Posts

Infamous BMW Bahnstormer Service?

So, I explain to the guy that sold me the BMW System 6 last week how, on Tuesday the helmet had leaked through the closed top vent and down the inside of the sun visor. He accepted I should be concerned and said that if it leaks he'll be happy to exchange it. "It does leak", I confirmed. "So, can we exchange it?" "No". He says, "I want to be sure it leaks". "It leaks". The argument was that despite my confirming the vent had been shut he wants me to ride through rain again, check it's shut, that it leaks; and he'll exchange. EVEN THOUGH I HAVE DONE THIS. I tried one more time and his body language became defensive and slippery. I am not happy. Right, fight on Bahnstormer. Fight on. And you're not only going to loose now, but I'm going to make it freaking cost you. Dumb nuts.

Shadowfax's Big Day Out

Image
Shadowfax was transport of choice for an appointment in Camden Town today. It's the first time I've ridden through London and I wasn't sure what the filtering would be like. In the event it was difficult. We trundled up the A3 past the tunnel works at Devils Couldron and onto the M25 for M4 and an A4 entry; it seemed the thing to do and proved pretty timely compared to the boredom of a full on M3 assault. It wasn't easy to get through the queues at the M4/A4 interchange as the road narrows up, then there are the ubiquitous road works, and more in toward Piccadilly. Around that time I was concerned I'd make my meeting but once on Shaftsbury Avenue things hotted up. A Street View recce in Google Maps gave me an idea of my turn in to Lion Square and we seemed to ride on instinct because of such good intel. I had feared spending an hour searching for a free motorcycle parking bay but I ended up with a choice. It was stupidly on a one-way cresc...

Not what I expect from BMW

Leaky helmet The BMW Mororrad System 6 day-glo yellow modular helmet is a really superb piece of kit. I've grown quite attached to its colour and the modular feature (being able to open the chin and visor) is already proving useful. Head shake at speed, although not entirely subduing Shadowfax's buffeting, is a huge leap forward and with my ear plugs in its almost too quiet - most of the time. Fault 1: After the 15min light rain experienced on the way home out of Reading this evening I noticed a drip that left a trail in the dead centre of the visor - something I'd read about in a review and been reassured by the Bahnstormer sales guy had been cured in modification. Watching the drips land on the chin piece and drip down onto the chin skirt I realised that after less than an hour in a decent rain storm I'd have a wet chin, excess moisture for the 'pinlock' to deal with, and obscured vision. Another drip ran its course in front of my nose - then stopped - an...

First ride: BMW

An opportunity to pop out for a quick spin while Ka slept off nights and the kids seemed occupied well enough to make an escape possible. First up; donning. I think it's great you can get togged up with the chin guard up out the way and there was none of this balancing a helmet on the seat stuff; just donned, secured, and ready. I didn't use my ear plugs in order to guage how quiet the lid actually is and I did have some trouble sliding my glasses over my ears without entanglement, or other somewhere withing the lining. More practice required, I guess, but later the lenses rode up off my nose and gave me double vision looking to the instruments. It sorted out later, but was a little distracting for a while. On starting up it was obvious the helm is not a magical noise cancelling device, but sounds were certainly muffled in the high range. Normally, with the HJC all of Shadowfax's sounds are crystal; with the BMW it was just, well, diminished. I started off with all...

Shiny New BMW

Image
New LId The quest for a Shuberth just evaporated. We planned to get to Helmet City in West Bay, Bridport but I guessed I should at least cover all my bases and check out the Bahnstormer BMW outlet up by Alton, first. The kids behaved long enough for a patient bloke to talk me through the various features of the BMW Motorrad System 6 helmet. It pinched my temples a touch but has all the features of the Shuberth C3 without the pain in the cheeks...and a few quid less, t'boot. I looked longingly at the fluorescent yellow one on display and idly said, “I like that”. “I have one in your size”, the chappy retorted. So we had a look. Nice. Next we skipped out back into the car and headed to Alton to turn around – mainly for some time to think. The BMW sure looked neat, and 'should' wear in on the temples (already improved on second fitting) and it has the internal sun visor. But, I see no real need for a flip-front and could get a cheaper and as quiet helmet full-face – ligh...

27 May 2010: LED capped

Image
Duff LED One of the LED positioning lights has failed - although its 3 side-facing LEDs are operable, the forward facing one seems to have fried. I don't really need to replace it as I always ride with the HIDs on, but its going to be one of THOSE niggles, I'll bet. Here's the good one for comparison: Oh, and yes, I know he's filthy with bug juice again but its really difficult to keep on top of it.

26 May 2010: Pan Clan Can

Meeting the Clan What's this prejudice I've held for the Pan-Clan? Well, I guess they present themselves in an exclusive way – its not being free membership, and what have you. That and I'm not used to clubs. I also have trouble with the magazine and web designs, but thats the same for almost everything except National Graphic, which I love and enjoy a subscription kindly given for my Birthday last year. So, what's better than to face your prejudices to make them opinions than to go meet the crowd. I left work late to time my arrival at the middle-of-nowhere pub location on time and briefed my Wife I'd like as not be home early if I needed to excuse myself. On arrival I parked up and lurked while a couple of couples and a mad man on a Norton 850 'electric start' invited me to sit on his prize. (It felt like my old Sanya, Phut-Phut, but I didn't let on). After introducing myself I recognised the bloke from HG who'd given me a Pan-Clan leaflet a f...