[praruaaa4]

Sometimes, life presents us with unique opportunities to break away from the ordinary and embark on extraordinary adventures. One such adventure came knocking on my door when I decided to take my bike on a small boat to cross the river to reach Hogenakkal. Little did I know that this experience would not only challenge me physically but also fill my heart with a sense of wonder and awe.
The initial challenge involved placing the bike onto the small round raft. The pathway leading to the Parisal was narrow, measuring around 2 feet wide, and the plank connecting to the boat was even narrower, measuring only about a foot wide. Maneuvering the large GS bike on such a narrow plank proved to be more challenging than anticipated, despite what the video may suggest. Similarly, when it came to disembarking from the small boat, the task was equally difficult due to the size of the bike. I'll let the videos do the talking

https://youtu.be/5disKTVeLNg

Enduring the scorching heat of peak summer, riding on an open river became intolerable with full riding gear .

https://youtube.com/watch?v=aMiiooM76wA?feature=share

https://youtu.be/s2ktncaW2uI

https://youtu.be/5zG2ZoP_8wQ

The experience of transporting a quarter-tonne bike on a small raft was truly nerve-wracking and exciting at the same time.

[praruaaa4]

Embarking on an Off-Road Adventure in Vattavada, Kerala with TSOD - The Shool of Dirt. Nestled amidst the breathtaking landscapes of the Western Ghats, this off-road haven promised an unforgettable experience for both my trusty BMW R1250GS and me. My off-road journey began with a sense of excitement and a hint of trepidation. The village of Vattavada is renowned for its lush tea gardens, vibrant flora, and mist-covered hills.

The trails in Vattavada varied from gentle slopes to challenging inclines, testing both my riding skills and my motorcycle's capabilities. The R1250GS handled every obstacle with finesse, its robust design and responsive controls allowing me to confidently navigate rocky patches, muddy stretches, and steep descents. Few Pics form the ride





The transition from dry to wet was not just a shift in weather, it was a transformation of the entire experience. Flying mud and obscured vision taught me a lesson I won't forget. Behind every ride lies the necessity of cautious practice, especially when it comes to maintaining a proper distance from the bike in front.


My off-road adventure in Vattavada had transformed from a dusty ride to a wet and wild exploration, reminding me of nature's unpredictable grace. The abrupt shift from dry to wet had illuminated the resilience of the landscape and the importance of being adaptable as a rider. This experience left me with not only a deeper connection to my motorcycle but also a profound appreciation for the beauty and spontaneity that nature offers to those willing to embrace it.



By the time the rain stopped the bike was cemented with mud and dirt. Also a hard lesson as to why you should always keep distance from the bike in front. Especially when there is flying mud involved

Before and after pic

[praruaaa4]

DIY Brake pad replacement and cleaning of pads
I wanted to get comfortable with working on the bike and be confident with diagnosing problems on the road. GS literally chews through the rear brake pads (may be due to combi brakes system) so the rear pad life is only approx 6000kms. After the Vattavada ride the rear brake pads were in need of replacement and the front brakes had to be cleaned as it was making alot of noise. A pic of the front rotor just to give you an idea of the dirt that had accumulated during the off road session.



Replacing brake pads on a motorcycle like the BMW R1250GS can be a relatively straightforward DIY task if you have some mechanical aptitude and the necessary tools. However, please note that working on your motorcycle's brakes is critical for safety, so if you're not confident in your abilities, it's recommended to have a professional mechanic perform the job.

Note: This is a general guide and may not cover all the specific steps for your exact motorcycle model. Always consult your motorcycle's manual for detailed instructions.

For the rear brake pad replacement, the first task is remove 3 bolts holding the rear mud guard and 2 bolts holding the brake caliper.


its good to have extra set of hands for the job Wife helping with the job


then remove the clip securing the pin that holds the pads



The rear caliper deos not comeout easily without removing the rear wheel. The trick here is to slide the pads out first and the remove the caliper.



The old brake pads with a shield in one caliper. I have no idea what this is for but few suggested that it is for thermal insulation and few said this is for spacing and few said it is not needed. So with all the confusion I decided to remove the shield and install it to the new pads. If anyone knows what this is for then it would be very nice to know what this part is intended for


Installed the shield to the new pads


New pads installed and then its the simple task of putting back the 2 bolts to tighten the caliper

Usually I stick to the OEM pads but this time wated to try aftermarket pads so went with EBC Double-H Sintered pads. Part number for EBC



With the new rear pads installed, the next job is to inspect the front pads.
My bike front brakes are from Hayes so the task is a little bit more labour intensive when compared to Brembo brakes.
For this 2 bolts have to be unscrewed to remove the caliper



then 2 securing clips have to be carefully removed as this is a very small part and needs careful handling.



