Picture Of The Month! Antebellum Remains! (Click Image for a Larger View)

Every month customers send us killer photos and I see no reason to keep them to myself so what better way to say thanks for sharing than to post them in this Picture of the Month spot..

Our spectacular December POTM was contributed by my good friend and legendary bon vivant, Marc Block, aka Don Marco del Toro. He says of the photo.."Here’s a photo from the latest circumnavigation of the continent.  It’s the remains of Windsor, near Lorman, Mississippi. This Antebellum mansion that burned to the ground had once been 5 stories and somewhere in the neighborhood of 65k sq.ft.  Quite the shack.."

If you would like to contribute your own"worthy" shot for our newsletter, here's what I'll need. First.. just email me 1 or 2 of your best digital shots. It'll need to be at least 800x600 in size or larger and preferably A. Of a BMW K1200S, K1200RS, K1200R, R Sport, or any model year K1200GT and B. In focus.

BMW K1300S / K1300GT Recall : I'm Laughing at the Superior German Intellect!

BMW just issued yet another recall notice on the 2009 K1300GT and K1300S. Apparently, the turn signal, emergency engine off/start switches on the K bikes may fail. According to documents BMW submitted to the NHTSA, the material used for the electrical pathways in the switches may develop micro-cracks under conditions such as large changes in temperature and humidity. Micro-cracks in the electrical pathways may disable the switches on the 2009 BMW K1300GT and K1300S

Model Year: 2009
Models affected: K1300GT, K1300S
NHTSA Campaign Number: 09V384000

Summary and Consequences: The switches on the handlebars for both the directional indicators and the emergency engine off/start functions may fail resulting in risk of engine stalling while in motion .. probably as you are pulling out in heavy traffic.. in front of a fast moving Escalade .. whose teen driver is texting her BFF.

Corrective Action: Dealers will inspect and replace necessary components on the affected motorcycles free of charge. BMW did not provide an estimate to the number of motorcycles that may be affected, but did indicate the recall notice affects K1300S motorcycles produced between Oct. 1, 2008 and May 31, 2009, and K1300GT motorcycles produced between Nov. 1, 2008 and May 31, 2009. Owners may contact BMW at 1-800-831-1117.

Flip-Up Helmet Comparo!! 2009 Nolan N-103 N-Com vs Nolan N-102 N-Com

I have been wearing a Nolan N-102 helmet for the last 4 years. (pic below right) It's a wonderful helmet. IMHO...one of the best flip-ups on the market. Comfy, attractive, relatively cheap, and quieter than many full face non-flip helmets. I've owned 2 of them with nary a complaint with the fit or finish. Every time it's time for a new helmet I seek out the options and ultimately end up buying another. They are that good. In fact.. I recently read a customer satisfaction survey comparing the top 50 helmets on the US market and the Nolan N-102 was rated # 2!

As I replace my helmets about every 2-3 years, I was looking forward to trying the new Nolan N-103 (pic at right) with the "Gort-like" inner drop down visor. I've always thought the "outer" visor on the N-102 was a bad idea. After a few months or years of daily usage, minor spider-web scratches are unavoidable no matter how anal you are and looking through TWO less than perfect layers of plastic is not something I like to do. As you are looking through multiple pieces of plastic, optics aren't as good as a single shield and if you are also looking through sunglasses, it can be down right distracting when the late day sun is already producing shadows. As a matter of fact.. I would rarely ride with the N-102 tinted visor all the way down, but instead just use it as a sun visor. It worked great in that capacity. Actually looking through it.. not so much.

I should mention that both the Nolan N-103 and N-102 N-Com allow for Nolan's optional N-COM blue-tooth communications system, but I did NOT order this feature for either helmet as I am 100% opposed to such or similar distractions on motorcycles so I won't even comment on that aspect of these helmets.. only the basics.

Finish: Dead heat. Both exude class. Both are attractive although difference. The materials inside and out look expensive. The outer finish on both have a shine that would blind Ronnie Milsap.

Fit & Comfort: The N-102 wins here. Both are plush and down right luxurious, but the N-102 has a little more room. Especially in the chin area. Jay Leno would never be able to get the N-103 on. Both have removable, washable liners. Both have air guards. Both come with extra ear pads for even less wind noise although I found them uncomfortable. It's a treat to wear either, but the newer helmet seems smaller and I imagine that if measured.. is.

Noise Level: Another close category, but I'll give the edge to the new Nolan N-103. I'd guesstamate that it's about 10% quieter than the N-102. I suspect this has everything to do with the better aerodynamics.

