Big treat for bikers, new motorcycles are on the way.

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Motorcycle fans are in for a treat with the return of the Carole Nash Irish Motorcycle and Scooter Show at the RDS.

Many of the best motorcycles in the world will be on show, with BMW among those leading the pack. In fact, BMW Motorrad will be unveiling the incredible new K1600 GT tourer to the Irish public at the show which runs from March 4 to 6.

Featuring the most compact in-line six-cylinder motorcycle engine in production, the 160bhp machine offers a never-before-seen blend of performance, comfort and technology. Steve Pitt, BMW Motorrad Market Area Manager for Ireland, said: ' The K1600 GT is a fantastic addition to our award-winning range of motorcycles.

This genre-defining luxury touring motorcycle features BMW's stunning new 1600cc in-line six-cylinder engine integrated with lightweight materials and cutting-edge technology previously only found in super-sport machines.

I am excited that we will be introducing the K1600 GT to all those who visit the show this year.' Another world-first for motorcycles from BMW Motorrad is the Adaptive Headlight. Available as an optional extra, the Adaptive? BMW's new K1600 GT tourer which will be on show at the RDS.

Headlight uses lean angle and speed data from the motorcycles to aim the light beam around the corner when the motorcycle is in motion, constantly providing the best possible vision when riding in the dark.

Steve Pitt added: ' The K 1600 GT personifies the term 'gran turismo'. There is truly nothing else with the K 1600 GT's blend of smooth, driving six-cylinder power, agile chassis and all-day comfort. 'It isn't class leading - it's class defining. The GT is the new benchmark for dynamic, cross-continent touring'.

Compiled by David Tucker. david.tucker@peoplenews.ie

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A Motorbike Fire Engine!

Firefighters on Merseyside will use motorcycles to answer fire calls in a new pilot scheme.

The BMW bikes carry two 25-litre water tanks and a 30-metre hose reel which produces water droplets and foam.

Merseyside Fire and Rescue is the first fire service in the UK to use the new vehicles. It will use two bikes for attending low-level fires.

The service said it will allow them to save fire engines for emergencies where life or property is at risk.
'Pioneering project'
 
Deputy chief fire officer Mike Hogen said: "We are once again looking for innovative ways to help us tackle the issues that we face in Merseyside.

"Anti-social behaviour fires, such as wheelie bins and skips, account for 62% of our total fire call-outs.
"In recent years we have looked at alternative ways to tackle these incidents and these fire bikes offer a new, exciting possibility."

The firefighters using the bikes have been given special training and specially-designed protective equipment.
Group manager John McCormack, from the fire service, said: "It is a pioneering way of dealing with small fires and because it has never been done here, the project has been several years in the making.

"The bike and the kit have been specifically designed so that they are safe and fit for purpose and we are impressed with the products that we now have."

The trial is due to start next month.

You have to ask how well that is going to handle when the tanks are only half full and the water is sloshing about!

Article from the BBC

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BMW recalls thousands of motorcycles for brake check

The German manufacturer is recalling six models manufactured between August 2006 and May 2009 in the latest scare to strike a global automotive company.

Around 6,600 motorcycles in the UK are effected by the recall.

 

No accidents have been reported in relation to the fault, BMW said, and only a small number of complaints have been received.

Nonetheless, the recall, which accounts for roughly a third of BMW motorcycles produced during the period in question, is the second to strike the company in the last two years. A similar fault was identified in 2008, but a BMW spokesman accepted modifications to the brake fluid lines had failed to eradicate problems.


Letters received by British owners of the bikes said vibrations could cause the front brake lines to develop leaks that could allow brake fluid to escape. In a worst case scenario, this could lead to a failure of the front brakes.

According to the company, the fault effects one in 1,000 vehicles. The models recalled include the R 1200 GS Adventure model, the R 1200 GS, the R 1200 R, the R 1200 RT, the R 1200 ST and the K 1200 GT.
BMW, which owns the Mini and Rolls-Royce car brands, sold 20,840 motorcycles in the first quarter of 2010, compared to 265,809 cars.


