The Warm & Safe Dual Remote Control Mounted Heat-Troller provides riders with the ability to power and control two pieces of heated motorcycle gear separately. Remote versions are available, but this item is permanently mounted to the motorcycle for a cleaner interface and superior ergonomics since the controls are fixed in place.  

The overall system consists of the Heat-Troller module, the remote receiver, and two fused wiring harnesses to connect the module and receiver to power. Installation is very straightforward: Simply use one of the fused wiring harnesses to connect the Heat-Troller module to switched power and the other harness to run power from the battery directly to the remote receiver. 

On my BMW R 1250 RT test mule, I mounted the Heat-Troller module underneath a fairing panel. This method of connecting the module to the harness (as opposed to hardwiring it in) allows the fairing panel to be easily removed for service when necessary – an added plus! Finally, a pair of sealed temperature control knobs with LEDs (which are hardwired into the Heat-Troller module) are then affixed in a convenient location, such as the blank panels on my RT’s dash area.  

Once installed, the only visible parts are the two temp control knobs and their corresponding LEDs, which provide visual indication for On, Off, and Polarity for your heated motorcycle gear. The knobs themselves have a tactile detent for On/Off and 300-degree rotation, so the rider can adjust from 3% to 100% power. The system can handle up to 15 amps at 13 volts, which is more than adequate to handle the typical heated jacket liner and glove combo at full blast. The device works from 7-16 volts and features internal resets for overloads and/or shorts.  

On this device, the Heat-Troller module communicates wirelessly with the remote receiver, which is placed inside the jacket liner’s pocket. (The module and receiver arrive already paired up from the factory.) It is the receiver that makes the connection between the motorcycle’s battery and the input connections on the heated motorcycle gear via the power harness. This model has dual outputs, meaning two separate pieces of heated gear can be powered independently. Single output versions are also available. 

I tested the Dual Remote Control Mounted Heat-Troller with a variety of heated motorcycle gear in my collection, including Warm & Safe’s Generation 4 heated jacket liner, an older Warm & Safe Generation 3 liner, an original Gerbing’s liner that’s 20-plus years old, a 10-year-old Gerbing’s Microwire liner, and a selection of gloves from Warm & Safe, Gerbing’s, California Heat, and others. It functioned flawlessly with everything I tested, and the compact receiver was easily stored in the left front pockets of all liners tested. There’s no reason why this Heat-Troller shouldn’t also work with almost any other brand of heated gear. 

The Warm & Safe Dual Remote Control Mounted Heat-Troller has an MSRP of $169.90 and is covered by a three-year warranty.

See all of Rider‘s Parts & Accessories reviews here.

The post Warm and Safe Dual Remote Control Mounted Heat-Troller Review | Gear  appeared first on Rider Magazine.

BMW R 1200/1250 RT sport-tourers, for all their stellar attributes, arrive from the factory with a cramped cockpit, even for height-challenged riders like me. Wunderlich’s BMW Handlebar Risers for water-cooled 2014-current RTs allow the rider to raise the baseline handlebar positioning by 1.57 inches, offering superior ergonomics to riders who prefer higher bars. 

Related: 2023 BMW R 1250 RT Review | Road Test

The kit arrives with everything required for installation, including the puller tool required to remove the handlebar from its stock position. First, gather your T8, T15, T30, T40, and T50 Torx bits, as well as a small flathead screwdriver, a 13mm wrench or socket, and a torque wrench. A 17-step installation procedure is included with the kit, but Wunderlich’s 20-minute video on the product website is much more useful for the DIYer.  

To begin, remove the bar-end weights with the T45 Torx, and then remove the four T30 Torx holding the clutch and brake master cylinders on the handlebars. From there, a series of small Torx screws and tabs which hold the switch control housings in place are removed, the cable connectors are disconnected, and the housings are taken off the handlebar. The handlebar is now exposed and ready for removal via T50 Torx and the included puller tool, which requires the 13mm socket or wrench.  

The Wunderlich BMW handlebar risers are then installed in the bar’s former position, and the handlebar is reinstalled onto the risers. To fit inside the risers, the paint needs to be sanded off the 0.5-inch leading edge of the handlebar. I used a bench grinder with a wire wheel attachment, which worked perfectly in under five minutes. Finally, the master cylinders and the switch housings are reassembled back onto the handlebar in reverse order. 

