January 6, 2012
Just bought a pair of new boots. They are absolutely excellent!
Product Features
- Constructed using full grain leather
- Mid-cut boot, fitted with instep and Achilles flex zones providing freedom of lateral movement and superior comfort
- Double-density injected ankle protection molded into the inner structure of the boot
- Heel protector molded internally with reinforced visible heel protector fitted externally for ultimate protection
- Waterproof performance membrane
- Toe protection provided by an additional strip of leather across bridge of toes for ultimate comfort while changing gears
From a usage perspective, the main features I like:
- very comfortable (easy to wear all day in the office)
- not too much of a “boot” look so can wear off the bike
- rigid sole with good grip make for sure footing
- beautifully crafted Italian leather (“Made in Italy”)
- side-zip for easy on and off
- perfect size and weight balance for gear shifting up and down – sturdy but deft
They’re the most expensive pair of footwear I’ve ever bought but I know they are going to be worth every penny.
Shop: Megabikes, Wexford Street, Dublin 8
Price: €195
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Clothing | 
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Posted by cmcmahon
January 6, 2012
I got these gloves in January 2011 but forgot to post about them.
Having commuted in, out and around the city with them for a year now I can say they are extremely good gloves. Just the right balance between wind protection and movement. Not too bulky, not too thin. They are good all year round. They are, in my opinion, perfect.
The spec:
- Gore Windstopper shell to reduce wind chill
- Hard knuckle protection
- Leather palm for grip
- Knitted cuff for comfort
- Excellent urban gloves for wet and chilly conditions
Shop: Megabikes, Wexford Street, Dublin 8
Cost: €60
Leave a Comment » | Clothing | Permalink
Posted by cmcmahon
December 31, 2011
This is just the start of what will probably be a very long post…
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2 Comments | Electrical | Permalink
Posted by cmcmahon
June 29, 2011
Mileage: 106,417 miles
Requires:
40 minutes
3.75 liters of oil (if not replacing the filter, then only 3.5 liters)
New oil filter (Motobins kit #01992)
New crush washer (Motobins kit #01992)
New rubber gasket for filler cap (Motobins kit #01992)
Oil filter wrench (Motobins #99200)
Hex socket wrench (to remove and install drain plug)
Torque wrench to correctly re-tighten drain plug (optional)
Oil drain pan
Rubber/latex gloves
Rags/paper towels
Motobins Oil Filter Change Kit (part 01992) - £9
Leave a Comment » | Maintenance, Oil/fluid changes | Tagged: Maintenance | Permalink
Posted by cmcmahon
April 11, 2011
Spontaneous solo ride last Sunday morning.
Easy
About 2 hours (including photo and daydreaming stops)
View Larger Map
Leave a Comment » | Rides | Permalink
Posted by cmcmahon
April 10, 2011
I must be the only person in the world not to have known this before today…, but if you use “wheel cleaner” you can pretty much just hose your wheels clean!
Saves a lot of effort and scratched knuckles… (see sparkling results below!)
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Leave a Comment » | Cleaning, Wheels/tires/tyers | Permalink
Posted by cmcmahon
April 1, 2011
I thought it might be handy for us Irish “boxer” owners to have a group page on facebook.
Could be good for tips, help, repair info, meet-ups, rides, etc.
BMW Boxers (RT/GS) Ireland
Leave a Comment » | Social | Permalink
Posted by cmcmahon
January 6, 2011
Nearly all of my riding is in the city. Given the low position of the RT mirrors, I find I have to lower my head and take my eyes off the road to check the rear-view. Worse, I can’t see things very near to me – there are major blind-spots where cars vans, trucks, cyclists and other motorbikes sneak up on me.
I decided to install auxiliary mirrors to improve my riding safety. I researched and found that the mirrors from the K1200RS fit my R1150RT (this post and this post) and there are already fittings (holes) on the handlebars. Apparently, the mirrors from the GS fit too, but they are are round and I prefer the rectangle/oval shape of the RS’s from an aesthetic point of view.
The installation is very easy. I did it in the dark and had no difficulty.
