Morning Reads: 1 February 2007

[Mika]

The motorcycling world viewed from the saddle of a BMW. A daily look at all things BMW, Euro-bike, products and things I find interesting on the internet. With links to news, reviews, events, riding skills, maintenance and racing series updates. Morning Reads is a one stop shop for motorcycling information.

Today’s Birthdays / Calendar (http://www.bmwmoa.org/forum/calendar.php?do=getinfo&day=2007-2-1&c=1)

http://brooksideflorist.org/brookside/animation/birthday-cake.gif

BMW PressClub Canada

Sports cases for the BMW R 1200 S. Highly functional, dynamic look.

01/31/2007

Munich. The BMW R 1200 S is the most powerful and sportiest flat twin model in the history of BMW Motorrad. For those S enthusiasts who want to enjoy flat twin performance on dynamic tours as well as for purely sports use, BMW now offers sports cases. The carrier concept - already well established with the K 1200 and F 800 models - is characterised by stability, low weight, variability, weather resilience and elegant design, and is thus perfectly suited to the sporty character of the R 1200 S.
The floor of the case is made of highly resilient plastic and bears the locking unit.

The outer surface is made of textile material which has a steel mesh anti-theft reinforcement surrounded by a plastic holding cage.

Each carrier weighs just 3.8 kilos and has a continuously adjustable volume of 15 to 25 litres. Mounting and removing the container is easy, and when it is removed, the sporty, dynamic appearance of the S rear is not affected since the carrier system is virtually invisible.

Adjustable straps equipped with ratchet mechanism allow for the compression of the luggage space by simply pushing them together. This means that only the width that is currently required will have to be used. Depending on the volume used, vehicle width can vary between 95 and 110 centimetres.

http://m1ka.smugmug.com/photos/126768638-M.jpg

http://m1ka.smugmug.com/photos/126768690-M.jpg

http://m1ka.smugmug.com/photos/126768754-M.jpg


BMW MOA Chartered Club:

club: BMW Riders in Italy, #281
founded: 3/1/2001
contact: Luca Corazza (luca.president2005@bmwri.org)
BMWRI
35027 Noventa Padovana (PD), Italy
www.bmwri.org

meetings: BMWRI Spring Meeting, April
events: Tour Costiero della Saroegna
Tour Terre Sicane
other events: Best Tour Peru


http://m1ka.smugmug.com/photos/120673248-M.png (http://www.bmwmoa.org/rally/rally07/rally07announce.htm)

Gemütlichkeit is the warm, comfortable feeling
one receives from pleasant surroundings and atmosphere.
I think you will find that when you come here.

http://www.dot.wisconsin.gov/images/headers/logo-dot-header.gif (http://www.dot.wisconsin.gov/travel/driving-cond.htm)
Travel Information – Driving Conditions and other related information sites.


Ozaukee – Washington Daily News ( http://www.dailynewsol.com/index.htm)

Fond Du Lac Reporter ( http://www.fdlreporter.com/apps/pbcs.dll/frontpage)

The Sheboygan Press ( http://www.sheboygan-press.com/apps/pbcs.dll/frontpage)

Daily Citizen, Beaver Dam (http://www.wiscnews.com/bdc/)

Weather

West Bend WI
Current (http://www.weather.com/weather/local/USWI0733?from=search_current)

10 Day Forcast (http://www.weather.com/weather/tenday/USWI0733?from=36hr_topnav_undeclared )

United States
National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (http://www.noaa.gov/)

Canada
Meteorological Service of Canada (http://www.weatheroffice.ec.gc.ca/canada_e.html)


News:

Thegarageblog.com (http://thegarageblog.com/garage/do-it-yourself-diagnostics-coming-to-a-store-near-you/): Do it yourself diagnostics coming to a store near you. This is a car diagnostic reader article but could it have a use for BMW motorrads?

