BMW R1100S Boxercup

This particular Bee Emm is the tallest road bike I’ve ever sat my tight wee arse on – the Replika comes with taller, sports-spec suspension over the standard R1100S to help keep the cylinder heads off the floor at big lean angles. And just in case that’s not enough, the bike comes with carbon fibre cylinder head protectors too.

The contours, colours and graphics are all pleasing on the eye, copied as they are from the BMW Boxer Cup race bikes, and so too are the underseat pipes. And, apart from some slight vibration through the bars, riding is a comfortable experience as I found on two non-stop, 130-mile trips. The high riding position gave good vision over cars, hedges and the like, and my upper body at least seemed to have decent weather protection.

Considering she weighs in at nearly 230kg, the motor delivers reasonable acceleration while sounding quite raspy through the five gears thanks to the ‘sound optimised’ Laser exhaust. Shifting itself has a positive efficiency to it, and being German I guess it should. 

Revving it in the gears to 8000rpm feels good, but torque is what this opposed twin is all about so short shifting makes more sense if you’re in a hurry. The Telelever front suspension feels and works pretty much like conventional telescopic forks, except there is much less dive under braking. When I tried some extreme front braking the powerful brakes would either lock the front wheel or the front end would hop, which is exactly what would happen with conventional forks. 

I couldn’t fault the shaft drive rear as it behaved well at all times. Not many negatives here, but I have to say BMW’s ‘sided’ indicator switches really wind me up. Okay, maybe my thumbs are always in the wrong place but operating them is just too confusing for my little brain.

THERE IS A PART TWO NOW "CLICK"

Motolug Motorcycle Trailer

Motolug Motorcycle trailer.

Although bikes are made to be ridden there are of course valid reasons (competition machines) why they occasionally need transporting, even road bikes. Not everybody has the luxury of a van, so a trailer is normally the answer.Although bikes are made to be ridden there are of course valid reasons (competition machines) why they occasionally need transporting, even road bikes. Not everybody has the luxury of a van, so a trailer is normally the answer.

The problem for most of us is that the trailer takes up space and often has to be left out in the elements, which does not always do them a lot of good. Putting one in the garage takes up valuable bike space and most are too heavy to suspend from roofs etc. Help is now at hand thanks to the Motolug trailer that collapses into manageable pieces without the need for tools and can easily be stored and carried in the boot of the average car if required.

The latter means that if it is a one-way trailer journey, you are not stuck at the lower speed limits when you do not have the bike on board. It has been designed using the latest 3D CAD systems, which have also been used during the actual manufacturing process to ensure the mild steel is precision cut for a perfect fit of all components. The main beam, hitch bracket and mudguard plates are powder coated, while a silver zinc electroplated finish is given to the suspension and axle tubes to give a durable finish for those times it is exposed to the elements.

The really clever part of these trailers is that they dismantle into four main parts with just the release of locking pins. The largest part is just over one meter in length and means that the dismantled item can be easily stored away in the boot of a car, as well as taking up less space in a shed, or garage. When assembled, they pivot at tow hitch end to allow you to load directly onto the unit without the need for separate loading ramp. The unique coupling arrangement can also be adjusted with spring pins according to the height of your tow bar, making it extremely versatile.

Assembly is quick and easy and takes just minutes when you have done it a few times. First the axle is slotted into the side plates of the rear section of the folded trailer, making sure you line up the center hole on the axle with the hole through the main beam assembly. The main beam is then unfolded (as is the hitch arrangement) which clamps the axle in place, which is then secured by a pin and R Clip. The wheel assemblies are then slid into either end of the axle and secured with locking pins and R clips, leaving the trailer ready for loading your bike onto.

I have been using this for nearly nine months now and have found it brilliant with the main channel wide enough to take large sport bike rear tires as well as regularly taking large sport tourers. It tows with ease and never gets into a wobble or weave no matter what the weight of bike and despite being out in some pretty horrible weather lately, it is still looking as good as new. 

