Tag: makelifearide

Announcing: BMW 5-Year Factory Warranty!

BMW Five Year WarrantyCity Coast Motorcycles and BMW Motorrad Australia are excited to announce five year, unlimited kilometre factory warranty on all new BMW Motorcycles.

BMW Motorrad continues to raise the bar, with the new warranty offering being the first of its kind by any motorcycle manufacturer in Australia. It further complements BMW’s extensive range of ownership benefits while offering long term peace of mind for riders during their two-wheel journey.

The Roadside Assistance program remains at three years and is backed by national support in the event of an emergency at any hour of the day, 365 days a year.

BMW’s five-year warranty takes effect from November 1, with a validity period backdated to registrations from October 1, 2022.

There’s never been a better time to #MakeLifeARide. Discover our magnificent range of dream bikes, genuine parts, riderwear and the convenience of BMW Motor Finance and Insurance Services at our Illawarra showroom – 262 Keira Street, Wollongong.

Put the Future to the Test

Test Ride the All New CE 04 at City Coast Motorcycles
Full of energy, efficient and with zero emissions
The BMW CE 04 is launching into a new era to seamlessly integrate into your everyday life thanks to its intelligent connectivity solutions – from navigation to clothing. Quite simply #PluggedToLife. It sparks a passion with its revolutionary design, its technology as well as the resulting opportunities.

Ample, calm and minimalistic surfaces dominate the overall build
The design of the BMW CE 04 centres around the slim energy storage unit in the underfloor assembly and the compact drivetrain. The design liberties and solutions here have led to new aesthetics, for instance the charging compartment that folds out towards the side or the floating seat. The low centre of gravity represents a further benefit: for fun handling, surprising dynamism and timeless riding pleasure.

It charges up wherever you are
Start your day bursting with energy and your BMW CE 04 is already waiting for you with a charged drivetrain battery. It is simply charged at 220 V domestic sockets or your BMW Wallbox, or take advantage of the optional quick charger.

Be mobile and perfectly linked up
Thanks to BMW Motorrad Connectivity and the BMW Motorrad Connected app the BMW CE 04 makes new connections. The 10.25” TFT display featuring split screen option turns into the interface between the digital and analogue world. Be it performance data, range, charging time, the favourite playlist, next destination or a phone call: Mobility and communication merge into one.

Revolution meets evolution
In terms of comfort, convenience and safety with the can rely on BMW’s tried-and-tested technology. ABS and ASC are standard features, DTC and ABS Pro are optionally available. With Keyless Ride enables the seamless integration of the BMW CE 04 into your mobile life.

Try before you buy
City Coast Motorcycles is taking pre-orders the arrival of the BMW CE 04 later in 2022. In the mean time, have a taste of the future and take a test ride – DEMO AVAILABLE UNTIL JULY 4 – by registering your interest on the link below.

 

Rare 1936 BMW R5: An Affleck Family Legacy

When Dwayne’s grandfather Ken Affleck passed away at age 95 in 2014 he also left behind his pride and joy – an extremely rare BMW R5. Just 2,632 were built between 1936 and 1937 and only a handful remain. Dwayne now has the honour of restoring his Papa’s legacy.

Rod (left) and Dwayne (right) are lovingly restoring a rare R5 family heirloom

Dwayne, you’re an avid motorcyclist. Is a love of riding in the genes?

I would say, “yes” but not just a love of riding – it’s a love of all things automotive, mechanical and engineering. My grandfather and my great grandfather even built their own plane, back in the day. Papa later worked for ESSO as the Head of Oil and Fuel Engineering which lead to him being involved with F1 drivers like Jim Clark and Jack Brabham. My father Rod is a retired mechanic and I’m an auto electrician. We’ve all had (or still have) involvement in two and four-wheeled motorsports. I have definitely discovered motorcycling more in the last five years which has taken me all over Australia and to the other side of the world by competing in and finishing Red Bull Romaniacs in 2019.

Ken Affleck with the Esso Team at Warick Farm
Pictured far left: Ken Affleck with the Esso Team at Warwick Farm

Your grandfather Ken has left you with a very special motorbike. What does his rare 1936 BMW R5 mean to you?

It means everything! It’s been so cared for and loved; in fact, it’s pretty much as it came off the floor with the exception of some minor marks and aging paint as it was used as a bike should be ridden and enjoyed. Being so entrenched in the family, it’s also significant that I’m working on it alongside my dad and my twelve-year-old son, Harry. It is very much a family affair.

Ken on his way to a VMCC Meeting

Do you know of any other R5’s in Australia?

