Archive of BMW Motorrad Club Cape (2006 - 2019)

BEFORE DEPARTING ON A TRIP check the bike over thoroughly. Most important -ensure the life in your brake pads and tyres will be more than enough for the trip. Check also that you will not overrun your service interval. If close rather err on the side of an early service than wait till the other side. I now have a set of knobblies for the dirt trips and duals for the all-other trips. I find it more cost effective to remove the wheels myself and have the ryes changed by a bike shop (R30.00 per wheel) Do not let a car tyre shop fit for you- they have been known to damage the hollow beading of the GS rims. On blocks while the knobblies are changed for duals While my bike is on the blocks I can thoroughly check for brake pad life and any loose or wobbly bits on the machine. Having the piece of mind that the bike has no reason for a mechanical failure or loose bits shaking off is worth more than any rabbits foot can promise you. Knowing my pad wear and tyre wear is more than sufficient is also a huge insurance policy for good luck. Next I check my GS- self sufficiency kit. I'm continually surprised at how many fellow riders do not travel with self sufficiency in mind. BE PREPARED. An inicident far from the resources of roadside assist or a garage can ruin your day. Then I take the bike for a shake down ride to ensure the tyres fitted feel good, the pads are biting and the balance is there. If the bike is going to fall apart this is when I want it to happen, not later on the trip. This simple discipline has ensured me that my 30 000 km this year so far have been uneventful, enjoyable trips with mechanical failure far back in the reccesses of my mind. Andyman Yup that's me. Standing up in the traffic on the 1150GSA.