Out on the road, it’s apparent that these German-made risers, which are machined out of solid aluminum and anodized to match the OEM finish, are of high quality. The risers themselves rotate on the handlebar, allowing an added measure of fine tuning. The addition of these risers, especially in conjunction with footpeg lowering kits (such as one from Suburban Machinery), allow the rider to really stretch out and sit inside the cockpit rather than on the motorcycle. Taller riders especially will be much more comfortable with this setup as opposed to stock. MSRP for the Wunderlich #31040201 Handlebar Risers is $374.95. 

See all of Rider‘s Parts & Accessories reviews here.

The post BMW Handlebar Risers from Wunderlich for the R 1200/1250 RT Review | Gear appeared first on Rider Magazine.

As a young motorcyclist, I discovered BMW by accident. In the summer of 2003, I was cruising along the Blue Ridge Parkway on my 1998 Harley-Davidson Sportster 1200 Custom, a violent jackhammer of a bike that was crude, loud, and spectacularly uncomfortable. The sun was about to set as I pulled into a motorcycle-friendly campground. After parking my bike, I saw a large crowd gathered around a blazing fire, listening intently to a presentation. I approached curiously and was soon in rapt attention myself.

The speakers were Chris and Erin Ratay, who were wrapping up a four-year, 101,322-mile circumnavigation of the planet aboard a pair of BMW F 650s, a trip that earned a Guinness World Record for the longest distance traveled by a couple on two motorcycles. I had stumbled upon the last stop on the Ratays’ “ultimate journey” before they returned home to New York.

Of course, the globetrotting couple shared interesting tales of adventure travel, but the theme they kept coming back to was the indestructability of their BMWs. Their bikes were on display, and everyone at camp scrutinized them carefully. After four years traversing 50 countries on six continents, both F 650s looked as though they had been dropped from an aircraft at 30,000 feet, crash-landed on jagged rockface, set on fire with napalm, and then run over by a battalion of Abrams tanks. Yet both started instantly and ran with the precision of a fine Swiss watch.

Juxtaposed against my primitive Sportster, the contrast in terms of modern engineering and stout reliability couldn’t be clearer. I began studying BMWs and fell in love with the R 75/5 that Clement Salvadori wrote about in the pages of Rider (Retrospective, April 1991; I also recently wrote my own Retrospective: BMW /5 Series – 1970-1973). I soon had a 1973 long-wheelbase Monza Blue R 75/5 Toaster in my garage, and it was a revelation. Despite its age, it was so quiet, so smooth, and so stable at speed. That motorcycle, with its quirky air-cooled flat-Twin “boxer” motor and bizarre but practical styling, was my gateway drug into the wonderful world of BMW motorcycles. And what a journey it’s been!

Over the past 20 years, I’ve owned or co-owned 11 BMWs ranging in age from a 1971 R 60/5 to a 2020 R 1250 GS. I’ve put well over 200,000 combined miles on them, traveling all over the U.S. and Canada. All of them have been supremely functional, which isn’t surprising given the company’s storied history of engineering innovations. BMW has given us hydraulically damped forks as well as the first production versions of a nose fairing, a full fairing, a single-sided swingarm, anti-lock brakes, and of course, BMW’s proprietary Paralever and Telelever suspension systems, among many other innovations.

BMWs are generally overengineered, sometimes to a fault, but the company’s rabid fan base of high-mileage riders has come to respect the brand as representative of some of the finest motorcycles available at any price.

However, what I appreciate more than the motorcycles themselves is the BMW community of riders. They’re a wildly diverse group of mostly professionals, skewing heavily toward the intellectual and analytical gearheads that I feel most at home with. Every BMW group I’ve spent time with emphasizes riding competence and safety. BMW is a marque that appeals to serious riders, as reflected by the odometers one sees at any of the brand’s big rallies: 100,000-plus miles on bikes that are only a few years old is a common sight.

One hundred years of continuous production is a stellar accomplishment for any company, especially for a brand that has been considered a niche manufacturer for much of its history. But in recent years, BMW Motorrad has branched out beyond its traditional touring and adventure bikes to produce models such as high-performance sportbikes and electric scooters, which would have been unthinkable when I started riding BMWs 20 years ago. It’s going to be fascinating to see where the next 100 years take us!

See all of Rider‘s BMW coverage here.

The post Confessions of a BMW Addict appeared first on Rider Magazine.

Weiser Technik’s Extreme EVO LED Motorcycle Light Kits transformed my 2020 BMW R 1250 GS test mule into a much more conspicuous presence on the road by adding running light capability to the front turnsignals and running light with brake light capability to the rear turnsignals. The kits essentially replace the stock turnsignal modules with Weiser’s own design, which utilizes 12 super-bright Osram LEDs per indicator. The result is dramatic, especially at night where the GS’s relatively meager stock lighting was once easily lost in the sea of traffic.

