It was a cool 33 degrees in the mountains this morning when I started planning my ride. I decided to go a little further east this trip and check out the little town of Helen, GA. I'd heard that Helen was set up as a sort of "Bavarian Alpine Village" in the North Georgia Mountains. I thought maybe the Beemer would like to experience a return to the fatherland.
Fortunately I had picked up a thermal neck protector at Cycle Gear and decided to put that baby on under my helmet to help stay warm. 40 degree air shooting down my neck is not a good thing. It worked great.
So I suffered through the awful ride from Sandy Springs on Highway 400 until the end of 400 where it intersects Highway 60 to Dahlonega. I kept going straight thru Cleveland and then up to Helen. So as I'm rolling into Helen I start to see some really cheesy tudor style buildings on the outskirts. I think I even saw a Wendy's fast food restaurant with a Tudor exterior. Wow -I hope it gets better than this. People were telling me things like "It's so beautiful -as if someone dropped an old German city from the Alps right into Georgia!" Of course, these folks are the same ones who think that going to Disney's Epcot is a cheap way to experience all of the cultures of the world while getting a Florida suntan. Trust me -it's not the same thing.
I rolled into downtown Helen and frankly thought "Ok, it's quaint, it's Octoberfest and maybe the 3 blocks of downtown do look like a Hollywood stage for the Sound of Music or something." Lots of people walking around the streets and enjoying themselves. I just rode on through town and headed North to Hiawassee. Since I don't drink and ride I wasn't going to stop and have a German beer or walk around some souvenir shops.
The ride from Helen to Hiawassee was actually the best part of the entire ride. Some spectacular scenery, a few nice curvy, climbing sections of road and thetraffic was not too bad. Peak Fall color is behind us but it is still nice. The skies were clear blue and despite the lower temperatures in the mountains it felt comfortable. And this is the time of the year when the heat blowing off the K Engine is a blessing!
Click the link below to see the Google maps of the route
To HEL-en and Back Route
Stopped in Hiawassee, GA for lunch and then had a smooth and uneventful ride thru Blairsville, past Morganton and then through Ellijay on the way back top Atlanta. The total trip was about 225 miles, and the roads are generally straight with some curvy sections. This would be a good choice for someone riding a big cruiser or Wing. I would not consider this a very challenging ride -just some easy scenic miles.
Sunday, October 30, 2011
Saturday, October 22, 2011
Greetings From The Georgia State Patrol
So I've been riding motorcycles for over 35 years and in that entire time I do not recall being stopped by police a single time. So today, the Georgia State patrol stopped me not once, not twice, but three times in the North Georgia Mountains on the same day. All for being on a motorcycle and riding safely I guess.
I was on the road at 8:30AM and it was barely 45 degrees outside so the roads were pretty empty. I had just filled up at a gas station and came around a sweeping turn when I looked ahead and all of the cars were being slowed down while a line of maybe 10 GSP Troopers looked in every car and asked the drivers for their ID. My first thought was that there was an escaped convict or one of those Amber Alerts or something. So I flipped up the visor on my helmet and as I rode up the line one of the troopers told me to pull to the side and show my license. No problem. I turned off the bike, flashed my license to him and he says something like "Just need to see your cee-yam". I said "Huh? You want my license and what else?" fishing for my insurance card, registration and I even pulled out my BMW MOA membership card. He says "You got your cee-yam, you good to go". So I said "My what? I'm sorry. What do you need?" Then he points to my motorcycle endorsement, the letters CM printed on my license. Got it...CM. Buh-bye.
So I rode another 15 or 20 miles and was planning to head north on Highway 60 to Morganton when I ran into yet another GSP road block. This time they asked me to pull over (on an inclined road nonetheless) near an intersection and asked me to show them my insurance card. I explained that it was my lucky day since I had just presented my credentials to another pack of troopers. After flashing my insurance card I was off in another direction than I had planned since the troopers were basically blocking my planned route and I did not think it was a good idea to tell them all to get the heck out of my way.
