BMWMCQ - Journal June 2025

Committee

President - Geoff Hodge

Ph: 0413 180 101 president@bmwmcq.org.au

R1200RS; R75/5, R51/3

Vice President - Cindy Bennett Ph: 0401 610 671 vpres@bmwmcq.org.au R1200C; R1250GS

Secretary- Chris Bramwell

Ph: 0427 480 811 secretary@bmwmcq.org.au K1200GT

Treasurer - Tony Gray Ph: 0438 083 996 treasurer@bmwmcq.org.au R80GS; K100RS4V; K1300R

Events - Ben Nazzari

Ph: 0448 594 833 events@bmwmcq.org.au

R1200 RT, R1200GS

Editor - Liezel Samuel Ph: 0481 004 738 editor@bmwmcq.org.au Pillion on R1200GS

Records- Chris Bramwell Ph: 0427 480 811 records@bmwmcq.org.au

K1200GT

Tools/Service - Bill Luyton

Ph: tools@bmwmcq.org.au

Regalia - Duncan Bennett Ph: 0458 293 569 regalia@bmwmcq.org.au R1250GS, Tiger 900 Rally Pro

Dealer Liaison - Don Grimes

Ph: 0411 601 372

R1200GS; K1300R

Sub-Committee Roles

Clubs Australia - Paul Hughes

Training Representative - Julian Davis

Club Details

This Issue - May 2025

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On The Cover

Liezel Samuel Editor’s Report

I’vehad this nagging worry about not having enough material for the journal - mainly because our previous editors always managed to write such amazing stories for each edition. I simply don’t have the time for that right now.

Of course, we can always count on our regular contributors - Cindy, Duncan, Tony Gray, Jane’s monthly poem, and others - but the concern still lingered.

So, it was a pleasant surprise when Huw casually mentioned he’s writing an article for the journal. That sparked a memory: our former editors used to ask new members to introduce themselves by answering a few simple questions. Brilliant idea!

Greg kindly sent me the email addresses of everyone who joined since January 2025, and off went 15 emails. I hoped for at least one or two responses in the short time I gave them.

Was I in for a surprise! I received 10 responses, each filled with interesting stories and great photos. What a wonderful experience! Their stories and photos are scattered throughout these pages, so make sure you read all of them to the very last page.

Cindy shared how she prepared for a five-month expedition, while Duncan wrote about his experiences at a M&W Throttle Thursday, a Horizons Unlimited event, and a May club mid-week ride. Huw reflected on waiting 45 years for a dream to come true, and Tony Gray shared stories from the Distinguished Gentleman's Ride as well as his and Jane’s Seasonal Change Ride.

A few gremlins snuck into last month’s edition again! I'm starting to think we should have a monthly competition for whoever spots all the errors, some of you would definitely be contenders. I introduced our new member Al Craig as Al Gray (sorry, Al!), and in Michael’s Like an Eagle Around the USA article, it should’ve read that 80% (not 0%) of the Alaska Highway runs through three Canadian provinces.

My sincerest apologies to both Al and Michael, and thanks to everyone who kindly points out these little slip-ups!

Last but not least, a big thank you to Paul Hughes, who graciously accepted the challenge of stepping in as Editor while Huw and I embark on our two-month USA - Canada adventure. Our GS is patiently waiting for us at the warehouse in Long Beach, CA (photo complement of Cindy when they collected their Tigers this week). Cheers, Liezel.

Submissions for the next Journal close 25th-ish June

Geoff Hodge President’s Report

Hi all,

Well, it’s been a different time this month. I did the throttle Thursday and service day had some good chats that gave some ideas for the future. As for the service day we used the new bike table for good effect and Rob's lift got a good use again. I also attended the Distinguish Gentleman's Ride last weekend on the BMW 51/3. All went well. Below are some photos of these events.

That's about all for this month. Geoff.

BMWMCQ Club Events for

JUNE 2025

JULY 2025

UPCOMING EVENTS TO PUT IN YOUR CALENDAR

RIDE TO RAAF AMBERLEY HERITAGE CENTRE

- Sunday 15 June

Assembly Point - Main Gate RAAF Base Amberley at 8:30am.

Anyone wishing to attend must please advise Records Officer no later than 3 June 2025. Parking has been arranged for the bikes and cars if anyone is driving. Refreshments are available at the Centre. Upon arrival you will receive a safety briefing regarding the Centre.

Saturday 5July

Saturday 26 July

The 16th annual Maggie Biscuit ride

Sunday 10th August, 2025 from 10:00am.

The famous Maggie's Biscuit Ride is on again!

Come and delight in Maggie’s delicious biscuits, and slices, maybe even that Armenian variation, and of course great company. The morning tea will be at Jennings Park, Gladstone St., Jennings. Peter Todd is once again, with Maggie, organising this iconic event.

As Pete’s staying in Stanthorpe he’ll organise a dinner in due course. Someone else might like to organise a dinner in Tenterfield (to avoid travel after dinner).

In supporting Maggie please BYO cup, hot water and spoon.

Ben Nazzari Events Officer’s Report

Hi to all,

By the time you're reading this we would have had our first gathering for our welcoming new members into the club with our trial sausage sizzle ride in which I will be leading. This has been an event that has been talked about for a while now and I'm glad to say it is happening. See photos of this successful event on various pages.

The past month has been pretty good with events and gatherings. We saw Mario and Fiona back on the bike for the Mid-week ride and to say we haven’t missed them would be an understatement.

We have some great events on the Horizon with the Xmas in July this year back in Kingaroy at the Oasis Motel. My second running of the Frigid Digit is looking pretty healthy with a lot of members attending in which this is my first one with camping and accommodation. I have 1 last reccy ride to tie up all lose ends and sort out where we will be all gathering for dinner.

I know a lot of you thought I was going to hang up the Event’s role at the last AGM , and the only reason for doing so was because of the lack of members volunteering to lead rides or pick up a lunch ride destination etc. This is a great club and I'm proud to be part of it and as I have put my hand up to help Gary Bennett with the Cane Toad Rally, I will be needing more assistance not only because of the Cane Toad but I also have the Frigid Ride and the Back to the Bush and the general running of Events. So, I guess what I'm asking is for everyone to dig deep and please help with these easy to run Mid- Week rides or the led ride on the Sunday it really isn’t that hard because if I can do it anyone can.

So I will sign off now as I have to go and finish organizing the Sausage Sizzle ride and give my bike a clean lol.

Looking forward to seeing a lot of you over the next few months with all these great events coming up, till then keep it upright and be safe. Ben.

Another successful club service day

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Cindy Bennett Vice President’s Report

Hello from the VP chair!

The song Route 66 by Chuck Berry has been my “ear worm” for the past couple of weeks – looking closer at our USA itinerary and the towns along the section of “The Mother Road” that we will be riding in a couple of weeks.

We will of course go and visit the end/start point in Santa Monica and then after our first stop from LA of Joshua Tree we will pick up Route 66 at Kingman and then head to Flagstaff before visiting the Petrified Forest National Park. After heading north to Monument Valley and the 4 Corners Monument (where the 4 states of Utah, New Mexico, Colorado and Arizona meet) we will again pick up Route 66 in Albuquerque taking it to Amarillo Texas. After that we may intersect with some sections in Oklahoma and Illinois but have no firm plans for that far into the trip as yet.

What I am most looking forward to seeing is the quirky and unique aspects of this route. There are 250 sights along the route that have been designated as National Register of Historic Places. If we can stay in some iconic lodgings then all the better.

There are quite a few websites dedicated to Route 66 with some interesting history, for example - it was the first longest continuous paved road in the USA, and was first established in November 1926.

It features not only in the Chuck Berry song, the Eagles Taking it Easy and movies such as Easy Rider and Thelma and Louise, to name just a couple . It was also the inspiration for the Pixar movie Cars (a fave of mine)!

Route 66 isn’t just a road - it’s a piece of American history, and I can’t wait to experience its charm firsthand. With any luck, we’ll find a few retro motels, meet some characters along the way, and create our own stories on this iconic highway.

Until next month, ride safe y'all. Cindy.

Editor note: Have a wonderful trip Cindy. We are looking forward to reading all about your USA adventures.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Chris Bramwell Secretary’s and Records Officer's Report

BMWMCQ General Meeting

Minutes - 1 May 2025

Venue: Geebung RSL

Meeting opened: 7:30pm

Apologies: Jane Gray, Julian Jarvis, Paul Hughes, Ben Nazzari, Steve and Rosi Johnson

Minutes of previous

General Meeting: Proposed: Duncan Bennett

Seconded: Kate Farrar

Number of attendees: 28

New members: Chris Schettis, riding a RT1150 RT.

Visitors: Nil

Returning members: Nil

Treasurer report: The report was in the journal. The queried non-rounding value for membership fees was due to PayPal commission.

Editor report:

Consideration lodging a competition for the reader who find all the errors in every journal. Eager members were interested in the prize – yet to be determined. Thank you for all the contributions. Please keep them coming. There were no responses to the advert to take up the Editor role for the July and August editions. Paul Hughes was nominated in his absence.

Tools report: Next service day is Saturday 10 May. Two Hydraulic Bike Lifts will be available and Steve wants to do some Steering head SD and compression test ing.

Regalia report:

Two new items – bumper stickers at $5 and the new stubby holders in the original blue colour. The usual range of shirts are available and remember the beanies for the winter coming up.

Records report: Thanks to Greg who is still helping until we have the new database, Wild Apricot is commissioned . There are currently 287 members.

Events report: Everyone who wants to attend the Amb erley RAAF base must please register with Chris. All the details are in the journal. The event is not on Facebook yet but will go up tomorrow. The ride this is Sunday led by Richard de Groot. Details are in the journal and on Facebook.

There is a problem with Facebook as events notices are not being sent out to members. Every one to please go into the events section, as the notification prompts are not happening. Duncan will be leading the mid-week ride. Christmas in July will be in Kingaroy.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Secretary report: The mail How to vote cards and the NSW newsletter. No other correspondence.

Dealer Liaison report: The 1300GSs are all in. The RT1300 are coming in for demo rides in July.

1300R will come in later in the year, maybe the 3rd quarter. Training Officer report: Next course is at Mount Cotton this weekend. One member has registered to attend.

Vice President report: This is the last attendance of a general meeting until November. Clubs Australia report: No news, Paul Hughes not present.

President Report: It was a quiet month and rode the Throttle Thursday.

Buy/Sell/Swap: Richard has a 2007 1200GSA, 75,000kms. Exceptional bike. White for $12,500 ride away.

General Business: Richard Maher would like to attend the next Committee meeting. He will be provided the Teams link to join the meeting.

In three years, the club will turn 70 and we need to start thinking how we will celebrate it.

The new website will have details of all the events.

Closed: 8:15pm

Correspondence and Records:

I received correspondence from Richard Maher proposing the reintroduction of the Annual Club Awards. The Committee will consider the proposal.

I also received requests from two people wanting to sell bikes. You can contact me for details.

Number of financial members: 279

The new Wild Apricot software is progressing slower than anticipated, however now that I have freed up some time, I can get it up and running with the help of Wild Apricot coaches and the Manager assigned to us. When we are ready to go live online I will send all members operating instructions for downloading on your PC, laptop and phone.

New members for May are:

- John Plate, UPPER COOMERA

- Rainer Novy, WAMURAN

- David Ashby, TUGUN

- Malcolm Skelton, EARLVILLE

Chris

Bill Luyten Tools Officer’s Report

Phone: 0438 123 747

Email: spares@bmwmcq.org.

au

or: wluyten@bigpond .net .au

Service Day

The Club Service Day was held at Rob Wynne’s place at Jimboomba on 10 May. Around 20 members attended, and some expert work was done with the GS-911 as well as bike service.

Sausage sizzle and drinks were sold, raising $149.50 for the RFDS (Royal Flying Doctors).

Another $200 for the RFDS was raised by Richard Maher through sales of bike bits he received from another club member. Thanks to Richard and the club member who donated the parts.

Thanks also to Chris Lancaster for the cookies, they went very quickly.

The new Hydraulic Bike Lift was used at the service day; we found out it can be raised using pneumatic or hydraulic power.