Shares in the company were unmoved by the recall on Tuesday, as they gained 2.42pc on the Frankfurt market.

The recall by BMW comes just months after Toyota was forced to recall more than 8.5m cars globally and became engulfed in crisis. Billions of dollars were wiped off the Japanese company's market value as US authorities called for an investigation and eventually fined it $16.4m (£11.4m) for being slow to deal with faulty vehicles. Toyota paid the fine on Tuesday.

Article from the Telegraph

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How to Advertise a Bike....Put A Hot Blonde Model on it!

How do you drive motorcycle journalists crazy? Run a feature photo shoot with WSBK race bike, a helicopter, and a hot blonde model. Its not that we don’t like these things, it’s just that we like answers more. BMW seems to have an endless supply of photos that keep us perpetually guessing what the production S1000RR will look like. Sure the carbon fairings and tasty race bits are nice and pleasing, but we want to see some OEM ABS plastic, horrible CAFE compliant exhaust pipes, and maybe a blinker here and there. Lately, it seems like only the race bike seems to be getting love from Mr. Nikon and Mr. Canon…and it keeps us up at night.

Make no mistake, by all measures the race-ready S1000RR is a technical powerhouse. It boasts very un-BMW-like features like  an aluminum beam frame, an inline-four motor, traction control, telescopic forks, and the Double VANOS continuously variable exhaust and inlet valve timing. All these features add up to a final product that is a low weight (190kg wet), high power (190hp with a huge torque curve) beast that has a chassis suspension package to rival the best.
We will continue to wait and see if BMW ever gets around to actually making a street version (we know they have to at some point). Also, no word on whether you get a helicopter or blonde german girl with the purchase. We can hope though.

Article from Asphalt & Rubber

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BMW motorcycle sales increase 14.4%

The BMW Group once again improved sales volumes substantially in February of this year. A total of 91,758 BMW, MINI and Rolls-Royce automobiles were delivered to customers (prev. yr. 80,474) - representing an increase of 14.0%. The figure for the year to the end of February was 173,911 units - 15.3% higher than the previous year (150,893).

A total of 78,248 BMW brand automobiles were delivered to customers in February - an increase of 13.7% (prev. yr. 68,823). For the year to the end of February, sales were 14.7% higher than the previous year (129,085) at 148,112 units.

Sales of the MINI brand also continued to perform well. Last month, 13,443 MINI cars, 16.0% more than in February 2009 (11,584), were delivered to customers worldwide. 25,645 MINI vehicles were sold in the year to the end of February. That represents an increase of 18.2% (prev. yr. 21,704).

The Rolls-Royce brand delivered 67 automobiles in February (prev. yr. 67/+0.0%). For the year to the end of February, 154 Rolls-Royce cars were handed over to customers worldwide (prev. yr. 104/+48.1%).

Following a good performance in January, deliveries in the Motorcycle Segment again rose substantially in February by 24.6% to reach a total of 5,485 vehicles (prev. yr. 4,401). For the year to the end of February, that represents an increase of 14.4% to 9,299 motorcycles sold (prev. yr. 8,132). The revised R 1200 GS, R 1200 GS Adventure and R 1200 RT, all strong volume models, contributed to this growth as well as the newly introduced S 1000 RR.

Article from ultimate motorcycling

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New 2009 rider equipment range from BMW

This week BMW Motorrad unveiled their 2009 range of rider equipment, which they describe as "renowned for its innovative design, technical capabilities and outstanding durability and safety".

The highlight of this new range is probably the new System 6 helmet, an upgrade to the System 5 which was recently awarded a 5-star rating in the SHARP helmet safety tests.

The System 6 was launched at the Intermot bike show back in October, and BMW describe it as a "highly attractive, modern design with a number of advancements including superior size and weight". The chin strap contains an integrated neckband that stops the helmet from twisting, whilst an anti-fog double glazed visor comes as standard.