At this point I headed east and took highway 19 up to Blairsville and then Murphy, NC. I stopped in Murphy, had a quick lunch and then rode back to Blairsville alongside another rider on a BMW GS 1100. At Blairsville I headed west to Morganton, caught Highway 60 South and then ended up behind a bunch of pokey Harley riders and some trucks for most of the way. As I neared the elementary school in Suches, I met yet another GSP patrol. This time they asked all the bikers to pull off into the elementary school parking lot so they could check to see if we were wearing DOT approved helmets. I removed my Shoei and let the trooper inspect it. It was kinda funny when the H-D riders that were moving so slowly had trouble finding the DOT sticker on their helmets. I think one of them even swapped out their carnival brain bucket for a real DOT helmet while the trooper was inspecting someone else.
After my third stop of the day I decided to ride back and stopped at Rider's Hill and had a chili dog at the Six Gap Cafe in the dealership. I looked at the Aprilias and Moto Guzzi's on the showroom floor and tried on a few jackets but didn't buy anything. I did end up talking to some guy and I asked him if he ran into any of the road blocks. All the sudden he seems shocked and asked where they were located since he was actually just heading up in to the mountains. I explained that they were all over and that I had been stopped three separate times.
So I had been thinking, why in the heck are State Troopers wasting taxpayer money running these roadblocks and guess what? The guy I am talking to tells me that he is not wearing a DOT helmet, and that his son is riding his brand new motorcycle and he doesn't have an endorsement. The guy asks me what will happen if they get caught. I said "I'd imagine anything from being fined, having the bike impounded, being forced to take a basic riders course...who knows..but they're not pinning medals on people".
I rode back south to Atlanta, fully decked out in ATGATT and watched the various riders heading north. It was now about 65 degrees out and sunny, the fair weather bikers were out for their late afternoon ride and many were in for a big surprise !
I was on the road at 8:30AM and it was barely 45 degrees outside so the roads were pretty empty. I had just filled up at a gas station and came around a sweeping turn when I looked ahead and all of the cars were being slowed down while a line of maybe 10 GSP Troopers looked in every car and asked the drivers for their ID. My first thought was that there was an escaped convict or one of those Amber Alerts or something. So I flipped up the visor on my helmet and as I rode up the line one of the troopers told me to pull to the side and show my license. No problem. I turned off the bike, flashed my license to him and he says something like "Just need to see your cee-yam". I said "Huh? You want my license and what else?" fishing for my insurance card, registration and I even pulled out my BMW MOA membership card. He says "You got your cee-yam, you good to go". So I said "My what? I'm sorry. What do you need?" Then he points to my motorcycle endorsement, the letters CM printed on my license. Got it...CM. Buh-bye.
So I rode another 15 or 20 miles and was planning to head north on Highway 60 to Morganton when I ran into yet another GSP road block. This time they asked me to pull over (on an inclined road nonetheless) near an intersection and asked me to show them my insurance card. I explained that it was my lucky day since I had just presented my credentials to another pack of troopers. After flashing my insurance card I was off in another direction than I had planned since the troopers were basically blocking my planned route and I did not think it was a good idea to tell them all to get the heck out of my way.
At this point I headed east and took highway 19 up to Blairsville and then Murphy, NC. I stopped in Murphy, had a quick lunch and then rode back to Blairsville alongside another rider on a BMW GS 1100. At Blairsville I headed west to Morganton, caught Highway 60 South and then ended up behind a bunch of pokey Harley riders and some trucks for most of the way. As I neared the elementary school in Suches, I met yet another GSP patrol. This time they asked all the bikers to pull off into the elementary school parking lot so they could check to see if we were wearing DOT approved helmets. I removed my Shoei and let the trooper inspect it. It was kinda funny when the H-D riders that were moving so slowly had trouble finding the DOT sticker on their helmets. I think one of them even swapped out their carnival brain bucket for a real DOT helmet while the trooper was inspecting someone else.