Some of the work carried out on the day was use of the GS911 diagnostic tool to reset some fault codes as well as service reminders. The new compression tester was used to check the cylinders of a R90S (all good) and a R80 had a service on the new bike lift.

Another successful service day and thanks to Rob Wynne for the use of his premises.

Tools for loan

There are special tools available including the GS-911WiFi and 3 pin diagnostic tools.

Special Tools

• 34mm socket for rotating crankshaft

• Twinmax electronic carburetor balancer (Twin BMW engines)

• SynchroKing - Carburettor & Throttle Body Balancer

• LambdaKing Mk II - Air Fuel Ratio Tuning Meter

• Clutch alignment shafts (3 sizes)

• Compression tester (cylinder pressure)

• Steering head bearing puller and seating tool

• Gearbox output flange puller

• GS-911 Wi-Fi Diagnostic tool (Wi-Fi and USB Version)

• GS-911 3 pin Diagnostic tool (for older bikes)

• Tyre Pressure Monitor Sensor (TPMS) tool

• Enduralast hall sensor tester

• M12-thread-repair-kit-131-piece (Helicoil)

• Torque wrenches, the torque range goes from 3 to 210 Newton Meters

• Battery tester

• Battery Charger

Club Tool Loan:

Tools can be picked up or brought along to the next meeting or Club ride. Please contact me by email or mobile.

Bill

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Tony Gray Treasurer’s Report

Hi all,

The major expenditure this month was $650 for the purchase of an additional air/hydraulic bike lift which was christened to good effect at the May service day. Other expenditures were for regalia purchases and administration costs.

Income for the month was derived from membership fees both new and renewal. Most people prefer to pay via the Paypal system. Paypal deducts a fee for this service so we do not receive the full $50 or $75 into our account. We also received a major deposit of $349.50 being a combination of donations at the club service day and funds donated by Richard Maher from the sale of parts donated by new club member Chris Schattis. We thank Richard and Chris for this donation. This money will be transferred to the RFDS.

I have heard from one club member who was seeking to be reimbursed $50 for rider training under the Ride to Zero program. He may not have proceeded with the training or is still to lodge an application. I again promote this scheme to all members especially now while the Ride to Zero State Government subsidized program remains in operation. I emphasise that you MUST put on your application with Smart Rider Academy that you are a member of the BMWMCQ in order for Smart Rider to seek the $175 State Govt subsidy from the Club we hold on behalf of the State Govt.

On the homefront Jane & I had a great ride with friends into N-W NSW which you can read about in the journal as well as attending my first DGR which again gets a mention further in the journal.

Business Account:

Start Period 25 Mar : $ 25,747.75

Debits for Period: $ 1,213.96

Credits for Period: $ 1,698.33

Balance at 22 April : $ 26,232.12

Investment Account: $ 42,821.64

Paypal Account: $ 0

Total Funds: $ 69,053.76

State Grant Funds Held: $ 8,925

Effective Funds Available: $ 59,779.26

From the Royal Flying Doctor Service:

Thank you so much for your wonderful contribution of $180.65. Your fundraising efforts are truly appreciated by the entire Flying Doctor team. From our team to yours, please pass on our thanks to everyone involved.

Debits for period comprised of the purchase of the motorcycle lift table, Regalia purchases and admin costs.

Credits for period comprised membership fees, regalia purchases and the RFDS donation.

Safe & Happy Riding to all members.

Tony

Duncan Bennett Regalia Report

Thenew stubby holders in the old BMWMCQ colours have proven to be popular, but still plenty left. It is time to think about a vest and beanie combo now, especially for some of our upcoming signature events – the Christmas in July and the Frigid Digit. Buy some or re-enact Napolean’s retreat from Moscow, your call.

As you read this we will have just started our USA “Lower 48 Mate” trip. I had the GPSeses prepared and ready to go, then the rubber on/off button on Cindy’s fell out. A full-blown crisis was declared, the Garmin Zumo 396 is no longer made, but that is the mount we both have on our bikes in the USA. But BMWMCQ regalia to the rescue, with some desecration of a rubber key ring to create a new awesome button.

While I’m away, “Batman” aka Richard Maher and “Robin” aka Chris Lancaster will be helping out with Regalia, thanks very much in advance to them both. I’ll still have the Inta Net though so keep the requests and ideas coming.

Cheers, Duncan.

The crowd at Sausage Sizzle at McGavin View Lake Samsonvale

Regalia Collection Set of 6 ....1 x Large Patch, 1 x Small Patch, 1 x Key Ring, 1 x Small Round Sticker, 1 x Long Helmet Sticker and 1 x 100th

Lady Shirts

Hats & Bags

2025 REGALIA

Regalia Ordering Methods

Regalia is ordered through: regalia@bmwmcq.org.au

Method 1: Bling Your Own Wardrobe

You can get a BMWMCQ logo embroidered on your own shirt (or underwear, no-one needs to know). Purchase the item, call/email Regalia, and drop it off at a General Meeting or contact Regalia for the best way of getting the item transferred.

Method 2: Use the Inta Net

Click on the links on the previous page, or if you want something different, go to linked website (link below), and note supplier, item number and size and colour and send details to Regalia via email or contact number.

Note: Shirts, vests, and other items have the 2021 (current) logo:

Hats and other items with limited vertical space still have the old logo style:

Method 3: Bang on a Badge

Buy a big or small badge from the Regalia Officer, and iron or glue or sew it on your jacket or shirt:

Please contact your Regalia Officer for more help with options of ordering methods via email regalia@bmwmcq.org.au.

Paul Sheridan joined in January, and owns a 2024 GSA1250

What got you into riding?

Initially got into riding in my early 20s to save money as I had just purchased my first home when housing loans shot from 12-18% and renting out bedrooms wasn’t enough being on low wages back then.

How did you end up on a BMW?

Early days I rode a Suzuki GS750, Yamaha XT500 Honda CX500 & a Ducati Pantah 500 which I loved!! Gave bike riding away when my kids came on the scene. I started riding again about 5 years ago. I wanted to get an itch out the way and went down the Harley path with a Road King. It was OK but the scene didn’t suit me rider group wise. I Got to hear about the BMW GS and GS Adventure 1250 and after extensive YouTubing and a test ride, purchased the last year of the GSA 1250 run.

What has been your best bike, and why?

As stated above, I loved the Ducati Pantah, definitely more for its looks and exhaust note than the comfort. When returning to riding I sought out a newer model Duke but jumping on a sports bike with an ordinary back wasn’t

NEW MEMBERS

the answer to enjoying riding. The Jap bikes and Harley’s weren’t favourites either. I’m definitely enjoy riding the GSA but with an extensive house renovation well into its 3rd year, riding time has been very limited and therefore choosing a favourite destination is still to be determined.

A “bucket list” riding destination for you?

I like the idea of escaping our humidity and hence a run around Tasmania and New Zealand in the summer months sounds appealing. If that goes well southern Europe in future years sounds appealing too during their winter.

Paul and his wife Kylie

A Special Mileage Award

By Tony Gray, Member #3905

The Club recognises members' achievements through longevity of membership and by milestone distances covered with their bike. This later award is bestowed on those members and their bike (BMW or other) who have passed the 100,000; 200,000; 300,000km milestones togetherwe are still waiting on our first applicant above this level and know they are out there. You need only to apply. Rider and the bike must still be together at time of application.

All of the applications we receive are special and a credit to the rider and their love for their bike. One that we have just awarded is special for several reasons - it is the first joint award we have bestowed and it fell on a special birthday.

Member numbers 483 and 484, Paul and Viki Skerman received their 100,000km awards with their pair of matching BMW F700GS models on the occasion of Viki’s 75th Birthday. Cindy Bennett expedited the production and printing of the certificates and we were able to get them safely to Paul & Viki in time for the birthday celebrations, here pictured with six of their 11 proud Grandchildren.

Paul informed us that Viki renewed her full motorcycle licence in 2008, and since then they have clocked up well over 300,000 km, including various rides they have done overseas in Rajasthan, Turkey, Morocco Dalmatian Coast, Slovenia, Italy, UK, US, Canada, South Africa, New Zealand, Peru and Bolivia.

Congratulations to you both Paul & Viki and an inspiration to the rest of us.

TBy Cindy Bennett, Member #4170

here is nothing more exciting than the anticipation and planning for a major expedition. The possibilities and promises of a blank notebook page and a map are intoxicating. Google Maps is all well and good, but one of the first planning tools for our upcoming 5 month motorcycling trip to the USA was a 3 metre x 2 metre wall map of the Lower 48 states. This was duly hung in a hallway and is now defaced with scribbles and circling of places that will be a must-see. Getting the “big picture” is important for this duration of trip and it has definitely assisted me in the geography of the States.

MAP

The gift of the Lonely Planet book “Best Road Trips USA” was an inspiration as well and will ensure we don’t miss any of the big ticket riding roads. I also have an old copy of the Lonely Planet National Parks of the USA book, which also will narrow down which parks are not to be missed. The purchase of a National Parks Pass was interesting, as they are not electronic passes, just good ol’ school paper ones, which will be mailed to us here in Brisbane. We could have purchased these at the first park we visit but thought that prior preparation could ensure a shorter queue experience.

Charlie Brown provided a bag of USA reading/ researching material for which we are grateful to have his expertise, along with Michael and Ann Ahlberg’s insights from their huge USA experience.

Packing lists must be examined in minute detail for what can fit onto the motored 2 wheel conveyances. In the past on our long riding expeditions (3 months and over) we have had a support vehicle to carry our luggage comprising of 2 x 100 litre duffle bags each. Yeah, not this time!

The riding gear of the Klim pants and jackets as well as waterproof adventure riding boots were shipped with the bikes in 2 panniers and a top box for each of the Tigers.

Our helmets however will be taken as carry-on baggage when we fly to LA. My checked baggage will be 2 Triumph expedition pannier inner bags. These are a quality roll-top bag made of a waterproof material with sturdy carry handles. Other options for checked luggage could be a “throw-away” striped canvas bag or an old suitcase which can be discarded on arrival. Of course we are on the packing cube bandwagon to keep everything neatly organised. A recent purchase of mine has been the compression packing cubes – a game changer!

PACKING CUBES

The tedium of arranging insurances domestically take on a certain mystical aspect when looking to source mandatory third party insurance coverage abroad. Even the business name of insurance broker Seguro Gringo is tinged with the exotic.

In this day and age, a lot of research can be streamlined by visiting Facebook groups, blog pages and forums on packing, travel hacks and the conundrum of shipping versus hiring versus purchasing motorcycles. However this can take some of the fun out of the planning process and make everything a bit too predictable. I

think the term is “analysis paralysis”.

In relation to route planning, we do have a loose direction which has morphed from the wall map to a Word document to a loose Garmin GPS route. A very recent discovery is the magic of AI and using ChatGPT parameters to design an itinerary. It is a true game-changer and you can specify sights you want to see, timing, optimal riding weather etc. In saying that we don’t want to be too prescriptive. Having the flexibility to stay longer in the hidden gems we will invariably discover and move on from foul weather or tourist traps is a non-negotiable for this trip.

One night stays will be a rarity, as we want to experience the areas in which we will be travelling and not just transit. We will avoid big cities and when we want to explore New York and Boston we will stay out of the city and make trips in on public transport. This worked well for us in Seattle and Vancouver when we travelled independently on hire bikes in 2016. On our supported expeditions we have too often stayed in the middle of some of the biggest cities in the world including Cairo, Buenos Aires, Rio and Lima. Getting to the accommodation in the without fail hot afternoon temperatures can be debilitating and getting back out again is also a chore. The convenience of being in the centre of the action is just not that worthwhile we find.

Buenos Aires

A couple of our dates are set in stone, firstly an early August riding catch up with our good

mate Alden from our Alaska ride with Compass is a must. A Colorado native and fellow Tiger rider, he will guide us around his spectacular backyard. He will also help us arrange servicing and tyres (or is that tires?) for our bikes as they will be well due by then.

Sister Kim and Brother-in-Law Gino from Brisbane will fly to join us in San Francisco in late August and hire bikes to ride with us to Yosemite and Vegas, where we will have some merry times I’m sure! After Vegas a trip to the Grand Canyon is much anticipated.