Currently we’ve been unable to track down any other complete R5s in Australia, apart from one in pieces awaiting restoration. Shannons and Lloyds couldn’t either when approached for an evaluation of my grandfather’s bike. We know some R5s have been here in the past, but have then been sold to overseas buyers. There are those that haven’t seen the light of day so they have lost track of them and don’t know if they still exist as a whole bike. To my knowledge there seems to be only a few known of world-wide, one of which is owned by Lord March – Founder of the GoodwoodFestival of Speed. I believe BMW themselves have three in different states of condition (one restored, one in their bunker and one unrestored). There are a few in the US and a handful throughout Europe, but being a pre-World War 2 and only 2500-odd made, a lot would have been scrapped for materials during the War or lost to the fighting.

Ken Affleck's 1936 R5 looking
“To my knowledge there seems to be only a few known of world-wide,” says Dwayne of the rare BMW R5

Ken was a new father when he purchased the R5. Was it his first motorcycle? 

His first bike was second-hand 1925 BSA 250 round tank 2-speed which he later sold. He then got a DKW motorcycle. In 1948 he purchased the BMW R5 Sydney dealer called Arncliffe & Homebush Motorcycles. My grandfather knew the owners and learned the R5 was for sale there on behalf of an Air Force personnel. Then in the early 2000’s he bought an R27 BMW 250 single cylinder. This was because he wanted to attend the early VMCC Easter Bike Rally at Bathurst and couldn’t get some parts in time for the R5.

Ken’s first motorcycle was a BSA

Given its age, this R5 is in remarkable condition. Is it true that when Ken married your grandmother he wasn’t allowed to ride it?

Mama definitely wasn’t fond of the bikes, but when the kids came along and were growing up Papa decided to give up bike racing and general riding. He stored the R5 until her passing in the mid-1990s, then dusted the bike back off. He pieced a few bits back together and started riding again in his mid-70s all the way up until he was 93 years old. Papa was a very active member of the Vintage Motorcycle Club NSW during his later years.

Ken with daughter Annette (Dwayne's Aunt)
Ken with daughter Annette (Dwayne’s Aunt) aboard his R5

Back in the day, why do you think the R5 was such a gamechanger for BMW?

After riding it around the streets when we first picked it up I would have to say it’s an amazingly balanced bike with a great riding position. I’ve ridden a few other newer bikes (1960s models ha ha ha) and they ride nowhere near as well as the R5 does. The, design and engineering in the bike is astounding in my eyes for its era, too plus in its day it rivaled cars for top speed performance.

What type of work is involved to get your R5 project on the road?

Surprisingly not much has been needed. We aren’t there one-hundred percent just yet, but it’s just some perishables like fuel hoses, some carburettor gaskets and oil seals as we did have it running when we picked up the bike. We’ve kept it in storage for four years until we were in a position to give it proper attention it deserves. With the recent world situation and travel restrictions there’s been delays unfortunately. We expect it to be finished towards the end of May or early June.

Dwayne says working on the BMW R5 is “very much a family affair”

Many aspects of BMW’s new R18 have been based on the R5. What are your thoughts?

Personally, I absolutely love the new R18; the efforts that they’ve gone to, to give it the old-school character while working with modern regulations for emission, etcetera are huge. I can only imagine how hard it is to make a bike stand out today, especially in the cruiser market they (BMW Motorrad) are targeting. It’s a tough task with very well established competitors .

BMW R 18
The R5 is the main inspiration for BMW’s new R 18 cruiser (pictured)

Tell us about Ken’s scrambling days:

Papa was involved with the Dulwich Hill Motorcycle Club as they had a track situated on his large Kellyville property. He was a multiple trophy holder with the Two-Stroke Club of NSW in 1939. He and was involved with a trials club who held events at Castlereagh on the rocks and banks of the Nepean river; the idea was having to ride over the boulders without putting feet down to not lose points.

Ken was the 1939 Two-Stroke Club of NSW Champion

Later in life Papa loved to run with the VMCC who used to hold average speed rallies and navigational events; this included him having a minor off while riding down a dirt road and he couldn’t slow the bike quickly enough and ended up having a soft lay down of the bike in the grass just off the road. He was so mad because he finally got to pass this “young, slow annoying rider ” who was holding him up.  We found out this “young” rider was in their late 70s and my grandfather was in his early 90s at this stage (ha ha ha!) Another time he was enjoying his riding a little much and ran wide going under a viaduct out at his favourite event near Bathurst, scrapping the side of himself down the guard rail just enough to leave some bruisers – but not enough to knock him off the bike or even leave a mark on it.

Meter on BMW R5

Do you have any future plans for the R5 or R27?