After my third stop of the day I decided to ride back and stopped at Rider's Hill and had a chili dog at the Six Gap Cafe in the dealership. I looked at the Aprilias and Moto Guzzi's on the showroom floor and tried on a few jackets but didn't buy anything. I did end up talking to some guy and I asked him if he ran into any of the road blocks. All the sudden he seems shocked and asked where they were located since he was actually just heading up in to the mountains. I explained that they were all over and that I had been stopped three separate times.
So I had been thinking, why in the heck are State Troopers wasting taxpayer money running these roadblocks and guess what? The guy I am talking to tells me that he is not wearing a DOT helmet, and that his son is riding his brand new motorcycle and he doesn't have an endorsement. The guy asks me what will happen if they get caught. I said "I'd imagine anything from being fined, having the bike impounded, being forced to take a basic riders course...who knows..but they're not pinning medals on people".
I rode back south to Atlanta, fully decked out in ATGATT and watched the various riders heading north. It was now about 65 degrees out and sunny, the fair weather bikers were out for their late afternoon ride and many were in for a big surprise !
Monday, October 10, 2011
85 K100RS Mirror Replacement Photos
Replaced the Right Hand mirror on my 85 K100RS and these pictures show how the job is done.
First, this is what my mirror assembly looks like. It has a parting line around the edge. The turn signal indicator is held in place by a single screw.
I removed the turn signal lens and then was able to part the two halves by popping the parting line.
Then I put the new mirror in from the opposite side and installed the c-clip onto the groove in the replacement mirror ball as seen in the photo below.
Then I just snapped the two halves of the mirror assembly back together, screwed the turn signal indicator back into the housing and put the mirror back onto the 3 posts on the fairing. Simple as that
First, this is what my mirror assembly looks like. It has a parting line around the edge. The turn signal indicator is held in place by a single screw.
Saturday, October 8, 2011
Friday, October 7, 2011
Wolf Pen Gap Road
Took a different route today and tried out the little section of road between Suches and Blairsville. I think it is Rte 180, but locally it's known as Wolf Pen Gap Road. It was actually a little more challenging than the route to Morganton. A couple complete hairpin turns and lots of twisties.
I snapped this picture with my iPhone before I actually turned onto the Wolf Pen Gap Road. Its one of the few lookout spots where you can stop and see the other mountains and rolling hills. We're talking less than 4000 feet elevation here, so folks out West would call these foothills, but it's the best we've got !
I snapped this picture with my iPhone before I actually turned onto the Wolf Pen Gap Road. Its one of the few lookout spots where you can stop and see the other mountains and rolling hills. We're talking less than 4000 feet elevation here, so folks out West would call these foothills, but it's the best we've got !
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| North Georgia Mountains -Suches , GA |
Barbarian at the Brandenburg Gate
I took a vacation day today and before heading out for a long ride I started messing around with Photoshop to create an image for this blog. I wanted something that would combine iconic German symbols with the bike. As I was looking at the statue mounted above the Brandenburg Gate it hit me. I could replace one of the horses with my K100RS. I wanted the K-Bike to look like it was hitched to the chariot, and at the same time ready to pull in another direction. Anyway, I'm an amatuer at Photoshop but I thought I'd post it anyway since it is kind of funny, and possibly a bit irreverent to some.
Monday, October 3, 2011
Get A Grip On Those Puppies
While the K100RS has lots of great qualities, its not perfect. Like most bikes, there is a section of the power band where the bike will tend to vibrate or buzz a bit. For perspective, I used to ride a single cylinder bike, commonly called a thumper and those bikes are like sitting on a paint shaker. The BMW is nothing at all like that. It's more like the sensation you get from holding a pair of electric hair clippers for a while. At a certain rev range, maybe 4100 to 4200 rpms, this little buzzing sensation starts. Most of the time the bike is smooth as silk.
