Reading this I realize it's not a real exciting ride report, and I was having way too much fun to take many pics, but come on guys, we need material in here!
God made last weekend, and the BMW GS-A for the ride I took.
Some friends and I have a long running (~25 years for the oldest guys) yearly Memorial Day trip, and this year I'd resolved to take the BMW. Despite a hectic work-life schedule I minimally control right now, I managed to load up the saddle bags and sneak away last Friday morning at about 4:30AM, hand warmers ignite!, and put down about 700 miles over the weekend Friday and Sunday. Maybe 40 of those on dirt, 1mile in gnarly enough rocks you don't take cars across them, all of them in temps from 60-80deg, and in the sun (and moon!) shine.
This is up in an area in NorCal where the mountains and twisty roads are plentiful, cops and other bikers minimal. This part of the state is where I got addicted to street motorcycles. Moving down to the Bay Area from this area was such a step down in riding, it was a pretty easy decision to pull my then new 929 off the street and go racing rather than ride the area's unjustifiably much more famous roads...
Anyway I slabbed roughly 200 miles, where I picked up CA 32 (after a great breakfast with local friends) and relived the most frequently ridden twisty road in my sportbiking infancy after about a 9 year hiatus. (last time I rode that road was the weekend I bought the 2000 929) This is a beautiful ~45mi ride up to CA 36, which is a great road in it's own right.
From there I headed up to Lake Almanor, and then up into National Park land. This is where the dirt roads start. Thumb the ESA switch from "Sport" to the "tall mountain" mode, turn the traction control to the loose surface mode and drop the hammer. (The next day I was piloting a buddy's 500HP/King shocked/custom chassis/38" tired Bronco up the same road, and couldn't go comfortably as fast as I was on the BMW.) 70 MPH on dirt with saddle bags and power sliding corners, I was literally laughing out loud all the way to the campsite.
Stress? What stress?
I rolled into camp (after trying out the skidplate on some boulders) and finding nobody there, dropped the saddle bags to head into town for beer, er, FOOD and mosquito repellant.
Apparently I was encouraged to be a bit too exuberant by dropping the side bags as on the way back I busted a bottle of beer. I learned that the BMW topcase is pretty good at holding fluid...next time I'll fill it with ice to save the bottles.
Saturday night I was so excited about the next morning's ride home, I refused all offers of booze around the campfire.
I went by taking some road, heck, I don't even know the name...: BMW_home.jpg
...to get around Lake Almanor and pick up my favorite motorcycling road ever, CA 70, which follows the Feather River. I can't remember how long that section was, but roughly 60 miles of killer views and spectacular scenery. I never stopped, so sorry, no pics.
Then into the Central Valley, where I let the Zumo guide me onto some weird random country roads into the middle of nowhere. This is the second time I've purposely taken a couple of turns away from the beaten path, and then let the GPS tell me where to go. It's turning out to be a fantastic technique for finding new roads in areas I've known for decades. This bombed out dirty asphalt road hardly looked public to me, but it was. It went through these great big trees along a slough and a bunch of huge farmhouses. I didn't see another car until finally I got out to Interstate 5. It was great! I also learned the bags make the bike unstable at supra-legal speeds...not by doing of course, just um, someone told me.
I only made one stop both ways, which I can't imagine doing on any other bike I've owned. The comfort of the riding position, the protection and big gas tank just makes the miles melt away. I find it embarassing to say, but I think I will replace the seat, even longer days should get easier. Maybe even with ass warmer option.
Man, I love this bike and hobby. And thanks for the weather, um, Sir.
Last edited by luvtolean; 05-28-2009 at 05:09 PM.
"It's not debt per se that overwhelms an individual, corporation, or country. Rather, it is the continuous increase in debt in relation to income that causes trouble." --Warren Buffett
Kudos for putting together some kind of report on your adventure as well . It's amazing once you get used to feeling it move around on the dirt and rocks how hard it becomes to refuse the other natural dirt habits (wagging and sliding, that is).
Try some drawer liner in the bottom of the topcase, spray some super 77 adhesive down first though - that should cure your beer issues better than ice and not affect capacity either
re: seat:
Give a sheepskin buttpad or a beadrider a try before you uppedy up the seat. Also, no matter what position you have it in now...try raising the front and dropping the back. All of these things had very minor impacts on my comfort...but if I wasn't on the bike for at least 2 hours before the start of most of my riding days - they'd be monumental.
As you know I went with the Sargent and haven't looked back, I love them but they do take awhile to break in and they aren't cheap. Used on advrider you can usually find them for 350-375$, not a bad deal.
