New member intro

[Lance]

Hi All,

I just wanted to say "Hi" and that there's another R1200R rider out there now. I recently purchased a 2007 leftover model (Granite Grey) and I'm enjoying it thoroughly (only put 350 miles on so far). The bike reviews and this forum both helped make my decision to go with this model.

This is the first modern bike I've owned. Although I've ridden friends modern bikes, I have never owned a bike newer than '73. I always new that someday I would get a modern bike, but hadn't planned on doing so unexpetedly. It happened like this.... (I'll try to be brief)

In '92, myself and four friends that I grew up with toured the US, coast to coast, covering 8500 miles in 5 weeks (I used a '71 CB450 - Yikes). Quite an adventure for all of us. Apparently, there was pact made then, which I had forgotten about, that when we turn 40 we'd do something similar again.

Well, that time is coming this summer and my current bikes are just not suited for the longer distances and sometimes higher speeds. The bike hunt began. After looking at everything available, the only bike that stood out and suited my needs, both functionally and asthetically, was the R1200R. I had another BMW once and always regretted getting rid of it. That was a '72 R60/5.

So, the trip is on and the same 5 fellas from the trip 17 years ago will hit the road together again. Only this time it's 2 weeks (families, work, etc.). Us being spread out all of the country, we'll be meeting somewhere in between and go from there.

Anyway, thanks for reading. This is a wonderful group/forum and I've enjoyed lurking and reading all the posts. It is a tremendous help.

Best regards,

[lewellen]

Congrats!

Good roads,

- Lewellen

[thepeacebullgrunt]

Nice story ! and enjoy your R this is a very pleasant bike to own and ride.

[snag]

Lance, that's a pretty cool story, to be able to get back together with your buds on the road after 17 years will be a real treat. The great thing about your upcoming trip is that the trip, while maybe not a defining moment in your life, will be something that you will carry with you for the rest of your life. I bought my 12R for the same reason, my 74 and 79 are past their long distance days and the open road beakened. The bikes are fun and, on the surface, are the reason why we ride, but it is the adventure and the motivation behind the adventure that are the real story. Welcome and enjoy your new toy, but relish the adventures that it provides. Take your time on the trip and take lots of pictures.

Doug

[ka5ysy]

Welcome ! You are going to love this bike. As my mechanic told me: "This is the only bike you will ever need" .


Your trip sounds like a real-life "Wild Hogs" . Have a great time !

[bobw]

Cool story and you are on the perfect bike for the trip. Photos and details of ride would be great to see.

Safe travels

Bob

[Lance]

Thanks everyone for the warm welcomes! I will surely bring a camera on the trip and post anything not too incriminating.

Although a lot of technical topics have been covered here, I'm sure I'll come up with something at some point.

Best regards,

[Lance]

Hi All again,

Just wanted to say the trip is over (in July) and I made it back in one piece as well as the bike. Covered 3600 miles over the 2 weeks and camped all but 3 of those days. Bike performed beautifully. I did it with the stock standard seat and, while mostly tolerable, can now understand why that is one of the first change to be made to these rides. The longest day was a solo ride of about 600 miles, half of which was in a monsoon, so the rain gear may have given a little extra padding to endure that seat.

The very quick trip summary: Started in Beverly, MA - went to Michigan - crossed into Michigans upper penninsula - up to Copper Harbor, MI - down through Wisconsin - to New Jersey (see the folks) and back up to Massachusetts. I would have preferred much longer but a couple other of the East Coast riders had to stay closer to home due to time constraints.

Some details which go along with some of the other posts:

I'm 6'0" and 190lbs. Stock seat. Can easily flatfoot while standing over and off the seat. May consider higher seat. Would consider lowering pegs if my feet haven't already been contacting the ground in turns.

The bike came with the small sport screen but I removed it after 100 miles and haven't regretted it. Anyone looking for one?

I can give 2 thumbs up to Frogg Toggs Highway Elite rain gear. I was a little late in my preparations for the trip and needed something quick. They were relatively cheap and worked far better than I expected. Not one drop got through. Nice stirrups on the pants too.

I mounted my BlackBerry (my work one - ) front and center from the bars and used a Scala Rider helmet attached headset to communicate wirelessly through Bluetooth to the BB. Easily could make/take calls with no distraction. BB has GPS in it as well.

As for packing: I have the BMW side system cases but used a waterproof duffle Rok-Strapped on the rack. Worked great for my needs.

Side note: When I first got the bike I, like others that have posted here, had so many concerns about the final drive and its history. It was giving me a bit of anxiety and worry. Well, I'm happy to say, that after getting some miles behind me, that I don't think about it at all anymore. Not to say that I don't think it may fail someday but rather why should I bother worrying about it. As others have said, just ride it and enjoy. What's going to happen/fail, will either way anyway. Adhere to the maintenace schedules and have fun.

Anyone that doesn't think this bike is great for touring......Bah.

Can't wait to plan my next trip.....with the wife this time.

Best regards,

[takemeaway]

Thanks for the update. Ride sounded great and would love to hit those roads sometime. See??? It is a great bike! Pictures?

[scott7024]

how was the trip to Copper Harbor and Wisconsin.. I LIve in michigan and plan to take my 03 R1150R on the fairy over to Wisconsin and ride up to Copper Harbor with a stop In Green Bay and Iron River MI then back to Lower Michigan.. Have any trip advice (where to stay, eat, play) or pics to share.

Thanks
Scott

[Lance]

Takemeaway - As motorcycle_girl and others recently said, I was generally too busy riding to take too many pictures and therefore there aren't many to choose from. I did take some video while riding but that was of the other riders I was with (none were BMW's). I should be able to get one or two of my bike up at some point.

Scott - Most of the time was spent in MI and up to Copper Harbor, which was nice. Wisconsin was mostly just passing through to get South of the Lake to head back East. I wish I could be more help on the roads and where to stay but I was up against a majority informal vote in which the rest of the group didn't want to plan anything.

So, after meeting, we just rode towards another town/city/area and tried to find a camping location before sunset. Next trip, I'll be planning to maximize the best roads ridden and the best sites to see. That's just my preference.

Doug - Thanks for posting the membership details. I'd like to contribute to the cause.

Regards,

[papasong]

Hi Lance,
Sounds like a great trip. I envy you! I hope to do a coast to coast trip someday, maybe when my kids are older and out of the house.
Take it easy,
Jeff
(Arlington, MA)

[websterize]

The bike came with the small sport screen but I removed it after 100 miles and haven't regretted it. Anyone looking for one?

This graf inspired me to ride without the sport screen for the first time, and I've commuted all week without it. Wow — zero buffeting under 40 mph. And the R1200R feels more flickable. It's like cycling to work again, but I'm moving a lot faster and not sweating.