Karl Post-mortem

The BMW GS did great on the trip. No mechanical issues at all. It just keeps chugging.

Notes:

• I should have checked the brake pads before I left. I just didn't think to. As a result, 2 of the 4 front brake pads were down to metal. (See pic of one below, next to an OK pad.) I didn't notice until things started grinding, and then it was too late. I'm in for a new set of front rotors now (at $265 each).
• The rear brake pads were also worn past spec.
• All pads have been replaced, and even with the bad rotors, it's an amazing difference. I'm not sure why I wasn't more in tune with the degraded braking as it evolved. Happened too gradually, I guess.
• I'm not sure if brake pads every 25,000 miles is a sign of city riding, or hard riding. But either way, it's indicative of something.
• I held off on replacing the rear tire, and it served me fine. Did great in the really twisty stuff. OK, but not great in the less twisty and wet stuff. But mostly I'm glad that I didn't replace it before the last 500 mile push of interstate back home. That would have done a good job of flattening off a new tire from the start.
• I'm at 6500 miles on this tire, which I'm thrilled with seeing how I ride. I'm looking at going through 2.5 rear tires for every front tire, which is another sign of hard riding.
• The engine was a bit buzzy for the second half of the trip. Either the valve adjustment isn't dead on any more, or the throttle body sync is off. Wasn't worth messing with on the trip, but I'll take it on soon.
• I haven't looked at the final drive to see how much loose metal is in there. I'm sure it's a bunch, but I can't bring myself to check. Again, I'll be in there soon.
• I've given up on getting my windscreen adjusted into something that doesn't blast me. I'm so used to it now, there's no point in stressing.
• I need to mess with my handlebar position to see if I can stop locking my right arm into place and freezing up all my shoulder muscles.
• The bulb in the low-beam is way too weak, which necessitates the use of the PIAA driving lights, which are way to strong for traffic. There needs to be a middle ground.