Damncoolpics.blogspot.com (http://damncoolpics.blogspot.com/2007/01/prototype-bikes.html): Prototype bike pictures.

mot-newsblog.com (http://www.moto-newsblog.com/news/biodiesel-motorcycle-going-for-landspeed-record-shown-in-san-antonio-tx/1504/): Biodiesel motorcycle to go for land speed record is displayed in San Antonio TX.

Roadracingworld.com (http://roadracingworld.com/news/article/?article=28050) Sales growth leads to staff expansion fro Ducati North America. The Italians are expanding their presence in NA.

iht.com ( http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/01/31/business/NA-FIN-COM-US-Harley-Davidson-Union.php): H-D workers in Pennsylvania reject contract and authorize strike.


RR – Reader Recommended Sites:

Three new sites provided by Statdawg

African Odyssey .co.nz ( http://www.africanodyssey.co.nz/index.php?pageID=200) I have added this to my RSS feeds and will be following it.

Tinystocks.com ( http://tinystocks.com/highway.html) : Highway Manager – They claim - Highway Manager is the most complete and flexible gas mileage application for the Palm OS® platform. I am not a Palm user so I would be interested in a member review and input.

Dakarmotos.com ( http://www.dakarmotos.com/about_us.htm): This is an Argentinean company that was able to help Salcar. Heading to South America? Keep this resource in mind.

Gear:

Motorcyclisonline.com (http://www.motorcyclistonline.com/gearbox/122_0612_sportbikecam_mounting_system/): Product test of Sportbikecam camera mounting system.

This may be more a car camping thing – Hotjugz.com (http://hotjugz.com/index.html) has a portable shower idea. Looks like a garden sprayer but…

From Hemethairblog.com (http://www.helmethairblog.com/entries/switch-traxx-motorcycle-to-snowmobile-conversion-kit/) 0.38 min.
<object width="425" height="350"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/G0qNgFWVfyE"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/G0qNgFWVfyE" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="350"></embed></object>

Gizmag.com ( http://www.gizmag.com/go/5614/) ran this article about a motorcycle snowmobile conversion back in 2006
Video:

webBikeWorld.com ( http://www.webbikeworld.com/motorcycle-videos/riding-solo-top-world/): wBW reviews Riding Solo to the Top of the World. See what you think of their review.

Technology:

Thinking of upgrading your PC from XP to Windows Vista? Then you will find this flow chart very helpful for completing the process.

bbspot.com ( http://www.bbspot.com/News/2007/02/windows-vista-upgrade-decision-flowchart.html): Windows Vista Upgrade Decision Flowchart.


Manufacturer of the Day:

FANTIC

This is an Italian trials and motocross building that has been in business since the 60’s.
Fanticmotor.it (http://www.fanticmotor.it/fantic2005/homep05.asp)
Fantic - Wikipedia.org - Italy (http://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fantic)
cybermotorcycle.com (http://www.cybermotorcycle.com/gallery/fantic/index2.htm) – Sheldon’s EMU Image Gallery
Fanticuk.com (http://www.fanticuk.com/) A bit of info in English.

Woot

Todays Woot ( http://www.woot.com/Default.aspx)

The Blog ( http://www.woot.com/Blog/Default.aspx)

Bike Candy:
http://m1ka.smugmug.com/photos/126774287-M.jpg

[Mika]

All things BMW

egmcartech.com ( http://www.egmcartech.com/2007/01/31/report-bmw-5-series-diesel-in-us-by-2009/): Report – BMW 5 Series Diesel in US by 2009

BMW Group Press Club:

PresClub Canada

BMW Sauber F1 Team
Test in Valencia.

30th January – 2nd February 2007
Day two – Wednesday

Weather conditions:
After it had rained during the night, the track was wet in the morning. It dried out and the team was able to run on grooved tyres from lunchtime until approx. 15.00hrs, when it started to rain again.