Where will we sleep? Well we are thinking a mix of basic cabins, some Air BnB’s for longer stints as well as some character-filled places including a Nevada Motor Lodge that has refurbished classic Airstream caravans. Although we do not intend to camp, we will take our sleeping bags as cabins in the RV Parks apparently do not always have bedding. If camping turns out to be a viable option we will visit gold old Walmart and buy a tent.

AIRSTREAM

Of course an expedition needs a name so this trip is “Lower 48 Mate”! We have even had stickers printed so it is official.

JUNE

Riding down into Mexico was also tossed into the planning mix until we looked into insurances and then googled some more and happened upon a week-long riding tour around the Yucatan Peninsula which will be timed for the end of our trip after the bikes are dropped back to the Port of Los Angeles. This tour is on Harleys but the riding days are short with a lot of time for sightseeing around this area of Maya ruins, stunning beaches and limestone sinkholes. Happily our son Tim and his fiancé are coming to join us on this section of the trip which should be a fitting end to our 5 month adventure.

So, we are on the countdown with the bikes already arrived at the Port of Los Angeles and

waiting for us. We wing our way to LA on 26th May. A couple of sightseeing days in LA and then we hit the road. Bring it on!

INTRODUCING NEW MEMBERS

CHRIS SCHATTIS joined in April and rides a RT1150RT. Chris also have another RT1150 in the process of becoming a cafe racer. According him, it is not most popular choice but he really likes them.

THROTTLE IT

By Duncan Bennett, Member #4171

Thursday was always a work meeting day, so the M&W Throttle Thursday was out of bounds for the working proletariat. Until recently. No meetings, nothing to prevent signing up, and the bikes on offer were beyond tempting. So sign up we did, with an R12S Cindy’s first choice and an R1300GS mine.

Throttle Thursday arrived and it needed to throttle back on the rainfall, but a blizzard, another cyclone, and a locust plague all at once would not have kept us away with those machines available to ride. Dressed in waterproof-ish gear, off we went. The drizzle came in as we entered the BMW awesome-ness zone, and the R1200C needed a brick under the side-stand scavenged from the vacant block over the road from the Harley dealership, so we got a little damp. But fears that it would be cancelled were quickly put to rest, and a calming double shot flat white and an Anzac biscuit had the senses heightened.

Worth attending for this alone

Out the front, Matt was tasked with giving us lessons on the electronics. A tough ask. Yes many of us have mastered resetting the Trip 1 meter, only 18 button pushes, but just starting some of the modern bikes makes the Manhattan Project look like a kindergarten finger painting experience. The R1300GS training? None that could be remembered except for the heated grips adjustment, and it was a warm day so

those would not be needed. Full on-the-job then.

Matt saying something about something Coffees quaffed, it was onto the chosen, led by Tony Ward who had given a very good briefing, including the obvious have fun and take the opportunity to really see what the chosens can do. I was riding behind him on the R1300GS Trophy, so decided early on that mucking about with stuff, not looking, and spearing up a Dealer Principal’s clacker could wait until we were out of the ‘burbs.

First impressions just riding along? I immediately became disturbed by the thought that BMW engineers had been stalking me during the design and development process due to the lead designer’s brief: “See this extensive photo and video portfolio showing a rather overweight and not very tall pushing-up-in-years chap who still mentally enjoys a bit of off-road while being physically way out of his depth? That’s who we are designing the R1300GS for. No-one else.” Seating position? I could do this all day comfort. Standing position? Old pair of slippers comfort. But this assumes I was even thinking about it, because I was so comfortable that I wasn’t.

I remembered that these two buttons were useful for the heated grips

Apart from the two new buttons, one of which provides the list of menu items including heated grips, and the associated up-down button to adjust, it was all pretty much the same as our 2022 R1250GS controls. Tragically still requiring 18 button presses to reset the trip meter, but I can do this with my eyes closed these days, except when riding behind a Dealer Principal. One of the biggies with the R1300GS (Trophy and above) is the adaptive vehicle height control (AVHC). This was developed because the chap who was the focus of the design brief was not very tall (reference – R1300GS Design Criteria Rev0, Vol 3, p1126) but needed to think he was still capable of throwing a leg over a KTM Enduro.

My test Trophy had this in auto, and my only recommendation to BMW would be to eliminate any sign that it exists, otherwise people can see that the riding chap is living in some sort of fantasy world. When parked or putting along below 25kmh, the AVHC drops the seat height to 820mm, or to the SAS setting on the menu (Short-Arse Setting). Above 50kmh, the seat height raises to the 850mm LAYBLS setting (Look At You Big Legend Setting). Due to the emotional fragility of the R1300GS design focus chap, the team knew that he shouldn’t even know the AVHC was happening, and he didn’t.

An awesome bit of kit. Matt actually said that buying an R1300GS without AVHC was a guarantee that you could never easily sell it, even if you are a FDBC (fair dinkum big chap).

My helmet is on it, therefore I own it

Through the ‘burbs, up the M1 to Bracken Ridge, then over Clear Mountain, the GS was just gorgeous to ride. Yes Dynamic Mode was tested while giving Tony plenty of clacker clearance, this thing just launches. Through the twisties, I can’t say it was better than the R1250GS but it certainly wasn’t worse, both are just lovely to ride. One big improvement BMW have made is in the smoothivity of the quick shift. It was pretty awful on the R1200GS, is OK but not great on the R1250GS, but smooth on the R1300GS. Not yet Triumph Tiger 900 “OMG I just changed up 3 gears without realising” smooth but getting there.

THROTTLE IT

Cindy had chosen the R12S. It doesn’t have the design awesomeness of the R1300GS, but it has the Brian Floyd R90Sness. In fact that is the point, it is supposed to be a nod to the 50 year old (the R90S, not Brian, who is only in his 30’s when riding his gorgeous machine). To say there was some raving about the R12S is a ludicrous understatement. Phrases like “I want one”, “I’m holding my breath until I get one”, and “If you’d really loved me this 35 years you’d buy me one right now” were being thrown around, all acknowledged but not acted on because when you read this we’ll have headed off for 5 months and we didn’t want anything that will cause homesickness. The R12 was also tested, but this doesn’t have the same level of Brian Floydness as the R12S.

Prez Geoff not finished with his F800GS entrée

The stop at Forgan Cove allowed a swap over. Both Cindy and I would have been happy to continue with another helping of entrée, but it is always a risk not moving onto the main at the riding equivalent of a Michelin starred restaurant. I swapped onto the R1300GS Triple Black with ASA. ASA doesn’t mean Australian Society of Anaesthetists as we all thought, but Automated Shift Assistant. An assistant is someone or something who helps, so the BMW ASA should actually be called the OMGTINC,

meaning Oh My God There Is No Clutch. This is a freaky thing to get on. There are two basic gear changing methods in play – manual, and automatic. Default is manual, and there is a little button to change to automatic. Manual is pretty much identical to having a bike with a quick shift, except that it doesn’t rely on the rider remembering that they should change down progressively as they roll up to the lights, the ASA does it for you. So very easy to get used to for someone who has a quick shift bike. Auto is just that, just like your car unless you are lucky enough to still have an old “three on the tree” manual to torture children/grandchildren with stories about how much of a legend you need to be to operate it. Tony Ward gave a great summary of the pro/cons, as one of the inevitable questions from a chap who still mentally enjoys a bit of off-road while being physically way out of his depth, can’t remember his name, was “How does it go off-road?”. Tony has had it off-road a lot, so said it was good up to the point of the technical steep and rocky hills, where the olde-worlde clutch allows high revs in low gear to feather the drive. But for the touring crowd, it is fine, and I loved it.

Note the left-hand death grip on the ASA – but there is no option

Into Nudgee Beach for the final rest/swap over, I was now an R1300GS disciple. In 2000 years I will hopefully be known for writing a gospel about it, thinking First Letter to the Ducatians or 2nd Duncan. The message will be to buy one. So the final swap – I decided Prez Geoffrey needed to drink the R1300GS Kool-Aid. Fully immersed

and straight onto the R1300GS ASA. I was happy to try the F800GS, having done a lot on the F850, I needed to know why that -50 was so important. Finally perfect is my assessment. I can’t compete with Paul Jacobsen’s full F reviews, and have no idea about my big bug-bear of fuel capacity, but this was the package – it had grunt. That’s it. Yes I know its off-road and touring credentials,

it had cruise control after all. But it felt light, something that the BMW GS designers had forgotten about. Until they watched hours of video showing a rather overweight and not very tall pushing-up-in-years chap who still mentally enjoys a bit of off-road while being physically way out of his depth. That’s who they must design the GS for.

INTRODUCING NEW MEMBERS

KAY

SHANLEY, a transgender female joined in February and owns a 2009 R1200RT.

What got you into riding, and what was your first bike?

Hi there. My first bike was a Jawa 250. I joined the Queensland Police in 1976 and for a short period rode the CB750. I suppose that riding gave me freedom to go where I wanted to. I have been a RAAF Pilot and now a retired airline pilot and have always had the “Need for Speed!”

How did you end up on a BMW?

I just love the look and feel of my R1200RT. What has been your best bike, and why?

The Honda CB750 was a work of art, reliable and fast off the blocks.

What is your favourite riding destination?

Anywhere in SE Queensland. The variety of rides is amazing.

What is a “bucket list” riding destination for you?

Around Australia would be my ultimate bucket list. My best mate has a Harley and we often talk about a circumnavigation.

Do you have any advice or handy tips to share?

I am in the process of being messed around by BMW Motorrad Slacks Creek following a ‘Check EWS’ failure. They have taken 4 months to find the problem and as I type this, they are already one week late in returning my bike after assuring me it would be ready by the 13th of May. Also, I feel that group rides are great but please keep a

safe distance and assume that the person ahead may have to stop in a hurry and are you ready?

Any future trips planned?

A ride with my best mate on his Harley down to Mudgee to visit another best mate with Parkinson's Disease.

What have been your best biking times?

My R1200RT heated seat and grips have kept me toasty warm during those cold winter days out west.

Kay and her 2009 R1200RT

45 Y ears

By Huw Samuel, Member # 4411

My introduction to motorbikes began in Grade 9, when I started hanging out with three of my scouting friends during school breaks. It was always entertaining to listen to them argue with classmates about which motorbike brand was best—Honda, according to them, was unmatched.

Moc (Michael O’Connor), Dub (Nikki Dubuisson), and his brother Simon were die-hard Honda fans. Their main rival was Mavro (Mavrodaris), a passionate Kawasaki enthusiast. The debates were lively, with race stats and engine specs thrown around like gospel. I was swayed by the impressive record of the six-cylinder Honda 250cc and Mike Hailwood’s legendary wins. The promise of Honda’s engineering quality sealed it for me.

Mavro, however, had a trump card. He claimed he’d one day bring his three-cylinder, two-stroke, 500cc Kawasaki Mach III to school. With a top speed of 120 mph and the distinction of being the first production bike to break 13 seconds over the standing quarter mile, it was hard to ignore. He promised to take Moc for a ride that would settle the debate once and for all.

The day arrived, and everything was set. The plan: a flat-out sprint from the lower gate near the school’s motorbike area, up the road past the headmaster’s office, and ending at the school hall, roughly 400 meters. Word had spread, and about 30 to 40 students who were “in the know” gathered to watch.

The Kawasaki didn’t disappoint. It roared off in a cloud of two-stroke blue smoke, screaming through third gear as it flew past the cheering crowd. Both rider and pillion were leaning forward, doing their best to keep the front wheel down. The bike vanished out of sight, leaving an unforgettable impression.

Moc was suitably impressed. He admitted it was tough to lean forward enough to fight the acceleration, especially while pushing against the bar behind him. The Honda-Kawasaki rivalry may have lived on, but that day, the Mach III stole the show.

Most of the bikes at school were 50cc models—

mostly Yamahas and Suzukis, with one standout: a Kreidler 50cc. The Honda 50cc, unfortunately, was considered too slow and never quite caught on.

Then there was Julius, the class clown, who brought his Honda DAX to school. Known as the Honda Trail in the USA, it was a 72cc single-cylinder minibike with a unique look and personality to match its rider. Julius made it his mission to prove that his DAX could do things the other bikes couldn’t.