In addition to the 4 LED light modules, the Weiser LED motorcycle light kits arrived complete with all necessary components for installation – including standard wiring, extension wiring, zip ties, posi-twists, posi-taps, posi-locks, locking keys, and solid-state relay – and full instructions. Many variations of the kits are available to fit a myriad of brands and models, and generally the LED light modules fit within OEM housings. However, Weiser also offers the turnsignal housings themselves (if necessary), clear or tinted lenses, and short (4.2 inch), medium (4.6 inch), or long (6.25 inch) turnsignal stems to fit nearly any application.

The lights are fully CANbus-compatible, so no load equalizers are necessary, and there is no danger of fault codes if installed properly.  Installation itself is relatively straightforward for the shade-tree mechanic using online tutorials and the printed manual that came with the kit, but since my bike was in for service already, I had my shop install everything in one hour of labor. 

Pre-Weiser, my GS’s turnsignals were devoted solely to that function and otherwise remained unlit. With the Weiser kits installed, the front turnsignals now glow a constant bright white color as full-time running lights. Activating the turn signal overrides the white running light with a bright flashing yellow-off-yellow pattern and then glows continuously white again once the turnsignaling is canceled.

The rear setup operates in a similar fashion to the front, with both indicators operating as full-time red running lights. If the rider hits the brakes, both indicators glow an intense bright red. If the turnsignals are utilized, the side indicating glows in a yellow-red-yellow-red sequence until the turnsignal is canceled and then resumes its red running light mode. Hazard lights operate as normal, flashing yellow-off-yellow up front and yellow-red-yellow in the rear.  

Out on the road, the Weisers drew plenty of compliments from my fellow riders, especially at night when the additional lighting really popped compared to the stock dim setup. The company claims their lights are up to 10 times brighter than OEM, an entirely believable claim based on my observations. The kits I tested carry a four-year warranty with tech support available by phone or online.

See all of Rider‘s Parts & Accessories reviews here.

The Weiser Extreme EVO LED motorcycle light kits tested here are $249-$269 for both the dual-function front kit and triple-function rear kit or $449-$489 for a combo kit. 

The post Weiser Extreme EVO Multifunction LED Motorcycle Light Kits | Gear Review appeared first on Rider Magazine.

After nearly two decades aboard various generations of BMW’s venerable RT-Series sport-tourers, I recently decided to learn how to ride off-road and made the switch to a BMW R 1250 GS adventure-tourer The GS is surely a capable machine, but it’s not quite the glass-smooth operator my RT was on the highway. Though by no means offensive, the GS’s handlebar transmits a modicum of vibrations to the rider’s hands as the revs climb, and Hudson Valley Motor Parts Motorcycle Bar End Weights represent a compelling antidote to this. By adding copious mass to the bar ends, these weights effectively quell the sympathetic resonance which plagues all motorized two-wheelers to some degree.

Related: 2021 BMW R 1250 GS | Road Test Review

My HVMP test pair was perfectly finished in gloss black, with each bar end weighing a portly 8.9 ounces sans hardware and measuring 1.6 inches high by 1.5 inches in diameter at the base. For reference, the GS’s stock bar end weighs a scant 2.2 ounces sans hardware and measures 1 inch high by 1.5 inches in diameter at the base.

Installation was a breeze and required only common hand tools. The GS’s stock bar ends must be removed by loosening the T45 Torx bolts which hold them in place. Then, they are replaced with the HVMP units, which are fastened via the included 6mm stainless Allen bolts. It’s a good idea to add some medium strength thread locking compound (Loctite or Permatex blue) to the bolt threads. Torque to 9 lb-ft, and you’re done. There is no interference whatsoever with the GS’s handguards, and the whole process takes less than 10 minutes for the pair.

See all of Rider’s Parts & Accessories reviews here.

On the road, the HVMP motorcycle bar end weights had a dramatic effect on handlebar vibes throughout the entire rev range. The GS’s handlebar is now dead still below 4,000 rpm, and the buzz which used to emanate from the grips above 4,000 rpm is now reduced by what feels like 75%, making spirited riding and downshifting much more enjoyable. My GS’s grips are smoother now than my RT’s in stock form ever were.

For the modest investment and effort required for installation, the HVMP bar ends are a worthy addition for commuters, long distance travelers, riders with carpal tunnel syndrome and other related afflictions, and anyone else who desires less buzz in the bars. HVMP offers a wide selection of its American-made motorcycle bar end weights for various BMW and other brand models.