I have zero pictures from my weekend...but I do have some shoddy 320x240 video from my ATC2k mounted on the front wheel that I could maybe share...we'll see.
No tankbag yet eh?
Come find yourself - GPS Discussion Forums
Time is the ultimate currency.
The Seamii are awesome.
Try some drawer liner in the bottom of the topcase, spray some super 77 adhesive down first though - that should cure your beer issues better than ice and not affect capacity either
It broke at the top, I'm pretty sure from banging the bottle next to it in the 6 pack. The airtime might have had something to do with it.
Give a sheepskin buttpad or a beadrider a try before you uppedy up the seat.
Sheepskins hold water, and no "beadrider" for me. (I hate slippery seats)
Main thing I need to do set-up wise is flip the handlebar clamps to move the bars forward.
As you know I went with the Sargent and haven't looked back, I love them but they do take awhile to break in and they aren't cheap. Used on advrider you can usually find them for 350-375$, not a bad deal.
As a cyclist, I've always quietly kind of laughed at the brisk biz the aftermarket set guys do as everything else on me hurts long before my butt on most bikes. Not this one. Hell, I need to start wearing my Camelback too, I get thirsty before I want to stop!
No tankbag yet eh?
I own one, but I can't stand them. I'll resist mounting one to the GS as long as I can, so far I haven't had the need.
Last edited by luvtolean; 05-28-2009 at 04:59 PM.
"It's not debt per se that overwhelms an individual, corporation, or country. Rather, it is the continuous increase in debt in relation to income that causes trouble." --Warren Buffett
I saw a well adventured F800 a couple weeks ago, thats right up your alley Z
At the grocery store on that ride I ran into a guy on a KLR that was fully kitted.
"It's not debt per se that overwhelms an individual, corporation, or country. Rather, it is the continuous increase in debt in relation to income that causes trouble." --Warren Buffett
Unfortunately I didn't get out yet for a long ride but you've got my mind wandering!
I bought a roll of thin rubber tool-chest matting from Lowes and cut it to fit the bottom of the bags. No-skid and works great!
BTW..even though the metal bags shouldn't absorb much, I still don't recommend putting the scallops in garlic cream sauce leftovers that your wife wanted in the top case and forgetting about it for days. Don't ask me why.....
If you think that loud pipes save lives, imagine what learning to really ride that thing could do.
Great to hear you've found your mojo with this bike. Your post reminds me of why I find road riding irresistable...it's just so damned intoxicating when you find the one...
"Ten times more charming than that Arnold on Green Acres..."
Great to hear you've found your mojo with this bike. Your post reminds me of why I find road riding irresistable...it's just so damned intoxicating when you find the one...
Thanks, yeah, I need to work on talking about the bike a bit. Sounds like I'm trying to convince people to buy one or something, when really as you ascertained, I'm just saying whyI like this bike so much. It would be a very disappointing motorcycle to many riders.
When I sold the MV and the RC, I was selling no less than two bikes I've wanted since I first saw pictures of them. It made me nervous as hell.
The BMW does absolutely nothing for me to look at, in fact I'd say it is mildly ugly and while I like the functionality of the electrical gadgets on it, as you know a big part of motorcycles for me is the elegant mechanical design...and really, this bike is pretty traditional and boring from that respect (though obviously more carefully made than the average sportbike which I can appreciate). The ride home from the dealer on the BMW was so weird I was going, damn, I hope I didn't just really screw up. It also doesn't make me want to clean it obsessively, or drink a beer in the garage and just look at it. Again, unlike every other bike I've owned. It's really just a tool to enable adventures, not a lust worthy 2-wheeled Ferrari like sportsbikes.
I've been wanting to make riding/camping a combined activity so I can enjoy them both more often...and it's looking like this sucker is going to fit that bill well.
I considered buying an 1150GS-A, which really would've saved me some money. After having ridden a couple, while they are nice bikes, and obviously similar, there are enough differences that I am happy I coined up for the new bike.
It seems to be exactly the right bike at the right time.
Last edited by luvtolean; 05-28-2009 at 09:00 PM.
"It's not debt per se that overwhelms an individual, corporation, or country. Rather, it is the continuous increase in debt in relation to income that causes trouble." --Warren Buffett
Nice ride from the sounds of it. Needs more pictures and a gratutious sheep picture though to real good.
I need to take some pics in the Feather River Canyon, but I was feeling the flow, and after working hard to pass RVs and that, I just couldn't bear to pull over for a mere picture.
"It's not debt per se that overwhelms an individual, corporation, or country. Rather, it is the continuous increase in debt in relation to income that causes trouble." --Warren Buffett
Sounds like a great weekend! Bet you still could have pulled Sat night off tho You should consider drain holes for the ice - a guy on a truck forum did the mod to his center console.
