BMW to change their business philosophy

In a move that is sure to raise eyebrows in the motorcycle industry, BMW has announced that it is changing the way it builds motorcycles in order to stay competitive in today's world economy.

"The problem we face is that our machines have become too perfect," reports Jon Helm of BMW motorsports development. "All of these years we have strived for perfection and we have achieved it."

As good as this may sound, the result of building perfect bikes has been devastating. BMW has seen a marked decrease in machines returning for service which has impacted the bottom line for many dealers forcing many of them reduce staff and cut back on hours of operation.

"You can't make money changing tyres and oil," laments a BMW shop owner who wishes to remain anonymous. "BMW bikes are flawless. They never return to the shop so now my mechanics mop floors instead of replacing push rod seals."

BMW has heard the woeful cry from its store owners and has decided that they must do something drastic to change this disturbing trend.

"Our engineers will be touring competitors facilities to see how to build inferior machines," Helm states. "We'll be starting with Triumph,Ducati,Honda and Yamaha. We just can't afford to build machines as good as we do anymore."

Asked if BMW engineers would be touring Harley Davidson facilities, Helm responded that BMW does not want to take any giant leaps backwards.

"We really need our machines to be able to be ridden off the showroom floor and make it home," he stated. "Although we are keenly interested in H-D's ability to continually repackage an old idea and sell it as new."

Helm further eluded to secret talks with Toyota but would not elaborate on the nature of their discussions.

feel a hacksaw moment...

bmw_bobber_rodney_aguiar.jpg
Originally uploaded by cwe_expressible_everything

Cool, the most underrated bikes to customize but I feel the time is right. just need to find one cheap enough to set a hacksaw/angle grinder to.

This winters project ?

Stella Alpina 2008

We spent last weekend with Stella Alpina withdrawal pains after not being able to make it this year.

So for anyone else interested in this marvelous occasion we will keep this thread updated with links to ride reports and photo galleries for Stella Alpina Motociclistica Internazionale meeting at Bardonecchia AKA The Stella Alpina!

• Spanish GS'ers - Translated
• Classic Honda Club Italy - Translated
• Advrider.com - Nickyboy
• stellaalpina.plus.com - Gallery 2008
  

Keep it Rubber Side Down

Dislocombobulated Shoulder
Originally uploaded by Scouse_and_Jules

Okay folks, here is the reason why my motorcycle travelling is on hold for a couple of months.

What should have been a short trip home from work on Jules's F650 ended up in a trip to A&E and a lot of pain.

It's still very cold and the potential for black ice and slippy roads, so be careful. Even careful speeds and engine braking can end up in a spill.

Now where can I get to in April....

Tar Barrels Ottery St Mary 2005

Been having some issues sending posts from Youtube... hmm all Google owned but cannot talk to each other ... So embeded this.

This is a "folk tradition" in Devon , that appears to havce started in the late 17th Century. The real reason for it has been lost in antiquity , so to speak, but makes for a great Bonfire Night.

Sadly it has become very popular with the "backpacker" crowd and students. I got to know about it as Jules is from the next town over and went when she was a child. You cannot take children into this crowd now.

Sadly the event is in peril every year as the "safety nazis" and "nanny government" try to stop people doing things tio harm themselves. Humans love danger, and this is the closest you could ever get in this country to running with the bulls in Pampalona.

People often ask us why we prefere to tour Europe rather than the UK, and the reason is , it's more fun! Bikes are given respect on the road and are allowed to be reasonably parked anywhere. Businesses welcome bikers, and events are not regulated to the point that the fun is drained from them.

So this year the tunnel tickets are booked and our second trip to Europe will be to the Stella Alpina Rally on the French/Italian border.

Perverse Beemers...

DSC_6820
Originally uploaded by RockBurner

We love 'em , this one in particular screams out to me...ride me like you stole me!

Hmm... instead of a travel blog may have to dedicate this blog to the revival of Heinz... Jules' "big boy" half R100RS and half Yamaha SRX600 ... keep watching this space.

Here is the old version , prior to the clutch seal going and a rebuild.