Litespeed

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.

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.

I can not forsee that the prosecution will have insufficient evidence to bring the charges- which they have and have a reasonable prospect of conviction. Lots of witnesses including soldiers he served with had made statements of witnessing the crimes with their own eyes. These include some who stated they were involved in the crimes on his orders. Also numerous civillains witnesses are included in the case from the defamation trial. Will the trial be messy? yes. Will the defence be incredibly well funded? extremely. Remember the crown does not have to have a case they see as air tight- just sufficient that a conviction is likely if the evidence is presented to a jury. No amount of chest beating by rich media owners and keyboard warriors will change this. BRS is on a civilian standard a war criminal and unable to sue if called this. If his prosecution is successful, will be a convicted War criminal for multiple murders. Meanwhile that RED head drongo has called Hastie and by reference any soldier who testified as cowards for daring to do their sworn duty. Such people as Hansen are indeed are danger to our country and the rule of law.

What are you suggesting with this video Red?

I think the 200 number would be .. including the offshore and big city lawyers\finacial engineers to ensure no laws are followed and no tax is ever paid.

rather sobering for the fans

There seems a lot of blindly just accepting that AI will be a net good for productivity and side benefits like medicine. However, the dangers are not been discussed properly. The environment is not going to be be a winner except in clever energy market management. The vast energy and water use will be its biggest environmental failing. AI centers use huge amounts of energy, make masses of heat and require extreme amounts of water for cooling. They are already saying AI now uses more energy than entire countries and its only just starting. Tasmania is expected to need 40% more power just for a few data centers, which will be built using all foreign equipment and only employ a handful of people on each site. Its water useage will be extreme. Lets not forget that Tasmania now suffers water shortages and droughts. So for a tiny amount of income tax they will use more power and resources than the Aluminium smelter which is a physical resources we can sell. You can bet that transfer pricing is used to hide any actual profits that are taxable, so the people and environment will pick up the tab for the costs and the AI owners will take all the money tax free. In other states such a Queensland and NT, they refuse to use only green power and want to use GAS and coal power. I cant see any great benefits in AI beyond a business using it as a money maker and killer of jobs. The military side is very scary, as is the loss of nation states power to control it. We need to heavily regulate and control its use and ensure it pays its way socially, environmentally and in taxation aka the triple bottom line. Currently AI will end up concentrating wealth to even more obscene levels, which can not be sustained without huge political unrest. Dont drink the AI coolaid. For those that doubt AI's ability to imperil humanity and other life, you need to use your imagination. I am a clever bugger and can easy come up with ways it could easily be done- but I won't mention it online- AI is listening and does not need any help. I am not doomsaying just been sensible and a student of history.

I see Trump promising to bribe the nation and if he succeeds in the election, will then ensure the "Deep state and socialist left" are to blame for stopping him sending the cheques. Sadly, it's a extremely cunning plan, that might tip the mid term elections his way. Let's just hope the pain from the war and tariffs, allows the great unwashed to see clearly through the bullshit.

Agreed, I'd chew the arm off the owner to get the Vincent would make better sense. Then you can enjoy riding with two arms.

Agreed Fugly neither beast nor fowl.

All three have imperialist intent and stop at nothing to seek their aims. China does the long game extremely well.

Righto... All those profiting by stopping action on climate policy and fossil fuels including bankers please make a orderly queue to the right.. Just close your eyes and go through the door to your reward.. Those on the left can enjoy the view of the cliff diving.

Should climate change denialism be a new form of crime against humanity? I think so.

Yep, Lots of great bargains for the canny and slowish rider. Some add a high compression big bore kit, cam etc with nice pipes, ecu change. It's a common mod that makes a big change in power. One such kitted would be great second hand.