I've done the same thing w/my GPS to find new (albeit not even close to the same level as what you can ride) roads. I also make sure to have the correct zoom to see as much as I can but still get the squiggly local roads.
The BMW does absolutely nothing for me to look at, in fact I'd say it is mildly ugly and while I like the functionality of the electrical gadgets on it, as you know a big part of motorcycles for me is the elegant mechanical design...and really, this bike is pretty traditional and boring from that respect (though obviously more carefully made than the average sportbike which I can appreciate). The ride home from the dealer on the BMW was so weird I was going, damn, I hope I didn't just really screw up. It also doesn't make me want to clean it obsessively, or drink a beer in the garage and just look at it. Again, unlike every other bike I've owned. It's really just a tool to enable adventures, not a lust worthy 2-wheeled Ferrari like sportsbikes.
Personally, I love the looks.
And....
If you think that loud pipes save lives, imagine what learning to really ride that thing could do.
That's getting printed out and put up in the garage.
"It's not debt per se that overwhelms an individual, corporation, or country. Rather, it is the continuous increase in debt in relation to income that causes trouble." --Warren Buffett
Since it's a memorial day riding thread I'll just bite on yours
Here is where we rode and what we rode. No we weren't going anywhere overnight, but I loaded up the Micatech's with enough weight similar to what we'd take on a reasonable trip so that I could get the suspension dialed in for it.
After the ~400 miles on mostly secondary roads, funky trails, some awesome twisties...I think we're getting close...but many many more miles will be required to truly get it adjusted
Pay no attention to the missing Zumo 660 the fugger decided to hang it up on me after an odd Bluetooth experience. More on that later..it's alive again.
Oh yeah, and it is really the look only a mother (father?) could love but this is the most fun motorcycle I have ever owned. Fast or slow, smooth or rough, rain or dry, cold or hot...not much really matters, it's all a blast
Come find yourself - GPS Discussion Forums
Time is the ultimate currency.
The Seamii are awesome.
Oh yeah...and that Touratech tank bag is the only one I will allow on the bike. No more anything else for me...that one is huge but hides nicely once you're on the bike.
The spot allegedly transmits every 10 minutes but I learned it really likes to hang out somewhere for a few before it decides to tell the site where you are. You can definitely tell where there were some more challenging trail sections though
Come find yourself - GPS Discussion Forums
Time is the ultimate currency.
The Seamii are awesome.
Thanks, yeah, I need to work on talking about the bike a bit. Sounds like I'm trying to convince people to buy one or something, when really as you ascertained, I'm just saying whyI like this bike so much. It would be a very disappointing motorcycle to many riders.
When I sold the MV and the RC, I was selling no less than two bikes I've wanted since I first saw pictures of them. It made me nervous as hell.
The BMW does absolutely nothing for me to look at, in fact I'd say it is mildly ugly and while I like the functionality of the electrical gadgets on it, as you know a big part of motorcycles for me is the elegant mechanical design...and really, this bike is pretty traditional and boring from that respect (though obviously more carefully made than the average sportbike which I can appreciate). The ride home from the dealer on the BMW was so weird I was going, damn, I hope I didn't just really screw up. It also doesn't make me want to clean it obsessively, or drink a beer in the garage and just look at it. Again, unlike every other bike I've owned. It's really just a tool to enable adventures, not a lust worthy 2-wheeled Ferrari like sportsbikes.
I've been wanting to make riding/camping a combined activity so I can enjoy them both more often...and it's looking like this sucker is going to fit that bill well.
I considered buying an 1150GS-A, which really would've saved me some money. After having ridden a couple, while they are nice bikes, and obviously similar, there are enough differences that I am happy I coined up for the new bike.
It seems to be exactly the right bike at the right time.
That's a good place to find yourself at...
For what it's worth, your post pretty well nails why the VFR works for me...it's ugly, heavy, slow, etc...but it suits my need for an "adventure enabler". For me that just happens to be more along the lines of a GTO machine....which is good because I'm too old to be sleeping on the ground anymore...
"Ten times more charming than that Arnold on Green Acres..."
For what it's worth, your post pretty well nails why the VFR works for me...it's ugly, heavy, slow, etc...but it suits my need for an "adventure enabler". For me that just happens to be more along the lines of a GTO machine....which is good because I'm too old to be sleeping on the ground anymore...
There have been some insanely cheap VFRs lately. One of the reasons I haven't looked a bit more seriously is that it'd be too confusing to figure out which one to take on smooth, all asphalt days.