When not is use it takes up little space and therefore sits in the corner of my garage until it is needed. Certainly it has attracted a large amount of attention when I have unloaded it at my destination and quickly assembled it, or in some cases folded it up having delivered the bike.

Like any top-notch product it is not cheap, but if you like me have watched many a trailer rot away and cursed it every time you have tripped over it, this is the answer without doubt. I have been using the single bike version, but they do make a twin and prices vary as to which extras you add like the loading aid, which I would suggest you have if nothing else. They also have a variety of packages on offer as well to help reduce costs.

The problem for most of us is that the trailer takes up space and often has to be left out in the elements, which does not always do them a lot of good. Putting one in the garage takes up valuable bike space and most are too heavy to suspend from roofs etc. Help is now at hand thanks to the Motolug trailer that collapses into manageable pieces without the need for tools and can easily be stored and carried in the boot of the average car if required.

The latter means that if it is a one-way trailer journey, you are not stuck at the lower speed limits when you do not have the bike on board. It has been designed using the latest 3D CAD systems, which have also been used during the actual manufacturing process to ensure the mild steel is precision cut for a perfect fit of all components. The main beam, hitch bracket and mudguard plates are powder coated, while a silver zinc electroplated finish is given to the suspension and axle tubes to give a durable finish for those times it is exposed to the elements. 

The really clever part of these trailers is that they dismantle into four main parts with just the release of locking pins. The largest part is just over one meter in length and means that the dismantled item can be easily stored away in the boot of a car, as well as taking up less space in a shed, or garage.

When assembled, they pivot at tow hitch end to allow you to load directly onto the unit without the need for separate loading ramp. The unique coupling arrangement can also be adjusted with spring pins according to the height of your tow bar, making it extremely versatile.

Assembly is quick and easy and takes just minutes when you have done it a few times. First the axle is slotted into the side plates of the rear section of the folded trailer, making sure you line up the center hole on the axle with the hole through the main beam assembly.

The main beam is then unfolded (as is the hitch arrangement) which clamps the axle in place, which is then secured by a pin and R Clip. The wheel assemblies are then slid into either end of the axle and secured with locking pins and R clips, leaving the trailer ready for loading your bike onto.

I would recommend their Loading System, which attaches to the front of the main beam, as it makes it possible to secure your bike without assistance. Basically as your bike is pushed up the ramp, the front wheel passes over a pivoting cradle, which fits behind the front wheel supporting it together with a 'V' shaped cradle at the front of the wheel.

You can then let go of the bike and secure it and the same when unloading, when you simply rock the bike over the pivoting cradle.

It is then just case of attaching the lights and number plate before heading off.

I have been using this for nearly nine months now and have found it brilliant with the main channel wide enough to take large sport bike rear tires as well as regularly taking large sport tourers. It tows with ease and never gets into a wobble or weave no matter what the weight of bike and despite being out in some pretty horrible weather lately, it is still looking as good as new.

When not is use it takes up little space and therefore sits in the corner of my garage until it is needed. Certainly it has attracted a large amount of attention when I have unloaded it at my destination and quickly assembled it, or in some cases folded it up having delivered the bike.

Like any top-notch product it is not cheap, but if you like me have watched many a trailer rot away and cursed it every time you have tripped over it, this is the answer without doubt.

I have been using the single bike version, but they do make a twin and prices vary as to which extras you add like the loading aid, which I would suggest you have if nothing else. They also have a variety of packages on offer as well to help reduce costs.

Check out the full details and specifications at: https://www.motolugnederland.nl/

Update:

I wrote this piece in 2012
After owning one for 10 years now, I can assure you that this trailer has been a really good buy. 

All parts are still available separately. I have now driven about 10,000 km with it. Normally it is neatly stored in the shed, if I need it I assemble it in 10 minutes.

Looking at their website I realize I own the old model. The newer model has a few minor updates, looks great ...
Maybe I need some 10” wheels……