1. BMW riding high after success at MotorCycle News Awards! BMW Motorrad UK enjoyed further success at this year’s MotorCycle News (MCN) Awards, as Europe’s largest and most successful motorcycle manufacturer scooped top honors. The K1300S was voted the Best Sports Tourer of 2009. The awards are widely considered to be the most prestigious for the motorcycle industry, recognizing success in all areas of motorcycling.

2. Here is a great pictorial from the BMW Sport Touring chat site on How to Change Oil on a '07 K1200GT

3. Need a seat cover for your K1200RS or GS but your finances are limited due to the Obama economy? Rather than spend the big bucks with Sargent or Corbin... here's an economical option. Hydro-Turf Seat Covers. These are pre-cut to fit the BMW model of your choice or many other bikes. Cost is a reasonable $70.

4. The 2010 I-BMW.com Wall Calendars are now available at yes.. you guessed it.. I-BMW.com. Cost is a paltry $19.99 + shipping and the money goes towards site upkeep. Contribute to the best K12/K13 chat site on the planet and have yourself a waaaay cool calendar to boot.

5. For those so inclined.. the 2010 BMWMOA International Rally will be held July 15th-18th at the Deschutes County Fair and Expo Center in Redmond, Oregon. Pre-registration for this Rally will start March 1, 2010 Online, and forms will be in the March 2010 issue of the BMW Owners News.

6. If you're thinking about buying a new BMW S1000RR.. you're gonna need a wheel stands. Of course Pit Bull will be an option, but here's another... The BMW S1000RR Paddock Racing Stand by Bursig.com. This item is sooooo cool that I have contacted the Germans to ask them if we could become a US distributor. They also make stands for Ducatis, Gixxers, etc.. Sweet.

7. Just got some bad news from ZTechnik. They told Amber that they are discontinuing most of their Carbon Fiber accessories including their K1200S/K1200GT/K1200R / K1200RS gauge cover kits, gas cap covers, K1200GT/K1300GT rear rack covers, etc etc. The only Carbon Fiber that they will continue to produce will be tank protectors. This is baaad news as it's easily the highest quality Carbon Fiber on the market.. All that's left is in their warehouse. Once supplies are gone.. they will produce no more..Their products are only available from BMW dealers.. and Pirates Lair.

8. We just got word from the Austrians that the Remus S1000RR HyperCone Slip-On Exhaust will be available in late January. At first, only slip-ons in two versions.. Stainless steel and Titanium. Cost will be $599 / $699 respectively. Both come with carbon fiber end caps and all mounting hardware.. Sweet. And for those who feel like 197HP simply isn't enough,.. a full system will follow. The Ti slip-on version weighs 3.2lbs The entire line of Remus pipes guarantee increased mid-range and bottom end power, reduced weight, and a deep throaty tone. The Remus HyperCone slip-ons offer a 4-5 hp gain and weight loss. Need more? Click Here for a Dyno Chart. Like virtually all aftermarket exhausts, the Remus HyperCone eliminates the restrictive catalytic converter. Your O2 sensor remains plugged into your factory header. The Remus HyperCone will come with a removable 'street legal' silencer. Customer retains the option of keeping the factory heat shield. If erection lasts for over 4 hours... call more women.

1. BMW S1000RR Products Available! We just went live with an all new product section for the new king of superbikes.. the BMW S1000RR. The menu is currently small but we're adding products on a weekly basis. The newest offerings are sliders and a tail tidy kit from R & G Racing (in the UK) and the all new HyperCone Slip-on's from Remus. If you hear of a new product on the market for the S1000RR and don't see it on our website... shoot me an email and I'll see if I can pick it up. I'm really excited about this new section and the bike. My goal is to become the #1 one-stop shopping place for S1000RR accessories. As David Bowie would say... "Just watch me now."

2. Kriega Price Reduction for 2010!: Kriega just dropped the pricing by a few dollars on their Kriega R15 / 15 liter Backpack. Even though I possess a vocabulary rivaling William F Buckley's when I have just the right mixture of drugs in me.... I can NOT do these bags verbal justice. I NEVER ride without my R15. They are that good. Perfect for the back-pack wearing street or off-road rider or for any rider thinking about an alternative to a lame-ass tank bag. I use mine when I hike or as my carry-on when I fly. You S1000RR owners will be needing something to carry your chit in... Look no further.

3. We are talking with a manufacturer about offering our customers Plug-N-Play HID kits. Hopefully we can come to terms and offer them on our site by the time our next newsletter comes out. Stay tuned.

4. As per the blurb in the previous section, ZTechnik is discontinuing most of their Carbon Fiber accessories for the BMW K1200RS, K1200S/K1200R, K1200GT/K1300GT, including gauge cover kits, gas cap covers, K1200GT/K1300GT rear rack covers, trim kits, etc, etc. The only Carbon Fiber that they will continue to produce will be tank protectors. This is baaad news as it's easily the highest quality Carbon Fiber on the market.. the good news is.. in preparation for the demise of said products.. Pirates Lair is purchasing virtually all their stock. Get them while supplies last.

5. We just received our bi-yearly shipment of our custom made Pirates Lair Paralever Torque Arms. Are they sweet? or what? Made from aluminum billet with chamfered lightening holes, they come with a bright "deep etched" finish.. and yes... they maintain stock paralever geometry so there are no warranty issues. Our arms are the EXACT same length as the factory K1300S, K1300R, K1200S, K1200R, and 2006-08 K1200GT arms. Very strong, very light, very cool and the only place you can get them is right here, bucko! ! Easy 10 minute install using furnished stainless steel bolts. No mods necessary. Replace that cheesy POS stock unit with something as beautiful as the bike itself. WE get more compliments on these than any other item we sell.

How-To-Survive On A Motorcycle

No new tips this month, but they are always worth a re-read. Could our tips save your life? Dare you NOT look?

If you'd like to help others by contributing a How-To-Survive On A Motorcycle, How to Survive Deals Gap, or any How-To link.. First... check out the tips we already have and if you have something new... just send to me and if it's worthy... I'll add it.. Remember.. we're all in this together.. so shave your legs.

Pirates Lair Sacred Archives

We get a lot of requests for specific articles and/or reviews I've written in the past. Rather than fry my aging brain trying to remember where they are on our multi-thousand page website.. I have decided to list the "worthy" ones here. Most of the links are to past newsletters.. Some are to full web articles. Remember, I'm no expert on anything except perhaps cunnilingus so the opinions within the archives are only my own. Saavy?

BMW How-To Section

We have a new contribution this month from Sir Robert Frandanisa .Thx, Bob. ..Check out his HID Headlight Upgrade for a 2003 K1200GT

Picture at right Courtesy of Sports Illustrated photographer Walter Iooss, Jr. / Model: Ms Melissa Haro