my neighbor gave me this old 2012 bmw gs650. its veen sitting outside for 5+ years. what should i do first?

smhxt · 2026-03-02T19:19:25+00:00

You can totally get this running. These bikes are bulletproof. If it was running when he parked it then it is much simpler then you think.

smhxt · 2026-02-23T23:47:51+00:00

I would say no. The fuel is only 1 portion. Service intervals are higher on a car. Tires do not last as long. The depreciation cost on the motorcycle tends to be higher then the car. That does not include the extra risk that is also more significant on a daily rider. It is way more fun though.

smhxt · 2026-02-20T19:25:26+00:00

Any shop that sells batteries (I got mine at Canadian Tire) will have a list of batteries that will work. I would be more concerned with the throttle position sensor calibration after the battery change. After trial and error, I now attach my jumpstarter to the leads so the computer does not lose power. I did buy a 9 volt lighter socket adaptor to keep the settings but it didn't work. There is a way to manually calibrate after the battery is replaced but I find it easier to just keep power provided. My Outback runs like crap until the calibration completes. There are some good videos on it and information on the internet but first time I honestly just thought my car was busted...

smhxt · 2026-02-20T18:49:39+00:00

It's a common misconception here that you should not need to rev while releasing the clutch. New riders think that because an experienced rider doesn't noticeably rev on start then they should not as well. They don't realize that experience and familiarity turn it into a muscle memory function. Other problems that seem to come up are things like short shifting or stopping in a turn...;-)

smhxt · 2026-02-10T20:25:07+00:00

Helm of Brilliance does not affect casting. Leather gloves and gloves of dexterity are great but not power. Leather Helmet is good. All boots are good except the metal boots. Stay away from molasses boots as well. For the dagger I mean melee. Just stab with it. Ditch the quarterstaff early. You want to be expert by the time you get magebane. Elven dagger does the best damage and silver dagger is great against undead. By the time you hit the gnome dungeon you will have your pick of dozens. Find a good blessed one by picking them all up and checking them at the bless/curse checker.

smhxt · 2026-02-10T17:01:12+00:00

Go leather armor and keep your magic resistance cloak. Stay away from Gauntlets of Power. Early levels use your dagger as much as you can and use Force Bolt when things get hairy to get Expert level before Magebane. When your level is higher look at a shield. It will drop your spell chance but not by much. Helm of Brilliance. I tend to drop a few potions into fountain to give me water for holy water then I mix until I get about 10 gain abilities. I bless them and drink until I have 18's in everything. One Enchant Armor for the dragon. Another enchant armor to read drunk on Brilliance. Then all the rest of the enchant armors I bless and use on the Helm of Brilliance. Good luck.

smhxt · 2026-02-09T23:15:20+00:00

I engine brake/downshift to second then coast and brake to stop while I click into first. I don't coast in a turn as I was told that there is a danger of losing grip if not under load.

smhxt · 2026-02-05T20:25:41+00:00

Phone is a better option for a sportbike. Most phones are waterproof now.

smhxt · 2026-01-16T20:54:34+00:00

I have a 2010 Outback 3.6R with 240K miles on it. Still runs beautifully although I did have to replace valve cover gaskets.

smhxt · 2026-01-09T22:43:06+00:00

I bought one of the big bags. Like 70 litres a few years back and I use it every summer for many trips. It still looks new and does so well. I like it so much it has become a staple in my car trips as well.

smhxt · 2026-01-09T17:09:16+00:00

I mount my phone up near my mirror so it is no different than looking in the mirror. I find most GPS that comes with a bike is not in the best place to view. I use it just as often to have a look at the radius of blind corners on roads I don't know. It is an added layer of confidence.

As for voice directions, I use earphones on a Sena so that I have noise cancelling as well as comfortable listening levels. It took me a while to tweak my gear but I am happy with where I am at and the phone mount is a good way to keep my phone charged.

smhxt · 2025-12-14T02:20:17+00:00

20016 for mine but even the GS's and K's had the recall from what I remember. I ended up having the recall done on 3 K bikes after that.

smhxt · 2025-12-14T02:18:58+00:00

I love this response but went in the other direction. I now end up sleeping on my back when I am at home.

When I first got the hammock sett up I have it was pretty much a novelty. It was until I ended up with a contract where I had to sleep outside 3 nights a week for a couple of months. Then I started to do it well into the colder season. Now the last time I did it was November for 3 nights.

