Ola Chicos

 It's been full speed motorbiking lately with tons of things happening.   

First, I went racing on circuit with Furiosa Racing in Dubai.  Had wanted to do that in a while but never found the time

Book myself 3 sessions of 4hr racing with professional coaching.   If you gonna do things, do them right.   Have to admit was a bit anxious about trying out circuit racing.   Was I gonna lay the bike down like Rossi, or was I gonna stand up on it like a tree ?  My only experience on sports bike had actually been on Buell Cyclone, which I had purchased to keep the registration card for a build and sell it in part.   I drove it few time and it was very fun.  But you feel so powerful driving a sport bike that I quickly realize, my next journey would be 6 feet under if I kept going with it.  Doing it on a circuit solves that problem and brings another dimension.  

To start with I had a great bike. 

The session were built into five 25 min track session followed by 5 sessions of class coaching to analyze what went right, went wrong and what to focus on.   

First test was to change into the gears and feel comfortable.  That in itself is a challenge. 

And then off onto the track.  Being new to the scene, I set myself a the back of the pack, just to observe, gain confidence with the bike but mostly cause I didn't want to slow anyone down.  The first few laps are safety laps so everyone can get into the circuit design, and then we are left on our own with only instruction of not overtaking in corners.   The Coach stays in the back and analyzes everyone driving skills.  

Well, no bragging but did pretty well.  Check out my video on 2nd training session. 

So that was fun, and will continue for 2 more session.  Saturday was back at my usual desert riding camp of Motorzone for some dune bashing and KTM presentation of their 2023 models. 

Then, I went off to India for work, and why not coupled work and pleasure.   So after 2 days of work, I took off on a rented Royal Enfield Himalayan to explore the outscur of Mumbai with the intention of doing a 3 days tour around Mumbai.   

Day 1's aim was to reach Mashrej Ghat up.  A good 6h30 ride.  I had to leave early to get out of Mumbai rush hour before the sun rise.  So, with the help of my friend Kaizad from the Holiday Shoppe who gracefully managed to rent me a bike and offer to meet me at the Gateway on India and guide me out of Mumbai craziness.   I was out of Mumbai in 1h, which normally would have taken a minimum of 2h, even on motorbike.....

Then made my way through villages 

After spending the night, I took off to reach the coast with the objective to reach Murud.  Same here, another 6-7hr ride.  

To reach Murud in the evening in a fabulous guest house..

Day 3 was spent riding back to Mumbai following the coast to Alibag, and then Mumbai.   Best summary of my trip can be found on the below video.  

Riding in India has some particularity.  First, they drive on the left hand side.  Keep left and overtake right.   Taxi, and everyone else, hoot for no reason, swerve across entire roads to pick up passengers and do not follow any rules.  In some places, there are high concentration of pot holes.   Rules is slow down, and ride slowly.   Vehicle may be slowing down to turn right and then turn left.... go figure.....

After the Mumbai trip, no time for rest.  And immediately hopped on the Beamer to head out to the mountains of UAE for a 2 days clinic with Chris Birch for some maxi enduro training in the gravel and waddis.   Fabulous experience.   Chris is top class, very humble bloke, having won Romaniac and taken 2nd in the Dakar back in the days.   He is now KTM ambassador for big adventure bike.   The clinic was mostly based on improving your riding, but for me, bike setting and body positioning was what I got out of it.      

 

And to close the chapter, gave my beloved XT some TLC by changing new spring in the front fork, changing rear suspension and gave her the 6 days look.   

Saddly, after one hour of riding, I broke the clutch cable, so now awaiting to receive a new one from Europe.   This might take a while.   

That's all for now folks.... Next time for new adventure....

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.