BMWMCQ Journal May 2024

Committee

President - Cindy Bennett

Ph: 0401 610 671

president@bmwmcq.org.au

R1200C

Vice President - Tony Gray Ph: 0409 493 605 vpres@bmwmcq.org.au

R1200GS (The Grey Ghost)

R60/6

Secretary- Geoff Hodge

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

R1200RS; R75/5, R51/3

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

Events - Ben Nazzari

Ph: 0448 594 833

events@bmwmcq.org.au

R1200 RT, R100GS

Editor - Duncan Bennett Ph: 0458 293 569 editor@bmwmcq.org.au Triumph Tiger 900 Rally Pro

Records- Greg Gaffney Ph: 0411424 219 records@bmwmcq.org.au

R1200RT

Tools/Service - Chris Bramwell

Ph: 0427 480 811 tools@bmwmcq.org.au

K1200GT

Regalia - Mario Grossi Ph: 0422 133 131 regalia@bmwmcq.org.au

R1200RT

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 2024

Advertisers

On The Cover

The Cane Toad Rally was again an incredible success with over 300 in attendance at Mt Perry. Even the weather was perfect.

Duncan Bennett Editor’s Report

BMWNationals, the outward expression of true lovers of the brand who are prepared to travel fair distances to meet with other true lovers of the brand.

It was fabulous, so you’ll have to read the Nationals article in this Journal to find out just how fabulous fabulous can be. And while you’re at it, roll through the Cane Toad Rally report to confirm how fabulous fabulous is. We joined a great crowd at the BMW Nationals, including some that have attended these since I was wearing short pants. Admittedly in Queensland I wear short pants all the time, in fact I am writing this while sporting a pair, but I know you understand the time implications of that expression.

Although we have done nearly nothing for our Cane Toad Rally, apart from getting everyone hopelessly lost on a dirt ride a few years back, we are happy to acknowledge the real heroes. I’m naming some names here - Gary Bennett and Darryl Gowlett and their team of tireless (not tyreless) volunteers. It is no accident that the Cane Toad is once again one of Australia’s premier motorcycle rallies and this year’s was the best ever.

The common theme in this Editorial is the Rally, sorry to forensic investigators for revealing the thread so casually, and the Rally is a truly exclusive motorcycling thing. Old cars meet for picnic lunches or breakfasts, yachtpersons don’t really meet at all except in the clubhouse or on the life raft, but travelling huge distances to camp in a sea of mud swarming with malarial mosquitoes is the realm of the motorcyclist. And maybe the Blues Festival patrons but they have the added luxury options of sleeping in their bogged car while getting their drugs tested. No-one is testing Paul’s American Honey at a Toad, the little plastic test strip dissolved last time so the result was about as conclusive as a Chinese athlete’s.

See you at a Rally,

Duncan

Submissions for the next Journal close 25th May

Cindy Bennett President’s Report

The BMW Motorrad National Rally on 10 and 11 April in the Barossa Valley was an outstanding success, congratulations to Bailey Gifford and his very dedicated team down there for a) Hosting a very special Rally and b) Having it in the Barossa. Never more than 100m from a world class vineyard down there.

Although I am somewhat biased, I do feel it was more than matched by the outstanding Cane Toad Rally in Mt Perry - we are incredibly proud of our Toad organising committee who put on one of Australia’s great rallies, year after year. The feedback from the crowd of around 300 was overwhelming positive. Although I was surprised that the number of riders who nominated for the gymkhana Slow Race was down on other years sadly.

So I implore our members to start practising for next years Toad, great prizes on offer as well as the glory of being a winner!

Cindy.

BMWMCQ Club Events for MAY 2024

Date

Thur 2

May

Sun 5

7:30 pm Club General Meeting

May 9:00 am Monthly Club Led Ride

Sat 11

Geebung RSL Club, 323 Newman Road, Geebung QLD. Meals from 6pm

Departing “Bean To” Cafe, Beaudesert. Finishing at the Boonah Bowls Club for lunch.

May 9:00 am Coffee Meet Up Birds & Bees Coffee Shop, Queen’s Road Everton Hills

Wed 15

May 8:00am Mid Week Ride Borumba Dam Picnic Area for BYO lunch. Meet BP Caboolture Northbound to depart 0830

Sat 18

May 9:00am Ride to Zero Michelton. Register via link on Facebook or Club website - cost only $50

Sun 26

May 12:30pm Monthly Lunch Ride Grand Old Crow Hotel, Crows Nest

Tue 28

May 6.00 pm German Club Dinner Brisbane German Club dinner 416 Vulture St, Kangaroo Point

President

Ride Leader - Duncan Bennett

Events Coordinator

Ride Leader - Ben Nazzari

Training Rep - Julian Davis

Events Coordinator

Events Coordinator

BMWMCQ Club Events for JUNE 2024

Sat 1

June 9:30am Club Service Day

Thur 6

June 7:30pm Club General Meeting

Sun 9

June 8:00am Monthly Club Led Ride

Sun 16

June 9:00am Ride to Zero

Wed 19

61-63 St Jude Circuit Jimboomba (note some GPS require Glenlogan as suburb)

Geebung RSL Club, 323 Newman Road, Geebung QLD. Meals from 6pm

Meet at BP Northbound Morayfield for ride to Kandanga for lunch

Register via link on Facebook or Club website - cost only $50

June 9:00am Mid Week Ride TBA

Tue 25

June 6.00 pm German Club Dinner Brisbane German Club dinner 416 Vulture St, Kangaroo Point

Sun 30

June 12:30pm Monthly Lunch Ride TBA

President

Ride Leader - Richard de Groot

Training Rep - Julian Davis

Events Coordinator

Events Coordinator

Events Coordinator

Ben Nazzari Events Officer’s Report

Hi all,

This past weekend was my first Cane Toad Rally and I am 100% hooked.

So many people and so much fun, the pub at Mt Perry, as small as it is was, was excellent and the actual campground where we camped was even better.

The whole weekend was run perfectly and it goes to show the members we have organising these events are second to none. I can only wait and see what the next year’s set up will be if everything goes to plan for the Committee.

This month we have the normal events with the addition of the Ride to Zero in which club members can get into and renew or better themselves with riding skills. All the details are on the calendar and the Facebook events page plus the BMWMCQ website.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the people I met and interacted with at the CTR for their knowledge and conversations as well as laughter, banter and smiles not to mention whomever it was that introduced me to HARD SOLO I have never been so HAPPY drinking soft drink with 4.5% alcohol volume, after many cans and laughter realising I hadn’t been that tipsy for a very long time and I really enjoyed myself, so much fun but the last night (Saturday) let’s say I was in bed early and resisting a repeat of Friday night.

