The Baghira On The NMRO

[Whysub]

Bought my Baghira 4 weeks ago, but due to work problems had very little chance to use it, only clocking up 200kms in the 3 rides I had on it before putting it in the van and driving up to Yorkshire for the annual NMRO.

Saturday was a 100 odd mile run through North Yorks, including a long off road section. Used to my XR650 (it's self a bit lardy) I was a touch nervous taking the Baggi off road, but it did well on the boulder strewn track. Didn't half feel the weigt though.

On road it was fine, although the motor was still tight, the brakes still not quite bedded in, and treating it rather gently, I kept in amongst the pack of 24 odd bikes.

Sunday followed a route of about 150 miles of purely on road riding, from tight country lanes to open A-Roads. About 40 motards were out (including 2 Baggi's and a Mastiff) with the usual range of motards-KTM's, Bergs, XR Honda's, WR Yams-plus two road bikes, an XJR1300 and a CBR600, making up the rest.

And the Baggi did well, and felt really good coming out of very slow bends, able to put the power on immediately-the XR in comparison hesitates and is very snatchy and difficult to judge when to put the power on. I am still unsure about the rear brake (far too sharp) and the front brake (a bit under powered) and the tyres that slide at the merest hint of provocation. A great test for the bike (and rider) and considering it is 100% bog standard, I am very happy with the way it accounted for its self.

I bought the Baggi primarily as a commuter (I do 120 miles a day 5 or 6 days a week) which the XR will not do, and the GSX is now too boring. After this weekend I am convinced I made a great choice-a commuter that can hold its own against some race orientated stuff-just-and a decent warranty and dealer backup (Jack Nice).

Now I don't know whether to tune it, or keep it standard (I will be changing the pipe though, as I can't hear it at the moment!!) and enjoy it for what it is. Maybe I'll leave it as it is and buy a WR.

[gedge]

The NMRO looked like a good event. Good to see a MuZ keeping up with the pack... Like you I commute and also wanted a fun toy for the weekends and so far the MuZ has delivered. The new can has improved performance alot and other than removing the excess weight of the pegs , rails etc I cannot see much to fault the bike with. Only jobs left for me are to change the front end 'cos I dont like it, and also to get the pipe rerouted so that the exhaust sits further up.all jobs for the winter ( and if I win the lottery a trip to Slipstream for an engine )
we need some events like the NMRO to be run in the south

[Whysub]

Agree, there should be similar events "Darn Sarf" but it's unlikely. The problem with riding down here are the roads are crap. The NMRO (Yorkshire) and the BRRO (Cumbria) are superb two day events now, on empty roads. Especially the off road sections, which are definately not my favourite bits, but because they can be used, they are. If nothing else, make the attempt to go on the 2005 runs-the North is the land where motards really come into their own.

The Mental Militia try to do the odd run out from Epping (Essex) or the White Hart in Puckeridge (Herts) but the roads near both are busy, and not many alternative routes around can be found. I'm sure the Solent boys have the occassional run outs.

The sight and sound of 40 motards riding fast over Buttertubs Pass on the NMRO is something else. Bikes stretching as far as you could see. Unfortunately Nik dropped the XJR 1300 (funnily enough in the identical place one of the motards did 2 years ago) without injury. And the geezer on the CBR did a stirling job running with the pack-but still showing the shortfalls of a sportsbike on the twisties, but showing the advantages on a couple of the faster A roads.

As you may have gathered from going on to Visordown.com there are a number who revel in baiting others and their choice of machine, but apart from constant references to the MuZ's weight, little else negative is ever mentioned.

I'd love a WR450/KTM 520 EXC/Husaberg 650, but could anyone of them do in excess of 600 miles per week with little maintenance? No.

But then I don't expect the MuZ to be as light as the race orientated bikes. Now loosened up, I find the Baggi has a great top cruising speed combined with a smooth engine at speed, and with predictable and sharp handling. Still not sure about these tyres though.

[gedge]

2 solid days of empty roads... you people make me sick ( with jealousy!!!) Just hope I can hire a bike in Gran canaria to take a trip up some of the volcanoes ....