He became a regular performer, tackling the steep grassy slope between the bike sheds and the shooting range. Up and down, he went, pulling stunts and drawing crowds. Even when the DAX struggled, Julius would paddle it up the hill with his legs.

That’s when I thought, If I’m ever going to own a bike, this might be my chance. I figured I could sell the idea to my parents by insisting the DAX was a minibike—not a “real” motorcycle. The answer was a firm no. In our family, the rule was simple: “Don’t ever ride a motorbike.”

The Honda DAX, a 72cc

A few months before graduating from school, Dub bought a Honda CL175 street scrambler, and Simon picked up a second-hand Honda CB350 twin.

Leaving school in South Africa meant a major reset in a young man’s life. All able-bodied boys were conscripted into the army for a year of military training. After completing my service I began working at Nissan SA while studying automotive engineering. Every cent I managed to save over the next four and a half years went toward my dream: to explore as much of the world as my funds would allow.

Seven months after graduating, I set off on the first leg of my adventure—a five-month overland trip from Johannesburg to London. But travel through Africa at that time wasn’t simple. The apartheid governments of South Africa and Rhodesia were engaged in a Cubansupported insurgent bush war on the borders of Angola and South West Africa, and in Rhodesia along the Zambian border. This ongoing conflict created serious logistical challenges for Encounter Overland, the company running the overland expeditions between London and South Africa.

In April 1979, just before our planned departure, Rhodesian forces attacked and destroyed the Kazangula ferry - a vital link across the Zambezi River between Botswana and Zambia. This ferry was essentially the only connection between Southern Africa and the rest of the continent. With the route north cut off, our trip was delayed by two weeks to wait for a southbound Encounter Overland truck to arrive in Lusaka, Zambia.

Our journey began with a truck ride from Johannesburg to Swaziland, followed by a flight to Lusaka, where we swapped trucks with the group heading south.

Stuck on the first day still in South Africa

Our group was a lively mix of travellers, mostly from New Zealand, Australia, and the United States, with a few other nationalities sprinkled in. I was the only South African, which came with a unique challenge. Many African countries at the time did not accept South African passports, especially those carried by white men, as it was generally assumed we had served in the military.

Fortunately, my father had immigrated to South Africa from the UK after World War II, which made me eligible for a British passport. The British embassy in Lusaka issued me the passport and even changed my country of residence to the United Kingdom, an essential move that made the rest of the journey possible.

It took three hours to get through this creek on the main road between Tambura (Sudan) and Zemio (Central African Republic)

The trip to the UK turned out to be exactly what you might expect when traveling in an old British army truck that had been denied a proper service back in Johannesburg. We faced constant breakdowns, frequent tyre replacements, and often ended up bogged down in mud, shovels in hand, digging the truck out as a team.

Many times we were reduced to walking behind the truck

For some, the adventure quickly lost its charm. What many had imagined as a romantic, freespirited overland journey turned into a tough,

unpredictable slog. A few travellers became disenchanted and left the trip along the way.

…and other times harder work was required

Despite the setbacks, we made it. We rolled into London in the early days of January 1980. I spent a week in London before heading to Wales to stay with uncles and aunts where I could relax and prepare for the next leg, a two-week ski trip to Austria before apply for my American visa.

There was a weeks’ delay as various documents were required from South Africa before my visa was granted. The moment I got my visa I headed off to the Freddie Laker (remember him?) office and bought my bargain airfare and the next day I flew to New York.

On my way through Texas having spent the night in a 24-hour coffee shop, now marooned on a highway island in rush hour traffic. With limited funds for travel, hitchhiking became my go-to option. I set out heading south from Washington, D.C. to Miami. The grand plan was to continue from there through New Orleans, Houston, Phoenix, the Grand Canyon, Las Vegas, San Diego, and finally Long Beach - just in time for the 1980 Formula One Grand Prix.

South Africa’s own Jody Scheckter had just won the 1979 World Championship in a Ferrari, and I was determined to be there. I managed to land

a part-time job at the Grand Prix, making and serving hotdogs for three days.

On route from Los Angeles, Bakersfield and San Francisco, I imagined cruising through California, Oregon, Washington, and on into Canada on a motobike. I went through Portland, Seattle, and Victoria on Vancouver Island, then eastward through Calgary, Winnipeg, and Detroit, where I visited the Ford factory before heading to Toronto and Montréal. All that remained was New York and a flight back to the UK.

Back in London, a friend and I travelled together using a two-month Eurail pass, with unlimited rail and (most) ferry trips access across Europe. By August I was back in South Africa and returned to Nissan SA as a development engineer, specialising in suspension, rear axle, brake and wheel development. Within a year I had saved enough money and bought a Honda CB750F.

I persuaded my mother to go for a ride

My Honda CB750F

The joys of having a motorbike in the family

Over the years, I reaffirmed my belief that a motorbike is the best way to travel. There were countless weekend trips to the northern Drakensberg mountain region and longer trips exploring South Africa before marrying Liezel and having children.

In the last eight years, Liezel and I have added over 130,000kms together on our 2015 1200 GS, riding both short and long distances across Australia. Most recently, we explored Portugal, Spain, and Morocco on a hired 1300 GS.

Every so often over the past few years, Liezel would ask me, "When do you want to do that motorbike trip through the USA?" - the one I first dreamed of while hitchhiking through California all those years ago. The timing never quite felt right. A stream of questions would flood my mind: Should we rent a bike or ship ours? When could Liezel get leave from work? What would the conditions need to be to make it possible?

Maybe it was the ride through Portugal, Spain, and Morocco, or perhaps the knowledge that other club members were planning similar adventures, but earlier this year, Liezel said it: “I think it’s time.”

She started planning, and a quick chat with Cindy and Duncan about shipping the bike got the ball rolling.

Now, 45 years after I first imagined it, we’re just days away from departing for Long Beach, where our 1200 GS is waiting for us. I fitted an Apple AirTag for security and to track its journey across the water.

and waiting for us at the shipment agents in Los Angeles

Dear Liezel,

Thank you for turning a 45-year dream into reality. Your motivation and initiative to start planning and booking this motorbike trip through the US and Canada made all the difference. While I was still circling the “what-ifs,” you got the wheels turning—literally.

I’m so grateful to have you as my partner in adventure. Here’s to open roads, shared laughs, and many more miles together. Love always, Huw

The queen Mary moored in Long Beach

Port of Brisbane... Near the Aleutian Islands off Alaska

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g en T le M an ' s r ide

By Tony Gray, Member #3905

What is the DGR? Well a brief synopsis is that a bunch of dapper dressed men get together for a ride on Classic & Vintage Style motorcycles to raise awareness of, and funds for, men’s health issues primarily mental health and prostate cancer. The first DGR ride was staged in Sydney in 2012 and the ride concept is now worldwide. Queensland held multiple rides on Sunday 18 May with the Brisbane event claiming over 550 bikes in attendance. Worldwide there were 125,000 riders from 108 countries, in 1037 cities who raised $7.2M USD. Not too shabby at all.

The BMWMCQ has had members support this event over recent years so I thought I would spruce up the R60/6 and myself and go along for a look.

Tony and his R60/6

So what did I find? Well for a start there were quite a few lady riders looking quite resplendent including VP Cindy on her classic R1200C and Margreth on her R Nine T. My standout for the ladies however was one very well presented young lass in a velour blue suit astride her Triumph Trident 660. What impressed most was her 4 inch heels! I have never tried to ride a bike in 4 inch heels but I think it would earn a 10 ‘degree of difficulty’ in any Olympic judging contest. Certainly both Gentlemen & Ladies discarded the ATGATT rules for this day. It looked like Lowes had managed to clear their entire stock of garish ‘special order’ suits with one Gentleman dusting the mothballs off a 1970’s Safari Suit.

OK, enough about the catwalk fashions, what about the bikes? Well I would have to say I was

Cindy on her classic R1200C

Margreth on her R Nine T

expecting more of the ‘Classic & Vintage’ and less of the ho hum just another bike.

A few of our Club offerings were among the oldest bikes there. I am sure however that everyone was proud of their steed. There were certainly a few tasty examples mixed among the general wash of bikes that you may expect to find in any city bike park. I think the ‘scooteristi’ probably outclassed their more powerful bike counterparts with some well presented older models both Italian & Japanese. The most expensive bike there - a modern ‘Brough Superior’ model that drew quite a bit of attention. Not sure it justifies the big 6 figure price-tag but the workmanship is outstanding. Triumph and Royal Enfield with their respective retro models won the numbers game so they are doing something right in the eyes of the buying public.

Group stop Mount Coot-tha

Now the important part - how was the BMWMCQ represented on the day? I counted 8 on the Brisbane ride and received a pic of Klaus

& Kerry on the Cairns ride. They were astride their Kawasaki as they await the return of their GSA from Perth.

Klaus and Kerry DGR Cairns

Apologies for anyone I missed on the day or for those members who may have attended a regional event.

Frank & Richard

If you did then let us know. President Geoff - 1954 BMW R51/3, VP Cindy - R1200C, Regalia man Duncan - R90/6 (this bike is a regular attendee but on loan from Julian who could not attend), Margreth - R Nine T, Greg - R1200 RT, Richard & Frank - a pair of oldies being a 1951 Matchless G3L and a 1942 WLA Harley Davidson, me on

the R60/6.

Duncan

The ride started from and finished at Slipstream Brewery at Fairfield. It was only a 40km ride with a regroup at Mount Coot-tha but the Brisbane traffic made this a much longer ride that tested quite a few clutches and air-cooled engines. It was a sunny autumn Brisbane day that we normally expect but has deserted us this year (it rained most of Saturday). A combination of the

fine weather, major sporting events and a Greek Festival bought Brisbane out in their thousands. The roads were ‘chocca’. The bike riders in my vision range were generally very well behaved and the atmosphere at Slipstream both before & after the ride was very happy and supportive.

Cindy, Tony, Duncan, Margreth & Greg

This was a well organised ride for a good cause and well worth the effort to attend. I may even look at one of the regional events next year with a bit more clean air for the R60.

By Jane Gray, Member #4300

ANONYMOUS HOMONYMOUS

JEGMay2025

The English language can be quite “bazaar”

It’s often so confusing like a foreign “bizarre”

Words sounding alike but you’re not sure “weather”

Another word for climate is “wether” or “whether”

The sound of the word really strikes a “cord”

Like the ringing of a bell when you pull the “chord”

So many examples you’d never get “board”

If you wrote them all down you’d fill a notice “bored”

On that notice“bored” was a letter marked “personnel”

For a member of the company’s “personal”

Not knowing whose it was they asked the “principle”

To open it up but he said no on “principal”

It’s not “write” to open someone else’s ”male”

Although he did “right” down it was for a “mail”

That brought everyone’s attention to the “four”

As for men in the office there were only “fore”

Now those “mails” were often flexing their “mussels”

And they all were partial to fish & chips & “muscles”

To get that fish one had to go to “see”

Could they catch their own? Well, let’s “sea”

It soon appeared one had a real “flare”

But he accidentally let off a “flair”

Out on the water with nerves of “steal”

He guarded his catch so his mates wouldn’t “steel”

While heading back to shore they saw a “plain” It had no markings it was very “plane” It flew so low it made a mighty “raw”

Their ears felt scalded, deafened & “roar”

The noise was more than they could “bare”

Back on dry land they laid their thoughts “bear”

Those thoughts were that English doesn’t follow any “lore”

If you still think so then it must be folk”law”

INTRODUCING NEW MEMBERS

Dave Ashby joined in May, and hew owns a 1250 GS

What got you into riding?

I got into riding motorbikes when I was 10. We moved to Cooranbong and the Watagan Mtns was my backyard literally. Dad was a bike rider.

How did you end up on a BMW?

A retired Qantas Captain friend invited me to go for a ride, I turned up on my KTM 990 ADV S and he had a 1200 GS and a 1250 GS sitting outside the shed. I said I'm not riding that, but he insisted, so we rode all day on some good and bad roads, bit of dirt. 2 months later I bought a 1250 GS.