The R5 will be kept in the family forever. It’s one of those special bikes that we’re the only custodian of as my grandfather will always be the owner of the bike. The R27 just needs a blinker/horn combination for registration and my parents will be looking to sell it soon after. It never had any real significance to my grandfather who only kept it as a backup for his beloved R5.

Special thanks to Dwayne and family
for sharing Ken Affleck’s R5 legacy.

Discover how the R5 was the inspiration for BMW’s new R18 cruiser in A Bavarian Soulstory – Episode 1.

Opinion: The all new BMW R 1250 GS

BMW R 1250 GS
Image by Karl Mueller – My Adventure Rides

Off-road enthusiast Karl Mueller stopped by to check out BMW’s ultimate touring and adventure model:

Well I didn’t have to be told twice. “Come and play Karl” was the message on my Instagram so play I did – on a brand spanking new R1250GS thanks to City Coast Motorcycles

It was overcast with a little drizzle threatening to rain but that wasn’t going to dampen the enthusiasm. There’s a lot of similarity to my 2017 model in this new release but you can’t help and be impressed by that new motor. Who would have thought that an extra 50cc would make so much difference? I’m no expert on this stuff by any stretch but it is a very noticeable change. Smoother, snappier in its acceleration and just more lively. This bike would be a good reason to upgrade. This is so much more than a cosmetic upgrade.

BMW R 1250 GS
Image by Karl Mueller – My Adventure Rides

The other change of note to my 2017 model is the TFT display. Now I have to admit that I’m a bit old school here and I love seeing a dial tacho front and centre as well as the traditional look of gauges so I wasn’t sure I’d take to it. This new dashboard though is easy on the eyes and I have to say I liked it. Easy to read with its super sharp fonts and graphics, the thing I really liked was the large digital speed display in the centre. I’m finding that in today’s hustle and bustle traffic with so much focus on the ever changing speed zones and the relentless enforcement, having your speed so prominent is good.

Will I upgrade? Well in truth, probably not for a while. I still love my Rallye X and we have a lot more adventures to experience together. But if you’re thinking about it and wondering if the new model is an improvement to what you’re riding now, go and take it for a spin. I know you’ll like it.

Oh. One more thing – finally the wheels have right angled valves fitted. Hallelujah. 🙏

Thanks City Coast Motorcycles for letting me take the R1250GS for a spin. I’m not affiliated. It is their demo model for anyone interested to take for a ride. So go do it.

Karl Mueller
#livingthedream #makelifearide

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BMW R 1250 GS
Image by Karl Mueller – My Adventure Rides

Exciting New BMWs Put To The Test

F 750 GS Test Ride

City Coast Motorcycles was one of twelve Australian dealerships to attend the International BMW Motorrad Conference in Sardinia, Italy. Dealer Principal Timothy Sim had the opportunity to experience first-hand an impressive line-up of new models.

Sardinia offered a quality mix of scenic on-road and off-road riding, which Tim says would be hard to beat:

“We were so lucky to explore the fun, windy roads along the coast and then head into the mountains via some amazing off-road, rocky trails.”

Tim tested three new releases from BMW Motorrad which will arrive later this year at City Coast Motorcycles; the F 850 GS, the F 750 GS and the C 400 X. Here are his thoughts:

F 850 GS

Check out Tim’s GoPro footage of the all new BMW  F 850 GS  here:

“The motor has character and is very exciting. When the engine hits its sweet spot at about 6,000 revs it just comes alive. The F 850 GS feels comfortable instantly, like a proper dirt bike. You can do everything; you can ride it smoothly and even aggressively off-road, like a motocross bike. Compared to the previous model, the way the weight has been changed with the fuel tank moved further forward completely improves the handling into a precise and well-balanced machine. The added features of the TFT screen, quick-shift and cruise-control just make it the ultimate adventurer.”

F 750 GS

NEW F 750 GS
“The F 750 GS is perfect for on and off-road riding. Again, its improved engine is what impressed me, whilst the handling is also brilliant. Whether you’re an experience dual-sport rider or starting out, this bike will give you a lot of confidence and fun. Now it has the same features as the R 1200 GS, like the TFT screen, quick-shift and cruise-control giving it the perfect balance.”

C 400 X

BMW C 400 X

“Wow! This is a really fun machine. We rode through small Italian villages, then curvy mountain roads. The C 400 X has a surprising amount of power and very precise handling. What an awesome commuter, with amazing under-seat storage for your helmet. The Comfort Package adds the TFT dash, along with heated grips and heated seat. Any motorcyclist would enjoy owning one of these because you cannot help but have a smile on your face.”

F 850 GS Test Ride
If you would like further information about these forthcoming models please call in and chat to Tim or Dean.