287 miles on my 2014 GSW, about an hour west of Austin. NOTHING around me. Suddenly get a splash of liquid on my visor. Try to attribute it to the morning condensation that maybe reached critical mass and flew of the front of the bike. Notice that the spray on the visor isn't evaporating . . . then look down at handlebars. More liquid . . . it has a blueish tint.
Check temperature gauge--227 on a cool morning of 55 degrees. Definitely not the 185 it was a few miles ago when I happened to look at it.
Pull over, dismount. Radiator fluid running down the front of the bike with steam coming up as the fluid hits the exhaust pipes . . .
Upon inspection you can see something (a rock/big pebble) hit the radiator fin--didn't see it, didn't feel it, didn't hear it. No 18-wheeler or anything else to curse. Must have been a stone that got kicked up by the front tire.
Not what I planned for this morning. But at least it happened on a state highway and not the dirt county roads I was planning on riding. And with the great weather I was able to brew a couple cups of coffee with the JetBoil while I waited for BMW Roadside Assistance that got to me with about 80 minutes.
Damn, though. Had just passed on the radiator guards because I was thinking that a small dent here or there wouldn't be the end of the world. And besides, had a plenty of time to get them . . . what are the odds that I'll have an issue right away?
Guess what I'm ordering tonight from Touratech . . . ?
Check temperature gauge--227 on a cool morning of 55 degrees. Definitely not the 185 it was a few miles ago when I happened to look at it.
Pull over, dismount. Radiator fluid running down the front of the bike with steam coming up as the fluid hits the exhaust pipes . . .
Upon inspection you can see something (a rock/big pebble) hit the radiator fin--didn't see it, didn't feel it, didn't hear it. No 18-wheeler or anything else to curse. Must have been a stone that got kicked up by the front tire.
Not what I planned for this morning. But at least it happened on a state highway and not the dirt county roads I was planning on riding. And with the great weather I was able to brew a couple cups of coffee with the JetBoil while I waited for BMW Roadside Assistance that got to me with about 80 minutes.
Damn, though. Had just passed on the radiator guards because I was thinking that a small dent here or there wouldn't be the end of the world. And besides, had a plenty of time to get them . . . what are the odds that I'll have an issue right away?
Guess what I'm ordering tonight from Touratech . . . ?