If you read my two previous articles about using your smartphone to run Android Auto on your motorcycle, you know that I consider the Garmin BMW Navigator VI a poor alternative to a smartphone. I recently upgraded the smartphone that I use with my S1000XR to a Motorola G6. Continue reading How To: Android Auto 5.5 for Navigation & Entertainment on a BMW S1000XR Updated
Even though I am 190cm (6 ft 3 in) tall, I found myself on my tippy toes at stop lights. Shorter riders necessarily are in a worse position, ergonomically. For many reasons, the S1000XR is a fantastic bike both on the highway and off road. However, virtually all riders will have a better riding experience if you lower the height of the S1000XR from the original design. This article by Jerry Skene explains how to do so using an adjustable lowering link kit from Soupy’s Performance. Continue reading How To: Lowering Your BMW S1000XR
The Denali Dual-tone horn is a great replacement for the wimpy BMW horn. On my K1300S, I have the all-in-one version. S1000XR owners need the 2-piece version of the Denali Split Dual-tone Horn because space is tight in the S1000XR’s engine compartment. I also purchased the Denali S1000XR mounting brackets, the Denali plug and play cable, and the Denali wiring adapter for the horn. Continue reading How To: BMW S1000XR Horn Upgrade
S1000XR owners need the 2-piece version of the Denali Split Dual-tone Horn because space is tight in the engine compartment. I also purchased the Denali S1000XR mounting brackets, the Denali plug and play cable, and the Denali wiring adapter for the horn. Continue reading How To: BMW S1000XR LED Lighting Upgrades
The word is generally accepted to mean a combination of “function” and “sparkle”, hence, farkle. Motorcycle enthusiasts may install accessories, called farkles, to customize their machine. Here are my preferred farkles for the S1000XR. Continue reading How To: BMW S1000XR Farkles
I kept reading great reviews about the BMW S1000XR. Moreover, the S1000XR is significantly more advanced than the K1300S: it has electronic instrument panel, clutch-less downshifting, ride modes, and cruise control. After my buddy Jerry bought one, he raved about its performance. So, without even riding it first, I purchased a mint condition 2016 model Continue reading 2016 BMW S1000XR Review: A New Journey Ahead
Yes, it’s possible to import all your iTunes collection into Google Play and then stream those songs on your Android phone. But since I use my motorcycle on back country roads and 128GB SD cards are ridiculously cheap, I just copied my entire collection to the local SD card. Continue reading How To: Listening to Your iTunes Music Collection on Your Android Phone While Motorcycling
First, let’s acknowledge up front that all motorcycle-specific GPS units are both obsolete technologically and horribly overpriced. For years, I had a Garmin Zumo 650. The screen was dull and slow to respond to touch. The processor was very slow to process that input or to recalculate routes. The Bluetooth audio pairing was always flaky, particularly for phone integration. The software was antiquated even compared to cheap Garmin car units. Online trip planning integration tools were primitive. Exporting routes from Google Maps required a hack to GPX waypoints that never routed the same way in the Garmin. The included audio app is near useless. Continue reading How To: Using a Smartphone for a Better Navigation System for Motorcycles
On my old K1200S, I upgraded the halogen lights to HID lights by DDM Tuning. These were relatively expensive at the time and required that we create a custom bracket to hold the three ballasts. The light output on the DDM HIDs was impressive though the lamps threw the occasional LAMPF error, particularly when I used the high beams. (This was due to the difference between the resistance of the halogen v the HID lamps). Given the advancement in LED technology in the past eight years, I wanted to install LED and not HID lighting on my K1300S. The advantages of the LED lights include: longer life, lower cost, lower energy consumption, immediate full light output, and smaller ballasts. Continue reading How To: LED Lighting on the BMW K1300S Motorcycle
The BMW K1300S, like the K1200S before it, is a big bike. The seat is a bit higher off the ground than other sports bikes. By sports bike standards, it is a heavy bike overall, at 569 lb. So, it naturally attracts taller riders. However, the ergonomics aren’t best suited for a tall rider. The handlebars require the rider to lean forward, potentially creating back and neck cramps. The default position of the foot pegs may be uncomfortable for longer legged riders. Fortunately, these can all be addressed with some minor modifications to the handlebars, foot pegs, gear shift lever, and brake lever. Continue reading How To: Modifying the BMW K1300S Motorcycle for a Tall Rider
One of the first things that Jerry taught me about motorcycle riding is to always wear protective gear. It doesn’t matter how hot the weather is. Always wear not only a helmet but also a high visibility jacket, pants, boots and gloves. After riding for almost seven years, I still follow his advice. It is better to sweat while riding than potentially deal with avoidable medical bills later. Continue reading My Motorcycle Riding Gear
Riding a motorcycle can be a lot of fun, but it also requires responsibility and awareness. By using brighter and flashing lights, wearing reflective and bright clothing, and installing a louder horn, you can increase your chances of being noticed and avoiding accidents. Continue reading Safety First: Be Seen and Heard on Your Motorcycle
In my late thirties, I caught the motorcycling bug while exploring back roads in Pennsylvania’s horse country and neighboring farms. I dreamed of a helmet full of adventure, along with the smell of fresh-cut grass and horse manure in the summer and wood fires and woods in the fall. I noted the camaraderie among bikers, who would wave at each other as they passed on the road. Continue reading My First Motorcycle: 2008 BMW K1200S
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