Weight: Usually, the major downside of wearing a flip-up helmet is the weight. A heavy helmet will make your neck tired and your penis shorter even after short rides. It's a tradeoff for the convenience of the flip feature. One I willingly accept. The new Nolan N-103 weighs in at 4lb/3oz while the Nolan N-102 comes in at a slightly lighter 3lbs/14.8oz..

Ease of Use in Daily Mortal Life: Both these helmets are easy to live with, but one is simply superior. Both offer one-hand flip-up operation. Comfort is about the same. Weight is close. They are both relatively quiet. Both offer a quick-release helmet strap for easy off/on convenience. Change of shields on either is chimp easy. What sets them apart, besides the N-103's better aerodynamics is the inner flip-down visor. I love this feature! If used properly it'll almost never get dirty or scratched as it's not exposed to the elements. You never even have to actually touch it. The easy-to-use slide switch on the left hand side works like a charm even with the heaviest gloves. You can leave the visor in any position or just flip it up into the helmet. Sweet. Having this feature makes carrying 2 shields a thing of the past. And did I mention this drop down visor looks cool? Nobody can convince me that helmets like this weren't inspired by movies like The Day the Earth Stood Still.

Cost: I paid $285+ shipping for the new N-103 N-Com. That's about the going price at most helmet shops or ebay. Now that the N-102 is near manufacturing extinction, you can find killer deals on them on ebay for $90 delivered until they disappear from shelves. That's a huge discount off the $239 I paid www.motorcycle-superstore.com a couple of years ago.

Bottom line.. These are two damn fine helmets, but the N-103 is a significant step forward from the Italian manufacturer. IMHO.. the N-103 is far superior to the N-102 that it replaces in many ways. Disagree with me and this Earth of yours will be reduced to a burned-out cinder. Your choice is simple. Buy a Nolan N-103 N-Com and live in peace, or pursue your present course of choosing bad helmets and face obliteration. The decision rests with you.

BMW Concept 6: Feel The Chub

BMW just surprised the beejesus out of me. Check out the Concept 6. It represents the introduction of a new BMW six-cylinder engine. Did anyone see this coming?

According to BMW's marketing spiel.. "Six-cylinder power units have always had particular appeal, offering not only supreme smoothness and refinement, but also superior power and performance as well as a truly emotional driving – or, in this case, riding – experience. A further point is that the typical sound of a straight-six almost like a turbine is absolutely incomparable.

The Concept 6 engine is extremely compact. It is 100mm narrower that other six-cylinder engines that have been built and only slightly larger than a four-cylinder engine. The Concept 6 offers smoother power and performance but is also gives extra attention to the environment because fuel consumption of a six-cylinder engines are less than four-cylinder engines. The E-Gas technology also creates extra power by optimizing fuel consumption and power output".

The new BMW straight-six will further expand the K-Series in the foreseeable future. The first model to be introduced will be an innovative and luxurious BMW touring machine. Reflecting the tradition of the BMW K-Series, this will of course be a genuine top-of-the-line product."

I don't know about you guys/gals, but I think this is one beautiful motorcycle. Well done BMW. Wheelbase looks kinda long in the pics, but the Germans certainly have my attention. I'll post updates from time to time. Looks like the new 6 cylinder engine will be featured in the upcoming replacement for the venerable K1200LT. I've posted more pics in the Pirates Lair Photo Gallery. Look for the album cleverly titled.. BMW Concept 6 Cylinder.

2010 BMW S1000RR Accessories: Who Ya Gonna Call?

Pretty soon the 2010 BMW S1000RR will start showing up in showrooms around the world. Woohoo!! I think every dealer in the US has a few pre-sold and of course, people will be turning to Pirates Lair for accessories..(at least we hope they do). And rightly so. We have big plans for our S1000RR product line. Not much is available yet, but we did just get this list from R&G Racing (in the UK)..We've already placed an order for a supply of the following parts. They are due in by late December. We will have most of the following R & G Racing Parts listed here.. after the first of the year. I'll mark them as in stock as soon as they arrive.

BLP0002BK - Pillion Peg Blanking Plates / $TBA
BE0050BK : Bar End Sliders - Black / $42.00
CRP001 : Clutch/Brake Reservoir Protector - Black / $11.95
CP0263BL: Aero Crash Protectors - Black / $105.00
CR0032BL: Cotton Reel Sliders -  Black / $42.00
EP0005BK: Oval Exhaust Protector -  Black / $42.00
FP0093BK: Fork Protectors - Black / $50.00
LP0092BK: Tail Tidy w/LED Plate light - Black / $135.00
OCG0005BK: Oil Cooler Guard - Black / $TBA
RAD0087BK: Radiator Guard - Black / $TBA
TG0006BK: Toe/Sprocket Guard - Black / $60.00