The post Hudson Valley Motor Parts Motorcycle Bar End Weights | Gear Review appeared first on Rider Magazine.

The ScorpionEXO XT9000 is the company’s newest entry into the midline adventure motorcycle helmet class, boasting a 3K carbon fiber shell and inflatable cheek pads, among other notable features. 

The helmet’s interior feels simultaneously rugged and breathable, with a soft KwickWick III moisture-wicking liner and removable crown, cheek pads, and neck roll, all of which are washable. Its novel “Airfit” cheek pads can be inflated via a large red air pump button and deflated via a release valve, all located on the interior of the chinbar. The result is a truly individual fit that is quick and easy to adjust, even with gloves on. A removable neoprene skirt is also included to effectively block wind from blowing up into the chin area for more comfortable cold weather riding and reduced wind noise.  

See all of Rider‘s helmet reviews here. 

Built into the shell are 50mm speaker pockets if you want to install a Bluetooth comm system. Two thin bright red “emergency” straps on the underside of the neck roll release the cheek pads when pulled, reducing neck strain during helmet removal in the event of a crash. 

The XT9000’s exterior is handsomely styled in the ADV tradition, with a TCT-Ultra 3K carbon fiber shell wrapped around a multilayered, multidensity EPS liner. The clearcoat-over-carbon finish on our test model was glossy and smooth, complementing the excellent overall fit and finish. Two Maxvision faceshields are included (clear and dark tint), both of which are shatter-resistant, anti-fog and anti-scratch coated, and 95% UVA+B blocking. For off-road riding, the shield is designed to accommodate most goggles while in the “up” position, negating the need to remove the shield entirely. Pinlock anti-fog film is included also. The shield sealed well when closed, with no air or water leakage detected. The helmet’s peak is easily removable via three thumbscrews for a street-style look. 

Out on the road, the XT9000 was delightfully functional, starting with its superb ventilation. Up front, the peak directs air into two intake vents on the top of the helmet, each of which has a beefy closed/open switch which is easily actuated with gloved hands. The chinbar has four small open ports and one larger central main port which can be opened or closed as required. On the inside of the chinbar, there is another switch to open or close the chin vents, which aim toward the inside of the face shield to combat fogging. Internal air is dispelled through two wide spoilers on the rear of the helmet.  

Another useful feature of this helmet is its wide, airy field of vision (Scorpion claims a 190-degree horizontal and 100-degree vertical field of vision). Finally, its light weight (only 3.1 lb for our size Large test model) is less tiring on long rides than heavier comparable lids.  

The ScorpionEXO XT9000 adventure motorcycle helmet meets both DOT FMVSS 218 and ECE 22.06 certifications. Sizes are available from XS to 3XL, and MSRP starts at $499.95.  

The post ScorpionEXO XT9000 Adventure Motorcycle Helmet | Gear Review  appeared first on Rider Magazine.

Dr. Jekill & Mr. Hyde’s (J&H) novel exhaust system allows the rider to pick from three different sound modes on the fly. An illuminated, handlebar-mounted switch actuates a servo motor, which actuates a valve in the interior of the exhaust system to instantly adjust sound output to your preference.

In Dr. Jekill Mode, the valve is closed, diverting the exhaust gases around the valve and through perforations on side chambers of the exhaust, where they pass through patented single-strand fiber dampening material before being routed out. This is the quietest mode, most closely resembling the stock sound but with a much deeper tone.

A quick push of the button opens the valve halfway for Dynamic Mode, which adds a distinctive low-frequency bark. A final push of the button unleashes Mr. Hyde Mode, in which the valve opens fully and the rider is treated to the engine’s full guttural roar as exhaust gases pass through relatively unrestricted.

My BMW R 1250 GS exhaust system is governed by an ECU that plugs directly into the wiring harness, reading CANbus signals from the bike and allowing the exhaust valve to power on and off with the engine.

Related: 2021 BMW R 1250 GS | Road Test Review

Installation of the J&H exhaust is straightforward. The small servo motor is mounted to the frame above the header connection, and its waterproof control wires are routed along the inside face of the muffler, where an integrated clamp holds them securely. The wiring harness is plug and play. (J&H has a helpful installation video on YouTube.)

Once installed, the J&H is a handsome pipe. Its flawlessly finished Nomad Black body leads to a glossy hexagonal carbon fiber end cap, punctuated by a gorgeous machined-aluminum accent plate on the rear. The inlet cover is finished in matching glossy carbon fiber as well. The appearance is sleek, serious, and decidedly upmarket, drawing loads of attention from fellow GS riders.