All in all, it was a fantastic weekend in which I hope to see many more and spend it with likeminded genuine happy people especially the 2 clowns I was set up camp with (Daryl and John), they made the weekend even better. I will also be hunting down one of those tepee tents Duncan and Cindy had as well as Tony Malone, I was so jealous as in my tent you need to be a contortionist to enter and exit from it. It’s a sight to see let me tell you so being able to stand up and get changed compared to laying down on the ground doing barrel rolls just to get your socks on then only to watch a big guy like myself crawl out like a big turd on the ground laughing and tripping over trying to get my balance is truly hilarious.

So, until next time please be safe and stay upright.

Regards, Ben.

Tony Gray Vice President’s Report

Ithought that handing over the reins of this great club to the very capable Cindy would lead to a relaxed life - at least that is what outgoing VP Paul Hughes told me it would be like. At time of writing it is the eve of the Cane Toad Rally (always a top club event) and I have just packed the Gray Ghost ready for an early Friday departure. This will be a quick trip as Jane and I are flying out to Europe early Monday 29th April morning for two months. Planning for that trip has been frenetic as it really didn’t start until the AGM had been staged - a mere six weeks ago.

Planning for any trip is important be it a weekend away on the bike or a once in a lifetime trip around the world - fail to plan, plan to fail as the old saying goes. The same goes to running a club and the Cane Toad Rally and the current rider safety training that is available to club members are examples where the planning has been exemplary. Thanks to club members Gary Bennett and Darryl Gowlett for the Cane Toad, and to Julian Davis who has been instrumental in designing and planning the training courses. All we need now is you, our club members, to put your name forward, attend one of these courses and make yourself a better, safer rider.

I was sorry to have missed the National BMW Motorrad Clubs Australia in the beautiful Barossa due to a family medical situation. It looked like a great event that was well attended. This biennial event will next be hosted by the NSW Club so not too early to start your planning for that one.

Look forward to Jane and my reporting from the roadside at the Isle of Man TT in early June.

Tony

Speaking of the Isle of Man TT, that has very little in common with Tom Curran’s economical ride on display at the Cane Toad Rally

Geoff Hodge Secretary’s Report

BMWMCQ April General Meeting Minutes 4 April 2024

Venue: Geebung RSL

Meeting Opened: 7:30pm

Apologies:

Minutes of Previous General Meeting:

Paul Hughes, Julian Davis, Richard Maher, Ben Nazzari, Darryl Gowlett, Charlie Brown, Chris Lancaster, Matt Leitch, Les Fitzpatrick, Kelly Wicks, Ian Forsyth, Donna Wiltshire

Accepted: Tony Gray

Seconded: Michael Ahlberg

Number of Attendees: 30

New Members (Name & MC): Nil

Visitors: Kell Altria 1983 R45

Returning Members: Nil

Treasurer Report: As per Journal

Editor Report: April was 600th Journal

Secretary Report: Nil

Records Report: 284 members

Events Report:

Cane Toad at Mt Perry on 26-28 April, could members please wear some regalia to stand out and make visitors welcome.

Firewood will be on sale to avoid people taking firewood from central area as happened last year.

Regalia Report: Buy some stickers, patches, key rings and posters.

Dealer Liaison: Sales slow. R18 doing OK. R1300GS demo now here F900GS also.

Services at Wackers/TeamMoto BMW have a 10 year bike age cut off - to be confirmed.

Tools Report: Service Day aiming for May/June.

Vice President Report: The BMW MMC WA turns 50 in October.

President Report: Will be attending the Nationals Rally in Nuriootpa.

General Meeting Business: Nil.

Meeting Closed: 8:10pm

Introducing Sub-Committee member and Training Representative Julian Davis.

Ihavebeen riding for 33 years having started it just as a mode of transport. First bike was a $600 DT175. First BMW in 1998, a K75C.

I have been in training since 1996 when I started in the Navy. I started motorcycle training with HART in 2008 achieving an Accredited Motorcycle Instructor for Learners and Provisional licenses. I’ve always had a passion for roadcraft and motorcycle Safety and Training. In 2009 I became an accredited Vocational trainer delivering Web Development Diploma at TAFE NSW.

Moving to Queensland in 2013, my accreditation was not recognised (go figure!) but remained in the Adult Learning world. In 2022 I attended a SMART Rider Academy Keep It Up Right Course and found a shared passion for motorcycle safety. Wasn’t long before I joined the team. In 2023 I became a Queensland Accredited Motorcycle Trainer. My day job is the eLearning Manager for Independent Schools Queensland and I have my own business ‘The Digital Learning Guy’ and have developed an application for assessing any task via video called Remote Reviewer.

I currently ride a 2008 R1200GSA, with a 1975 R90/6 (US Import) keeping me busy every other weekend.

Darryl Gowlett Treasurer’s Report

G’day Everyone,

I’ve just returned from the Cane Toad Rally where the Prez reminded me that my report was overdue. So I have provided this in the hope it makes this month’s journal.

The outgoings for administration included $120 for postage, $605 for the auditor of last years accounts, and $184.67 for the editors Dropbox account so they can receive large files such as photos. The website costs were for the usual $385 for website maintenance, and $775.34 for various site upgrades.

If you didn’t go to the Toad you missed out. It appears the copper in Goomeri did his bit for the state’s coffers. He seemed to be targeting motorcyclist, who this day outnumbered caravanners.

Ciao, Darryl

Chris Bramwell Tools Officer’s Report

The Club Service Day will be held at Rob Wynne’s place at Jimboomba on 1st June. Members attending can do bike servicing and some expert work with the with the GS-911.

Sausage sizzle and drinks will be sold to raise funds for the RFDS (Royal Flying Doctors).

The GS-911 diagnostic tool is probably the most valuable tool we have in our inventory with the amount of electronics on modern BMW bikes. To see what the GS-911 functionality has to offer for your bike, check out this website link:

https://www.hexgs911.com/function-chart/

Don’t forget about the club’s new tools:

• LambdaKing Mk II - Air Fuel Ratio

Tuning Meter

• Sniff Stick for use with the LambdaKing Mk II

*R1200RS*1170cc*15 - 16 *R1200R*1170cc*15 - 16

Tools for loan

Various other repair manuals are available to borrow, mainly for older bikes.

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)

• Vacuumate (electronic synchronization of throttle valves up to 4 cylinders)

• Clutch alignment shafts (3 sizes)

• Compression gauge (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

• Brake bleeding tool (suction bleeding via the brake caliper)

• SynchroKing - Carburetor & Throttle Body Balancer

Repair Manuals

The new R1200 Manual.

BMW R1200 DOHC Twins 2010-2012

Two new manuals were recently purchased and a Haynes R1200 repair manual::

F800 - Complete coverage of BMW F650, F700 & F800 Twins (06 - 16)

R1200 Liquid- Cooled TwinsR1200GS*1170cc*13 - 16 *R1200GS Adv*1170cc*13 - 16 *R1200RT*1170cc*14 - 16

• Compression tester

Club Tool Loan:

$50 deposit (refundable) for GS911. Tools and spares can be picked up or brought along to the next meeting or Club ride. tools@bmwmcq.org.au or spares@bmwmcq.org.au

Chris Bramwell 0427 480 811

Greg Gaffney Records Officer’s Report

Great weather for the Cane Toad this year and I hear it was a great event. Congratulations again to Gary and his team. Unfortunately, I missed it due to some work commitments. I am so looking forward to retiring in the next 12 months.