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1 Comment | Handlebars, Mirrors, Safety | Permalink
Posted by cmcmahon
October 19, 2010
Mileage: 105,000 miles
Had a new front tire fitted today by Mountjoy Motorcycles:
€120 tire
€10 stem
€20 installation
Good price and quick. I’d recommend calling Declan if you need anything: (01) 830-3682
BT 021 F NEW 120/70 ZR17 TL 58(W)
New BT-021 has been engineered with HTSPC in both front and rear tyres. HTSPC (high tensile super penetrated cord) provides appropriate stiffness to MSB (mono spiral belt) construction, providing both shock absorption and stability at its highest level. Another feature is the SACT + Cap and Base. Straight and cornering technology (SACT) gives centre mileage and shoulder grip.
Leave a Comment » | Wheels/tires/tyers | Permalink
Posted by cmcmahon
October 19, 2010
Mileage: 104,000
Valve job (significant improvement!)
Balanced carbs with Twin-max (significant improvement!)
Idle set to 1,100RPMs and steady
Replaced right-side idle adjustment screw (BBAS)
Adjusted left throttle body cable (solved massive backfiring problem)
Replaced carb cover gaskets (L&R)
Replaced inner carb seals (L&R)
Oil top-up – 3L Motul 4T 5000 10W40 (didn’t do full drain nor replace filter)
Leave a Comment » | Maintenance | Permalink
Posted by cmcmahon
October 19, 2010
The RID clock kept resetting to 0:00 when starting up. I bought a new battery. I kept it on charge every night. I have nothing else on during ignition, e.g. lights. And yet nearly always, the clock kept resetting to 0:00.
Turned out it was the starter motor.
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2 Comments | Electrical, Starter motor | Permalink
Posted by cmcmahon
October 16, 2010
I was having serious problems with my bike not starting this week. It would turn over but not start. The starter motor still operated but with 104,000 miles on the clock and suspicions it was an original part, I decided to switch it out and eliminate any question (I got a used one on eBay).
Read the rest of this entry »
Leave a Comment » | Electrical | Permalink
Posted by cmcmahon
October 15, 2010
For the last few months the popping on my RT got worse and worse. It got so bad it was scaring people at bus-stops!
To cut a long story short, the solution was a couple of twists of the throttle body cable tensioner (twisting upwards, tightening/shortening the cable) – see below.
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Leave a Comment » | Exhaust, Maintenance, Throttle Body | Permalink
Posted by cmcmahon
April 5, 2010
In the space of about two days, my left-hand indicator/turn-signal switch went from working to non-operational.
According to the literature, none of the combination switches can be serviced! The whole unit has to be replaced at a cost of over $200. PITA! 
I decided to see if I could fix it. Disassembling the combination switch was very tedious (especially since I had no photos or instructions to follow) but I figured it out and solved the problem.
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2 Comments | Electrical, Handlebars, Switches | Permalink
Posted by cmcmahon
April 5, 2010
My current spark plugs – NGK 2330 BCPR6ES.
Leave a Comment » | Engine, Maintenance | Permalink
Posted by cmcmahon
April 5, 2010
My current flavour of oil:
Motul 4T 5100 10W40 (4l)
Leave a Comment » | Engine, Maintenance, Oil/fluid changes | Permalink
Posted by cmcmahon
April 5, 2010
I had those unsightly, tendril-looking fuel line vent hoses hanging from the right side of my bike.
I decided to give ‘em a little trim to tidy things up…
Leave a Comment » | Fuel | Permalink
Posted by cmcmahon
February 17, 2010
After coming literally within inches of being run over by a van “panic reversing” at a toll booth plaza the other week, I ordered myself the Stebel “Nautilus”.
I got it from JDM Performance shop on eBay UK for £16.
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2 Comments | Horn | Permalink
Posted by cmcmahon
February 12, 2010
Arghhhhhhh! My keys fell into a sewer drain this morning. Just slipped out of my gloved hand…
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4 Comments | Keys | Permalink
Posted by cmcmahon
November 23, 2009
I snapped off the rear-brake vent bleed screw in the holder recently.
Rather than try to drill out the broken vent bleed screw I just ordered a replacement screw holder from Motobins:
Motorbins 80049S SPECIAL STAINLESS STEEL HOLDER FOR VENT BLEED SCREW
I also installed a Speed Bleeder valve – SB6100 (rear valve)
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7 Comments | Brakes | Permalink
Posted by cmcmahon