What has been your best bike, and why? I've had many very good bikes. My PE 175 Suzuki, bought new when I was 16 was a great bike for mountains, i.e. Enduro riding.

Bernard

Colman joined in January and owns a K1300S and R1200GS (also about to start redoing a Honda CB250RR).

What got you into riding?

I had always been wanting to ride from an early age. My Dad rode but never had a bike during my lifetime (probably because my Mom was so against it) but often spoke about riding. My first “official” owned bike was a Suzuki AC50. That was followed by a string of others. XT500, DR500, Z650, F900, GS850G.

What is your favourite riding destination?

Love living on the Gold Coast with many great roads around us. Riding to Tassie doing a lap then coming back on the western side of the Great Divide is up there. Also the Flinders Ranges.

A “bucket list” riding destination for you?

Hope I get the opportunity to go back to Europe, hire a 1300 GS and ride some of the best bike roads in the world for 3 months. South Island NZ on a GS soon.

Any advice or handy tips to share?

If you can afford to buy high quality riding gear, do it you won't regret it.

INTRODUCING NEW MEMBERS

How did you end up on a BMW?

I had never ridden or been interested in a BMW and the view in my younger years was you had to be drawing a pension to ride a BMW. I had been off bikes after moving to Australia for 10+ years and was wanting to get a bike again. I was looking at the Honda VFR800 and Blackbird. I just happened to read a review on the VFR1200, Triumph Sprint and K1300S and I really liked the K. Not the traditional BMW. It had more than 2 cylinders. So that was it – BMW. Now I have 2 but I am drawing a pension so tick the box.

What has been your best bike, and why?

The K1300S by far. I have loved that bike from the day I got it. Well rounded, heaps of power, handles like a dream, can stop even though there is a theory the bike has a small tank. I do enjoy the GS for the adventure riding.

What is your favourite riding destination?

The Victorian Alps have some of the best roads to have so fun on and the adventure riding in that area is also fantastic. Sometimes the destination is not that important but more the company that you go with.

Do you have any advice or handy tips to share?

Be prepared. That covers all aspects. Bike in good condition, good gear, right gear, right mind, consider conditions, defensive attitude, etc. As mentioned, I got a AC50 when I was 15. It was an intense education as cars, trucks and generally anything else on the road really did not give a hoot about some little “piss creek” bike on the road. So you learn how to ride very defensively very quickly. It was a survival tactic.

Any future trips planned?

As a good friend of mine (Pete) would say, the best ideas come after the 4th glass of red wine. So, initially we were going to north QLD but that changed and now four of us are riding down to South Australia for 2 weeks to do some wine tasting (and other things). Its odd because I’m not sure if we have time to stop for the tasting and people have told me I could have gone to Dan Murphy’s but that’s too easy.

Anything else you can think of – e.g. what have been your best biking times, Worst?

Best - As mentioned, the best times are generally with the company that you ride with. The riding, no matter where you go, is the cherry on top because that’s what you enjoy. Take those two things and it can’t get much better.

Worst – When you start a trip and its raining.

NEW MEMBERS

Bob and Lyn Howard joined in February and are the proud owners of a 2004 BMW K1200GT and a 2016 BMW K1600GTL.

What got you into riding?

My youngest son turned 18 in 2021 and bought a bike. He remembered that I had a motorcycle license and suggested that I get a bike too, so we could go on rides together. I hadn’t owned or ridden a bike since 2006.

My first bike was a little Honda CB250. It wasn’t very powerful, and I had a few close calls where the lack of power left me with limited options to get out of dangerous situations.

After so many years off the bike—and with my experience in emergency services, having attended numerous motorcycle accidents—I was understandably hesitant. I didn’t want to become another statistic. But my son reignited my enthusiasm. He convinced me to go on some test rides, and I backed that up with thorough research and attending a return riders course at Archerfield with Stay Upright accompanied with solid advice from experienced mates at work who are seasoned riders collective gave me the confidence to get back into it.

How did you end up on a BMW?

I spent quite a bit of time shopping around, test riding a variety of bikes across different makes and styles. Then I came across the BMW K1200

GT. Within moments of riding it, I knew it was the bike for me. I was looking for comfort and go touring on and the 1200 ticked all the boxes— for both myself and Lyn.

Later, due to a change in circumstances, we needed to sell one of our vehicles, which gave us the opportunity to step up to the K1600. It was a natural progression—bigger, more powerful, and even more comfortable. Since cutting my teeth on the 1200 and moving up to the 1600, I’ve become a bit of a novice BMW enthusiast and have really enjoyed learning about and tinkering with them.

What has been your best bike, and why?

The K1600GTL has been by far the best bike due to the comfort and power and responsiveness. Even though the 1200 is much smoother with plenty of power, it just doesn’t have that special acoustic hum and class like the 1600.

What is your favorite riding destination?

We haven’t had many opportunities to go on extended rides over the past couple of years, so most of our trips were local. Our Grandkids keep us pretty busy and time is such a precious commodity these days.

INTRODUCING NEW MEMBERS

That said, one standout was a weekend away in Malany last year. Riding through Mount Mee and exploring the countryside north of the Glass House Mountains was an incredible experience—beautiful scenery, winding roads, and a real sense of escape.

“Bucket list” riding destination for you?

We would love to do a long-distance trip one day. One of the reasons we joined the club was to seek advice and find some inspiration from fellow enthusiasts.

Do you have any advice or handy tips to share?

Having done some comprehensive service work on my K1200GT. I have learned a few different little tricks. I: e- Bleeding all bleed points on the ABS / Integrated reservoir systems. How to adapt and overcome with making tools that do the job, just as good as the somewhat expensive BMW tools.

Any future trips planned?

Planning on doing northern NSW with a mate from work, once all the weather settles.

TonyRider joined in January and owns a 2019 R1250RT Sport and a 2023 F750GS Sport.

What got you into riding, and what was your first bike?

When I went for my licence in a small country town, we did the lap of the town. The seargent started completing my licence and I asked about a bike licence. He asked could I ride; of course, I said yes. That meant I needed a bike. My first being a 1974 Yamaha 500 twin I purchased from my sister.

How did you end up on BMW’s?

After children and a divorce, bikes came next. Whatever it was it had to be shaft drive; a 1986 R65 beckoned.

What has been your best bike, and why?

I’m not technically capable and have limited abilities and skills. I love the new technology and without doubt my R1250RT is the best bike I’ve owned. Variable speed cam, on board

Anything else you can think of?

Nothing negative at this stage. However, I have been keen lately to have a crack on an adventure bike like the R1200 GS or similar.

I quite often go on local rides with a mate from work who has adventure bike. We have been limited on destinations for my Touring bikes can’t go off road. So, looking forward to investigating the world of Adventure bikes and versatility that they offer.

information, changing settings on the fly, quick shift, cruise control and comfort make this my best ever. It’s my tenth Beemer.

What is your favourite riding destination?

I think the Victorian high country around the Snowy Mountains is the best riding country and destination.

A “bucket list” riding destination for you?

I don’t have one. I’ve ridden in New Zealand twice, all round Australia and don’t relish the thought of being on a plane for hours to go riding in a foreign country with nothing but memories afterwards. I’d rather spend the

INTRODUCING NEW MEMBERS

money on another bike and have the joy for a few years every day. I think Australia is the best riding country in the world with all year riding and diverse countryside.

Do you have any advice or handy tips to share?

I have found an old helmet bag handy to carry to use for dirty washing and when it comes to

WayneWhite re-joined in April, a former member of the club for several years in the 1960"s and 70" when and enjoyed many rides and activities with the club.

He has recently bought a R69s, 1962 model from a former club president, John Hargraves which has not been ridden for many years. He is going to get it going and maybe do a full restoration. He has removed a fairing from it and am happy to give it to any club member who can use it. It is in poor condition. He will also be looking to buy crash bars for it if anyone has some.

What got you into riding?

To a 17-year-old a BMW seemed like the ultimate choice, so I bought a well-used R50 and never regretted it.

washing day leave your socks in it so they don’t tangle with the rest of the washing.

Any future trips planned?

I recently purchased the F750GS Sport as the RT was starting to feel heavy. I crashed a R850c last year and spent nine months off a bike. Anything on the GS, will do most likely the TS Safari this year.

Anything else you can think of?

The lap round Australia in 2017 was an adventure and one of the best. Charley Borman escorted tour through Tasmania in November 2023 was interesting. Riding all day on an R100RT Classic with a pillion in torrential rain from Coffs Harbour to Toowoomba was one of the worst.

What has been your best bike, and why?

An R80GS for its versatility and a R50 with Steib sidecar which I had for 38 years.

What is your favourite riding destination?

Too many to list around Brisbane and North QLD. One memorable trip was by Boat to Acapulco in Mexico and North to California. I met up with the local BMW club in LA and did several rides with them and made some lifelong friends. Unfortunately, my R69S blew up on the outskirt of San Francisco and I managed to Get a lift back to LA with the bike and put it on a boat back to Brisbane. The only time a BMW has let me down.

A “bucket list” riding destination for you?

I have pretty much done my bucket lists. All rides are now local.

Do you have any advice or handy tips to share?

The only advice I can give is ride within your ability and dont fall off. Assume all drivers are trying to kill you.

Anything else?

I have had about 16 BMW’s. All Boxer twins. 6 Earls forks models, 2 R100 7, an R75 5, an R75 6, 2 R80GS, a R100GS PD, and a couple more I bought in pieces. I think that’s all.

BMWMCQ

By Duncan Bennett, Member #4171

Inspirational. I confess that in recent years I’ve sought this out a bit more. I force you to ask why in a Guantanamo Bay solitary confinement with water boarding sort of way, so that I can freely answer without interruption as I adjust the washcloth over your virtual face. I think it has been due to a slight feeling of inadequacy over a long period of time – yes we’ve ridden a lot of places – but not like Horizons Unlimited (HU) people. There are of course BMWMCQ members in the HU zone who have spent long years away travelling to weird and wonderful places on their own bikes, but we’ve mainly done horizons limited organised tours when it comes to the 3+ month journeys.

Appropriate RTW conveyance

The basic reason for Horizon Unlimited’s being is a forum for motorcyclists, both virtual and in person at events. If you want to know if it is possible to ride your motorcycle to the top of the Eiffel Tower on a Sunday, some HU traveller will have done it. So how does HU work? Canadians Grant and Susan Johnson started it all with their Round the World (RTW is an acronym you must know before engaging with HU) trip appropriately for our club on a 1986

VAST HORIZONS

BMW R80GS, kicking off in 1987. They started the HU website and the meetings around the turn of the century, and the meetings are held all over the world. In fact, this year is the 25th so a bit of a fuss was made to celebrate. Everything about an event (organising, running, and presenting) is volunteer, and at best an event makes some money, but a maximum of bugger-all in accountant-speak. Farkles can be displayed and available for sale, but these are usually from local or small specialty sellers, and there is no feeling of a motorcycle trade expo because there is no sponsorship. The published motorcycle authors will often have their books for sale as well.

Now there’s a farkle pannier

The tireless leader for the Queensland HU is Shane Kuhl, who had discovered that a place called Thornton exists. Nestled up under the Main Range just south of Laidley, Thornton has the Kokoda Outdoor Education Park where the early May event was held. Google Maps and Garmin have the park nowhere near where the park is, so only experienced world travellers and people who are used to Garmin could find it. First test passed, we rocked up mid-afternoon on the Friday after a pleasant trundle in decent weather. We registered, set up our room, and got involved which is easy to do when interesting motorcycles and the people who ride them are in plague proportions.

VAST HORIZONS

World traveller and club member Nick Hese was on the volunteer team, and Cindy and I stepped in to collect meal tickets which was an excellent way to meet literally everyone. The format for the meetings is pretty simple – socialising and presentations. The presentations are truly inspirational and are either stories of travel or practical. Two stories of travelling stuck out for me, firstly a bloke who rode from home in Australia to India on a Suzuki GSX650. A sports bike piled with mountains of luggage does not look the part for a trip to the tip let alone to India via the hard way, talk about a battle of the ridiculous with harsh reality. Secondly, a young couple who did 40,000 very adventurous kilometres around and through Australia, each on their own bike and their stories were just hilarious in the trial-by-ordeal approach to motorcycling and camping.

