So any more info on studded tires, Mr Rainier trips, motcross winter setups etc greatly appreciated. Could I get one of the old school GS Beemer bikes and put studded tires on it? Any idea how long they last?
Stud Insertion Tool (that one's too easy, isn't it?)...and lots of other great stuff. If you are asking about longevity of studded tires, don't know. Call Aerostich and find out. I don't use them, but have seen others at SnowCamp who do, and tell me they are very effective. For more GS and Dual Sport jewelry, some very useful, the bible is Touratech (this is the US distributor, but the company is based out of Germany).
Everything you wanted to know, but were afraid to ask about The BMW GS Evolution. Lots of folks love the older airhead BMW's for their lightness, simplicity and reliability, and ease of maintenance, as well as greater prowess off road when the going gets tough. They retain their value very well too. But, coming from a sport bike background, the newer Oilheads (identified as the Telelever Generation) are sooooo much more fun on the pavement. Virtually everything about performance has improved, but with it comes the added weight and complexity of technology. You may be bored with the 50hp on tap of the older bikes. Another bike I'd consider for those purposes is the newer KTM Adventurer, either the 950 or 980. If you want to read some real-world experiences in a forum format of these types of bikes, and that style of riding, check out ADVRider. They are not as restrained as on this forum, and moderator is a different species altogether over there, so be prepared. There is a big GS list at Micapeak, but it is a subscribers list, and will generate a whole lot of unwanted bandwidth in my experience. If you want to watch a couple of goofballs actually do a bit of good in bringing some legitimacy and respect, to this realm of our sport, into the public eye, check out the "Long Way Around" series that is recently on DVD. If you want to check out someone whose done that kind of thing on a more serious level, without the benefit of support vehicles and TV crew, check out my friend, [http://www.globeriders.com]Helge Pedersen's Site[/url]. If you want to see some very serious talent on two wheels, watch a Trials competition. Those guys rule! Speaking of James Bond, as you did, I saw the guy who did all the stunts for that recent Bond film with the BMW...French stunt rider Jean-Pierre Goy - He did several lenghty demo rides that were just not to be believed at BMW's 80th B'day bash in Tahoe. I'll see if I can find some snapshots I took of him, but they won't do the experience justice.
Marco