The buzzing is not a big issue but I figured I'd try something I used with my old thumper. I bought a pair of "grip puppies" from California Sport Touring. Grip puppies are simply closed cell foam sleeves that slip over your existing grips and provide additional vibration absorption. They also make your grips larger, which works well for guys like me with larger hands.
It was a struggle to get them over the existing grips.This was probably because the BMW grips are not perfectly flat and smooth and so the grip puppies did not slide right over. I soaked the grip puppies in a mild soapy car wash solution and also put soapy water over the grips. After 20 minutes I finally worked them over the old grips.
Immediately I liked the new grips much better. The extra diameter felt right, the cushioning was much better and it did seem to deaden the buzzing. I'll see how it all works out once I go for a longer ride next weekend. So far so good.
The buzzing is not a big issue but I figured I'd try something I used with my old thumper. I bought a pair of "grip puppies" from California Sport Touring. Grip puppies are simply closed cell foam sleeves that slip over your existing grips and provide additional vibration absorption. They also make your grips larger, which works well for guys like me with larger hands.
It was a struggle to get them over the existing grips.This was probably because the BMW grips are not perfectly flat and smooth and so the grip puppies did not slide right over. I soaked the grip puppies in a mild soapy car wash solution and also put soapy water over the grips. After 20 minutes I finally worked them over the old grips.
Immediately I liked the new grips much better. The extra diameter felt right, the cushioning was much better and it did seem to deaden the buzzing. I'll see how it all works out once I go for a longer ride next weekend. So far so good.
Sunday, October 2, 2011
Six Gap Revisited
Temperatures dropped this weekend and so I decided to take another jaunt up to the mountains to see if the fall colors had started to change. Ok, I really just wanted another 200 mile round trip on some great twisty roads. This time I decided to make a bigger loop.
Heading out from Atlanta to Dahlonega is pretty boring. Highway 400 is your typical commuter slab through the suburbs and up to the outlet malls so there's nothing interesting to report there. Once you turn off onto 19/60 to Dahlonega the roads become a bit more interesting. A few curves here and there, some changes in elevation, but nothing like the mountain passes ahead.
Click the pic above for a larger image.
First, I should describe the riding conditions. It was cooler and very windy in the mountains. Figure maybe 60 degrees and the occasional 20-35 mph gust coming out of nowhere. I wore my mesh jacket the weekend before and wisely picked a non-mesh kevlar textile jacket with a liner for this ride. I did wear my mesh pants however since I knew I could rely on my calf-heating blow-dryer of an engine to keep my legs warm.
Upon arriving in Dahlonega I took Highway 60 north to Morganton. This road has more twisties and is somewhat more challenging than Highway 19/129 to Blairsville. I decided to take the latter on my return. The downside to 60 is that the road is covered in "tar snakes" through several sections, not real snakes of course, but this molasses-like gunk that the DOT uses to fill cracks in the road. Since the weather was cool the tar snakes were not all that troubling. But it does take away from the experience since you don't want to encounter a patch of gunk while leaning into a tight turn.
En route to Morganton I ended up riding behind some pokey cars, and if this happens there is little you can do since passing areas are minimal. I just decided to lay off the throttle and take in the scenery. When the opportunity to pass safely presented itself I opened it up only to be welcomed with a big gust of wind blowing across the open area. Whoa.
Another little adventure along the way was when I turned a tight corner only to find that there were two cars and a pair of motorcycles stopped just around a blind turn. Since I always try to ride within my sight lines I was not going very fast at the time. I looked ahead and some kid on a sport bike had somehow ended up with his front wheel in a deep rut on the right side of the road, and his tail was uphill. So it looked like he was originally headed downhill, crossed the centerline and ended up bouncing his front tired into a deep rut on the opposite side of the road. It looked like he was in good shape, just mostly a bruised ego, and the other two bikers were starting to offer help so I rode on. Didn't make sense to add any more congestion to a blind turn. But I have to note that I have seen an accident every time I have ridden these roads, and it is always a young guy on a sport bike. I guess I'm lucky that when I first started riding, the bikes pumped out about 25 HP and had crappy brakes so I was never inclined to try to push the limits. Today's younger riders are hopping on 100-185HP beasts with ABS brakes and they feel invincible. Bad combination.