Cheers, Greg

Welcome to New Members:

Anthony Paddon, SOUTHPORT, R1200GS Adventure

Thomas Edmonds, ALENSTOWN, R1200GS, K1200LT

Ann Ahlberg, BURPENGARY, Royal Enfield 650 Inteceptor

Owen Ansell, WOODY POINT, R60/5, R1200GS, BSA M20, Aprilla Mojito 150

Adam Siddle, ASHGROVE, R1250GSA

The R18 makes pulling a trailer to the Toad a doddle

AUTUMN RIDING

JEGApr2024

Cooler days are coming soon

The Weather God’s playing a different tune

No more humid relentless heat

Even through jeans you’re stuck to your seat

Some days it’s really all you can do

To get things done without being wet through

So much rain this summer as well

It was an El Nino but who could tell

Although getting cooler the rain hangs on

Hopefully soon the showers will be gone

The promise of cool, clear days sounds great

To be out on the bike there’s no debate

Autumn in Queensland is perfect to ride

Neither hot nor cold when being outside

Pick a destination or cruise around

So much enjoyment there is to be found

Ride on your own or with a mate

Whatever you do don’t hesitate

G’day

All,

I had my first sale as Regalia Officer at our last meeting @ the Geebung RSL with one of our members purchasing a couple of iron patches.

Great start to the entrepreneurial Regalia adventure.

Earlier this month I had the pleasure of taking a drive to Gold Star Embroidery and spoke with Daniel about some of our popular regalia, shirts and caps. We had some great feedback from him that could curb the way we can order with some confidence.

One of the options we will look at is to see if we can get a bulk order in once a month to reduce the cost to some of our members. The more shirts we order (Min 4) the more cost effective it is to us. I will also endeavour to pick up the orders and take them to our monthly meetings to reduce on delivery costs.

Also a great Mothers Day (maybe) gift ?? or just a great gift idea I am making up some club collection packs for the low price of $20

Let me know if you are interested in any regalia and I look forward to seeing you or send me an email with your Incredible “BULK” order.

The General Meeting raffle prizes in April, Mario ran the raffle for Richard M. Stay tuned for future regalia prizes in the popular raffle.

Regalia Collection Set of 6 ....1 x Large Patch, 1 x Small Patch, 1 x Key Ring, 1 x Small Round Sticker, 1 x

Sticker and 1 x

Lady Shirts

Bloke Shirts

Gender Neutral Hats & Bags

Regalia Ordering Methods

Regalia is ordered through: daniel@goldstarembroidery.com.au or call Daniel on: 0403 150 857

Method 1: Bling Your Own Wardrobe

You can get a BMWMCQ logo embroidered on your own shirt (or underwear, no-one but Daniel needs to know). Purchase the item, call/email Daniel, and post (with a return pre-paid bag) or deliver it to:

Unit 7 / 256 Leitchs Road Brendale, QLD 4500

Method 2: Use the Inta Net

Click on the links on the previous page, or if you want something different, go to the Gold Star Embroidery website (link below), and go to the catalogues page. Then email Daniel.

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 $5 Badge

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

There are also heaps more colours, styles and fabrics available through Gold Star Embroiderycheck out the website at goldstarembroidery and call Daniel - he knows all about BMW regalia!

TCanE toad rallY 2024

By Duncan Bennett, Member #4171

he Toad is done for another year, dammit. The question, as always, is: was it better than last year? Without any measure except the number of attendees and the general “vibe”, I’m calling this one the best since the glorious re-invention in 2019, and we’d only missed 2023 because we were in South America. Besides, as I sit here alone and reflect, there is no-one who can argue with me. Why was it best? Here are some reasons:

• The weather was very good. Warm during the day, cool at night, and unlike 2022 and 2023, no rain.

• Over 300 attendees. Enough said.

• Excellent food and drinks put on by the Mt Perry hotel and staff.

• Gary’s playlist was the best since the Toad restarted. Except for when those Tay Tay and Cher songs came on and that person who may have been dancing was stabbed. They deserved it.

• The ricketty old stage which was a death trap was gone, reflecting just some of the effort put in by the Mt Perry community to make us welcome.

• The stalls selling local wares were a great idea. If Tentworld had a stall I personally would have purchased every mattress, just to be sure, and the Tepee tents would have sold like hot-cakes. Award Winners:

• Longest Distance Female Rider - Tess Goulding (South Australia).

• Longest Distance Male Rider - Ingo Jerke (South Australia).

• Oldest BMW - John Richardson 1972 R75/5.

• Largest Club/Forum Attendance - 16 from the Central Coast Motorcycle Touring Club. Queenslander!

• Hard Luck Award - Craig Brennan. For this interesting display in the slow race:

CanE toad rallY 2024

Gymkhana Event Winners:

• Slow Race - Dave Lord on his R850R.

• Thong Toss - Clay Morton.

• Long Thong Toss (Male) - Kieran Loveridge

• Long Thong Toss (Female) - Suzanne Greenland. Yes I forgot to get a photo but that’s her

• Egg Toss - Huw Samuel and Kieran Loveridge

• Rum Hunt - Con (for the 4th time, he is the rum whisperer) and Ingo Jerke

And the presentations....

The Ride to Zero program explained

CanE toad rallY 2024

Ingo Jerke, the longest distance male rider.

Suzanne Greenland, thong chukka extraordinaire.

The Central Coast Motorcycle Touring Club rewarded for the highest attendance.

We have a toad winner at 9 o’clock!

The Tunnel

CanE toad rallY 2024

An attraction highlight for Cane Toaders is the 1883 Boolboonda Tunnel, a mere 6 or so kilometres from CTR central. The tunnel is 192m in length, making it the longest unsupported tunnel in Queensland, meaning there are no props, rock bolts or cable bolts holding it up. It was installed to service the Mt Perry copper mine and smelter, and indeed the mining tradition continues in Mt Perry at the Mt Rawdon gold mine which still has two years to run.

A run through the tunnel is practically a CTR tradition, even though this year it was a smidgin greasy, not that anyone including HD’s on slick road tyres didn’t make it through safely. The tunnel is full of bats, evoking a strong recommendation to keep one’s visor and/or mouth shut while cruising through unless seeking a lyssavirus excuse to get off work on any of the CTR days not covered by public holidays or weekends.

