Return to Riding -- Advice needed

[MikeCam]

I am returning to riding after a brief sojourn away (11 days with my brothers and their families at the beach - torture).

Have a few questions for a returning rider. This board seems more friendly than ADV Rider does.

1. Air pressure - front 36-40 rear 38-42 right?
2. Oil - any MC or similar brand quality 10W40, 15W40, 20W50 Right?
Between the inner circle and the top circle? Right?
3. Transmission - synthetic at the top of the threads. Right?
4. Final Drive - 70W140 synthetic to the bottom of the bottom thread. Right?
5. Battery on charger when not riding. Acid/distilled water to bottom of show ring. Right?
6. Engine clatter on start up. They all do that. Right?
7. ABS brakes and servo assist is good. Right?
8. Never use the kill switch. Right?
9. Any old windscreen will do. Right?

AND

10. All other riders and cagers will respect my right of way and yield pleasantly on all highways, city streets, and Interstates. Right?

Many thanks in advance.

[vintagecycle]

1-yes
2-yes
3-yes
4-yes
5-yes
6-yes
7-yes
8-yes
9-yes
and,
10-uh,no!

Bravo Mike!

[Deans BMW]

Tranny---70/140 synth
Rear Drive-----70/90 stnth
Engine 20/50 any brand, I prefer Mobil 1 synth

[DSKYZD]

This thread is useless without pictures!

[Pat]

"11 days with my brothers and their families at the beach - torture."

It's no wonder you need a little reminder about the.....

GOOD THINGS IN LIFE.

Welcome back to life as we know to like it!

[Biff's R]

Mike,
Don't forget to change the air in the tires every month. You don't want to use old air.

[AndyfromPoland]

Never set out if there is a risk of rain: statistically, the single most common cause of bike shrinkage.

[Boxer]

Number 5 got me recently!! OUCH!

Just prior to the latest Rocky Knob ride to VA I removed the tank and cleaned everyhting up...Filled the battery cells....replaced the alternator belt, etc.

I didn't notice until this past week, dry white acid spill crap all over the top of the starter cover. I guess I overfilled the cells, huh?
Question: Do I need to pull the tank again and clean that stuff off the starter, under the cover etc.? Or does it make any difference at this point? Anyone with any similar dumb experiences...Or if you know somebody else who did this....?

[wncbmw]

11 days and you forget all that stuff?! Mike, you're getting forgetful in your old age!

[arkline]

Never set out if there is a risk of rain: statistically, the single most common cause of bike shrinkage.

I thought that cold weather makes it shrink, too...Oh...

Never mind.

[AndyfromPoland]

According to Hough, rain makes it shrink, cold makes it shrivel.

[BobFV1]

11 days - man that must have been some margarita recipe at the beach house!

Refill your tires with nitrogen and top off the crankcase with Crisco and you should be fine...

[rph802]

11 days - man that must have been some margarita recipe at the beach house!

Refill your tires with nitrogen and top off the crankcase with Crisco and you should be fine...

But make sure you only top out at 80% N, the rest can be comrised mostly of oxygen and some other trace gases. Be happy to supply you for only $15.00 ( and thats for the front and rear!! )!!!

Craig

[gel9001]

Why can't I use the kill switch? I use it all the time, e.g., stopped and someone wants to ask me something. I briefly turn off the motor with the kill switch. Faster than using the key and then have to go through the key on, wait for blinking lights to slow before starting.

Could anyone provide documentation from BMW Motorrad that we shouldn't do that?

Gene

[camfarm]

Truth be told, there were 2 travel days and one solo day without the big fam. Still one can only enjoy so much.

I went with peach daiquiris this year.

[rarider]

As I recall in the Motorcycle Safety Basic Rider Course, we were advised to always use the kill switch to stop the engine then turn off ignition. I do not recall their reasons.

I use the kill switch to keep me in practice to locate the switch quickly in case of an emergency......easier access than ignition switch especially if one has a GPS receiver near the ignition switch.

In addition, the ignition switch kills the power to the servos (ABS models). Turning off the ignition switch prematurely (ABS model) during a slow roll to stop could result in an unexpected loss of braking.

[Kevin Markwell]

I wondered who was going to bite on that.

[AndyfromPoland]

As I recall in the Motorcycle Safety Basic Rider Course, we were advised to always use the kill switch to stop the engine then turn off ignition. I do not recall their reasons.

I use the kill switch to keep me in practice to locate the switch quickly in case of an emergency......easier access than ignition switch especially if one has a GPS receiver near the ignition switch.

In addition, the ignition switch kills the power to the servos (ABS models). Turning off the ignition switch prematurely (ABS model) during a slow roll to stop could result in an unexpected loss of braking.

[R4R&R]

Pinky went fishing, and it looks like he may have caught something.

We'll see how this develops. I like how the kill switch has tied into the ABS/servo brakes.

[Bones]

Indeed, MSF recommends using the kill switch all the time so that IN CASE you ever need it, it is "instictive." Great....until the one time you use it, get sidetracked and leave the ignition on and drain the battery. Then you don't need a kill switch because the bike won't start anyway.

So, I prefer to always use the ignition key to turn off the bike (and thus, all electrics) and try to go through a mental check list when I START the bike about where the kill switch is, if needed. They don't move, so the kill switch should be in the same place next time, just like last time.

1. You can't educate for common sense.
2. No matter how much common sense you have, you will STILL, from time to time, do something incredibly bone headed.


3. You can't legislate common sense, either, but our government representatives sure try like hell to do so....protect us from ourselves, don't you know.