See all of Rider‘s Parts & Accessories Reviews here.

Out on the road, the BMW’s personality can be instantly transformed from mild to wild depending on my mood, and I love exercising that expression! Experienced readers are wise enough to know the difference between an annoyingly loud exhaust and an improved exhaust tone that fits with the character of each motorcycle. This J&H pipe unleashed my bikes inner growl, adding a healthy dollop of welcome character to the machine.

But in this case, it’s not about volume. Using an AudioControl DMRTA calibrated decibel meter, placing the measurement device about 20 inches from the exhaust at a 45-degree angle per the SAE J2825 standard, I measured all three modes at idle: Dr. Jekill came in at 85.9 dB, Dynamic measured 88.1 dB, and Mr. Hyde rang up 93.1 dB. For reference, SAE J2825 recommends a 92 dBA limit at idle for motorcycles.

Dr. Jekill & Mr. Hyde exhausts are the best of both worlds, allowing you to be naughty or nice without ever being obnoxious. They’re made in the Netherlands and are fully compliant with European emission laws. Testing is currently in progress for the U.S. market, and the company hopes to have CARB and EPA approval by the end of 2023.

MSRP for the BMW R 1250 GS Exhaust from Dr. Jekill and Mr. Hyde is $1,695 for black and $1,640 for silver. Each pipe is covered by a four-year, unlimited-mile warranty.

The post BMW R 1250 GS Exhaust from Dr. Jekill and Mr. Hyde | Gear Review appeared first on Rider Magazine.

Sales of small motorcycles have been booming in the U.S. Their low prices, excellent fuel economy, playful aesthetics, and sheer riding pleasure make minibikes irresistible. My 2021 Honda Trail 125 is so addictive that I find myself hopping aboard its spartan solo saddle not just for local chores but for longer weekend trips as well.

Related: 2021 Honda Trail 125 ABS | First Ride Review

However, all that fun eventually collides against the limitations Mother Nature imposes on those of us who suffer cold winters. Normally, on my big bikes, I just plug in my 12-volt electric jacket liner and gloves and keep on going. But on small bikes like the Trail, there simply isn’t enough electrical capacity to run a full suite of heated gear.

Since parking the bike for the season is never a serious consideration for me, I developed a solution that is relatively low cost, readily available, functionally effective, and applicable for virtually any motorcycle with a marginal electrical output.

First, you need some battery-powered heated gear, which is abundant in today’s marketplace. I’ve had excellent luck with Warm & Safe’s Long Sleeve Heat Layer Shirt, which is powered by a 7.4V, 7.8Ah lithium-ion battery. For gloves, I like Klim’s battery-powered Hardanger HTDs, which operate on 7.4V, 2Ah lithium-polymer batteries. Both products feature multiple heat levels that allow the rider to adjust temperature as necessary, and they have held up well over multiple seasons of abuse.

See all of Rider’s new and reviewed gear here.

Indeed, heated gear is the only thing permitting your faithful, winter-hating Mediterranean columnist to survive arctic riding – at least until the batteries deplete! And therein lies the rub: To stay out all day in the cold, we need continuous power. Here’s how to get it.

First, we need spare batteries for all the heated gear we use. Manufacturers generally offer spares, as does Amazon. Always try to get at least as high an Ah (amp-hour) rating as the original battery – preferably higher. The higher the Ah rating, all else equal, the more run time you will get.

Next, we need to keep these spares continuously charging so they can be swapped in when the original batteries run down. We can accomplish this with a basic square-wave DC-AC inverter and a wiring harness to connect the inverter to the bike’s battery.

My typical setup inside my Trail’s top box is shown in the photo below:

1. Sinloon waterproof cigarette lighter harness, available on Amazon for $9.99, which connects directly to the motorcycle’s battery

2. BMK 200W square-wave DC-AC inverter, available on Amazon for $25.99, which plugs into the Sinloon harness and converts the 12V DC from the bike’s battery to 120V AC

3. AC-DC battery chargers, included with the heated gear and plugged directly into the inverter, which convert the 120V AC output back to 8.4V DC to charge the spares

4. Spare lithium-ion battery for my W&S Heat Layer Shirt

5. Spare lithium-polymer batteries used in my Klim heated gloves

Both the harness and inverter are generic, and it really doesn’t matter which brands you use. (Some riders might already have the wiring harness in place, e.g., for a Battery Tender.)