Temperatures: Air: 7/15°C, Track: 7/22°C

Number of cars participating: 16

Fastest lap overall: 1:12.579 min, Fernando Alonso, McLaren-Mercedes

Nick Heidfeld:
Chassis / engine: BMW Sauber F1.07-02 / BMW P86/7 V8
Test kilometres today: 204 km (51 laps)
Fastest lap: 1:13.024 min (lap 26)

Robert Kubica:
Chassis / engine: BMW Sauber F1.07-01 / BMW P86/7 V8
Test kilometres today: 152 km (38 laps)
Fastest lap: 1:13.303 min (lap 32)


Programme:
The changing weather conditions hampered the team’s programme as it did not allow for proper comparisons. Originally, set-up scanning and aerodynamic development were on the list. The team had to be flexible and swapped to a tyre and electronical systems evaluation programme. In the end a hydraulic leak caused a fire on Robert Kubica’s car, though it did not do much damage to the car.

What comes next:
Due to the bad weather conditions in Valencia, the BMW Sauber F1 Team has extended the test by one day to Friday. Tomorrow, Thursday, race drivers Nick Heidfeld and Robert Kubica will continue testing

"The best cars 2007": Top results for BMW and MINI in the "Auto, Motor und Sport" readers' voting.

01/31/2007

Munich. The BMW Group's current models once again achieved excellent results in this year's readers' voting for "The best cars" organised by the German magazine "Auto, Motor und Sport". The product range comprising the BMW and MINI brands were victorious in three categories and, over and above that, were able to seize three second and two third places. Once again the BMW 3 Series made its mark as an extremely successful model, winning its 18th title since the readers' voting was first introduced. For the seventh time in succession readers put the MINI in first place. The prizes were awarded today at the Maritim Hotel in Stuttgart.
Here is an overview of the rankings achieved by BMW Group models:

BMW 3 Series Winner in the mid-range category
BMW 1 Series Second place lower mid-range
BMW 5 Series Second place upper mid-range
New BMW X5 Second place off-road segment
BMW 7 Series Third place luxury class
BMW 6 Series Convertible Third place convertible segment

New MINI Winner in mini car category
New MINI Winner mini cars/import cars


More than 100,000 readers took part in this year's voting. The positive voting for BMW Group models underlines the desire for vehicles with a distinctive character, vehicles that convince through high product quality and offer a fascinating driving experience. These qualities bestow high esteem on the BMW Group's product range across all vehicle categories and have also lead to a new worldwide sales record in 2006. With 1,373,970 vehicles leaving the showroom, the BMW Group was able to boost sales by 3.5 percent against last year and maintain its international market leadership in the premium vehicle sector. Each of the three brands BMW, MINI and Rolls Royce is the market leader in its respective segment.

Long runner and consistent winner: The BMW 3 Series.

With its 8th triumph in the "Auto, Motor und Sport" readers' voting, the BMW 3 Series was able to repeat last year's success in the mid-range category and increase its popularity with the readers even further. No less than 34.9 percent of the votes went to this successful model, which has also established itself as a top seller. In 2006, sales of this series with its saloon, touring, coupe and convertible versions increased by 17.1 percent to 508,479 units, boosting the share in sales of the bestseller BMW 3 Series to 43 percent of all BMW brand vehicles to leave the showroom.

In the off-road category the new BMW X5 shot straight to second place, acquiring the position held last year by the predecessor model - even though the German market launch of the new BMW X5 is not scheduled until March.

Also, the BMW 5 Series was able to maintain its second ranking achieved in last year's readers' voting. The BMW 5 Series also occupies this position in terms of BMW brand sales. 232,193 BMW 5 Series vehicles were sold in 2006. This is an increase of around 1.7 percent against the previous year.

Moreover, the BMW 7 Series was successful in holding its third place gained in last year's voting. The BMW 6 Series Convertible managed to gain ground, rising to third place in the convertible category rating. With a fourth place in the sports car category, the BMW 6 Series Coupe rounded off the series' outstanding success.

MINI clear winner yet again.