Anyway, I made it to Morganton and topped off my tank with 2.5 gals after 100 miles of total riding. Right on the money with my typical 40 mpg under mixed riding conditions. I often see as much as 44 mpg highway and maybe as low as 36 city. I decided to head over to Blairsville for lunch and grabbed a bite at Burger King. Eventually I will have to find a local BBQ joint or something more interesting.
The ride back from Blairsville on 19/129 was OK. There were cars the whole way, lots of wind and the leaves have just barely started to change. So I imagine the ride will be more interesting in the weeks ahead.
Overall, it's great riding and so nice to have the K100RS performing smoothly. After all the time I spent restoring it to running condition it is good to see what it is capable of.
Heading out from Atlanta to Dahlonega is pretty boring. Highway 400 is your typical commuter slab through the suburbs and up to the outlet malls so there's nothing interesting to report there. Once you turn off onto 19/60 to Dahlonega the roads become a bit more interesting. A few curves here and there, some changes in elevation, but nothing like the mountain passes ahead.
First, I should describe the riding conditions. It was cooler and very windy in the mountains. Figure maybe 60 degrees and the occasional 20-35 mph gust coming out of nowhere. I wore my mesh jacket the weekend before and wisely picked a non-mesh kevlar textile jacket with a liner for this ride. I did wear my mesh pants however since I knew I could rely on my calf-heating blow-dryer of an engine to keep my legs warm.
Upon arriving in Dahlonega I took Highway 60 north to Morganton. This road has more twisties and is somewhat more challenging than Highway 19/129 to Blairsville. I decided to take the latter on my return. The downside to 60 is that the road is covered in "tar snakes" through several sections, not real snakes of course, but this molasses-like gunk that the DOT uses to fill cracks in the road. Since the weather was cool the tar snakes were not all that troubling. But it does take away from the experience since you don't want to encounter a patch of gunk while leaning into a tight turn.
En route to Morganton I ended up riding behind some pokey cars, and if this happens there is little you can do since passing areas are minimal. I just decided to lay off the throttle and take in the scenery. When the opportunity to pass safely presented itself I opened it up only to be welcomed with a big gust of wind blowing across the open area. Whoa.
Another little adventure along the way was when I turned a tight corner only to find that there were two cars and a pair of motorcycles stopped just around a blind turn. Since I always try to ride within my sight lines I was not going very fast at the time. I looked ahead and some kid on a sport bike had somehow ended up with his front wheel in a deep rut on the right side of the road, and his tail was uphill. So it looked like he was originally headed downhill, crossed the centerline and ended up bouncing his front tired into a deep rut on the opposite side of the road. It looked like he was in good shape, just mostly a bruised ego, and the other two bikers were starting to offer help so I rode on. Didn't make sense to add any more congestion to a blind turn. But I have to note that I have seen an accident every time I have ridden these roads, and it is always a young guy on a sport bike. I guess I'm lucky that when I first started riding, the bikes pumped out about 25 HP and had crappy brakes so I was never inclined to try to push the limits. Today's younger riders are hopping on 100-185HP beasts with ABS brakes and they feel invincible. Bad combination.
Anyway, I made it to Morganton and topped off my tank with 2.5 gals after 100 miles of total riding. Right on the money with my typical 40 mpg under mixed riding conditions. I often see as much as 44 mpg highway and maybe as low as 36 city. I decided to head over to Blairsville for lunch and grabbed a bite at Burger King. Eventually I will have to find a local BBQ joint or something more interesting.
The ride back from Blairsville on 19/129 was OK. There were cars the whole way, lots of wind and the leaves have just barely started to change. So I imagine the ride will be more interesting in the weeks ahead.
Overall, it's great riding and so nice to have the K100RS performing smoothly. After all the time I spent restoring it to running condition it is good to see what it is capable of.
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