celebrated great success this year. This is due to many factors including a great increase in the operations of Asia which increased by 28.2%. This is due to both increased numbers of motorcycles and automobiles sold, as well as the changes in currency translations.

For the last financial year ending 31st March 2010, Honda released figures of a 95.9% increase in net income and the company's revenue for this year amounted to 8.57 trillion Yen. This was still a decrease compared to that of the fiscal year 2008-2009, but still shows good recovery. The company are now expecting a net income of 340 billion Yen for the next financial year 2010-2011, with projected sales of 9.34 trillion Yen. The company's motorcycle sector showed sales of 2.6 million units for the January-March period which is an increase in 30% compared to that of last year.

Honda are hoping to continue this success in order to reach their projected targets for 2011 and are set to make great profits next year. This reflects how the company has worked to gain even more market share within the automobile and motorcycle industry. With their range of high quality Honda motorcycles released this year as well as Honda motorcycle spares and accessories, they are looking to increase this share even further and remain one of the biggest motorcycle manufacturers the World has even seen.

In order to purchase any of the Honda products, you will need to head to one of the many local Honda motorbike dealers who will stock a wide range to choose from.

About Honda of Bournemouth: Located on the outskirts of Poole, Honda of Bournemouth offers everything you'd expect from Honda motorbike dealers. As well as Honda motorcycles and Honda motorcycle parts, we also sell top quality