Once again the results of the voting were clearly in favour of the tremendously popular MINI. With 48.6 percent of votes the new version of the premium compact model launched in November also shot to the top of its segment. Almost every second reader voted the new MINI as the best car in its class. Its success in the import ranking, in which in MINI was able to gain 60 percent of readers' votes, was even more outstanding.

This start-to-finish victory in the race for the readers' favour is in keeping with the extremely successful market launch of the new MINI. After sales had dropped for production reasons by 6.2 percent to 188,072 in 2006 due to the model change, the new MINI made a rapid final spurt before the end of the year. In December 2006 alone, sales rose by 39.7 percent against the previous year, with 13,995 vehicles sold.

PressClub UK

New managing director at BMW Hams Hall. Engine plant announces record production figures and jobs growth.

01/31/2007

The BMW engine plant at Hams Hall has a new managing director. Robert Bolam, previously responsible for BMW Group’s UK pressings operations in Swindon, succeeds Harald Krüger who has returned to the company’s headquarters in Munich to take up a further senior position in the BMW Group production division.
As the new plant director at Hams Hall, Bolam is in charge of a workforce that now numbers just over 1,000 associates. Since September last year, three-shift operations have been introduced and 250 new employees taken on to meet increasing production requirements. This positive development follows the launch, in the second half of 2006, of a new family of petrol engines to power the new generation MINI Cooper and MINI Cooper S models built at the company’s vehicle plant in Oxford.

Production at Hams Hall started exactly six years ago (January 2001). Together with plants in Munich (Germany) and Steyr (Austria), the West Midlands factory is one of three major engine production operations in BMW Group’s international manufacturing network. The state-of-the-art facility produces all of the company’s four-cylinder petrol engines for both BMW and MINI.

Last year’s total output of just over 217,000 engines set a new annual production record for the plant. The increased pace of production will continue during 2007 with output this year anticipated to go well above 300,000 units.

The continued increase in production output at Hams Hall in 2007 will be driven by the growing number of BMW and MINI vehicles powered by engines built at the UK plant. A new 1.4-litre petrol engine is about to go into series production to power the new generation MINI One that will be making its debut at the Geneva Motor Show in March. New, too, is a high-tech four-cylinder petrol engine featuring second-generation, high-precision direct injection technology that will power the new three-door and revised five-door versions of the highly successful BMW 1 Series. Both of these models will also be making their debuts at Geneva.

BMW’s unique VALVETRONIC fully variable valve control together with the introduction of the latest direct injection technology in engines built at Hams Hall mean lower fuel consumption in combination with improved performance for BMW and MINI customers.

Plant director Robert Bolam says: “This is an exciting time to be coming to Hams Hall. The successful development of the plant reflects the record sales results of the BMW Group as a whole last year. We are confident that sales of BMW and MINI products will increase once again this year. Producing engines for both of these brands means that we are uniquely placed to contribute to, and profit from, their success in markets around the world.”

[Mika]

AMADirectlink.com (http://www.amadirectlink.com/roadride/riderresc/trip_planner.asp) Trip planning information including :
Weather websites | Mapping sites | State Tourism bureaus|
Toll- free hotel numbers | Campgrounds | Nationwide dealer locator

AMAdirectlink.com (http://www.amadirectlink.com/amrace/events/events.asp?sid=) : Local AMA race | event locator tool.

The Pit Crew View: Racing Series 2007

American Historic Racing Motorcycle Association (http://ahrma.org/calendar.htm)
AHRMA Handbook (http://ahrma.org/rulebook/index.htm) News and notable items from AHRMA (http://ahrma.org/whatsnew.htm)
2007 AHRMA Events & Results (http://ahrma.org/calendar.htm)
AHRMA Web Links page (http://ahrma.org/links.htm#competition)


AMA PRO RACING- Home Page (http://www.amaproracing.com/)

AMA Pro Racing @ the Wire Live! Menu (http://206.168.146.114/liveresultsindex.html)

