I went out on the F800 GS today as the forecast didn’t seem bad. The sky was threatening the entire time I was out but it didn’t rain! I was glad of me heated clothing as the temperature stayed below 8 degrees for quite a while before struggling up to 10 degrees around 2pm. I hadn’t been sure of where I was heading for but settled in the end on Bahnstormer as a destination. I had a mooch around an bought an Airhawk for the bike. I don’t find the saddle too uncomfortable at all but thinking ahead to my planned trip to Slovenia in June with the ADV rider crowd, I figured it might be a good idea to cushion my bum on the 1000 mile slogs there and back.
Whilst chatting to the sales folk, they asked if I had had the top radiator hose recall done. I knew there was one in progress but I hadn’t had it done as I had had no word from South London Motorrad. Bahnstormer offered to do it there and then and having time on my hands I said “Great, please go ahead”. When they entered the registration in the BMW database, it seemed that there was a bunch of other recall type work to do. This puzzled me as SLM were supposed to have done it already (re-routing the ABS lines for instance) but they also did that for me so apart form some monster firmware update (this would apparently have taken 2 hours and it’s seemingly to addess a stalling issue which fortunately, I don’t seem to have) I am OK as far as BMW mandated fixes are concerned. I was pleased that Bahnsromer had shown such initiative and am only sorry that its really too far away for regular servicing.
On the ride home, I was very conscious of the AirHawk under my backside. I think there is probably a little too much air in it as I seem to wobble from side to side on it quite a lot. It also seemt to tip me forwards somewhat so at present, I am not a huge fan of it. No doubt I shall get used to it in time but will need a much longer run to determine its worth as an aid to stopping numb bum syndrome.
Stick with the airhawk. Have the absolute bare minimum of air in it and it will see you right. I rode from Garmisch-Partenkirchen to Calais in one go with the airhawk with no adverse effects. Without it I wouldn’t have lasted more than 200 miles.
Jonathan,
Thanks for the advice. I have reduced the air in it to the minimum and it is definitely improved although I still can’t say for certain how much difference it will make. I will find out when I go to Slovenia in June I guess.
Chris