Everything is secured in my Trail’s top case so things don’t shake around too much. All I need to do is flip the inverter to “on” to continuously charge the spare batteries while riding. Yes, it’s inefficient to convert power from the bike’s 12V DC to 120V AC and then back to heated gear’s 8.4V DC charging voltage, but this setup gets the job done with common, inexpensive components and requires no fancy wiring. 

Total draw on this setup is only about 32 watts, including inverter losses. That’s only about one-third of the draw of my 12V DC Warm & Safe jacket liner, so minibikes and even many older bikes with limited electrical capacity should be able to handle this load with ease. Mission accomplished!

Depending on the ambient temperatures and settings of the heated gear, I typically pull over every one to four hours to swap the dead batteries for freshly charged ones, allowing me to stay out all day in the cold – long after most other riders have parked for the season. For a true addict, there is no other choice!

To see a video about this setup, check out the Moto Mouth Moshe YouTube channel.

The post Winter Motorcycle Riding: Finding Big Warmth on a Small Bike appeared first on Rider Magazine.

The year 1969 was a tumultuous time in the motorcycle industry, marked by the rise of the Japanese and the beginning of the end for the British. Amidst this backdrop of rapidly evolving consumer sentiment, BMW introduced its /5 (“slash five”) Series for the 1970 model year. In its three years of production, the /5 family of motorcycles reinvigorated the brand with its contemporary design and ushered in BMW’s fabled “Airhead” Type 247 Boxer Twin engine, variations of which would continue to propel the marque’s R-Series motorcycles for the next 25 years.

See more of Rider‘s Retrospective motorcycle stories here.

The /5 Series, built at BMW’s newest facility in Spandau, Berlin, was available in three variants. The R 50/5 (500cc) was the most affordable, the R 60/5 (600cc) was the midrange, and the R 75/5 (750cc) was the top of the line.

Compared to its predecessor, the BMW /2 Series, the /5 Series was a thoroughly modernized ground-up redesign. It boasted up-to-date 12-volt DC electrics complete with a 180-watt alternator, an electric starter, more powerful drum brakes, and a slew of other noteworthy upgrades. The frame was of tubular steel construction with a double downward cradle for the engine, similar to the benchmark Norton Featherbed. A rear subframe was bolted onto the mainframe and served as the upper mount for the twin rear shocks. Up front, the former /2’s Earles fork was replaced with a telescopic fork on the /5, signaling a functional change of focus from utilitarian sidecar duty to improved handling as a solo motorcycle.

See all of Rider‘s BMW coverage here.

Of course, no discussion of the BMW /5 would be complete without an examination of the Type 247 “Airhead” flat-Twin engine. Special care was taken by the company to design a simple, reliable motor that addressed previous concerns about the /2 mill. To this end, the 247’s chain-driven camshaft runs below the crankshaft, allowing gravity assist of oil delivery to the camshaft and eliminating the periodic complete teardowns required to maintain the former /2 design’s “oil slingers.” Two valves in each hemispherical cylinder head are actuated by the camshaft through followers, pushrods, and rocker arms. A stroke of 70.6mm is constant within the /5 line, with bores of 67mm, 73.5mm, and 82mm determining the displacement of the R 50/5, R 60/5, and R 75/5 respectively.

The R 50/5 and R 60/5 models are equipped with 26mm Bing slide carburetors, while the R 75/5 features 32mm Bing CV units. On all models, the engine power is transmitted via a single-disc dry clutch to a stout 4-speed gearbox and then to the swingarm-mounted final drive via shaft.

For late 1973 models, BMW lengthened the rear swingarm by approximately 2 inches, resulting in the so-called “Long Wheelbase” /5. The tell-tale signs of a Long Wheelbase model are the weld marks on the final-drive side of the swingarm where the extension was added by the factory. The extra room allowed a larger battery to be located behind the engine and gave riders some additional clearance between their shins and the carburetors. To this day, /5 enthusiasts viciously argue over whether the sharper handling merits of the original short-wheelbase models trump the high-speed stability of the long-wheelbase versions.

Either way, at barely over 460 lb, the R 75/5 was one of the lightest 750cc bikes of the era, and with a top speed of 109 mph, it was one of the fastest as well.

Complementing these functional upgrades to its new motorcycle line, the /5’s aesthetics were also a spicy departure from the more somber BMWs of yore. Although initially available only in the white, black, or silver colors for 1970-71, the 1972-73 models were available in seven hues, including Monza Blue and Granada Red. Further shocking traditionalists, 1972 saw the introduction of the 4-gallon “Toaster” gas tank, which featured prominent chrome accent panels on each side. Though excessive chrome on a BMW was heresy at the time, today the Toaster-tank /5 is considered valuable to collectors, as it was only produced for the 1972-73 model years.