A Harley Davidson tool kit

The practicals were also good, we spent a long time out next to the bikes looking at tool kits, which attracts blokes like a dead horse attracts blowies. The RTW people seem to be in two camps when it comes to parts and tools – the riders who don’t do much themselves outside the basics but can muster the resources to do the big jobs, and those who could be on Mars and keep the bike rolling without any Martian dealer assistance. One chap on a tiny 2 stroke literally carries his own pistons. I’d put myself in the first category these days on the BMW R1250GS and the Triumph Tiger 900 Rally Pro, but if I was on my 1989 Honda XR250 I’d be in the second.

Horizons and Luncheon Unlimited

Yes of course there are superstars in the crowd. Heather Ellis was a big drawcard, she left the Ranger Uranium Mine in 1993 and rode all the way up Africa on her Yamaha TT600, at a time when people could literally just disappear without a trace out there. Another legend at the HU was Linda Bick who lives in Port Lincoln SA, she has ridden the world many times over and has friends in every town. But the key with these legends is that they look like normal people, you would never pick them as something out of the ordinary, and so frighteningly can find yourself in a normal ignorant adult conversation with them. In the nightmare scenario, you actually tell them some of your interesting stories, like when you couldn’t get Wi-Fi at the EcuadorColombia border and so were delayed for ½ an hour until the ice-cream seller gave you their password after your second Magnum Classic. The legend smiles and nods and seems very interested. Then someone later tells you that the legend was in a crowded prison for 8 days at the same border crossing due to a bogus paperwork imperfection. You spend the rest of the weekend avoiding them, even getting someone to stand in for you as the meal ticket collector.

After 3 days we called it a fabulous time and after profuse thanks to Shane and Nick we hit the road through Laidley for home. So next year? We’ll be volunteering to help Shane again and do more than just socialise while collecting meal tickets. Given the event is smack bang in the BMWMCQ’s homeland, and how many of

our members are legends themselves, it will surely be bigger.

Legends and their bikes come in all shapes and sizes

SEASONAL CHANGE

By Tony Gray, Member #3905

There are very few downsides from a motorcycling perspective of where we live in beautiful S-E Queensland. Something we miss with our sub-tropical climate is the classic changes in plant colour as seasons changeespecially from summer to autumn. Fortunately for us there is an answer close-by in the elevated New England Region of northern NSW. Jane and I aim for a ride into the area sometime in April/ May and this year we were joined by friends Grahame & Gloria from Evans Head. They had attended the Horizons Unlimited gathering at Thornton and we caught up after the meeting to go for a ride.

A bit of a back story required here. We first met Grahame when we were loading the Grey Ghost in Sydney for shipping to Christchurch in 2023. Grahame had trailered his Triumph Tiger 900 down from Evans Head. We then caught up with Grahame & Gloria when we were picking the bikes up in NZ and did some traveling together. They are experienced world travelers’ and we hit it off immediately. After

that trip I offered some advice to a neighbour of theirs who had lost a lot in the 2022 floods in Woodburn including an R80GSPD. Grahame ended up buying and restoring the bike with Woodburn local, Paul Rooney, doing the engine & gearbox work. Grahame has now caught the BMW bug and has nearly completed an R100 based ‘Rooney Special’. They plan many more adventures on that bike. We have met and become friends with so many people through a shared love of motorcycles and motorcycle adventures. There should be a rebate scheme on Medicare for Motorcycle Therapy!

We got out of town the quick way on the Cunningham Hwy with the mandatory roadworks delay on the climb up the range. That looks likely to last for at least the next 12 months. The backroad diversion through Freestone bought us through Warwick and further on the Hwy to Macintyre Brook where we turned south to Texas. There is plenty of water there and plenty of fresh roadkill so be careful. The other warning is for nourishment in Texas. The main cafe in town informed us at 1.32pm that the kitchen

SEASONAL CHANGE

closed at 1.30pm. Trying to give support to a rural community in a listed motorcycle friendly town! We crossed the border at Texas and miraculously, the roadkill disappeared. Maybe the NSW side of the border have teams out at daybreak to clean up the carcasses? It is a nice quiet run through Bonshaw & Ashford to our overnight stop at Inverell. As hoped, the trees were clothed in their beautiful autumn canopy and were quite magnificent against a brilliant blue sky.

Grahame had another mission in Inverell. Several years prior he had sold a GPZ1100 Kawasaki to John, a local collector who had invited him to pop in anytime he was in town. Today was that opportunity. It had just gone 4pm and John said to come out now as he would be at the Transport Museum in the morning. We were met & warmly welcomed. Behind the house were a few rather large sheds. Now I am extremely appreciative of the space & workshop I have but have been known to experience a case of shed envy on occasion. Today was one of those days. Under the canopy outside the first shed was a very tidy R100 that John had

recently collected from Beaudesert. Yes he is still adding to his collection. He opened the first door to unveil a full array of bikes lining both sides. There was even a mezzanine level filled with bikes as were the other two sheds. There were also old cars but we did not lift the covers on them but looking under their skirts I could see wooden spoked wheels. Yes pre-war oldies.

OK where do I start to describe this Aladdin’s cave of motorcycles? Well to put it into perspective John currently has 40 bikes on display in the Inverell Transport Museum. At his home there are about 120 more. They are not arranged in country of birth, marque or genre. They are just lined up cheek by jowl including a couple of outfits. There were not many British or American bikes although I did spy a tasty post war ES2 Norton. There were Moto Guzzi, Ducati & Cagiva models from Italy (no Laverda that I found), all of the Japanese marques were covered including a rare Bridgestone 350cc 2 stroke, a very rare HRC competition trials bike and a TR2 Yamaha race bike. Then of course our beloved BMWs. Most bikes dated from the 70s through to the late 90s with only a few dating from the naughties. Of the BMWs there was an R50/2, multiple models of R75 & R90 airheads, multiple examples of K75 & K100 models including a K1, several examples of later K bikes including the most recent, a K1300S. John said he has a very rare EMW (Eisenacher Motorenwerk) on display at the museum. These bikes are post-war modified BMW bikes made in Eisenach, Communist East Germany and carry a Red/White rondel. We didn’t get to the museum to see that one. No pictures out of respect to John who understandably wants to maintain some degree of privacy.

We managed to drag ourselves away from John’s place and enjoyed a good night staying in the centrally located Inverell Motel. Our next stop was Moree but not before exploring a couple of quite special geological features. The Killarney Gap Road tracks S-W from Bingara through the Mount Kaputar NP before joining the Newell Hwy just north of Narrabri. It is an enjoyable undulating ride along its length with stops at the Glacial Pools and then the Sawn Rocks.

These are both beautiful spots to visit - the former is a short ride off the tar to view the pools and cascading stream while the later is far more visitor friendly with BBQs and shade shelters but with a short walk along a bitumen path. It is

well worthwhile going the extra distance from the viewing platform down into the creek bed for some great photo opportunities.

This was the last of the hills as the land flattened as we approached the Newell Hwy and turned

SEASONAL CHANGE

north to Moree. This town has been getting plenty of negative publicity with a high crime rate but we found it to be clean & tidy with some very attractive civic buildings in the well presented town centre. Artesian spas dominate the town but drawing on the experience of our riding buddies we stayed at the Gwydir Thermal Pools Motel & Carapark just on the southern edge of town coming off the Newell. This is a huge gated complex with Motel, Cabin & Caravan accommodation. The attractions are the thermal spa pools - 5 in total with temperatures ranging from 24 to 39 deg, so something for everyone. It is a nice way to relax after a day in the saddle.

More blue sky and sunshine on a mild morning next day as we turned east heading for Tenterfield via Warialda & Ashford. We decided to get the GS & Tiger a bit dirty as we took the unsealed Emmaville Road just out of Ashford.

The old tin mining museum is closed Thurs & Fri so we missed that but had a conversation with a group of mostly GSA riders filling up at the single bowser at the only cafe in town. They were headed from Nambucca heads to Bribie Island sticking to as many dirt roads as possible. The sealed road from Emmaville to Deepwater provided a very rare and unexpected sighting - a herd of about 10 wild pigs crossed our path.

Deepwater to Tenterfield on the N-E Hwy has to be taken carefully as the mandatory patrol car passed on his regular hunting trip. Fuel was required and I have adopted the Liberty Servo on the southern side of town (LHS headed north) as they give a small discount off the price of fuel exclusively for motorcyclists. It is only a small amount but a nice gesture towards motorcyclists and deserves to be commended.

Tenterfield was our last night on the road and we had been planning on a Thai dinner as the very good Thai restaurant in Moree was closed the night we stayed. We checked out the highly rated Coco Restaurant - yes open 5p-8p Thursday. Great. We arrived at 5.30p with some cold beers under our wing and were confronted with a closed sign in the door but a few diners inside. I was about to ‘jokingly’ ask the girl at the counter if she wanted me to rotate the sign from CLOSED to OPEN when she beat me by saying ‘sorry we are closed’! Pardon - who are these people sitting at the tables? Statues? She was insistent that they were closed.

Out on the footpath a local woman explained that they gauge how many ‘take away’ orders they can manage in the kitchen and when they hit the magic number they just close the

restaurant so are gone at 8pm. This lady advised the pizza place was horrible and to be avoided but she could recommend the Chinese across the road.

This was a good recommendation if only for the comedy it provided. It was a cash only establishment with an extensive menu. One seafood curry dish appeared with identical descriptions as Malaysian & Chinese. Upon asking we were informed that they were identical it was just that some people preferred Malaysian! The chow mein came with crispy or soft noodles. Jane preferred the soft but our ‘waitress of the year nominee’ said the chef hates cooking soft noodles (in a Chinese restaurant) and gets angry! Jane then offered to change to crispy but was told - no stay with the soft, I like to see her angry. Overall, a reasonable feed with more laughs than Fawlty Towers.

The Bruxner Hwy was traversed with almost no traffic - a delight.

We parted company with Grahame & Gloria after coffee in Casino, for them a short run home to Evans Head but for us an adventure awaited. We had only recently been over the Mt Lindsay Road to Woodenbong so for something different we headed into Lismore then picked up the road to Bangalow via Clunes passing the road to Eltham where Richard Maher had once led an epic club ride. We were about to backtrack

SEASONAL CHANGE

part of Richard’s route. Outside Bangalow at St Helena Lookout overlooking Byron Bay is the start/end of the delightful Coolamon Scenic Drive.

The scenery is superb along the ridge before the road drops into the forest with a reverse angle right turn to catch out the unwary. I have done the road more than a few times and it still takes me by surprise. We came down into Mullumbimby with heavy rain coming in from the west so I aborted plans to keep heading inland and turned back towards the Highway where it was clearer. Got very bored very quickly on the main drag so bailed out at Billinudgel and this is where my sense of direction (and memory) let me down. Instead of turning back under the highway to pick up the Tweed Valley Way towards Mooball and Burringbar I turned west and ended up at Main Arm.

Oh well never turn back so continued on Main Arm Rd onto Manns Rd then Rowlands Creek Rd through the Mount Jerusalem State Park to eventually return into civilisation at Uki. To call these roads is somewhat of an overstatement as the recent very heavy rains with running causeways made this a real adventure ride. Forestry roads they were with a mixture of gravel & clay surface. Oh did I mention it had also started to rain? Give it to the GS and her Pirelli Scorpion Trail 2 tyres, she never put a foot wrong.

We arrived home after three really enjoyable days with good friends and another 1,400 km added to the Grey Ghosts life clock, now into the 270,000’s. They are a great bike.

MID STRENGTH

By Duncan Bennett, Member #4171

It is amazing how many people well below retirement age show up to the mid-weeks. A survey was taken – average age of 38. Birthday Boy Daryl was 28, admittedly no Birth Certificate or Passport was sighted, it is an honour system. Some of the youngest ones did seem to display “harsh road miles” on the façade at odds with their claims though.

Kicking off from the Carport Café in Wynnum, a major omission during the safety briefing was quickly recognised while riding along the Wynnum – Manly esplanade. Active Wear. The same level of distraction and danger to motorcyclists and road-crossing pedestrians as a hydrogen bomb going off on North Stradbroke Island.

