After our recent 4-day tour to Montana and Idaho (3 days and more than 2,000 km riding in rain, sleet and snow), our Olympia hi-viz jacket was sorely in need of a good cleaning. Grimy road spray had covered the sleeves and upper chest/shoulder sections of the touring jacket in […]

Fuel Consumption – 2017 Fall Tour, September 29-October 4, 2017 (2014 BMW R1200RTW) SUMMARY Distance:  2,582 km Fuel consumed (premium unleaded):  132.88 litres Average fuel consumption:  5.14l/100km (55.0 Imp mpg) DETAILS   Km Litres Premium Unleaded l/100km Imp MPG Edmonton, AB-Aldersyde, AB 335 16.61 4.95 57.1 Aldersyde, AB-Choteau, MT 389 […]

I’m a big fan of increased conspicuity for motorcyclists.  The more visible I am (and think I am), the safer I feel while riding on the road. It’s no accident that hi-viz colours like bright yellow and lime green have become more popular in recent years by many motorcycle riders. […]

Emergency surgery on my person resulted in a frustrating 6 week “No Ride!” ban from my surgeon, and today was first day that onerous ban had expired. Six weeks in July-August – the height of motorcycling season, was a tortuous sentence, but all for the better, I suppose.  Today, I […]

My Dunlop motorcycle tire rebate finally arrived.  The $40 dollar Cdn rebate was for the purchase of a pair of Dunlop Roadsmart 3 tires (one front, one rear) for our 2014 BMW R1200RT. I filed the rebate claim online on June 7, 2017 and received email confirmation that day from […]

If you’re a rider who puts in a lot of miles each year, tires are among the most expensive ‘consumables’ you’ll be purchasing. Just how does one choose new tires? It depends on your criteria:  Price?  Long wear?  Maximum dry pavement traction?  Best wet weather performance?  Comfort?  Feel? Most of […]

I’m fickle.  I admit it. This marks the 4th riding season I’ve owned my 2014 R1200RT. My very good riding friends, Denis and Louise, recently asked: “Hey, Tim, what new bike are you thinking about buying?” “Uh, nothing right now”, I replied.  “The RT is 98-percent perfect for me”, explaining that my […]

Some time ago, Argyll Motorsports, our local BMW motorcycle dealer, hosted a promo event to celebrate the start of the 2017 motorcycle riding season. As part of that promotion, all accessories were on sale for 15-percent off for that evening only. As a bargain hunter, I couldn’t resist purchasing a 2-pack […]

Edmonton and Northern Alberta BMW and Ducati motorcycle owners can rejoice.  A new, independent BMW and Ducati motorcycle service shop has recently opened in Edmonton. On May 1st, The Bike Shoppe opened its doors, marking the first independent motorcycle service business specializing in servicing the premium European motorcycle brands, BMW […]