BMW have also launched the Trailguard suit, a re-design of the Santiago suit that has all-terrain riding and greater rider comfort in mind. Back, shoulder, elbow, hip and adjustable knee protectors provide additional protection.

More details on the equipment range can be found at www.bmw-motorrad.co.uk.

NEC show: win a BMW K 1200 R!

NEC bike exhibition fever is brewing here at UKBike Towers, as the show opens for a press day today, followed by the public opening tomorrow.

Word reaches us that there is a brand spanking new BMW K 1200 R (pictured above) up for grabs at the show courtesy of BMW and BEN, the automotive industry charity.

BEN staff will be at the NEC selling national draw tickets, and the winner will be announced on the final day (7th December) at the MCN stand.

BEN's Charles Davis said: "We are extremely grateful to BMW Motorrad for their support in donating such a highly desirable prize. We will have a display model on our stand (2J29, hall 2) and really hope that as many people as possible will visit us and purchase a ticket priced at just £2."

A free bike just in time for Christmas... not bad eh?

NEC show: t-minus eight days and new models announced

With the Carole Nash Bike Show kicking off in just eight days time, the UKBike inbox is starting to fill up with details on the various models that will be launched at the NEC.

BMW Motorrad's flagship bike at this year's show is the "eagerly anticipated" S 1000 RR, said to be a contender for the 2009 World Superbike crown.

The race trim version will be on show in Birmingham, complete with carbon fibre bodywork - the production model is set to go on sale in early 2010.



The BMW stand will also feature the updated, more powerful K-Series (including the K 1300 R, the K 1300 GT and the K 1300 S). Also appearing will be the all-new F 800 R naked roadster, which BMW tell us is "sportingly designed to deliver uncompromising handling, agility and steering precision, as well as maximum riding enjoyment".

Charley Boorman will be appearing at the NEC, together with the three BMW bikes that he used on Long Way Round, Long Way Down and Race To Dakar.

More importantly, UKBike will also be at the show - if you see us in our fetching t-shirts, come and say hello...

UKBike.com review of the week - BMW R65 650cc (1981)

UKBike.com user Judith posted this review of an '81 BMW R65 650cc...

"I am very familiar with this bike as I have owned mine for 25 years (since 1983). It is one of very few BMW models which are comfortable for a short person (I am 5'1") without modification, as the seat is relatively narrow as well as being a reasonable height. Sadly, although light for its size, the bike is still a bit too heavy for me to wheel about easily.

The weight is not a problem once it is moving, and I have really enjoyed riding it. The riding position is comfortable but it only scores 4 out of 5 because it has no windscreen or fairing.

I did not like the soft BMW front suspension but am happy with a thicker grade of fork oil.

Braking is OK but there is no ABS (possibly not yet invented in 1980). The original stainless front discs warped and I replaced them with cast iron discs. Unfortunately these rust, so the wheel tends to stick if parked in the wet. Nothing that can't be fixed with a well-aimed kick!

Mpg varies from about 70 on a long trip down to about 50 for local use. My engine has not (yet) been converted to run on unleaded petrol but seems OK with high octane unleaded and a lead substitute additive. Top speed is about 105mph, with good acceleration all the way up. More than adequate for British roads in my opinion.

The bike used to be very reliable but is not quite so good now it is getting older. It has not yet needed any big repairs and routine servicing is an easy DIY task. Some parts of the frame have rusted quite noticeably. Stainless steel exhausts have lasted a very long time, and the original push-rod tubes rusted away and have been replaced with stainless steel ones.

There have been one or two problems with the electrics due to corrosion and/or fatigue. The rear stop light switch tends to corrode very quickly, but lasts about 10 times longer if you dismantle it (carefully drill out the rivets) and pack it with grease. Spare parts are easy to obtain by mail order from specialist dealers, or from your local BMW bike dealer if you have one. The only thing I have been unable to get is an exact match for the paint.

Overall, this bike has served me very well for commuting and the occasional longer trip, but I don't use it regularly any more so have decided to sell. Hopefully it will go to someone who will give it the attention it deserves."

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