"It's not debt per se that overwhelms an individual, corporation, or country. Rather, it is the continuous increase in debt in relation to income that causes trouble." --Warren Buffett
There have been some insanely cheap VFRs lately. One of the reasons I haven't looked a bit more seriously is that it'd be too confusing to figure out which one to take on smooth, all asphalt days.
I think it's a terrain proximity thing....
If I lived as close to rideable pavement as you do, a GS would get my attention. The VFR works out here in the flyover, because it's suited to the Autobahn work required to get where I need to go...
Oh, and it has a V4...have I mentioned I like the V4...
"Ten times more charming than that Arnold on Green Acres..."
"It's not debt per se that overwhelms an individual, corporation, or country. Rather, it is the continuous increase in debt in relation to income that causes trouble." --Warren Buffett
It seems to be exactly the right bike at the right time.
I'm still trying to figure out what bike that would be for me right now. I'm having an insane amount of fun on the 'tard but mostly doing bad things.
I couldn't ever give it up but I've got to add something else to the stable that is a little more refined and more suited to distance. Maybe even two or three more to meet all my requirements.
Originally Posted by Baketech
I think it's a terrain proximity thing....
If I lived as close to rideable pavement as you do, a GS would get my attention. The VFR works out here in the flyover, because it's suited to the Autobahn work required to get where I need to go...
Oh, and it has a V4...have I mentioned I like the V4...
VFR - GS - 848, that is the question.
I've decided that it will depend on where I end up for residency and is something that I can't decide right now. Ohio = VFR, South Carolina = 848, Texas = GS.
...dude you ride an offroad bike with slicks, 1/2 the weight of a GS, double the suspension, with a browning 50 cal going off 32" from your skull as a daily freaking driver - I'd expect anything except a nitro dragbike to be bland by comparison - SSG
The only downside to owning a GS is once you own one you'll never be able to find a good enough reason to get rid of it. It's such a good all-rounder that it makes the perfect mate to a Goldwing or an XR. I used to say that about the KLR...which is semi true, because the KLR I would beat the bag out of on any surface. The GS I will give some thought too before trying to stuff it over some fallen trees or something
I'm looking to equip my garage with a ZX-14 as it's stablemate, at some point..but that alters between a Connie and an 600rr at random intervals.
Come find yourself - GPS Discussion Forums
Time is the ultimate currency.
The Seamii are awesome.
I'm looking to equip my garage with a ZX-14 as it's stablemate, at some point..but that alters between a Connie and an 600rr at random intervals.
There are a lot of clean Blackbirds out there right now that are sometimes tempting to me in that class.
...dude you ride an offroad bike with slicks, 1/2 the weight of a GS, double the suspension, with a browning 50 cal going off 32" from your skull as a daily freaking driver - I'd expect anything except a nitro dragbike to be bland by comparison - SSG
32NE---36E to Chester, up to Lassen Nat'l Park to camp, then down 89 around Lake Almanor and through Greenville (the last pic is taken near there)---CA70 SW to Oroville...that's the important bits anyway.
Shhhh...don't tell anyone.
"It's not debt per se that overwhelms an individual, corporation, or country. Rather, it is the continuous increase in debt in relation to income that causes trouble." --Warren Buffett
The only downside to owning a GS is once you own one you'll never be able to find a good enough reason to get rid of it. It's such a good all-rounder that it makes the perfect mate to a Goldwing or an XR. I used to say that about the KLR...which is semi true, because the KLR I would beat the bag out of on any surface. The GS I will give some thought too before trying to stuff it over some fallen trees or something
I've been meaning to ask why you are so proud of your (former) klr ownership.
Can I assume that the only reason you wont take the GS into more rugged stuff is that you dont want to risk ruining such an expensive, nice bike? Aside from suspension and power, what do you like better about the beemer over the kawi?
I just came back from a semi-long trip on Memorial Day weekend (a charity ride actually) on my KLR. I am loving the KLR more and more as "my" do it all bike. I've been reluctant to take it into rougher off road stuff because its still shiny(its my first new bike ever). Although I will start using my camelback more this summer, I've already found that I need to stop and pee before I need gas (6 gal. tank @50-57mpg)
Pics attached... hard bags and sargeant seat are on the top of the farkle list before my trip to Wisconsin in the summer
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Originally Posted by SomeStrangeGuy
It also doesn't make me want to clean it obsessively, or drink a beer in the garage and just look at it. Again, unlike every other bike I've owned. It's really just a tool to enable adventures, not a lust worthy 2-wheeled Ferrari like sportsbikes.
the fugger decided to hang it up on me after an odd Bluetooth experience. More on that later..it's alive again.
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