[DAVID THOMPSON]

Road bike
hello
you fellows doing the 600 miles per week commuter riding

Need a home brew weapon
I am building it now
items needed

1 a complete BMW /2 1955 to 1969 /2 no us forks earles only
it is a smoother ride on a ruff interstate
2 a r75/5 or r75/6 or r90/6 motor (keep a spair tranny if 5 speed the splines are weak against a /6 motor this is a problem area in /5/6 bikes
3 junk the bing carbs use delorto of same mm size
4 this guy makes a conversion to run a /5 drive shaft and reared on a /2
http://www.boxerworks.com/shop.php
5 headlamp conversion is r65 lens and reflector in a /2 shell
6 new set of WP shocks for /2 $500 bucks but big improvement in ride
7 deep sump oil cooler for oil pan ..do not use a radiator it leaks to easy
8 corbin solo seat for /2 or one by your favorite maker and your choice of bags
9 ride ride ride
this one is good for about 100,000 miles before major work
and about 500,000 before its a pile of trash maybe longer if you stay
at work on regular maint...
I put 87,000 on one like this in one year in 1978 and never did any thing
to it but oil and tires
the only thing was I went dumb and sold it I was young and dumb
this is not a bike or motorcycle it a 55 to 75 mph all day road weapon
ar dave
IF YOU DESIDE TO BUILD ONE AND NEED TO ASK A QUESTON EMAIL
ME AT wd8cyv@yahoo.com
I AM DOING MY 3RD ONE THIS WINTER

[phlat65]

here is my buddies that he just got. he is afraid to ride it on the freeway! WTF... I have ridden it, man is it sweet, quick, handles pretty good, brakes are good too!!

[DAVID THOMPSON]

yes yes yes !!!!!

thats the perfect bike but i dont like that type fork the bike
wants to fall over if you do a slow race ..the earles fork is better
and a side car can be fitted
but tell him that is the best solo motorcycle he will ever own unless
he puts it in the earls fork style frame
do show him my post above and see what he says
and you have to also change the frame if you want to change the fork
ugh
Corbin makes a nice seat if he desides to change that one
its dual soloseats saddle and passanger pad there nice
http://www.corbin.com/bmw/slash2.shtml
tell him i said dont sell it that will be a big mistake i am building a 3rd one
because i got dumb and sold the other 2 i made and its not cheap to do
any more
and give him my email address if he needs any help i have been working
on BMW /2 bikes since 1968 and am current to about a r90/6in 77 or 78
newer than 1980 i need the shop manual just like everyone else

[keithcross]

Sorry, dont like the BMW's never have as I dont like the torque reaction that the bikes have. For long disance work I use my 1990 GL1500 Goldwing, far more comfortable and with only 98,000 still plenty of life left in it yet. Mind you I will have to replace the original clutch plates soon.

Keith

2002 MZ Baghira Street Moto
1990 GL1500 Goldwing
1980 GL1100 Goldwing Enduro
1979 Suzuki TS 250

[gedge]

Sorry , BMWs don't float my boat.. If I had wanted one I would have got a GS1150, but I wanted to be different hence the MuZ.......If I need to do long distance I use the car but 20 miles each way the baggie is just fine

[jarow]

BMW SUCK

[phlat65]

I have to jump in and defend the early bike. I have early motorcycles, and that BMW is a very good riding motorcycle. it has a purpous, and serves it well. I would add 1 to my collection any day!!

[DAVID THOMPSON]

there are both sides to the issue
when they stopped building the k75 they built the last bmw motorcycle
that i like

the bike described by me is my personal style of bike
it is for the guy that does commutes to work with 100 to 250 mile days

and for guys like me that do 1500 on a 3 day weekend

and if properly tuned will get gas mileage others only dream about

the r60 pictured in the above posts is the only thing i have seen in the
last 5 years i would trade my MZ RT125 for because i owned one just like it (the r60)
and i know what can be done with it
colorado springs to parkersburg wv in 24 hours 1428miles = 59.5 mph
this bike will put you down the road while others are off rubbing there sore
butts

[Whysub]

Had a Beemer before (1980's R100), but a bit tempremental.

Used an '86 GSX-R 750 for my 120 mile daily commute for 8 years-120,000 miles with few problems, until a pikey hedgemonkey knock me off and killed it. Bought another, but it wasn't the same, so sold it after riding it just 3 times.

Now have the Baggi for fun and commuting and a GSX1100 for commuting (and definately no fun!!!!!).

Now I hear of a Skorpion Sport that's just become available in the next town to me, for what appears to be not a lot of money. Very tempted-Yam motor, Tigcraft frame, and a mate with loads of tuning bits left when he upgraded his supermono racer.

I feel a plan coming on.......