Even though the road in and out (helpfully named Tunnel Road, only the flighty-of-mind could be surprised to find themselves confronted with a tunnel) is dirt, it is RV dirt, i.e. no drama. The exception is the focus of the road - the tunnel. We’ve been doing it since 2018, and as per all tunnels getting a lyssavirus paranoid grading team in there is a rare event, the potholes just get worse. Most interestingly this time with all the water about were the green bits - usually in the middle of the tunnel where no RV can touch them. Red clay I understand, I know I’m going to crash hard and be relieved when it happens. White stuff with cars upside down in the ditches as per our Allegheny Mountain experience in the USA is obvious to all. But green? What does green mean? A light dusting of bat guano enhanced algal growth, or the most slippery surface known to man since a Teflon frying pan after a pork sausage cook-up? Protocols therefore demanded that I not ride through green bits, but those that would probably try crystal meth with chilli flakes sprinkle at a music festival did. They did it easy.

Cindy heading straight into the greenest of the green bits because reputation is everything.

Julian Davis’ drone photo giving a good feel for the scale of the rally, less than ½ the tents in this picture.

The volunteers manning the Cane Toad Rally check-in booth are relentlessly exposed to the elements, cold beer, and Nanango peanuts. A tough breed.

At the end of a hard day’s Toading, it was a pleasure to kick back with a beverage or two around the fire to socialise with friends new and old while praying the wind would change before we coughed up a lung

info@motoguzziclubqld.org

Held from 10th to 11th April 2024 in Nuriootpa, hosted by the BMW Owners Club of South Australia.

Operational Data

• 135 Registered Rally Entrants, 12 Registered Did Not Attend

• 123 Attended, 24 Arrived by Car, 89 Motorcycles – 85 BMW, + (3 Triumph + 1 KTM)

• 10 carried Pillions

• 39 GS, 30 were R - GS, 9 were F - GS.

• 96,929 Total Kms reported by Motorcycles – Home to Rally (one way)

• Estimated Fuel consumption - 5,331 litres (based on 5.5 lt per 100k - ave)

Photo of attending Presidents accompanying the article describing the BMW National Rally in the Barossa Leader newspaper on 17 April 2024. All BMW Presidents were there except Graeme Cooke from the BMWMCC WA.

By Duncan Bennett, Member #4171

The BMW Clubs Australia “Nationals” is an annual gathering of the BMW faithful, with the cars alternating years with bikes. Fortunately, and completely at odds with prorata wheel numbers, we get one every two years. The Gold Coast did it spectacularly well in June 2022 at Kooralbyn, and according with tradition the next rally location was volunteered at the dinner by the BMW Owner’s Club of South Australia (BMWOCSA). In the Barossa Valley. I remember a groan going up – everyone thinking Death Valley in California and Snag Valley in the Yukon which hold the highest and lowest North America temperatures. No-one wants a rally in a valley. The googlin’ started –hold on, the Barossa Valley isn’t a blasted Mad Max wasteland like most of South Australia – in fact there might be a few of the world’s premium vineyards within walking/stumbling range. That’s different. We’re going.

Only cheated a little bit

The usual planning started with Garmin Basecamp; result was first night Moree, second night a new place for us in Lake Cargelligo, third night Swan Hill, fourth night Berri, and then into the Valley at Nuriootpa. Surely some dirt in that mix, but the ugly weather app showed the good ones were or would soon be closed. Pure highway required. New tyres needed. Nuh, re-think it, so how about flying into Adelaide, Melbourne, or Sydney and hiring? Given that this fabulous idea materialised over Easter less than a week out from the planned leaving date, hopes weren’t

to t HE vall

high – Melbourne’s bikesroundoz had a big BMW ride to service, Adelaide hasn’t heard of motorcycles let alone hiring, but maybe Sydney? Two Harleys available. Cindy will call you, don’t call Cindy. Then tried Eaglerider in Melbourne. We’ve hired from them previously so a discount applied, and yes they had Motorcycle, BMW, Type GS, quantity 2. Miracles happen. As always a fair bit of seat height review occurred for Cindy, but the 1200GS seat height looked within stretched leg tolerances, so we were a go.

All the baggage

Off we went with the usual ridiculous amount of check-in baggage, to learn that everyone else on Jetstar don’t check anything in to avoid the eye-watering baggage fees, but rather carry on their “I swear it weighs less than 7kg but noone is checking anyway” steamer trunks which take 3 big men to lift into the overhead lockers. Our tiny bags needed to go under our seats, but luckily the kind attendant had reserved a locker for normal people’s carry-on so it wasn’t as bad as Jetstar are reputed to be.

The next morning we headed out to Eaglerider

rallY to t HE vall EY

Melbourne to pick up the bikes. The depot is actually in Carrum Downs, which is nowhere near Melbourne, with the staff in the Uber office high-fiving each other when I confirmed the Uber X to go down there. Arriving at the opening time of 9am, we noticed it wasn’t open. Cindy made a call and they said there had been a medical emergency involving the chap who was supposed to open up, and we’d have to wait. The miracle of the day then occurred –a coffee van lady driving past saw us standing there and sensed our needs.

Now we know how Tony Bullimore felt

Shortly afterward the replacement chap arrived and let us in, with the steeds lined up and ready to go. A small problem – the seat height on the 1200GS was okay but it was like straddling a LaZ-Boy recliner – Cindy’s legs were fully splayed and could have only touched the ground about 2.5m from the bike.

Uh-oh. There were only two bikes though, so try the F850GSA. Amazingly much better even with the 21” front wheel, the seat on this was about 1” wide so contact with the ground was possible. The swap was made, baggage was packed, and we were off. Fortunately both bikes had Quad Locks so navigation was taken care of, which was important in finding our way the 1000km back to Melbourne and heading west.

The chosen route was down to Geelong and then west through Lismore and Mortlake, with the rain we were supposed to have cleverly avoided starting around Cressy and just getting worse the further west we went. The plan for the night was Penola, but this hotbed of Coonawarra Cab Savs was completely devoid of accommodation, 4 hotels and van parks were called without success. Saint Mary MacKillop may have been in town. Never mind, Naracoorte would do. By Casterton we were seriously questioning this decision. Sena discussion followed this theme: If we see something even half decent in Casterton, we’ll call the place we’ve booked in Naracoorte and pretend we have a breakdown/death/ hostage situation to get out of the booking. But Casterton provided no livable hotel options. So lying was completely unnecessary, we knuckled down and pushed on over the border, through the Coonawarra which seemed emptier than expected, and into Naracoorte.

Entering the driest state in the driest inhabited continent, while it is raining

My F850GSA was stolen by Cindy

The accommodation in Naracoorte was nowhere near the centre of town, and the rain was relentless. Even better, the fancy motel restaurant wasn’t open on Mondays. Someone had to volunteer to do a supermarket run, and Cindy volunteered me. No worries, the Gore-Tex was still completely dry, so off to the Woolies for salad and a bachelor’s handbag (BBQ’d chook). The only undercover area was the deserted “Click and Collect”, no worries it looks closed, I’ll park on the ramp out of the rain. Into the shopping centre, casually stroll about the shops, and back out to pack everything into the top-box. The “Click and Collect” zone was chokkas with waiting cars, and it was immediately obvious that a parked F850GSA – Cindy’s bike in case you’d forgotten – was blocking the “Collect” part of “Click and Collect”. The Woolies lady trying to get her trolley past the bike to an angry client’s car asked that next time I not park on the ramp. I said I’d let Cindy know about the F850GSA parking rules, packed up and rode back to the motel.