AMASuperbike official website (http://www.amasuperbike.com/index.php?UID=jK7fzMqmIWfguZWVRKpXbnPysR14YE)
Schedule and Ticket Information (http://www.amasuperbike.com/article.php?sc=1120&aid=8941&UID=jK7fzMqmIWfguZWVRKpXbnPysR14YE)
AMA Superbike 101 (http://www.amasuperbike.com/article.php?UID=jK7fzMqmIWfguZWVRKpXbnPysR14YE&sc=1122&aid=2663)

AMA Flat Trac official website (http://www.amaflattrack.com/index.php?UID=oIj7BrRq2M3wZ9Q5w1IL5BwmHe6fGH)
Schedule and Ticket Information (http://www.amaflattrack.com/article.php?UID=oIj7BrRq2M3wZ9Q5w1IL5BwmHe6fGH&sc=1063&aid=9213)
AMA Flat Track 101 (http://www.amaflattrack.com/article.php?UID=oIj7BrRq2M3wZ9Q5w1IL5BwmHe6fGH&sc=1063&aid=3895)

AMA Supermoto official website (http://www.amasupermoto.com/index.php?UID=Cv6yVS1y0GydmlRomEk6UALgr0K9Xi)
Schedule and Ticket Information (http://www.amasupermoto.com/article.php?&sc=1181&aid=9001&UID=Cv6yVS1y0GydmlRomEk6UALgr0K9Xi)

AMA Motocross official website (http://www.amamotocross.com/round.php?UID=0okPvEjeShGzY9hjf84gKDtXOgtI7P&sc=1246&year=2007&number=3)
Schedule and Ticket Information (http://www.supercrossonline.com/showList)
AMA Motocross 101 (http://www.amamotocross.com/article.php?UID=0okPvEjeShGzY9hjf84gKDtXOgtI7P&sc=1109&aid=5425)

AMA Supercross official website (http://www.amamotocross.com/round.php?UID=0okPvEjeShGzY9hjf84gKDtXOgtI7P&sc=1246&year=2007&number=3)
Schedule and Tickets (http://www.supercrossonline.com/showList)
AMA Supercross 101 (http://www.amamotocross.com/article.php?UID=0okPvEjeShGzY9hjf84gKDtXOgtI7P&sc=1109&aid=5425)

AMA Hill Climb (http://www.amaproracing.com/06hc/)

AMA Pro ATV (http://www.amaproracing.com/07atv/index.asp)
Schedule Information (http://www.amaproracing.com/07atv/index.asp#schedule)

Australian Superbike Championship (http://www.aus-superbikes.com.au/)


Canadian Superbike Championship (http://www.cdnsuperbike.com/index.php?option=com_frontpage&Itemid=1)
News (http://www.cdnsuperbike.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=category&sectionid=1&id=1&Itemid=46)
Track Information (http://www.cdnsuperbike.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=71&Itemid=75)

Championship Cup Series American SportBike Racing Association ( http://www.ccsracing.com/)


FORMULA 1 (http://www.formula1.com/ )
Schedule (http://www.formula1.com/race/)
Tickets and Travel (http://www.formula1.com/tickets_and_travel/redirect/)

BMW Sauber (http://www.bmw-sauber-f1.com/html/en/index.html)
Drivers
Nick Heidfeld (http://www.adrivo.com/nickheidfeld/)
Robert Kubica (http://www.kubica.pl/)

Ferrari (http://www.ferrariworld.com/FWorld/fw/index.jsp)
Drivers
Kimi Raikkonen (http://www.racecar.net/kimi/) – Under Construction
Felipe Massa (http://www.felipemassa.com/)

Honda (http://www.hondaracingf1.com/en/index.php)
Drivers
Jenson Button (http://www.racecar.co.uk/jensonbutton/)
Rubens Barrichello (http://www.barrichello.com.br/new/index.htm)

McLaren (http://www.mclaren.co.uk/)
Drivers
Fenando Alonso (http://www.fernandoalonso.net/)
Lewis Hamilton (http://www.lewishamilton.com/)

