I Bought What?!
I’m really good at Analysis Paralysis, study and research a problem indefinitely to avoid decisions and commitment. A good example is motorcycling.
My introduction to motorcycling was in 1970-71, my third year at UVA. My roommate Dan Hanson and I bought a one-cylinder, two-stroke, Harley-Davidson Sportster 250 from Al Hollister, the saxophonist I played with in a jazz band. Kind of learned to ride it but not really. No classes, just hop on and see what happens. Thought it would be safer to practice on a grass field behind the dorms. Wet grass field that is. Yep, learned how to go down.
In the late 1970’s, I went to a dealer and really liked the BMW R100/7 “airhead”. For years that was the epitome of motorcycles for me and my dream bike.
I was also into bicycling with an 83 day Transcontinental bike camping trip from Yorktown Virginia to San Diego California in 1980. I didn’t get a motorcycle because I was afraid I would stop bicycling. I went on to complete Bike Virginia, an organized five-day ride through Virginia countryside, 13 times.
As an aside, I still prefer bicycling. Safer, slower, quieter. You have time to look at the scenery and feel the breeze without a cocoon of clothing, loud noises, and scary speeds.
In 1998, at the age of 48, I became the fourth owner of a perfectly serviceable (and now close to officially antique) 1991 Honda VFR 750F motorcycle. At the time the VFR was praised by many motorcycle magazines as the best all-around motorcycle. Oh, it was bright red (now purple) so seemed appropriate for a mid-life crisis.
On the positive side, it has a great V4 engine, half of a V8, which makes smooth, strong power. None of the vibration of a one cylinder Harley. Well engineered except for the original death-by-overheating rectifier/regulator. I put about 2,000 miles per year on it. On the negative side it has a 25 degree forward lean and tight leg position that is uncomfortable after 200 miles. This became very obvious to me after a 420 mile day from Wytheville to Midlothian and a 380 mile ride with Richmond retirees to Monterrey and back.
I physically can’t ride a bicycle across the US again and at age 68, my balance and strength are declining and my motorcycle riding window is narrowing. I only have so many years that I can travel by motorcycle, wandering around the country, perhaps doing some simple off-road trails. While my VFR got me through the Southwest Virginia mountains I started looking for something more comfortable and capable of longer distances.
Yeah that 1970’s BMW R100!
Adventure bikes are popular now with upright seating and off-road capability, the most popular being the expensive big, BMW R1200GS. Heavy for a 68 year old guy. Blogs, websites, YouTube videos, dealers, Craigslist, eBay, Adventure Rider magazine became my constant reads for months. Size, weight, ergonomics, price, power, reliability, cost of maintenance and parts, dealer network, wind protection, comfort, chain versus shaft drive, insurance, and dozens of factors to juggle. Analysis Paralysis.
Mark Brunson let me ride his one cylinder 2003 BMW F650GS for a day and I found it very comfortable. Lightweight, cheap, 60 mpg on low test fuel, not much plastic to scratch, easy to pick up. So that’s what I was looking for, a 2005 to 2007 BMW F650GS.
Ok, so what happened?
On a visit to Margie in Keller, Texas, I went to see a 2012 BMW F650GS at Freedom PowerSports in Hurst, TX, a suburb of Fort Worth. Not exactly the one I was looking for but close enough. On the used lot Michael Branson introduced me to a recently received mint 2001 BMW R1100RT in a similar color that I fondly remembered from the 70’s. Memories. Only 36,600 miles. This bike and it’s more recent incarnation, the R1200RT, are widely regarded as true cross-country tourers, especially among Iron Butt Riders. Powerful, comfortable, capable of Interstates and twisty back country roads, lots of luggage capacity and wind protection. This one came with a custom Sergeant saddle at a price I could afford. Instead of buying a new R1200RT for over $20,000, I invested $2500 to see if my 1970’s dreams were true. Yeah, premium fuel, over 600 pounds (Honda Goldwings are over 900 pounds, the F650GS is 250 pounds lighter), lots of plastic to scratch, fuel mileage in the 30s, shifts like a truck, and I might not be able to pick it up but it sure is pretty!
Road trip!
So I bought it on Tuesday, September 4, 2018, and cancelled my next day flight back to Richmond (thank you Southwest for your cancellation policy). I would ride it 1,500 miles to Midlothian enjoying the Talimena National Scenic Byway, Natchez Trace, Cherohala Skyway Great Smokies, and Blue Ridge Parkway. I figured on five 300 mile days. Take my time. Hey I’m retired. September is a great month to ride.
What could go wrong?!
Well plenty. While Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Kentucky will let me ride without a helmet, Virginia, Tennessee, North Carolina, and West Virginia won’t. I want to protect my head, so I called Jeff and he was fabulous in gathering up my helmet and rain gear and sending it to me. USPS Promised two day delivery by Friday, September 7, on the road by Monday, September 10, and home by Friday, September 14. Uh, no surprise, USPS delivered it three days late. No problem, just start a day later.
OK, ready for the trip!
Well not really. As of today, Wednesday, September 12, 2018, Hurricane Florence is marching directly into Virginia, North Carolina, and Tennessee. High winds, torrential rain, downed trees, washed out bridges, massive road debris, and power outages are more obstacle than I want to tackle. So I am presently still in Keller trying to decide whether to wait out the storm and see what the damage is, motorcycle 2,000 miles round trip to Chandler AZ to visit Erin, Ryan, and Tobin (no hurricanes there but my God, riding through west Texas could be horribly boring!), or fly home next week and leave the bike here. Haven’t decided.
Hey, I’m warm, dry, and my tummy is full. Life isn’t so bad.
One thought on “I Bought What?!”
WOW, nice ride but take care of your head!