The missing button

While heading north in the bitter cold of a Naracoorte April morning, Cindy mentioned that she still couldn’t find how to turn on the heated grips on her F850GSA Triple Black. I said that I was sure modern BMW heated grips were activated via the wonder wheel. As my bike was a 2016 1200GS, it had the button in the usual place. Can’t find anything on the controls says Cindy. Well it is a Triple Black BMW for heaven’s sake, and I am sure every BMW motorcycle

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since the R75 on the cold nights on the eastern front in 1943 have had heated grips, it must be there somewhere. Turns out it wasn’t, Googlin’ said so and a blank filler was in the place where the finger-saving toggle should have been. On a Triple Black no less. I was OK though.

The Valley of Promise

Onto the Dukes Highway at Bordertown, a mini pastie snack at Keith near the Andy Caldecott memorial, and into Murray Bridge for lunch. Swarms of BMWs were noted revolving around the town centre, so we parked next to a couple and went into a café because the riders in there recognised us as common. I assumed common to the BMW creed rather than just common. A very pleasant lunch was had with BMW Motorcycle Club of Victoria members Mel and Sheryl, and then off we all went to the rally destination of Nuriootpa. We chose to go via the WW1 names route of Cambrai and Sedan, with its creek name signs proclaiming changes such as Marne River (formerly Rhine River South), and then very confusingly North Rhine River (formerly Somme River). A very nice bit of road from Sedan into Angaston and we arrived at Rally HQ – the Nuriootpa Big 4 Caravan Park.

First thing was to register and say hello to faces both new and familiar, with a very warm welcome from BMWOCSA President Bailey Gifford and the hard-working organisers. A bottle of wine for each delegate set the scene; we were in one of the world’s great wine producing places, and no-one was going to be able to forget it. The afternoon was a wander about Nuriootpa to get

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the lay of the land and try to sort out which The Vines businesses were likely to be The Vines we wanted or not. There are a lot of Vines, those that sell Wines were the target, The Vines retirement home not. That evening it was off to the Vine Inn, mission accomplished on the wine, and meeting up with a few more BMWish souls.

Electrified BMWOCSA Flatchat Editor Brian Kowalik, and our very own Malone

Barossa local Gerald Wright about to show us where all the wineries are hiding

Up at the crack of dawn + 2 hours on Rally Day 1, we dressed and prepped for the first event – the Valley orientation ride. A fair crowd followed Gerald riding his gorgeous R1100S around through endless vineyards as we took in the local landscapes and nearby towns. A stop at a very nice view near Vine Vale, show a bit more naming imagination people, no wonder everyone gets lost, and we ended up at Seppeltsfield. Gerald lost control of the group at that point as it was close enough to lunchtime to get away with it, and he returned to Nuriootpa with his followers reduced from about 25 to none.

Presidents Cindy and Steve representing the Queensland BMW clubs in the Vines Accord

Back to the Nuri (we’d been in town long enough now to use the familiar shortening) it was a trip to a servo to fix Cindy’s flattening tyre issues – 26 PSI in the front and 32 in the back made cornering interesting. We broke the auto inflator at servo No.1 and managed to reduce the front to 13 PSI, which is the opposite of what we were trying to achieve. An exciting trip for Cindy to

servo No.2 with me continually suggesting that any tiny deviation from slow and straight would tear the tyre off the rim exactly as happened on the Space Shuttle Challenger’s final flight in 1986, I was riding so was totally relying on my faultless memory for that conclusion. Tyres back to normal pressures, we returned to the Nuri Big 4 and prepared for a winery tasting. Penfolds is only just out of the centre of town so was the obvious choice, and naturally filled with like-minded BMW riders, these our fellow members from the BMWOC Gold Coast (yes like many we are cross-pollinated), who fielded a large contingent.

Wasn’t

That evening was a pizza gathering, with the Rally entering full swing and heaps of delegates trying to talk to heaps of other delegates all at the same time. I entered into a conversation with BMWOCSA’s Simon Turvey who was leading the dirt ride on Rally Day 2. Simon seemed vaguely familiar, but I couldn’t place him, not that it stopped me droning on to him with dirt riding experiences, which would come back to haunt me the next night.

Up in the morning we scarfed down an egg and bacon burger cooked by the tireless President Bailey and hardworking BMWOCSA members, then collectively collected all the bikes together for a group photo.

Somehow disentangling the mess, we gathered for our respective dirt or tar rides, but the meeting points became a bit of a Venn Diagram resulting in several accidentally joining the wrong team. Off east we went, getting into some stuff that was rocky and rough, before leader Simon’s bike decided to have problems and we stopped for a bit to let him check it out and swap it with someone else’s so the ride could continue. Some of the people in the wrong

Dieter and Duncan resenting Cindy’s pizza

For the 23rd Journal in a row – a photo of Brian Floyd and his R90S

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team, including our Tony Malone who had calmly followed the leader up the ugly bits on his magnificent R1250RT, decided that they may be in the wrong team so took the opportunity to head back and find the right team.

Not quick enough to get a picture of Tony Malone amongst the hard-core dirt bikes

The roads were generally a joy to ride, some sections a bit rough but others allowing speeds that would be naughty on tar. The only iffy bit was a connection road just out across Goyder’s Line which marks the end of cropping as we know it and heads into that familiar SA saltbush country. Simon stopped for a quick briefing –watch out for wombat holes. Wombat holes? Do wombats live out here or is it a euphemism for freshly dug graves? We are in the South Australian Murder Belt after all. Turned out wombats do live there, and in fact one had dug a nasty 2 ft diameter deep pit in the middle of the sandy track, fortunately not in the line of sensible riding so avoided by all.

A stop for an excellent description of South Australia’s German settler history at Steinfeld

(previously known as Stonefield, and before that Steinfeld, Stonefield, and Steinfeld) and we headed back to the Nuzza. Getting a bit too familiar now.

Michael and his delicious “had it from new” R100GSPD

Cindy had visited the local high school where they make wine as part of the curriculum, they used to train race horses but having kids in both alcohol and gambling training programs was a bit much for the SA authorities, the horses had to go.

Perfectly summarising the Rally; Gerald’s R1100S in front of a winery

Having not had any wine yet and it was nearing lunchtime, we were under pressure to turn the day around. Gerald had strenuously recommended a winery in the very nearby town of Greenock; Kalleske. Cindy was up for heavy tasting, so a touch of pillioning was required. Into the very pretty winery with autumn leaves adding to the scene, we soon had a ploughman’s platter on the go plus a couple of tasting paddles.

