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Long Story (get a cup of coffee!)


dba

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Not sure if this fits under “Ride Tales” or not. Moderators please move if necessary.

 

I was going to assist a friend move out of California to Apache Junction, AZ when he suggested that he had room in his trailer for my bike. I could ride down in the truck and then ride home instead of flying. He had set up his gooseneck 4 horse trailer to cradle his assorted bikes so I said, “Sure.” Seemed like a good idea at the time.

 

After arriving and having a couple of early morning day rides it was time for me to ride home. On Sunday morning, I set off for Las Vegas at about 7:30 am. With the afternoon temperatures reaching over 110 degrees, I thought the easy 330 mile ride to Las Vegas would be done by 12:30 and I’d be in the hotel pool by 1:00. Seemed like a good idea at the time.

 

About 80 miles south of Kingman on US 93, I felt about 15 seconds of vibration through the handlebars then kablooey! Every light on the instrument panel lights up and all I see is smoke in my mirrors. I kill the engine as fast as I can and coast to the side of the road.

 

An elderly gentleman who had been following me stopped to see if I was okay. He told me he saw a flash of flame from the exhaust then all the smoke. He offered me use of his cell phone. I thanked him for stopping and said I had a phone.

 

I apparently stopped in an area where AT&T’s service is not so great. Okay, it was barely existent. I managed about 45 seconds of service to let my buddy know what had happened and could he help. He told me he was on his way then I had no more service. I got a couple of texts from him asking if I was injured but I could not send a return message or make an outgoing call. I received a couple of phone calls but when I answered, the service died.

 

I checked my odometer and it showed I had traveled 147 miles since I filled up in Apache Junction before I left. I prepared myself for an at least 3 hour wait in the 100 degree heat. I had my Camelback filled with ice and another liter of water my friend put in the trunk, “Just in case you get stuck.” I think that’s what did it.

 

What I found interesting is during the three hours on the side of the road, not one person stopped to enquire if I was okay and I didn’t see one LEO. I had taken my bag off the back seat and was using it as a backrest/pillow. I would have thought someone would have called the authorities about some guy lying on the side of the road next to a motorcycle.

 

My buddy arrived with some ice water and opined that he thought BFE would look a little different.

 

smugshot5668350-M.jpg

 

We got back to his place and were able to get the bike to the shop on Tuesday. Apparently the right side simply overheated and that was that. The tech’s thoughts for the cause of the failure were the heat, using less than 91 octane gas (forgot I wasn’t at 6200 feet) and not keeping the revs high enough for the load; ie: hills and the like.

 

While I’m out riding, I usually keep the revs between 4k and 4.5 k. I’ve always tried to not overtax an engine by keeping revs up high but $2600 later; I guess I’ve learned my lesson.

 

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Sorry to hear about your bike but glad you weren't hurt which could have happened if your engine blew oil all over the rear tire.

What exactly was the damage? Piston, rings, conrods??

Regards

Bernd

 

BTW...it REALLY SUX that NOBODY stopped to see if you needed help. THAT is the SHITS!

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Sorry to hear about your bike but glad you weren't hurt which could have happened if your engine blew oil all over the rear tire.

What exactly was the damage? Piston, rings, conrods??

Regards

Bernd

 

BTW...it REALLY SUX that NOBODY stopped to see if you needed help. THAT is the SHITS!

 

The damage was all of the above on the right side. BTW, we found about 5 AZ DPS troopers in Wickenburg on the way back. All out ruining someone's day. I guess I was in BFE if they don't north to my posit and the Kingman crew doesn't come that far south.

 

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Good to hear that you are OK.

 

And it's a damn good thing that you had water.

Could have gotten pretty ugly otherwise. :P

Especially in the dry air of Arizona.

 

How many miles were on that motor ?

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Starfighter

Glad you're O.K.

I travel the lonely part of the U.S. alot so...............

I always carry a Spot messenger...........

Friends can track me if I let them.

One button sends "I'm O.K." to wife or ?

One button sends email to my son saying no cell service please send our road service to these co-ordinates

Last button calls 911 to dispatch an ambulance to these coordinates

All by satellite....no cell tower needed.

On Iron Butt rides, wife can see my route and call my cell to advise of weather ahead or ???

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Something doesn't sound right.

 

Totally agree.

 

4-4.5K rpm is just fine (though you won't overtax an R motor by revving it higher, they love it) and while certainly lower octane gas can cause the motor to heat up I've sat in 100+ LA 2mph traffic for long periods on my 1150RT and while it got hot it didn't explode. Low or high oil level would be the most likely culprit for overheating in these conditions I would think.

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Something doesn't sound right.

 

Ditto and I am in no way applying that it is your fault in any way or fashion.

Even that I just have got another BMW again (same as yours) I am around bikers and we have a couple of BMW's in the family.

 

Over here, we see that kind of temperature quite often over the summer and you don't hear exactly that Boxers are popping during the summer months.

 

 

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Show me the piston, I'll tell ya what happened.

 

Pic's?

 

MB>

 

MB,

The bike is still in AZ. I pick it up on the 23rd of this month. When I get home I'll PM you with photos of the piston or post them in this thread. I'm a fanatic about the oil so I shouldn't have been low. I don't think I had too much either. And why just one side? $2600 later, I still don't have too many answers.

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wow, scary story, glad your ok, it could have ended so so much worse, the wait must have been pure hell, so what exactly was it ??? electronics ??, something about the fuel injection, ?? weird, but high temps are hell on everything, period !! ride safe

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Hey dba. Good story, sorry about the bike. I'm a new rider and have been reading this forum for days now. Great information, good stories. Really sucks about the traveling public leaving you to your fate. I'm no engine guy but I'd be really interested in pics of your motor when you can post them. Good luck!

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