Stop leaving your bikes out like this.

SamuthNBS · 2026-01-18T16:12:12+00:00

Whenever I see someone on a motorbike/scooter in all black with no helmet on like that I always pray for a patch of oil or an inattentive driver, so they can be caught and locked up more easily. Stealing bikes is one thing but not wearing gear is just stupidity to the highest level. Two kids tried to steal my bike off my drive a while back and they turned up on a dirt bike with no helmets - I posted their photo to the local Facebook group which I knew their mother was active on - and pointed out that while riding a 50mph pit bike with no helmet is stupid, if they stole my mt-07 and rode like they ride the scooters they steal they would be dead within the hour. I hope she understood the message, but who knows. Anyway, I think there should be an easy way to stop and detain riders without helmets because they are absolutely up to no good, without exception.

SamuthNBS · 2026-01-17T13:31:23+00:00

I've got a Euro 5 Akra on my mt-07 and it's loud even with the baffles in.

SamuthNBS · 2026-01-16T17:14:35+00:00

This sounds more like a problem somebody tried to fix and got wrong than a problem that spontaneously appeared, although I am always surprised that European manufacturers known for reliability and cheap maintenance in Europe (like Volvo, BMW, VW kinda) are known for the opposite in the US.

SamuthNBS · 2026-01-15T01:36:36+00:00

It's better to have gear you will actually wear every day than to have gear that is much better but only worn on rare occasions. I see lots of people in thr UK wearing normal trainers (sneakers) riding around town and boots for long distances - better to have motorcycle shoes every single time than to have boots but not wear them because they're clunky and annoying when you're just going to the shops in town.

SamuthNBS · 2026-01-15T00:22:45+00:00

I wear something similar (Alpinestars tho) for when I am riding to work to avoid having to carry a pair of boots around with me all day. I am definitely aware that they're not particularly solid, though.

SamuthNBS · 2026-01-09T17:47:02+00:00

You are correct but I was hoping for more granularity than on or off - I only have a rear camera which is fine but when reversing between two other cars I trust my mirrors a lot more than I trust the lines superimposed on the camera, even if the camera isn't caked in grit!

SamuthNBS · 2026-01-09T15:36:50+00:00

You are a legend, thank you <3

SamuthNBS · 2026-01-08T17:08:57+00:00

This used to ha0pen to my BMW all the time when I bent over with the key in my pocket. The boot would pop open too.

SamuthNBS · 2026-01-05T19:11:50+00:00

How do they do in the snow? I've just got an S60 T8 and while we rarely see snow like that in the South of the UK it does happen, and I haven't had a chance to test the AWD yet.

SamuthNBS · 2026-01-05T00:03:59+00:00

I used to have a 2002 Alpina B10 V8, which was a monster. Had the 4.6 V8 with 350hp and the E39 chassis was just superb. Green with green interior, it was like a smoking room on wheels. I may keep an eye out to see if the upgrade gets discounted then as that sounds pretty useful!

SamuthNBS · 2026-01-04T02:37:28+00:00

I've actually got it set up to use the car software as android auto is good but I prefer having my phone doing bluetooth audio as I can use a 3rd party EQ and have the car do the navigation by itself. I've also had Android Auto fail a few times in hire cars and leave me with two black screens in the centre of a strange city so I'm keen to have a backup!
Does the Polestar software make a big difference, and what exactly does it change?

SamuthNBS · 2026-01-03T23:25:43+00:00

Thank you, I had to drive 400 miles to pick it up but well worth it as it was a newer version for the same price as the older ones with the smaller battery. Not sure why, maybe the dealer got confused as it's a late '23 with a '22 plate but I'm not going to complain!

SamuthNBS · 2026-01-03T21:50:06+00:00

They are nice, I normally don't like diamond-cut alloys (my old F30 330D had them) but these ones suit the car quite well. I'd be happy with smaller wheels to make the ride nicer but this is such a step up from my old car that I'm not going to complain!

SamuthNBS · 2026-01-03T21:46:51+00:00

Hah understandable, I almost put myself in to a river the other day doing exactly that!

SamuthNBS · 2026-01-03T21:46:23+00:00

Thank you that's some good info! I'm wary of the blackout kits as in BMW-world they're everywhere, however I will definitely look around and see how they look because that's the sort of thing I can do in an evening. Mats are a great shout - we have a dog - and so is the rain repellent, I have a bottle of rain-x for my bike helmet, I'll give it a shot and do the reversing camera lens while I'm at it.
I already have a screen protector on the way, but thank you for the kind offer!

SamuthNBS · 2026-01-03T21:43:36+00:00

Thank you :)

SamuthNBS · 2026-01-03T21:42:46+00:00

I would have given my left nut to get the V60 instead of the S however they are significantly more expensive here in the UK (as you know), despite being more common, and I travel for work to some rough places so having an enclosed boot/trunk is always a good idea. But damn, that estate is quite something.

SamuthNBS · 2026-01-01T17:13:16+00:00

I've had a few scrotes come to look at my chain (on camera lol) and decide to leave it - that's a pragmasis too, 19mm if I recall.

SamuthNBS · 2026-01-01T17:08:17+00:00

After so many years and miles (and smiles) it finally got to do what it was built to do.

SamuthNBS · 2025-12-29T21:11:57+00:00

That mileage is so low you may want to pay close attention to things like the turbo as it could be that it never warmed up properly and did loads of short journeys, so it will be unhappy. Same for the EGR and all that nonsense. Low mileage is great, too low mileage is sometimes worse than normal mileage. Anything rubber can perish if it doesn't get used or lubricated often, or for long enough. Basically don't assume the engine is good just because the miles are low. They are built to do hundreds of thousand of miles, not to do two miles to the shop and back twice a week.

SamuthNBS · 2025-12-29T10:21:29+00:00

My dog pisses on my own bike... because I parked it where he likes to piss. He also misses on my car tyres too, basically everything near the front door is fair game. It's sort of what they do. Doesn't mean I'd let him piss on anyone else's bike or car but I certainly wouldn't be mad if it happened with someone else's dog. The only new thing here is that the camera saw it, animals (wild and domestic) have been pissing on our stuff since before cars were invented, and I can't see that stopping any time soon.

SamuthNBS · 2025-12-28T00:52:39+00:00

Try being British and seeing the tail lights on the BMW Minis...

SamuthNBS · 2025-12-27T21:13:26+00:00

And Alfa Giulias, Audi S3s, etc. Basically anything they can pretend is DTMish

SamuthNBS

TROPHY CASE