We couldn’t commit to carrying any wines so decided to get a case of their superb product posted – it almost beat us back to Brisbane. As per tradition (I’ve done two now so anything that was done at both must surely be tradition) the Rally proper concluded with a dinner. And the BMWOCSA did this in style with two excellent guest speakers, and the Vine Inn – what else would it be called – full menu available. We will always treasure Bob Leggatt, the President of the BMW Motorcycle Club – Victoria, not just because his club branch provided the most members at the Rally, but because he ordered his dinner on the way through the bar and encouraged us to do likewise. Huge queues avoided, excellent dinner was eaten and the guest speakers came on. No.1 was Simon Turvey, BMWOCSA committee member. At that moment I suddenly remembered how I knew Simon Turvey – I’d read the amazing story of his BMW Trophy experience in Mongolia in 2018. Simon joined Shane Guttridge and Michael Haley on Australia’s first team foray into the event and came a very creditable 10th against some highly experienced competition. At that moment I also started wondering what utter drivel I’d spoken to him the previous night. Never mind, Simon is an incredibly humble and nice bloke, a true champion of technical riding, and hopefully hard of hearing.

No.2 speaker was Drew Radford, ex-Director of the ABC in South Australia. Sounds boring, surely a Glenelg latte sipper of the first water.

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Nuh, he is totally insane and a motorcycling travel hero, starting from when he was in London as a youngster, deciding to buy a bike with as little due diligence as is possible to do, and riding home. To Adelaide. He started doing radio programs from the road to combine his love of motorcycle travel with broadcasting, resulting in carrying about 3 tonnes of electrical equipment. A fascinating bloke and we need to get a copy of his book; Not all ringers and cowboys.

Drew Radford explaining why carrying tonnes of stuff isn’t always a good thing

And finally the President’s photo, all club Presidents were there except for BMW MCC WA. This is the time when a representative of another club, hopefully having informed the committee back home first and not gone completely Colonel Kurtz, volunteers to host the next Nationals. Steven Treloar, President of the BMW Touring Club of NSW boldly stood up and announced that 2026 would be held somewhere picturesque in our next-door state neighbour’s yard. Bring it on. The night was capped off by winning a door prize, I can’t win the raffle at BMWMCQ meetings where there are like 10 people but can at an event with 140 people. I hate probability.

Up early on Barossa bailout day to stuff various red beverage containers into the already straining luggage, we decided to break the back of the ride to Melbourne by putting in a big one. But not at the expense of another bacon and egg breakfast burger. Sensational.

Simon Turvey making me feel pathetic

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BMW Motorcycle Clubs Royals: Trevor Dean BMW Clubs Australia, Steve Treloar BMWTCNSW, Cindy Bennett BMWMCQ, Bailey Gifford BMWOCSA, Bob Leggatt BMWMCV, Garry Smee BMWMC Canberra, and Steve Bryant BMWOCGC

Farewells randomly distributed to those present but especially to Bailey and the BMWOCSA committee and volunteers for leading us through 3 days of fantastic fun, it was navigationally the shortest/fastest route back to Murray Bridge. A word on South Australian navigation here –they aren’t terribly fussed about helping people get to their destination, and those expecting a “Metropolisville 47km” sign when exiting a small town will be disappointed when visiting the state.

Some of our BMWMCQ delegates; Bob Leggatt’s finger (honorary member), Ross, Cindy, Duncan, Dieter, Tony. There in spirit; Brian’s R90S, Brent and Robyn Marshall, and the other dual GC and QLD citizens.

Onto Dukes Highway again until it became the Western Highway over the border, we inevitably got tangled up with returning Victorian delegates, with the local knowledge helpful for coffee and luncheon venues. The highway was getting tedious by Kaniva, so we speared off south toward Goroke, named by the frog who I think was 2IC in Major Mitchell’s 1836 exploration expedition, and into the Victorian’s Simpson Desert training ground of the Little Desert. One glimpse up a road heading into that s#!t-show and sand riding becomes far less attractive than the rose-tinted imagination allows.

Past the incredible Jane Duff memorial, how 3 little kids survived without food and water for 9 days out there is just amazing, into Horsham, and back into the highway slog to Ararat to call it a day. The final experiences were a breakfast in Beaufort, a coffee in Daylesford, and a nice fried chicken luncheon with some digit licking at an unnamed restaurant just around the corner from Eaglerider. Un-packed, re-packed, and Uber Technology Inc’s share price was ratcheted up a bit when the results from our journey to Tullamarine were posted.

A great event and great fun getting there, hanging about various wineries, and getting back, especially for those with heated grips.

Echidna tries to lure BMWs into the Little Desert horror

UBy Tony Gray, Member #3905

nless you work in a bike shop or your name happens to be Richard Maher, then you are unlikely to have the opportunity to ride multiple bikes in the same day. Recently the planets aligned for me and through a favourable set of circumstances I had the opportunity to ride four very different boxer engine BMW motorcycles over the period of one day. The ages of the bikes spanned over 30 years of BMW development so it gave me the chance to test the BMW mantra of ‘Evolution not Revolution’.

Bike 1 - my 1976 R60/6. A simple machine with its pulsating boxer engine, carburetors and conventional suspension. The engine sits in a full cradle tubular steel frame with a bolt on rear sub-frame. She has drum brakes which are very poor by modern standards and conventional switchgear - the indicator switch is a vertical, up for left & down for right item. The 5 speed gearbox and cable operated dry clutch require a deft touch for smooth changes. Ignition is by coil & contact breaker points. It is a nice bike to ride with a large flywheel effect, a bit like an old Volkswagen - get her up to speed and she will stay there all day.

all in a daY’ s W or K

Bike 2 - ‘Kenny’ the ex Mark Morrissey 1993 R100GSPD. Kenny is anything but standard with a lot of engine upgrades performed by Mark. The lineage from the R60 is unmistakable. The engine revs out quickly but the feel and vibes of the air-cooled boxer engine are unchanged. The bike is fitted with an external oil cooler but still retains the cable operated dry clutch and 5 speed gearbox. Apart from modifications to make it a ‘fit for purpose’ adventure bike the main difference is in the rear suspension where the paralever swingarm system has been adopted. Kenny also has an hydraulic front disc brake which was standard fitment but Mark’s example has been upgraded. Certainly a big step forward from the R60. The switchgear has taken another major change with adoption of the ‘Paddle’ indicator switches. Ignition on Kenny is the locally developed ‘Wedgetail’ system but original fitment was the old ‘beancan’ (electronic with mechanical advance), an advancement on the earlier points system of the R60.

Bike 3 - President Cindy’s 2000 model R1200C. I approached the C with a fair degree of preconceived bias as I am not a Cruiser person. I came away pleasantly surprised. Notwithstanding the feet forward, higher bar riding position this is very much a BMW Boxer. These air/oil cooled boxers adopted fuel injection and the engine revs and pulls strongly from very low revs. The rear suspension had reverted to the earlier monolever system with the latest telelever front suspension. The engine acts as a stressed member bolted to the backbone frame. The hydraulic clutch actuation to the standard BMW single plate dry clutch was smooth with a 5 speed gearbox. The hydraulic disc brakes front & rear are very efficient. The switchgear continued with the ‘Paddle’ indicator switches. The bike had a Bosch Motronic electronic ignition system, again an advancement on the beancan.