An anonymous rider stopped safely and waiting for Active Wear

Fortunately no radiation burns or pillion slaps, we were soon heading south-ish past the Chandler tip. Across Mount Cotton Road and we hit the Ford and Avalon Road loop, enjoying the crisp clean air out in the bush. A smidge of concern arose while trundling through the area – the waypoints on the GPS were completely out of order. We were looking like zig-zagging very late into the coffee stop at Redland Bay’s Pelican Café, so some gentle Zumo prodding took place, luckily I’d been trained for distraction in the harsh Wynnum Manly Active Wear environment. Straight to Redland Bay, the café was a beauty, besides a bit of confusion about the orders. Although when a Cherimoya – Kale – Pomegranate detoxifying juice comes out it is

possible that the person who ordered it looks at the surrounding crowd and realises admitting to it is like admitting to having romantic feelings about goats. Stay quiet.

You can take that Beetroot and Gorgonzola and just Fennel off!

A small tyre deflation issue occurred for someone with an Italian surname and an Italian first name, who shall remain nameless. The issue was resolved by Ben and his excellent battery pump – we all want one now. The rescued will be eternally grateful.

Enzo Michelangelo-Caravaggio will be eternally grateful

Off again after the gender ambiguous juice business was sorted out, we headed south into the unknown. I’d done all this on Google Maps,

MID STRENGTH

and I’d forgotten to turn off the “Low Socioeconomic Area” avoidance on the GPS, so the GPS did not want to go down Lagoon View Road where the Logan River discharges the region’s shame into lower Moreton Bay. We did it anyway, and it was good. Back north and we managed to separate and confuse the highly experienced group, but all ended up on West Mount Cotton Road taking in the awesome twisting and steep roads. Up Allenby like the 1917 Ottoman army wished they could have been, we rolled into Wellington Point for lunch and a heap of laughs.

Thanks to all who contributed to a fabulous ride and those who turned out in Active Wear.

INTRODUCING NEW MEMBERS

Richard Wolters and Lynne Carroll

joined in January and recently purchased a 2012 R1200GS Rallye, and the three for sale:

- 2020 R1250RT Elegance

- 2021 F850 GS Adventure

- 2011 R1200GS Rallye, parked in Holland, NL.

What got you into riding, and what was your first bike?

I grew up in the Netherlands during the 50’s and 60’s; In those days, mopeds were very popular. Both my parents owned one each, and so did my brothers. At age 16, I had saved enough money to buy one for myself. They looked like motorcycles but were only 50 cc. A neighbour down the street owned a BMW motorcycle; he often worked on his bike and talked to me about the workings. This was when I started dreaming about the day I would own one myself. A few days after I turned 17 years and 9 months old, I

bought my first BMW, which was a 1952 R67/2, with a sidecar. With over 160,000 km on the dial, it became my opportunity to learn a lot about the internals of a BMW boxer engine, if you know what I mean.

Mid-Weekers Mario Selfie.

INTRODUCING NEW MEMBERS

How did you end up on BMW’s?

From the time I owned my first, I was hooked on BMW. Even during the early 70’s when I became a Honda Motorcycle dealer in Melbourne, I had an R60 parked at home.

Since getting my first BMW at age 17, I have ridden BMWs and have hardly ever been without one. I never stopped riding and logged nearly 800,000 km riding about 25 various models. What has been your best bike, and why?

A hard question because I had many. In 1985 I bought an R80RT via the European Delivery plan. I picked it up in Munich and rode 6,000 km around Europe and Turkey. From then I owned it for many years in Australia.

I once left Burpengary at 5.15am and arrived at Townsville at 7.45pm. 1,371kms in one day.

I sold it at 185,000 km. It had been my favourite bike.

In 1997 I bought an R100GSPD, which I owned for 230,000 km, so that was another favourite. In 2015, I decided to try out a 2010 R1200RT to see if I liked it. I Iook it for a test run to SydneyMelbourne and back, and yes, it became another favourite.

Since 2012 I have also owned a BMW bike which is parked up in Europe, staying in the care of a friend. Each year I managed to ride 6 to 8,000 km in various areas of Europe. The first bike was R1150RS, which I modified with GS handlebars for a more upright position.

In 2018, while in France something happened that had a long-lasting effect on me. I had stopped on top of one of the highest passes in the French Alps (Col de Liseran). While having a coffee, I could hear the deep rumbling sound in the valley below. Four (2008-2012) R1200GS’s were making their way up the pass and stopped nearby. Wow !!

The sound alone… The following year, I sold the 1150 and purchased a 2008 1200GS.

In 2020, I planned to ride from Amsterdam via Paris to Dakar, but was stopped in my tracks because of the Covid problem and got stuck in Europe for 14 months. I managed to do a 7,000 km ride between two covid waves, however, I ended up selling the bike when I was given the go-ahead to return to Australia, as I wasn’t sure of what the future would bring.

Last year saw me back in Europe together with Lynne, my partner. We needed a bike and purchased a 2012 R1200GS Rallye, a white bike with a red frame. It was love at first sight, for both of us. We rode through Spain, France, Belgium and Holland.

Early April when it was just 2oC, we rode from Holland to Berlin, Germany, as we had made a booking for a tour in the Berlin BMW factory. A pretty cool ride in more than one way.

There are bikes you like, love and really love. For us, that was the white R1200GS.

A month ago, I saw the exact same bike advertised in Adelaide. The decision was easy. Two days later, I flew to Adelaide to collect and ride home.

So next time you see us on a club ride, it will be the white BMW.

So, our best bike? The R1200GS Rallye 2012. What is your favourite riding destination?

It would be Europe, but last year we rode around Taiwan on a KTM 690, Vietnam and Laos on a Honda XR150, North Thailand on a Honda 500X and had a great time. The destinations seem to change each year. Closer to home, the Gold Coast Hinterland and Northern NSW.

A “bucket list” riding destination for you?

I like long-distance riding and seeing places. Some years ago, I rode from Brisbane to Amsterdam, fulfilling a dream I had long ago. My next longdistance journey was to be Amsterdam Dakar return, but Covid stopped that. After returning to Australia after Covid I made a plan for 2022. I wanted to ride from Vladivostok to Amsterdam during the summer, but Putin appeared with his travel plans.

So for now our bucket list for next year will be Amsterdam to Dakar again or otherwise another Turkey trip. We are also planning for some riding in Sri Lanka and the Philippines. We know we need to push the envelope as we are both 75 now and there is still a lot of riding to be done.

Do you have any advice or handy tips to share?

1) Learn to do your own maintenance so you can be sure that besides the obvious tasks, you lubricate the pins of the footpegs, clutch/brake levers, side and main-stand bushes, dismantle

NEW MEMBERS

the brake calipers to clean out the dust and clean the plungers with a toothbrush. Boxers: Lubricate the driveshaft spline at regular intervals. Things they most likely don’t do at the dealer's workshops unless you make a special request. During my 55 years of riding, I have learned a lot.

If your handbook says, “oil change every 7,500”, change it at 5,000 and change the filter at each service, your engine will thank you for it.

2) When travelling long distances, carry as little as possible. I have learned the hard way. While riding from India to Europe I carried a LOT of stuff, including spare parts. All this dead weight blew my rear shocker before I reached Delhi. Of course, I had lots of spare parts (that I never needed) but no rear shocker. It caused a lot of hassle and time to get it fixed.

3) Always carry a lightweight bike cover. When parked anywhere, your bike is less likely be touched.

Any future trips planned?

Later in June, we will be leaving for a 9 - 12 month “Around Australia“ trip. We are doing this in a large camper but will be towing the trailer with the 1200GS. So there will be lots of trips over the next year all in different areas.

Anything else you can think of?

Best biking times?

Over my life, the best trip was the trans Asia trip to Europe but after I had returned from Europe (after my long Covid stay), I met Lynne and asked if she liked motorcycles ” Yes”, she said. At that time, I needed to get a decent bike and had spotted a 2014 R1200GS LC for sale in Cairns. Together we travelled to Cairns to collect it.

On the way back, it rained pretty hard for two of the four days it took us to ride home. Lynne never complained and loved the ride. Whenever we ride together, it is the best riding time, over and over again.

Worst ride?

I can’t think of any really, but perhaps an interesting and unusual ride was with my first

Eastern Turkey on Roman road

INTRODUCING NEW MEMBERS

BMW, the R67/2. (This was back in 1968, and I was at the TT in Assen.) On the way back, still about 130km from home, there was a sudden loud BANG! noise which made me stop immediately. Something was very wrong with the right-hand cylinder.

I removed the sparkplug and looked down the hole! ARRGG!! What I could see was a piece of valve lodged sideways on the top of the piston. What now?

I waited for the bike to cool down, pulled the toolkit out of the sidecar and removed the header pipe and cylinder head. With a pair of pliers, I removed the broken piece of what was previously a valve. I removed the pushrods and put it all back together.

I could now start the engine running on one cylinder. Of course, this caused a LOT of vibration. But at least I was mobile again and home, albeit slowly. About half an hour’s later, I noticed the smell of fuel and saw petrol pouring out of one of the carburetors. The vibration had done a good job. I had lost a screw out of the bottom of the carburetor body.

As I had camped out the previous night, I happened to have a bar of soap with me. Pushing some soap in the hole (which expands when in contact with petrol), I managed to close the hole and stop the leak, enabling me to ride home.

During the two years I lost a valve through the piston about 4 times. Years later I learned what the cause was. Because of the sidecar, the bike

was lower geared.

Rev counters didn’t exist, so it was a guessing game; you just went by the sound. After having fitted megaphone mufflers (which sound amazing at top revs), there is a high chance that it causes valve bounce if you have weak valve springs!

Many years ago, I wrote a story about this bike called “Ode to the left-hand cylinder” when the same thing happened in the (then) country of Yugoslavia, where BMWs were not sold. The bike was repaired using a Peugeot piston, Mercedes valve and valve seats from wrecked cars.

As I mentioned before, during those years I learned a LOT about BMW engines, which knowledge served me well as I became a BMW/ Honda mechanic when I turned 20.

Lucky in my later years I found a partner who loves motorcycles and especially BMW’s as much as I do. When we met I asked her if she would be interested riding the length of Russia on the back of the bike she answered Yes, Lets do that!

Editor's note:

Richard sent through many photo, suggesting there are many stories to be told and shared with our readers in future editions.

One such story will be about a 5,000km scooter trip to Turkey in 1967. Others include what he desribes as "R60 Project Basket" and crossing the Nullabor on a BMW R75 5.

Craig Smith joined in April and owns of a 2014 K1600GTL.

Previous bikes incllude a 2002 K1200LT, 2014 Ducati 1200Multistrada, 2009 Suzuki Hayabusa and a 2002 Triumph Daytona 955i to name just a few. Plus, lots of other chook chasers when he was younger.

Also 2 x Kawasaki Z750’s in restoration, a 1978 Twin pot, and a 1982 4 cylinder. What got you into riding, and what was your first bike?

I’m a 1962 model and have been riding since I was about 8yo I think. I’ve had heaps of bikes over the years, and I’ll mention a few favorites here. I have photos of my uncles riding their old BSA’s around the farm in the New England area of NSW after the 2nd World War. My mum showed me the old photos and said that she used to sit on the back and go to dances in the Inverell and Delungra areas when she was young. I think bike riding might be in my blood.

My uncle returning home from WWII

In around 1970, I visited a friend who had a small pull start minibike. One ride around the back yard after stacking it in the first 5 minutes and I was hooked. I was 8 years old.

NEW MEMBERS

1st ride ever 1970

We lived on a property near Moree in northwestern NSW and my dad bought a Honda 50 cub step through for me to ride around the bush on. First real motorcycle I suppose was a late 70’s Yamaha DT100, I later commandeered my older brother's DT250 when I got too big for the 100. I remember kick starting the 250 for the 1st time and wrecking my poor little 12 year old ankle from the compression kickback. Didn’t have decompression levers in those bikes.

Honda 50 Cub

How did you end up on BMWs?

