The Latest Cheesy K12 Pirates' Lair Newsletter

Back in Black from Copper Canyon: You Can Relax Now

As most of you know, we were closed for 2 weeks during February for both the Cycle World Bike Show in Chicago and a trip to Copper Canyon, Mexico. We appreciate everyone's understanding while we were closed. I've posted pics in our photo album at either HERE or HERE

Click on NEWEST over on the right hand side... or just go to the last photo album on page #3 entitled cleverly.. the Copper Canyon Trip Also.. I've posted a trip report at http://www.i-bmw.com/ Once there, click on Ride Tales and scroll down until you see my 2/28 post entitled, Copper Canyon / Amtrak Trip Report You'll laugh, you'll cry.

Speaking of the Chicago Cycle World Show.. My "S' Bike View

I finally got to see and sit on the new K1200S bike..It was an attention getter at the show. It's so much lighter than the current K12's that it feels like a "heavy" 750 jap bike. Another thing that's immediately noticed is that it sits lower.. I am only 5'7" and I could flat foot it..Very comforting. I was honestly hoping the bike would rock my world like the first time I saw a K1200RS.. but it didn't. It is nice visually but there are many bikes out there that are nice visually.. and cheaper.. and faster.. .
Here are some Deep Thoughts by Jack Handy....

Good:
1. the "S" headlight has 3 bulbs and LOOKS spectacular.. The entire front end looks beautiful.
2. The weight reduction is amazing. Amber says that even she could push it around the garage if need be. She can't budge my 98 K1200RS.
3. The wheels are some of the best I have seen on any bike.. Anywhere. Valve stems come off the spokes.. NOT the wheel rim for easy access.
4. BMW finally wised up and gave the bike some lean angle while on the centerstand. No way this bike will tip over like the RS/GT's.
5. Battery access is on TOP of the gas tank under a plastic panel. VERY good idea.
6. The seat is thinner up front which will make all of us vertically challenged riders smile.
7. Bar angle and height is about perfect for corner carving.. but... I'll imagine that 80% of the people that buy the S bike will add barbacks..
8. The mirrors actually work!! Sleek, attractive... as it should be. Kudos to the guy that came up with those.

Bad:
1. The tail light on this bike is the ugliest I have ever seen on any motorcycle in 36 years of riding. It looks like a baboons ass or..Mick Jagger's tongue.. or a nastily swollen part of a prostitute's anatomy... (Use your sick imagination.) Whoever designed this must have been on a bender as it's horrid and nothing on earth, clear or otherwise can disguise it. I'm sure the Italians are laughing out loud. I have a pic posted HERE..
2. The frame is powder coated but it is not smooth as it should be. Looks primitive, at least on the one at the show. Perhaps it was an early version.
3. This stock bike had no centerstand or rear luggage rack... only two grab rails..(We do have pics of the new factory optional rear rack. E-mail me if you'd like to see it.)
4. On the K12RS or GT, you open and remove the seat by the lock on the left side of the bike.. on the S bike the lock is just above the tail light! Stupid design.

Dead Motorcyclists and Injustice

Remember back in August 2003 when that ass-wipe, ..er.. former South Dakota U.S. Representative Bill Janklow ran a stop sign and killed fellow motorcyclist, Randy Scott? Janklow had a history of speeding and traffic offenses and to this day, has NEVER ONCE said he was sorry or even admitted any guilt in the case.. While he was sentenced to a paltry 100 days in jail, a good ole boy federal judge just ruled that Janklow will NOT have to pay a dime to the family due to the Federal Tort Claims law which shields federal employees from negligence claims for actions occurred while working.... Geeezzus.. Next step for the Scott family? Looks like they may sue the US government.. I wish them success.

BMW 33rd Annual International Rally and F@%*ing Morons: A Second Look

In last month's newsletter I questioned the sanity of those responsible for choosing Lima, f#@*ing Ohio for the 2005 BMW MOA International Rally..Why? because there's not a decent motorcycle road anywhere near Lima. In case anyone hasn't noticed...Ohio sucks.. Doubt me? Go see for yourself.. It would be like the International Surfing Association (ISA) hosting a surfing event on Lake Michigan...! IMHO.. the quality of the riding should be the #1 deciding factor for ANY motorcycle rally.. which it is not... Have had many of our Ohioan customers e-mail us to actually agree..

Well as Paul Harvey would say... "and now....the rest of the story..." Was contacted by a very good friend of mine, a fellow K12'er who is actually on the committee for choosing the BMW MOA rally location and he gave me the lowdown on the site selection process.. In a nutshell.. Years ago when the earth was young and Michael Jackson was still black, the selection committee split up the country into sections.. Northeast, West, Northeast, Southeast, etc, and Hell.. which includes Ohio and I would imagine.. Missouri and/or Arkansas. Each year they rotate to the next region. One committee member is in charge of each section of the country and he is responsible for putting together a list of choices within that area..When he has a list of possible venues the committee looks at them and votes.. Guess there was slim pickins this year if Lima was the winner.. Of course I pity the guy that has the Ohio section of the country. However.. obviously there are lots of factors.. They must have 100 acres, X-amount of hotel rooms nearby, beer permits must be procurable, must have camping access for X-amount of campers, a venue for x-amount of vendors.. very complex .. Bottom line.. they have rules/procedures set up eons ago and they be stickin' to em.. even if it means hosting a motorcycle rally in f#@*ing OHIO. I wish them success with it.....and thanks for the explanation, bro.

What's New In the K1200RS/GT/S World