Bike 4 - ‘The Gray Ghost’, my 2007 R1200GS. I have done more miles on this bike than any other I have owned. We know & understand each other very well. The ‘Hexhead’ 1200 range was the next stage of development from the ‘Oilhead’ as fitted to Cindy’s 1200C. Suspension is paralever rear and telelever front. The engine is a stressed member with a backbone frame and bolted on rear sub-frame. Hydraulic clutch actuation to the standard BMW single plate dry clutch and now with a 6 speed gearbox. Hydraulic disc brakes front & rear are similar to the 1200C. Fuel injection is standard and the 2007 model had reverted to the non-servo assisted ABS braking system. It was the last bike where it was possible to order a bike without ABS but these are very rare. The switchgear continued with the ‘Paddle’ indicator switches. The engine is smooth with a balance shaft and revs out easily. BMW claimed that the first 2004 edition of the R1200 models did not share any components with the R1150 range they replaced. The R1200 range adopted the Canbus wiring system with computer controlled ignition, a big stretch from the coil & points system of the R60.

Summary: All four bikes have a boxer engine with a cardan shaft driving the rear wheel. Even though their design briefs were totally different and with the passing of 30+ years with refinements and improvements especially with ignition, they all retain that BMW ‘feel’. If it was possible to ride blindfolded then I would have still known that I was riding a BMW Boxer. ‘Evolution not Revolution’? Yes most definitely.

While at the Nationals Rally in the Barossa, we happened upon some rather special looking motorcycles.... No idea who owned them or the backstory, but for your viewing pleasure....

Simon Turvey’s seriously awesome looking F800GSyou know this has done some hard yards.

The electric CE 04 in it’s default location!

t

IBy Richard Maher, Member #474

have replaced what has been the most disappointing tyre I have ever had on a motorcycle.

Goodbye Metzler Karoo Streets.

The Karoo’s were incredibly noisy and frankly the grip has left me underwhelmed.

The Michelin Anakee 3 was much better on the dirt than the Karoo ever was and it’s not even a serious dirt tyre.

Live and learn.

I love the Pirelli Scorpion Trail 2 but at $700 ish for a pair I’m struggling to justify the cost.

I’ve gone with a pair of povo spec Shinko Trail Master E-705’s on recommendation from Andy McLeod.

$430 a pair fitted.

Shinko E-705’s -

Forget to do a prenup and somehow still afford a pair!

Karoo Streets - the Demon’s rubber

I know I’m not comparing apples to apples here.

The Pirelli/Michelin tyres are more road biased but they cost more. Time will tell.

On trial today they are much quieter than the Karoo’s and even without scrubbing in they are more accurate in the corners than the Karoo’s.

I have a theory that a 1200GS on road tyres is better in the dirt that a 1200GS on dirt tyres in the twisties.

Will report after the Cane Toad Rally this weekend as to their road/dirt performance.

By Ben Nazzari, Member #4584

Multi-tasking for War

German newspaper and magazine advertisements reminded the public that the BMW company produced aircraft engines, motorcycles and trucks for the Wehrmacht.

This advertisement appeared in the March 20, 1943, German Motorcycle specialty publication Das Motorad. A few weeks earlier, on 2 February, the German 6th Army survivors had surrended to Soviet forces at the battle of Stalingrad, signalling the beginning of the end of the 3rd Reich.

While the company produced aircraft engines during the first World War, the 496cc R32 launched in 1923, was the first motorcycle badged under the BMW name.

Its iconic Boxer twin cylinder air cooled engine design quickly established a reputation for dependability, comfort and performance, which was further enhanced when it broke the motorcycle speed record using a special aerodynamically design supercharged 500cc engine in 1937, reaching 173.68 MPH. Then in June 1939, 3 months before WW2, German

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rider George Meier took top honours at the famous isle of man TT- the first for as foreign rider on a foreign motorcycle.

R32

In addition to the vaunted 750cc R75, BMW also supplied the military with more than 36,000 side valve R12 BMW’s. All told the Wehrmacht utilized the following models: R4, R12, R23, R35 and R75.

BMW R4

The 1932 BMW R4 was a 12hp single cylinder, four stroke of 398cc displacement, mounted in a sturdy pressed steel frame and was, like all BMW’s, shaft driven via an enclosed driveshaft, doing away with the complications of the exposed chain drive. The air cooled three speed transmission machine required kick starting. The solo mount motorcycle featured a tell-tale curved girder front end. Tipping the scales at

BMW

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414 lb (187 kg) it could reach 62 mph (100 kmh) with a range of 211 miles (340 km). Some 15,000 units were made, and it was well received by the Police and Army institutions.

BMW R12

The 1935 R12 was powered by a 745cc four stroke side-valve engine, hosed also in a pressed steel frame which produced 18 HP. The motorcycle weighing some 414LB’s and in military spec could attain speeds of 62MPH with a range of 174 miles, some 36,000 units were produced for the German military, more than any other bike in the BMW range. It would be replaced by the more robust R75 sidecar combo.

The R23 was a 1939 247cc single cylinder fourstroke producing 10HP 8,000 units were made, and these were used for general duties.

BMW R35

The 1937 R35 was a single cylinder 340cc fourstroke making 14HP. It had the same weight, maximum speed and range of the R4, which it replaced. Some 15,386 units were produced pre-War with many civilian owned models also requisitioned for military use, weighing some 360 lb in military trim it was capable of a top speed of 60MPH.

R75 Solo

Powered by the 746cc flathead with an overhead valve twin cylinder four-stroke producing 26HP, it could reach speeds of 57 mph with a range of 211 miles. It was first produced in 1938 as the result of Wehrmacht requests and it saw service in both Europe and North Africa.

R75 Sidecar

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Also known as the ‘Type Russia’ the R75 sidecar unit was highly maneuverable and literally unstoppable until it reached the Russian rainy season’s mud and snow drifts outside Stalingrad.

Designed during 1939-41 the tank tough R75, combined with its crankshaft driven, third wheel on the sidecar, proved itself a major success clocking 52 miles to the US gallon with a range of 225 miles. It could climb 40-degree inclines as well as provide a carrying capacity of over 1,000 lb, which was about equal to its own weight of 929 lb. Specifications include a 750cc air-cooled, four-stroke OHV twin cylinder engine that produced 26HP @ 4000 rpm. An 8-speed transmission included 2 reverse gears while a top speed was a reported 60mph.

R75 in London’s Imperial War Museum which was a late war production unit, yet is displayed as a 1940 blitzkrieg-era R75 and has the incorrect paint colour.

However, it arrived too late in the war and in too small numbers (16,510) to affect the final outcome as its factory in Eisenach was destroyed in 1944 by Allied bombing. Today it is the most sought-after collectable, fetching high-end values which are only getting higher with constant demand.

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, Geoff Hodge on 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!

