Ola Chicos

 all right campaneros, back into action.   As mentioned in previous post, been a little bit more active on the motorcycle scene.  So, every saturday it's desert riding with Motorzone Dubai.  

That's me 2nd fm the left.  Forget about me, just enjoy the view.  Simply fabulous to start weekend with this scenery and the immensity upon which we ride on.  Difficult to describe really....

On the beamer front, it went from good to bad and then really bad.   So, as I was about to take a nice sunday ride with X-enduro, I realise the rear wheel wasn't turning smoothly.   Went to Touratech for a second opinion and then after opening the shaft, we discovered the rear shaft was broken (or just about to be).   Bummer, had only rode the bike for few months.   

The mechanic was bit puzzled with it but did confirm it was somewhat usual on Beamer.   After doing some research, it appears to be true.   Funny enough, got a message yesterday thru whatsapp group that BMW were recalling all their 2014-2018 model to change the shaft as it was subject to rust due to condensation and that lead to failure.   Looking at my shaft that's what exactly happen.   Also, spoke to few owner that confirm the same, especially for those riding intensively off-road.   

And that's when it becomes tricky to live in a "non-bike culture" country.   Access to parts is difficult and can sometimes take forever 👿!!!  Touratech suggested they order a second hand from Germany.   So, I figure, bike's already old and mostly used for off-road so not really a need to get a new and expensive one.   So, gave my green light.   Part was supposed to arrive with 2 weeks.   After 4 weeks, still had not arrive.   Not sure who was to be blamed for the delay 👺, but eventually after 4,5 weeks, the part had finally arrived. 

 And as you can see (or not), they send the wrong shaft !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!🙉

So, Touratech felt really bad and decided to canibilize another 2nd bike they had in stock and removed its shaft to put it on mine.   So 5 weeks after the original incident, the bike was finally on the road.   

Meanwhile, back on using the XT 500.   

I had not started it since april after purchasing the GS but the "mother of all modern adventure bike" started on first kick.  The XT 500 is simply the GOAT.  I just love this machine.   

But I felt bad that I hadn't treated her well, so my softer side took the best of me.  I decided she needed a little TLC.  So, went online and ordered some new front fork spring, brake shoes, rear suspension, headlight, a 6 days enduro number plate and numerous little things to show her, how much I value her, and appreciate her.  I'll do a piece when she'll get her lifting.   

So, as I drove the XT around town, and the CRF in the desert, I kept busy with few motorbike events.  First, I attended the 2nd Annual Dubai Motorcycle Film Festival.   

And met, the camera man that did the "round the world" series with Ewan Mc Gregor.  

A really nice, down to earth type of guy.... 

One of the good thing about going to this Film festival apart from watching some great movies, is that I found a nice little bike bar nearby called Moto Rauch & Staub, 

 A really nice and chilling place.   

The following weekend I was off to South Africa, but unfortunately not for motorbiking but to car racing at the AMG driving experience 

Had done the same type of course in the UK few years back, and although it can be fun, I found it far from being on motorcycle.   Still a nice day out and different type of impression.   

Back in Dubai, was time for the beginning of the off-road riding season with all the dealer showing their 2023 model with possibility to try them out at the X-enduro ground at Khamila.  

Took the opportunity to the new Harley Davidson Pan America.  It handles surprisingly well for such a big machine.  

Also rode the KTM 1290 and the 890, but they are comparable to the BMW in my opinion.   I wanted to try the 690 but KTM had not brought any of them.  

And after 5 weeks I was back on my BMW, ready for the X-enduro Challenge.   A fun contest amongst 8 teams of 3 drawn together randomly and competiting over 8 different drills, from salvage to agility.   And my team took 2nd....

And for today's blog, few pics of Sigourney Weaver, 

See you next time, for new adventure....

Ola Muchachos

 Damn, feels nice to put motorcycle back into the bull eyes of my hobby life.   Been too long out.   So, as I was saying in my previous post, after a summer of Harley riding in Corsica and South of France, I returned to Dubai for some off Road fun.   

Plan is Saturday desert on the 450 CRF and Sunday off road and trail riding on the GS 1200.     

But before I move on let's just take one min for her majesty.   She rode motorcycle. 

So last sunday, I took my second Trail ride with X-enduro.   More of a beginers ride than anything but nice to be out in the open.  

But as I was getting myself ready for a new ride this weekend, noticed some issues with rear of the bike.  Went to Touratech and after dismantling the shaft, it turned out it was broken.   Apparently, a common things amongst beamer, especially for some doing lots of offroad.  

Anyway, so we are presently trying our luck trying to find a second hand in Europe.   Not sure when I'll be riding her again. 

So, I went back on the XT for street riding.  I hadn't started for 6 months and she fired up after only one kick.   And it got me thinking.  I could actually take the XT for offroad rides.  After all, the XT was the first winner of the Dakar in 1979.  Up till now, I was very protective of it and did not want to ruin the bike by dropping it.   But considering I actually got 2 XT, I might as well use one for offroad.  

And this got me thinking of new project.  The XT will need some upgrade, especially on the suspension side.   I think I need to swop the fork and mount a YZ or CRF fork on it, then I need to replace the rear swing arm and rear suspension and probably fabricate an engine guard.  Just to give you some ideas, something along the lines of the below pics I stole on the net

Need to think how to do it but that's the plan.  

and just to finish this week update.   one random shite.

Ola Chicos

 Yallah, am back.   Am done with other things, back to bike focus...  Started this summer where I took my wife's bike to do bit of riding in Corsica, and as soon as I was back in Dubai, it was time for desert 

So every saturday now is desert on the CRF 450 and every sunday, it trail and gravel road with the 1200 Adventure. 

And as usual, some random shite found surfing. 

Ola muchachos Am back

 yeah, yeah, yeah, have been lazy.   In reality I have not done much on the bike side of things apart from riding within the city and in the desert.   As previously indicated, I relocated to the middle east but have not done much buildings or restauration.   I imported my tools but don't have the facility to build and wasn't gonna re-invest in expensive hardware.     

So rewind back a bit, I took my beloved xt500 from the US to Middle East, and have been using it here as a city commuter.   

Was a pain to get it registered here as the official dealer only opened in 1983 and the bike is from 1979. Local authority who had never seen an XT 500 could not understand how a bike was older than the dealer.  So, I had to get certificate from Yamaha Japan stating they were the official manufacturer of the bike.   The joy of living abroad.....

Otherwise, life has been good, I spent most of my time on the saddle in the Desert.   As indicated with I first moved here, I got very lucky to find a fairly new 450 crf which I have been using since.  

And recently, I just purchased a GS 1200, 2007 model which I plan to use in the Wadi of the middle East. 

Once in a while I return to France though its been tough with Covid.   Last time I was there, I notice that the tank on my dyna was leaking so I had to quickly order one from WW Cycle in Germany so I could ride through the summer.   Strangely could not find a second hand one, and there was no stock available so had to buy a tear drop tank.  Are Dyna FXD from last century that old ????  Also added a fatbob naked front fender.   

And to finish this latest update, few random pics that I have shamelessly stolen from the net.