R1200GS LC RDC Sensor Replacement

My rear tire pressure sensor has been intermittently acting up for some time now. And of late, it has been occurring more frequently. BMW calls it the RDC system (Reifendruckkontrolle in German, or Tire Pressure Monitor), and from my online research, most sensors on the R1200GS go around the 3-4 year mark.

RDC Sensor (PN:36318532731) – $155 from IGN.

Each sensor contains a non-user-replaceable CR2032 battery sealed within the unit. Replacement, while not impossible, is a rather messy affair which includes digging up potting compound, desoldering, re-soldering and re-sealing the potting – all with no guarantee that the unit will still continue to work. The sole local dealership charges a whopping $270 for replacement! And since I didn’t quite trust the cheap Chinese-made “compatible sensors”, I bought an original BMW replacement sensor and replaced it myself. Continue reading “R1200GS LC RDC Sensor Replacement”

Sunday Morning Ride to Koref Desaru Leisure Farm

We had intended to head to Sedili for some soft-boiled eggs served in a coffee cup this Sunday Morning. But we not only ended up NOT having any soft-boiled eggs, but we also discovered a nice hangout place in Desaru – the Koref Desaru Leisure Farm!

Koref Desaru Leisure Farm

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Motul 7100 4T – French or French Colony?

I’ve been using Motul’s 7100 fully synthetic 4-stroke motor oils since my Pulsar riding days and have so far been pretty pleased with it. It’s reasonably priced and very readily available here in Singapore – which probably explains why its rather popular in this region.

BMW calls for SAE 5W40 API SL / JASO MA2 spec’ed oil for the R1200GS wethead. And since we never experience winter in this part of the world, Motul’s 7100 10W40 API SN JASO MA2 4T oil would likely be suitable. In fact, even the BMW dealer here – PML – uses Shell’s Advance Ultra 10W40 motorcycle oil.

Motul 7100 – 15W50 vs 10W40 side by side.

Since I had an old bottle of 15W50 with the remnant of my last DIY oil change on the Pulsar, I took it out and placed it beside the 10W40 just out of Continue reading “Motul 7100 4T – French or French Colony?”

4D3N Vesak Day Cameron Highlands Ride

Vesak Day – a public holiday in Singapore, falls on a Tuesday. So what better way to celebrate it, than to take the Monday off and go for a 4D3N long weekend ride! Six bikes – divided into 2 teams head up to Cameron. The Honda ST1100, VFR800X and the R1200GS started the journey on Saturday morning, while the XJ6 Diversion, Super 4 and the F700GS made their way up towards KL in the evening.

The ST1100 and the VFR800X (further front) climbing the roads towards Cameron Highlands via Simpang Pulai.
Steamboat for dinner at one of the many steamboat restaurants in Brinchang.

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Of Cows and Horses – The BMW R1200GS/A

Ever since someone planted the visual of a R1200GSA association with a cow in my mind, that image kinda stuck there. And since I have the R1200GS and not the GSA, I figured that I have that small window of opportunity to alter that mental image before someone else injects another visual…. LOL!

R1200GSA = Cow
R1200GS = Horse!

Continue reading “Of Cows and Horses – The BMW R1200GS/A”

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