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Half time at the NRL semi final and the channel 9 ad came on spruiking what they have in store for the 6pm news. Can't wait, a big breaking news story on moths invading Aussie homes. They're going to give the full details on what's behind the plague. Riveting stuff, not to be missed. I wonder what they have in store for us tomorrow. Ants or flies perhaps. A three to four year university degree in journalism to get a scoop on moths.

Thanks for the detailed explanation.. it is really appreciated and clarified things. And I picked up from Mongrel Dog Productions' video that what BMW do in these cases is quite exemplary - life of the bike and no cost to owner for fixing issues from design flaws is a pretty good thing.

They are gloves that extend past the elbow, just to be sure he is not bringing in any contraband.

My bike is a K1200R 2006 and has a very similar shaft setup and drive unit- basically all big models in K and R from 2005 do. I am aware that this can be a issue, more so on the GS models than any other. Note it is by no means unversal and I know lots with 300,000km plus and never had a issue. Like any bike that has a jointed drive line it has two drive shaft boots- front and back. They are meant to be service regulary approx 50.000kms, rear diff oil is best done every 10.000km as best practice and engine oil 5,000km. The uni joint boots can split due to age- mine are 20 years old. My rear boot has a very small crack- found when I rebuilt the diff. It needs replacement when I do the next service- which I will do when the oil is replaced at 1500km after a rebuild. Like any shaft- if the joint goes dry and water\dust gets in, which is highly likely for a hard riden adventure bike- ie a GS model, then rust and grit can wear it to failure. My diff required a rebuild because the main oil O ring seal for the diff outer case developed a small leak and the previous owner did nothing about it- until it wrecked the main crown wheel bearing, even though the bearing was stuffed the internals had zero damage. A simple repair made expensive from a dumb owner. Even then it cost under $1000 including all parts, bearings (which are huge) and labour. This is a mere fraction of the cost chains and sprockets would have cost on a 170hp chain driven bike over its 121,000km, additionally, it should be good for several hundred thousand kms with just oil changes and lubing the shaft. It is vital the boots are perfect and the shaft splines and unijoints are lubricated in a special white grease. This is standard practice in major services, and should be the same for any shaft driven bike, regardless of the maker. IF the grease is used, even a cracked boot will not kill the shaft if you replace it as soon as possible. If the boot is not failed and the shaft is lubed- then it is extremely rare for this to be a issue. If blokes just ride it in dirt, water etc and dont maintain it or even inspect it- then it really is down to them. Note the rusted shaft in the video- it can't happen by itself. Inspection of the boots is easy and removal of the shaft is actually a fast 15 minute job, only if the front boot is split does it require much work to replace it. In that case you remove the swing arm and do a full service on the swing arm bearings to chech the bearings and regrease. I have heard of some of the shafts been not perfect for the entire life of the bike- but they will be replaced free of charge including labour at BMW dealers. BMW are renown for their integrity with warranty claims and if a part proves not suitable they will replace it free for the life of the bike- that is not the economic life ( like the vid stated- I suspect the dealer just did not want the extra work? ) It is full life time- if the bike is still ridable- they will do the free replacement. A 500,000km GS will get a free one if needed. My mechanic is the service manager for a big dealer and is fully BMW trained, he has worked as service manager for mega dealers of other brands eg |Harley, Indian, Ducati and all the jap brands. He said they are all penny pinchers with no incentive to help you after warranty expires and even in warranty they are slow to help. Some of these dealers are very big names- he is so glad to have moved back a BMW based dealer. His shop also sells Royal Enfield, Tirumph and Moto Guzzi and a few others. No Jap Bikes, but it gets huge amount of customers from all the other brands that do not trust the factory dealer. BMW Motorad are the best in the world for looking after the customer, even a 30 year old bike or 60 years- parts are available for even ancient models. If the dealer doesn't meet their standards, they lose the right to sell BMW, it happens rarely but the will do it if standards are not meet. Given all BMW bike dealers are very big operations worth many millions, it pays for them to do the right thing. In contrast, The HONDA you have has well known issues from new design wise, esp the electrics with the oil bathed alternator. They often fail and its a clear design fault- but they will not give you a free one and fit it. That says a lot about their culture, the opposite to BMW. Yes, in rare cases a BMW may have a fault- but BMW constantly unpdate and refine their parts to ensure its fixed and a better part will be supplied and fitted free. I am aware of some driveline failures but often its maintenance related or from pure abuse, esp overloading the bike with gear and passenger (250kg plus) then thinking its a motorcrosser, drowning the bike in rivers is also a issue, when you dont clean and check it properly. No Bike is perfect, but the BMW is on a level above others and you pay for that when buying new, after that service costs and parts are reasonable compared to lessor brands and longevity is legendary. Even for a old bike, just ring BMW and quote you vin number and they will tell you what has and hasn't been done re any parts with a service bulletin, if it hasn't, book it in and its all done free. A good example is the rear disc carrier, Early K1200 models 2005 -2006 had a alloy carrier- which is also part of the inner diff housing, some developed small cracks. BMW replaced them free of charge with a updated forged carrier when serviced and even today can tell if yours has been done and if not- book it in and its all done free- 21 years after the bike left the factory. Would any other bike maker do that? It should be noted the guy in the Video not only got a new shaft but also a new swing arm due to damage caused by the failure. All for free. I will back a BMW over others anyday.

Nope

Why do those innocent words have overtones of rubber gloves?

I have informed my friends to be on the look out. He will be met at the airport and given a thorough welcome. I am assured he will be given free accomodation for the full duration of his stay.

Presumably it would be trained using published data in the same way a human researcher would. The facts wouldn’t be owned by anyone if they were publicly available. If the AI hacked into proprietary data that might be a problem.

Then you might have to find what facts enabled the Results.? Who owns FACTS? Nev

Or Mop up the gravy. Nev

Could work the other way too. If an AI network was used to discover a cure for cancer could the AI company claim they should be entitled to some or all of the profits. If they’re held responsible for when it goes wrong could they be denied ownership and the benefits of ownership if it goes right.

If anyone puts down the A.I. doge, we are all in trouble.

No punches pulled there. Nev

Often the Dog is Put down as well. Nev

You don't sue the dog if it bites you, you sue the owner. So if AI goes rogue, you sue the owner.

I like the comments almost as much as the article.

The extra slice is so you can have a single slice of toast with jam or Vegemite.

Tocumwal is a bit of a diversion. You'll be Mixing it with Gliders there.. Might be HOT as well. Nev

Why do you think Honda's have a name for Longevity?. Not really true. A lot of models have Known Problems, well known in the trade. They are built to a Price. A lot have Camshafts that run straight in the(as cast) Head Metal and camshaft cam edge crumbling. An Aprillia is a far better crafted bike.. They are Just consumables and don't justify Much Work being done on the Motors etc. Just Look after them, Use them and Know when to sell them. That's the sort of thing they are and don't clean them with a pressure hose. Nev

Ask the same question about driverless anything? It will be sorted out between the Makers and those who put it into service. Nev

That's exactly what they are saying. The owner had control of A.I.'s training, but not control of what that A.I. actually does. So, how will the courts go about sueing a machine when it causes damage or costs to people?

And that's why we do it. Like flying.

Now that you are back in lerv with it, will you stay in Blighty?

Well there goes the neighbourhood. Thanks for the warning. I'll warn Dept of Immigration to keep an eye out.