I have a 2018 RINET that had an unfortunate event, cracking the right cylinder to the point it literally would make my jeans soaked. Not a daily. I paid a good price, tried to replace the cylinder myself and it worked for a month. Depressing. I found Ben online, w fairly specific requests that many mechanics would refuse. Nothing outrageous, and I think it reflected his confidence in BMW boxer motors, even a more modern four year old one. "It's the same engine, more or less". For some reason, I was sold on that. I had seen the engine apart, and I had to agree.
I brought the bike not running, repaired ineffectively by me. He helped guide me which parts he thought were important...which took a few weeks. BMW parts are SLOW if they're not in the states. "A 2018 RNINET CYLINDER? Let me check mother Germany." Three months ....Anyhooo....Ben is smart as a tack, personable and a born teacher. He loves these bikes and understands them. I gave him every bit of information I had for the bike....LOTS. I think he opened it up once for torques. One of THOSE guys. I know, he graciously allowed me to WATCH him work and help when I could. I wouldn't count on it, but very generous act. He also allowed my dead bike to sit in his garage waiting for Berliner's get their shit together. I can't remember if I paid him a little extra sunthin sumthin, for the pain...but it wasn't from his suggestion if I did. Ben doesn't seem like that kinda guy. Bike fired up, and has been settling over the last several thousand miles. I love my bike. BMW always told me..."don't replace the cylinder, it won't ever be the same." That's easy for them to say. I don't know if it's the same or not as I've done little to the bike. Scrape a baby possum off my face plate...but that's my head. I paid under 4 grand for the bike. Under one for the repair? Might drag little at 2k in first gear coming out of driveway....wtf do I want? I drove a 1100 cc NINJA when I was a kid. This is much classier and I don't have paper plates at the little car show around these parts. My bike looks used but imagine a beautiful woman waking up in your bed, for no reason determined, she looks as hungover as you feel not perfect but just RIGHT...smells amazing...stays the after noon...maybe even dinner again when she orders Vietnamese food you didn't know existed. Nobody complained.
I couldn't prove the bike is slower pre or post accident and repair even I wanted to. I've pushed 120 mph easy.
Ben is not a bullshitter. He speaks in a manner that suggests he's thoughtful of what comes out of his mouth but has a sense of humor too that spurts out. HE GENUINELY WANTS TO DO A GOOD JOB. He's willing to ask himself questions and make moves that others may not. But he won't do it without asking YOU FIRST. After three thousand miles I'm perfectly happy. read more