Now came the shocking part as another box/tool is needed to remove the brake pad retaining pins which I was not aware of and if anyone knows the tool details I'll be very happy to add it to my tool box. Attaching the picture for reference


Since the pads cannot be removed for proper cleaning had to get creative to clean the gunk off the pads as the brake cleaner that was on order was still in transit.





Clean Pads (Notice the amount of dirt and grime on the palm. May be this was from the vattavada dirt ride)


My toolset

[dkaile]

Originally Posted by praruaaa4

Now came the shocking part as another box/tool is needed to remove the brake pad retaining pins which I was not aware of and if anyone knows the tool details I'll be very happy to add it to my tool box.

¼" socket works perfectly for these star bolts.

Reference video for you -

https://youtu.be/3e21Gu-TI1M

Cheers....

[praruaaa4]

Originally Posted by dkaile

¼" socket works perfectly for these star bolts.

Reference video for you -

https://Youtu.be/3e21Gu-TI1M

This was my reference video also but the 1/4" socket kept slipping. I will Try again this weekend . Thanks for the update

[praruaaa4]

Found the female box kit online. Attaching the pic for reference


Never knew there was an 'E Torx Star Female Bit Socket Set'. Learning new things everyday

[E30_325iSport]

Refreshing to see a bike being used as intended, bravo!

Watch out with the Hayes brakes, a nice bit of penny pinching from BMW. The Adventure gets the Brembos which are miles better. The Hayes calliper blocks are 2 piece (at least they were on my 1250, but those were black, I note yours are the Gold ones so may be different). The brake fluid leaks at the seam, it's not a drip but more a gentle seep.

[praruaaa4]

Originally Posted by E30_325iSport

Refreshing to see a bike being used as intended, bravo!

Thanks for the encouraging words. I think the MY2021 onwards got Brembo claipers. Have seen the fluid leak problems online, for now fingers crossed and hopping the leak does not happen to my bike.

[VijayAnand1]

Were you by any chance, riding two up along the Bangalore Ooty highway a couple of days back? Was enroute to Ooty when I stumbled upon a TN 66 registered 1250 GS with panniers on either side. The pillion was wearing an SMK Helmet IIRC.

Cheers!
VJ

[praruaaa4]

Originally Posted by praruaaa4

DIY Brake pad replacement and cleaning of pads
The old brake pads with a shield in one caliper. I have no idea what this is for but few suggested that it is for thermal insulation and few said this is for spacing and few said it is not needed. So with all the confusion I decided to remove the shield and install it to the new pads. If anyone knows what this is for then it would be very nice to know what this part is intended for
Attachment 2492976

Brake pad shims are thin pieces of metal or other materials that are used to help reduce noise and vibration when the brake pads are in use. They are placed between the brake pads and the brake caliper, and they help to create a smooth and consistent contact between the two components.
Attaching a video explaining its purpose

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zUGz...ature=youtu.be

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J7bFUpT7FoI

[praruaaa4]

Originally Posted by VijayAnand1

Were you by any chance, riding two up along the Bangalore Ooty highway a couple of days back? Was enroute to Ooty when I stumbled upon a TN 66 registered 1250 GS with panniers on either side. The pillion was wearing an SMK Helmet IIRC.

I was in Ooty last weekend but did not have panniers. There were a lot of riders from Coimbatore (TN66) who rode to Ooty for the Independence Day weekend.

[praruaaa4]

Update to the thread...
as I was preparing for an extreme ride that would cover 7000 kilometers, a mix of both perfect asphalt and extreme off-road terrains. The anticipation was high, but little did I know that a surprise was waiting for me.

The Unexpected Hurdle
Just when I was gearing up for the ride, I encountered an unexpected hurdle. The front ESA strut (Telelever front suspension) of my bike developed a leak. With only 20 days left for the trip, procuring the part on time turned into a stressful race against the clock. The ride was something I had been looking forward to and preparing for a long time, and this sudden setback was indeed a shock.



Fortunately, the required part was already in transit from BMW Germany. A rush order was created to expedite the process. The wait was nerve-wracking, but luck was on my side. The part arrived exactly 6 days before the start of the trip.

The Relief
The new part was promptly installed, replacing the faulty one. Thanks to the extended warranty from BMW, the replacement was covered under warranty. It felt like a huge weight had been lifted off my shoulders.

With the major issue resolved, I decided to go a step further to ensure my bike was in perfect condition for the tough journey ahead. I opted for a full annual service for my bike. The service cost me Rs. 17184/-, which included an oil change and air filter replacement.

Ready to Roll
With all hurdles crossed and my bike in top-notch condition, I am now all set for the ride. It’s going to be challenging, but with my trusty bike by my side, I’m ready to conquer both perfect asphalt and extreme off-road terrains covering 11 State, 1 Union Territory and One Country (Nepal). I will write a seperate post regarding the trip.