Renault (http://www.ing-renaultf1.com/en/)
Drivers
Giancarlo Fisichella ( http://www.giancarlofisichella.com/)
Heikki Kovalainen

Spyker (http://www.spykerf1.nl/)
Drivers
Christijan Albers
Adrian Sutil (http://www.adriansutil.com/)

Super Aguri (http://www.saf1.co.jp/en/)
Drivers
Takuma Sato (http://www.takumasato.com/)
Anthony Davidson

Toro Rosso (Red Bull) (http://www.redbullf1.com/switch.action?lang=en)
Drivers
David Coulthard
Mark Webber (http://www.webber-racing.co.uk/)

Toyota (http://www.toyota-f1.com/public/en/index_e.html)
Drivers
Ralf Schumacher
Jarno Trulli ( http://www.jarnotrulli.com/)

Williams (http://www.williamsf1.com/consumer/season/2006/brazil/06braziloverview.htm)
Nico Rosberg ( http://www.nicorosberg.com/)
Alex Wurz


Mid-Atlantic Road Racing Club (Cornerworking) ( http://www.marrc.org/)


Isle of Man TT (http://www.iomtt.com/)
Calander (http://www.iomtt.com/Calendar.aspx)
Front page news (http://www.iomtt.com/blogs/)
TT Database (http://www.iomtt.com/TTDatabase.aspx)


MotoGP (http://www.motograndprix.com/en/motogp/index.htm)

SUPERSIDE

FIM Sidecar World Championship – SUPERSIDE (http://www.superside.com/)

Superside – American Sidecar Championship ( http://www.superside-america.com/)



US Classic Racing Association (http://www.race-uscra.com/)


United States Grand Prix Racers Union ( http://www.usgpru.net/)


Vintage Road Racing Association – CA (http://www.vrra.ca/):


WERA Motorcycle Roadracing (http://www.wera.com/)


Westwood Motorcycle Racing Club CA. (http://www.wmrc.ca/)


World Endurance Championship (http://www.worldendurance.com)


World SBK ( http://www.worldsbk.com/)

Unless noted otherwise, I have no known commercial interest in any products, retailers or manufactures discussed in the Morning Reads. The links used in the Morning Reads are for informational use only. The use of all links is subject to the terms of use of the originating site. [/size]

THE END (http://www.digdilem.org/misc/lastpage.php)

[PAULBACH]

Be sure to check out that flow chart (http://www.bbspot.com/News/2007/02/windows-vista-upgrade-decision-flowchart.html) for the New Vista operating system.

"Quick, Henry, the FLIT (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flit)!"


$15 is better than a check-up at the dealer

“The concept is: Drive up, insert credit card for a whopping $15 charge, hook a cable up under the dash and then take the printout which tells you what is wrong with the car based on the fault codes that have been stored.”

Save a few buck and head to Advance Auto. They offer the same service for my favorite price – free but only for cars.

Very Interesting Software
Highway Manager I own a Palm T/X. Looks interesting but does it come with some good riding weather?

[Mika]

...
$15 is better than a check-up at the dealer

“The concept is: Drive up, insert credit card for a whopping $15 charge, hook a cable up under the dash and then take the printout which tells you what is wrong with the car based on the fault codes that have been stored.”

Save a few buck and head to Advance Auto. They offer the same service for my favorite price – free but only for cars.

...
Is there a business model in there for motorcycles?

At various times, before having the next stout or whiskey, I have wondered could a system be set up based on a model something like

A BMW bike owner buys a “pig tail” connector from say the MOA.

Connects the bike via the pig tail to a laptop and in turn via an internet link to a diagnostic computer owned by a dealer or say the MOA.

A nominal fee would be paid to the dealer for computer time or perhaps a membership benefit or upgrade if said computer were owned and operated by the MOA.

[PAULBACH]

I'm not sure but will make a trip to Advance Auto to find out. They are presently running some excellent $1.00 sales.

In what year did the computer interface first appear on motorcycles?