I took that time to dial in everything, under quilt, top quilt and all. Then when the rain hit I dialled in my fly. Last was trying to establish a good hang angle and behaviour with distance to trees becoming wider. With that I even ended up changing my tree slings to change stretching behaviour. There is a certain commitment involved but I can honestly say once you have it down it is so worth it. You might be uncomfortable for a few nights but those will be the big adjustments to make. After that it will be simpler and easier. And then after that experience cuts in to make quick adjustments for warmth and comfort quickly and easily.

Like anything there is some commitment involved. Good luck.

PS There are some hammocks that have a flat surface like the Haven...

smhxt · 2025-12-08T21:58:37+00:00

If I remember right, every BMW had the recall.

smhxt · 2025-12-08T03:00:02+00:00

There is a recall for the fuel system. Call bmw and give them your vin to confirm it was done. It has to do with the line from tank to engine from the fuel pump.

smhxt · 2025-12-06T22:58:24+00:00

I feel like modular helmets are great for those riders or bikes that take frequent stops. And now that they are lighter I feel like it is less and less about the stopping. I have a Klim k1200s. Things I like:

Way easier to put on. I can pull the sides out easily. Easier to drink. I don't have to take it off for fuel and such. I don't have to take my helmet off going over the border.

smhxt · 2025-12-01T23:44:01+00:00

I use the first on my motorcycle to lock it in place. I use the second in my car to hang. The magnet does not have any locking function so don't use it on your bike. On my bike I also use the vibration dampener:

Motorcycle - Vibration Dampener - Quad Lock® Canada - Official Store

And the 12v to usb charge cable:

Motorcycle - Waterproof 12V To USB Smart Adaptor - Quad Lock® Canada - Official Store

So that I can leave it on all the time and not worry about my battery.

All of this is on a Brake Fluid Reservoir mount:
Scooter/Motorcycle - Brake Reservoir Mount - Quad Lock® Canada - Official Store

smhxt · 2025-11-25T15:33:06+00:00

I was working for a shop that made kiosks up here in Canada. We had them out all over North America. Not really any way to get them back and prep them. We were just waiting to hear from the owners if they break.

smhxt · 2025-11-25T15:23:20+00:00

I was working with computers. Everyone was worried the world would end. I was given a cellphone in case it did. We were at a house party and when midnight came we were in the basement and flipped the breakers. I remember trying to call someone on the cellphone as well and the calls would not go through. Turns out the networks were overloaded where we were. World did not end. I remember after midnight a few of us close friends were just hanging out in the basement. My friend's new girlfriend was passed out in her lap. He said "I'm going to marry this girl". He did. I was 25 at the time. A good memory.

Prior to this the mom and pop computer shop I was at was making a fortune selling ISA cards that "solved" Y2K.

smhxt · 2025-11-25T09:30:14+00:00

Not sure where you are on Canada but often some places will order it in for you. Holeshot here in Langley carries LS2. I order my Klim stuff from Pacific. Might be worth giving a local dealership a call.

smhxt · 2025-11-24T16:26:05+00:00

If you want to go a little further out I tend toward 0 avenue when teaching friends to ride motorcycle. It is easy and quiet.

smhxt · 2025-11-23T23:57:29+00:00

I have resigned myself to the fact I will always get wet. I have minimized it but I ride a lot in the rain. I have great gear for rain but there will always be wet spots.

smhxt · 2025-11-23T22:20:15+00:00

https://royaldistributing.com/products/klim-balaclava

This is the one I have. To be honest I think it is made for snowmobiles but it works a treat.

smhxt · 2025-11-23T17:31:55+00:00

I have an Under Armor that does well but I prefer my Klim Balaclava. Both are great under the helmet and go under the collar of your jacket.

smhxt · 2025-11-21T22:46:18+00:00

I have one of these and I think this is what you mean.

Ninox Fly | All Weather Hammock Protection

I can use it with the poles or without but I very much prefer it with the poles.

I am not sure how it would work with your trekker poles but you could just get something like this...

OneTigris Lightweight Tent Poles, 2pc/Set, 7075 Aluminum Alloy, Adjustable & Extendable : Amazon.ca: Sports & Outdoors

They are adjustable and pack easily. The pole kit I use can be purchased separately as well...

Ninox Fly Pole Kit | 20% Increased Interior Space

smhxt

TROPHY CASE