RIDE TO ZERO

• The BMWMCQ and our partner organisation (SMART Rider Academy) have received a subsidy of $17,500 for training!

• First training courses will start mid-May and will be a mix of weekday and weekend sessions at Mitchelton.

• $50 investment per rider, the rest of the cost will be covered by the training subsidy.

• Register via the link on the Club Facebook page or website.

By Tony Gray, Member #3905

A CODIFIED SET OF BUILDER’S, CRAFTER’S, MAKER’S WORKSHOP RULES.

Pictured is the underside of the ABS Pump off my R1100GS. The ABS system was playing up and I was working my way through the system which led me to the Guru of all things powered by ‘lectricity, Les Fitzpatrick. The ‘sealed’ unit was too tempting to resist so we did what any inquisitive mechanical mind would do and opened her up. This inquisitive, enquiring mechanical mindset is fairly summed up in this Manifesto that I once read - how many of these boxes can you tick?

NO NEED SHALL STAND UNADDRESSED: There is a way to make things better.

NO CRAFT SHALL PASS UNAPPRECIATED: It is always worthwhile to pause and intake a thing of beauty. Someone else’s accomplishment may be my inspiration.

THE EFFORT ITSELF IS THE REWARD: Yes, I did spend three days on a device to save me 10 minutes. You are missing the point of the process.

A FAILURE IS SIMPLY AN EXPERIMENT: Most efforts will fail. Rarely should the same failure repeat itself more than a dozen times or so.

MISCELLANEOUS PARTS ARE LIFE*: I’m keeping that because I will need it someday. Last time I threw something out, I needed it the very next day.

PROBLEMS ARE DESIGNED TO BE SOLVED: Spring into action. Make it happen. Hannibal was right; I love it when a plan comes together.

PROJECTS ARE STACKABLE: It’s not that I’m starting something new before finishing something old - I’m nesting the new project inside the old.

IF IT HAS SCREWS, THEY SHALL BE TURNED: If it has bolts, they shall be loosened. If it has rivets, they may get along for a while without being pried open, but that probably won’t last.

IF IT IS BROKEN, IT IS FAIR GAME: maybe I can fix it? Maybe I can use some of its parts for something else. Maybe I just want clearance to be more rough than usual when opening up the case.

THE INSIDES OF THINGS ARE BEAUTIFUL: Let’s see what they look like.

Random Mounting Bar. I’ll be able to mount something random one day...

awesome plug that just hasn’t fit anything. Yet. One of those critical things that lock strings or wires together

Editor’s critical miscellaneous parts collection

YClUB traininG sUBsidY

BMWMCQ TRAINING COURSE SUBSIDY

our 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 three years for each member eg subsidy February 2022 reeligible February 2025.

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.

The Training Course Subsidy can be used to offset the mandatory $50 cost of the upcoming Smart Rider training, with the QLD Govt funding the rest - simples!

trainin G - t HE a lt E rnativ E to C ras H in G

By Duncan Bennett, Member #4171

Drifting through some old photos recently, I came across our 2014 Off Road Skills training course which we took because neither Cindy nor I had ever ridden an “adventure” motorcycle, and we were booked to fly off to Chile to start a tour on BMW F700GSes on the 1st January 2015. Dirt on a Honda XR250 was well within my experience, but they weighed 120 kg and could go anywhere. A +200 kg motorcycle that looked like it would go straight into the ditch at the first sign of dirt? We’d better do some training.

The Off Road Skills team are still around 10 years later, in fact the very people who trained us are still doing it - Simon Pavey (10 times Dakar), Simon Hewitt, and Llewelyn Pavey (2 or 3 times Dakar each).

What was the value of the training?

• Learning some basic critical skills, such as lesson 1 - picking the bike up without blowing a disc or giving yourself a hernia.

• Understanding how to set the bike up to give the best ergonomics.

• Slow speed control especially clutch, throttle, and braking which is useful for everything from parking at Dan Murphys to launching over a fallen log.

• Riding down hills using front, rear and engine braking techniques.

• Understanding that there is virtually no limit in what these bikes can do - it is all about the rider.

• The training gives methods and skills in a controlled environment with instruction before, during, and after each activity.

Another learning from training is that it is just the beginning. You wouldn’t do a weekend of motorcycle training and then sign up for the Finke, so the training must be backed up with practice, practice, and more practice until the skills become second nature.

It took me a few hard crashes to realise that.

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

The 850GS - from a shorty’s perspective -

By Cindy Bennett, Member #4170

Our change of plans on getting to the National Motorrad Rally, involving flying to Melbourne and hiring bikes gave me the opportunity to ride a previously unridden GS - the 850!

I had always thought that they were too tall for me, heck they look huge with that ginormous 21” front wheel. But upon arriving at the hire shop and them not having a low seat for the 1200GS, I thought I would have to settle on one of the Harley cruisers in the fleet - heaven forbid how that would look at a BMW Rally.

However upon sitting on the impressive looking Triple Black 850GSA, Eureka - I could touch the ground on the balls of my feet, high-fives all around! The trip out of Melbourne via Geelong and heading west was a good opportunity to settle into the rhythm of the 850, my initial thoughts were that it feels lighter than it looks. And zippy, it was a pleasure to apply subtle throttle and have instant herbs to pass on the long country roads. There may have been an occasion to get it upwards of the speed limit and it was scarily effortless!

As the first afternoon cooled and then became increasingly wet, I could not find the heated grips button and after a stop and some googling by Duncan we discovered the sad empty space where that button should be. Very surprising for an otherwise specked up machine, feel like writing a letter to Munich about this…

By the end of riding day 1 I was feeling confident and one complaint was a weird feeling in the steering when turning a roundabout or tight corner – “check tyre pressure readings” was Duncan’s advice and low and behold it was hovering in low 20 PSI range. My other complaint was one common to the smaller size GS’s, it leaned over a looooong way on the side stand. So far in fact that it made parking a time consuming process trying to find the perfect elevation to be able to get it back up by myself again. Easily fixed if it’s your own bike, but a hire – just an annoyance really.

After the second full day of riding I was able to appreciate that this bike was one which was super comfy for long stints in the seat, a very neutral riding position which I appreciated – and would certainly appreciate further on the trek back to Melbourne!

Well, you have probably read Duncan’s account of the Rally, it was a very well run event and big kudos to the South Australian team who put it together. Duncan did take the 850 for a turn in the dirt which he reports went very well and much more exciting than on his hire 1200GS!

After 3 nights in the Barossa meeting and reconnecting with other likeminded riders we re-mounted for the ride back. A short stint on some gravelly roadworks did not trouble the 850GSA whatsoever.

So, in conclusion I have ridden many iterations of the GS genre – including

last Word

1250, 1200, 750, 700 and 650 and now adding the 850 to the mix I don’t have that many more to fill my dance-card. On return to Brisbane and back onto the Tiger it seemed very low and dinky. I enjoy stretching my capabilities as a rider and the 850 did this for me without being super scary.

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

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