My wife and I wanted to do a trip through western QLD, NT (Uluru), SA, Vic and home to Toowoomba in 2019. The large supersports bike I had was not suitable for such a trip and I knew my wife would hate sitting on it for 30 odd days, so we bought our 1st BMW, a 2002 K1200LT with about 50,000 km on the clock. We fell in love with “Tillie” and she took us on many wonderful trips around the country.

NEW MEMBERS

1st big trip on the K1200LT

Even towed a 1984 Classic trailer around Tasmania. I took heaps of tools etc. and spent most of the time fixing our companions’ bikes. That’s when we also grew to appreciate the BMW brand. She had just under 190k under her belt when we said goodbye. We had had no major issues other than rear suspension and had never let us down while on the road.

What has been your best bike, and why? Hard question. I have cherished all my bikes for different reasons.

I don’t know if I have had a “best” bike. I’m enthralled with and love my current K1600GTL. She has everything that I need. Lots of lowdown torque and high-speed grunt for a bit of “spirited” riding. She handles like a sports bike at times and with lots of luxury and comfort for my pillion in a million.

I adored my Hayabusa for the image, exhaust note, and absolute power (around 187 HP at the back wheel after tuning), and I owned a 1982 Yamaha RD350 water bottle. A little 2 stroke screamer that I wish I never sold.

What is your favourite riding destination?

I have a couple of favourite rides more than a destination.

Remember that cliche, It’s all about the journey, not the destination, true that! It has taken me a couple of years to bring my backpack around to my way of thinking. Now she is not so stressed.

For a quick day loop, I head from Highfields (home) near Toowoomba to Cooyar via Haden (check out the Muntappa Rail Tunnel), Maidenwell to Nanango (peanut wagon for a snack) and back via Yarraman to Blackbutt for a pie and then Pierces Creek rd to Crows Nest and home.

Alternatively, Home – Warwick – Kilarney –Woodenbong – Kyogle and then return via “the Lions Road” – Rathdowney – Boonah – around Moogerah Dam – Warwick and home.

I also do a few charity rides through the year which cover a lot of roads, and it is hard to beat The “Oxley”, Thunderbolts way or the Bruxner Hwy from Drake to Tenterfield.

Philip Island for the world Superbikes is one destination that I have visited many times. Always a different route and never disappointed.

Philip Island 2010

What is a “bucket list” riding destination for you?

I have dreamed of hiring a bike and riding around both Nth and Sth island of New Zealand, and every road riders dream of riding around the Isle of Man after the TT.

There are still a lot of roads in Oz to discover, I’m sure.

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Do you have any advice or handy tips to share?

Handy Tips?........

Pack 2 sets of gloves on a long trip. Just in case one set gets wet.

Put a chamois in the top box to dry the dew off the saddle in the morning.

Raincoats help keep you warm in winter even if it’s not raining. Good insulation.

After overtaking, pull all the way to the left so that your mate travelling behind you at speed has some room to pull in as well.

A packet of red frogs in the top box is a must to keep the energy levels up on a long ride.

Get some ALDI packing cubes or luggage bags. I found they fit perfectly in the panniers of the GTL and compact down and fit more in them, than the purpose made pannier bags. Big ones for clothes, little ones for toiletries, socks and jocks.

Make a rule of filling up before you book in to your accommodation, it saves ungloving and getting your kit off in the morning. Get up, pack up and head off.

Everyone has their own tech tips etc, relative to their bike. I found big bikes that have a centre stand, roll the front tire on to a bit of 25mm thick timber. It just gives you a little more height on the front and makes it much easier to lever the big girl back on the stand. If you find yourself trying to pull it up on stand, you’re doing it wrong. You will only hurt yourself. I needed to do this with the K1200LT, it was much harder than the K1600.

Things I’ve learnt on a motorcycle: Be polite, be happy, be a gentleman.

Treat other riders as you would expect to be treated. It doesn’t really matter what stable their steed comes from unless maybe if it’s from Milwaukee.

You do meet the nicest people riding motorcycles. Like Clint said: A man needs to know his limitations. Don’t push other riders along or allow yourself to be pushed. Ride your own ride. Don’t bunch up in a group through the twisties, you will get fixated on the back wheel in front of you and come undone in the corners.

Don’t allow your stats to be shared on Life360. Just play dumb when the “pillion in a million” askes you why you were doing bursts of supersonic speeds on your recent trip down south. “I was fearing for my life sweetheart; the cattle truck was all over the place and dropping cows@#t all over me”.

Don’t trust that green moss on the centre line of the road in the shade. It is most definitely slippery. As is the cows@#t in the middle of the road when it’s a bit damp.

Your butt will get sore, the greatest feeling is scraping a peg for the first time, and everyone is a tyre expert

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Any future trips planned?

1. I’m heading out to Lightning Ridge in August for a Blueliners TMCC event. I think I will attack from the north via Dalby, Condamine, Roma, St George. Not sure of the return trip. Roads are long and straight, only to be eaten up by the 1600GTL. I do big rides and mostly solo, so the bike I have now is just about perfect for making a trip out that way.

16 May 2025 Karara QLD heading to Blueliners ride Tamworth

2. The pillion in a million and I are going to stay in Port Macquarie for a week in September/ October this year and do a few day trips from there. The Oxley Hwy, Waterfall way, the road from Grafton to Ebor via Nymboida (great road but in terrible condition ATM). I’m familiar with all these roads but more than happy to ride them all again. We will also investigate any local roads that may be of interest.

Anything else you can think of ?

Worst ride that I want to recall. I’ve had worse and horrific rides, but this is not the forum to talk about certain sad events.

I came home to Highfields one May from Gloucester. I had been to a posty bike rally with

some friends. It was my birthday and as I left it started to drizzle and rain. It ended up being the coldest ride I had ever done. All the gear did not help. It was about 5-7 degrees all day and it started to sleet in Guyra as I rode in. Hot chocolate was procured from a coffee shop, and I just cuddled the engine as best I could to stop from shivering. 2 sets of thermals, Kevlar jeans and wets on my lower half. Thermal top, 2 t shirts, leather coat and wet weather coat on top. I had inadvertently got damp before putting my wet weather gear on, so the cold got to me from the inside as well. Ice on the side of the road and heated grips that gave up the ghost topped it off. I eventually made it back to sunny QLD where it was a balmy 15o. I have no interest in bloody posty bikes anymore.

One of my best rides:

Maiden voyage on my current bike, the K1600GTL. My wife and I headed south with no real idea of where we would end up. We took 8 days and just rode. We got as far as Omeo in Vic, stayed the night and headed back on different roads.

It was a great rip to get the feel of the bike and see how it performed. We were thrilled and had the feeling that we had made a very good choice. The Omeo hwy to Mitta Mitta with so many corners really tested the bike and my skills. Spectacular scenery at Cabramurra, up over Hotham and along the Murray River road past Granya Gap made us take a breath.

We had a few little mechanical problems when we got home in the guise of fuel pump and ignitor coils, but the local Motorrad in Toowoomba and BMW Aust really excelled themselves with after sales service and warranty on parts.

Confluence of the Mitta Mitta and the Murray Rivers Nov 2024

Merriwa NSW silo Art oct 2024

Club Mileage Awards

Have you clocked up 100,000km, 200,000km or more on one bike?

To celebrate the epic achievements of these milestones, the Club will be issuing Mileage Award Medallions and Certificates to those who qualify. It can be for any make and model of bike that has reached these impressive kilometres in your ownership, and must still be in your ownership.

To nominate your bike, email our Secretary: secretary@bmwmcq.org.au with:

• Photo of the bike or you with bike - this photo will feature on your certificate so a good quality photo will enhance the certificate

• Where and when purchased and mileage at time of purchase

• Photo of the odometer to show the kilometres.

Presentations at the monthly meetings for those that live locally – so get your details in!

Smart Rider Academy have the below courses scheduled for just $50, including the Level 2 course. Remember you can claim the $50 back with the Training Subsidy program (see below).

BMWMCQ TRAINING COURSE SUBSIDY

Your club encourages all members to continue to improve as a rider and offers a financial incentive to foster greater uptake in rider training. A broad interpretation of training has been adopted to include First Aid Training and Traffic Accident site safety management. The intention of the subsidy scheme is to not only improve the road craft of individual members but also to enhance the safety and enjoyment of club runs and events for all participating members.

These are the simple rules to qualify for a subsidy:

1. Every financial member is eligible.

2. Subsidy is limited to one in two years for each member eg subsidy June 2024 re-eligible June 2026.

3. Subsidy provided in the form of a $50 reimbursement after course has been completed and invoice presented to the Treasurer.

4. The applicant must present details and receive approval for the intended training course from the Club Secretary prior to the course being undertaken.

There you have it, an incentive to help to make you a better and safer rider. If you undertake a course please let us know your thoughts on the success of the course, positive or negative.

& BMW suPPorTs

Brisbane BMW Motorcycle Specialists

Need your BMW motorcycle serviced? We can also help ensure your pride and joy stays in top nick. Northside Motorcycle Tyres and Service has the latest software for BMWs enabling us to re- set service reminders, and assist with diagnostic testing and component testing making it more efficient to solve any problems with your bike. Log book servicing which won’t void your warranty. Book in for a BMW motorcycle service today with our expert team and you can be confident that Your pride and joy is in good hands.

BMW Motorcycle Tyres & Accessories

Planning on hitting the road soon? Stop by our showroom to check out our great range of tyres, luggage bags and riding gear to suit Adventure or Sport Touring.

FREE BMW Motorcycle Safety Inspection Report

But perhaps more importantly, be prepared before you head off! Book in for your FREE safety inspection report. This simple check can mean the difference between a hassle-free ride versus getting stuck on the side of the road with no phone coverage a long way from the nearest town.

SHOP ONLINE FOR ALL YOUR MOTORCYCLE TYRES & ACCESSORIES WITH THE ADDED BENEFIT OF AFTERPAY “BUY NOW, PAY LATER” HTTPS://NSMCTYRES.COM 1/14 Paisley Drive Lawnton Qld 4503, Phone 07 3205 6505 Email info@nsmctyres.com

From business card to full page, all sizes are available. The BMWMCQ electronic journal is distributed to members and interested parties throughout Queensland and basically anywhere that has the internet. In addition, the journal is issued to other BMW affiliated Clubs. Get your message out to people who own, ride and restore BMW motorcycles Phone your requests toDon Grimes - Ph: 0411 601 372

BMWMCQ BOOK EXCHANGE

NEW BOOKS AVAILABLE!

Race to Dakar

Extreme Frontiers

Charley Boorman

Charley Boorman (Racing Across Canada)

What If I Had Never Tried It

Valentino Rossi (The Autobiography)

The Road to Mali

Craig Carey-Clinch

No Room for Watermelons Ron & Lynne Fellowes

A Motorcycle Courier in the Great War

Australia Motorcycle Atlas

Captain W.H.L. Watson

With 200 Top Rides (6th Ed) Hema Maps

Overland Magazines - issue #’s 11; 19; 21; 22; 25; 26; 27; 28 and 29.

Adventure Bike Rider - issue #’s 44; 46; 51 and 53

The Touring Motorcycle Jeff Ware & Kris Hodgson

BMW Twins Mick Walker

BMW Boxer Twins Ian Falloon

Duncan spotted Paul's dodgy parking at the Pit Stop cafe on the coffee stop to the Sausage Sizzle at Mcgavin View - Lake Samsonvale.

Note that the car next to him was in a disabled park, and it had an L plate, how they had got out is a mystery. Unfortunately Paul's bike has BMWMCQ stickers on it so our reputation was not enhanced.

BMW Motorcycles Bruce Preston

A Century of BMW Manfred Grunet & Florian Triebel

The BMW Story - Production & Racing Motorcycles Ian Falloon

Bahnstormer - The Story of BMW Motorcycles LJK Setright

BMW Company History

1972

BMW Munich

Berry on Bikes - The Hot 100 - Steve Berry

2UP and OVERLOADED

2 x On Tour with Compass Expeditions DVDs

The initiative is being overseen by Jane Gray and you can communicate with Jane via email at:

library@bmwmcq org au

Arrangement can be made with the librarian to pick up & drop off at the monthly General Meeting or other arrangements can be made