Tohoku Touring Adventure: Riding the BMW R 100 GS Paris-Dakar

During my summer break from work, from August 17th to 21st, I embarked on a thrilling touring adventure in the Tohoku region on my BMW R 100 GS Paris-Dakar. The first day was an exhilarating 600km ride to the ferry terminal in Niigata, making use of the expressway. Setting out at 5 a.m., I aimed for the New Japan Sea Ferry that departed at 10 p.m. Despite getting caught in some rain along the way, the joy of riding my bike remained undiminished.

A Twist at the Ferry Terminal: The Mysterious Man and My BMW's Fuel Leak

As I rolled into the ferry terminal after my ride, an unexpected event shook my evening. To my surprise, the valve connecting the gasoline tank and the OHV engine on my BMW R 100 GS Paris-Dakar had become detached, causing a significant fuel leak.

Out of nowhere, a man in his 30s approached me. Even though the terminal was busy, he seemed to find me effortlessly, warning, "Your BMW is leaking gasoline." Hastening back to my bike, I found fuel gushing out as he'd mentioned. Initially, I thought the hose had come off the valve. However, upon closer inspection, it was a different area, marked in red in my pictures, that had become detached. What struck me was that this part doesn't come off unless turned manually.

Coincidentally, the man who alerted me was also riding a BMW. He should have known that simply turning the valve could stop the leak. Something felt off about him.

Before pondering further, my priority was to address the hazard. The spot where I'd parked was drenched in fuel. I promptly reported it to the terminal staff, who swiftly arrived with sawdust to absorb the spill.

Thankfully, amidst the unexpected drama, I boarded the ferry without further incidents.

lunch time on the highway

leaking gasoline

strange man moto