Contrary to the initial worries from BMW traditionalists that the company had strayed too far from its function-over-form roots, the /5 motorcycle family has earned a sterling reputation for anvil-like reliability. Being classic European motorcycles, the /5s naturally have certain idiosyncrasies, but overall, the design and construction are robust. In a testament to their supreme quality, these motorcycles are still often used as daily runners 50-plus years after their initial production.

Experienced owners claim that with timely maintenance, these bikes are nearly indestructible. In fact, properly running /5s with well over 100,000 miles on them are commonplace at BMW rallies worldwide. I met an owner of one, the late Fred Tausch, at a rally in 2004. Tausch’s 1970 R 60/5 had more than 600,000 miles on its clock and was still running when its owner passed away. Details are sketchy, but supposedly the engine was only overhauled twice during this remarkable service run.

The classic BMW motorcycle community is an active one, with abundant technical support and a well-organized network of enthusiasts (aka “Airheads”) who gather regularly to celebrate their favorite machines. Parts are still plentiful, though they’re getting more expensive as time goes on.

Ultimately, the /5 Series represented an initially dramatic but ultimately triumphant gamble for BMW. These motorcycles were not the cautious evolutions of the existing /2 designs that the brand’s faithful fans had expected. The /5’s newfound emphasis on performance and style, combined with significant price increases over the /2 Series it replaced, could have easily spelled marketplace doom. Luckily, that was not the case, and the /5s became a mild hit.

To hear more from Moshe K. Levy, the author of this article, check out Rider Magazine Insider Podcast episode 44

The post Retrospective: BMW /5 Series – 1970-1973 appeared first on Rider Magazine.

After almost 25 years of riding, I came to regard my enthusiasm for all things motorcycle as an infinite source of pleasure, but little did I know just how crucial one specific bike – a Honda Trail 125 – would be in helping me recover from the sickest point in my life.

The story begins on the morning of my scheduled Covid-19 vax in February 2021, when, as luck would have it, I awoke with flu-like symptoms. Testing revealed I was positive, so I began my mandatory two-week quarantine at home. It felt just like the flu – no big deal. But 17 days after that positive test – well after the flu symptoms had disappeared – a new wave of symptoms emerged which would change my life indefinitely.

GOOD READ: “The Long Ride,” by Jamie Elvidge,
about a cleansing solo ride from NYC to Key West

The worst of them was extreme vertigo, an intense feeling of rapid dizziness, confusing disorientation, and a total loss of balance. Sometimes, moving half an inch in any direction would feel like falling off a tall building – my body would tense up, break out in a cold sweat, and then shake uncontrollably, which further exacerbated the vertigo. I was completely incapacitated, unable to perform even the simplest tasks autonomously.

Thus began the arduous journey back to normalcy, starting with learning how to walk again. It sounds farcical now, but walking speed was initially a challenge that took a solid week of practice to overcome. Stumbling forward at 2 mph felt more like warp speed, as my addled mind struggled to process motion like an old bogged down 386 computer. I had to stop every few feet to sustain my balance and reassure myself that, indeed, I was only walking! All the while, a persistent feeling of dizziness dominated every waking hour, punctuated by roiling headaches that could not be appeased.

These migraines were always aggravated by barometric pressure in the atmosphere, so if it rained, I was completely out of commission. The only escape was sleep. When I closed my eyes, bright bursts of a hot white color would interrupt my rest, like lightning strikes but with more pronounced durations. Any sound, no matter how faint, would immediately wake me. A strange new sensitivity to light compounded the symptoms, making any surroundings other than a soundproof, pitch-black room unbearable. It was a depressing period, to say the least.

During this early stage of the disease, I’d often stagger down to the garage to gaze at my collection of motorcycles. Each one of them triggered an avalanche of memories, beckoning me to recall better times. “Remember all the states we’ve visited together?” queried my BMW R 1200 RT. “Don’t you miss the saucy growl of my small block V-Twin?” purred my Moto Guzzi V7 Racer. “Don’t forget the winter you took me all apart and got me running again!” commanded my Yamaha YSR50.

In those early post-infection days, the daydreaming in the garage vacillated between a resolute desire to get back in the saddle and a bleak hopelessness that I would never recover.

Over the course of the next few months, I graduated past walking and onto running, but only in spurts. I could drive my car again, albeit slowly. Eventually I dared to ride my motorcycles for short distances, if only to get the old juices flowing once more. But riding with “long Covid” symptoms was a profound handicap. The headaches and dizziness could burst like a thunderclap in my head, ferocious and debilitating.

Most worrisome was the “brain fog,” which would appear suddenly, obliterating my ability to focus on anything for more than few seconds. It happened to me once while hustling my 600-plus-pound BMW RT through a mountain sweeper, where I wound up in the opposite lane facing oncoming traffic, unsure of how I got there. Other times, I would suddenly forget the basics, like which side of the handlebars the clutch lever was on. My brain was frustratingly dysfunctional.

Adding to these mental challenges were the physical trials. I’ve been riding successive generations of BMW’s venerable RT Series for over 15 years, but I suddenly felt intimidated by the size, weight, and speed of my 2015 R 1200 RT. Low-speed maneuvering was unsteady at best, and anything quick or technical scrambled my mental processing to the point of paralysis. It was a watershed period in my life.

It took me many years of dedicated practice to achieve some modicum of riding proficiency, and it was exceedingly difficult for me to accept that many of my abilities had vanished. Riding my full-size motorcycles – once almost the most delightful activity I could imagine – had morphed into something nerve-wracking and dangerous. I knew I wanted to keep riding, but I had to slow down until my symptoms and skills both improved.

Since taming the twisties on my large-displacement bikes was out of the question, I had to find a way to pair what little was left of my riding skills with a suitable machine that was still a motorcycle. (In my mind, riding an automatic twist-and-go scooter would have been acquiescing to defeat.) Enter Honda’s Trail 125, Big Red’s rough-and-ready retro miniMOTO. Simple, lightweight, and slower than a tranquilized sloth, it was the perfect choice for my circumstance.

Through persistent searching, I nabbed one and headed off in search of slow lanes through local hamlets and forests. It was here, on these solitary explorations, that the Trail began to nurse me back to health.

Regardless of our diverse backgrounds and brand preferences, we all recognize the therapeutic value that motorcycles provide. Some refer to what the late psychologist Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi famously termed “flow,” or the mental state in which a person is fully immersed in the moment, completely focused and free from all discursive thoughts. The late Rush drummer Neil Peart described the feeling of moto-motion as a subconscious reminder of a mother gently rocking her baby. Every one of us who has swung a leg over the saddle has our own individual reasons why two-wheeled moving mediation therapy just plain works.

So it was for me on the Trail, ambling down rutted paths in the woods, scooting along serpentine bicycle paths, and focusing only on the basic rudiments of discovering how to ride again. Like relearning to walk, it was initially frustrating, but the diminutive Honda’s mellow personality encouraged me to just keep trying anyway. Wherever we were, it beckoned me to keep pushing: “Let’s go! Just a little further!”

It’s difficult to describe the character of an inanimate object, but the Trail never judged me for my mistakes the way my big bikes seem to do. We started out on local 40- to 50-mile loops, but before long, we were ripping through nearby states for 300- to 400-mile weekends. I felt like a real rider again, enthusiastically kicking the semi-automatic transmission through its four gears and unleashing all eight of the miniscule thumper’s stampeding horses as we bombed down the backroads.

Granted, all this action was despairingly slow by objective standards – but it was engaging in the way that only a real motorcycle can be. This continuous engagement is what rebuilt my ability to focus on a singular task for prolonged periods of time – the very foundation of riding well. Thanks to the eager Trail, I was still in the game, still moving forward, and gradually building my confidence back up. According to the GPS, I never exceeded 59 mph on the modest Honda, but in terms of fun, I might as well have been leading the pack around the Isle of Man TT!

Encouraged by the progress, I outfitted my Trail with accoutrements to increase functionality and add some flair to its spartan workhorse aesthetic. A cavernous Givi 58-liter top case provides ample storage, while a cushy aftermarket seat, a wireless phone charger, auxiliary LED lighting, an Opmid gauge cluster, and toasty Koso Apollo heated grips make for a more comfortable traveling experience.

Molding this Trail as uniquely my own cemented the bond between man and machine almost as much as our rides themselves did. Ultimately, I’m certain I wouldn’t have recovered so far, so fast, without this bright red miniMOTO as a willing partner.

Today, I accept that Covid-19 has impaired me, perhaps permanently. My innate senses, mental processing, and physical reaction times still aren’t what they used to be, but I’m confident that over time they can be restored. Indeed, these days I find myself mixing in more rides on my full-sized motorcycles as I relearn how to pilot them competently again.

In the meantime, I want to sincerely thank Honda for imbuing this spunky little Trail with character – one that brings all the essential healing joys of wind therapy to the beginner and expert alike, even if it is in the slow lane.

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