But otherwise, how did you find the play Mrs Lincoln?

[Nok12rs]

 

[zedmeister]

K1600, but only to be ridden on dry days

[Rusty]

Oh Mr Zedman you are so right ... if and when that time comes it shall be near or at retirement ... 3/4 years away .. and then, having spent 35 yrs riding all seasons I shall become a true "Summer only / dry warm sunny days rider " ... oh how nice that will be ..... especially as most of it will be spent in Europe .

[Nok12rs]

Oh Mr Zedman you are so right ... if and when that time comes it shall be near or at retirement ... 3/4 years away .. and then, having spent 35 yrs riding all seasons I shall become a true "Summer only / dry warm sunny days rider " ... oh how nice that will be ..... especially as most of it will be spent in Europe .

Soft Southern B' Rain!!!!  When I were lad,zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

My first"real" girl friend went to school at Worthing!   The Warren School for posh you ladies what knew a thingatwo

[Rusty]

  There is a lot of Poshness down here ... and I love it 

[Nok12rs]

There is a lot of Poshness down here ... and I love it 

[nigelp]

Two recent purchases by BMW club members now up for sale at two local dealers, one GT and one GTL? Both went into limp mode and didn't like running hot in traffic apparently. Neither made it to two thousand miles!

Ummm.............How much????

[O.C.]

Why am I not surprised

I won't say I told you so............But I did 

BMW will sort the issues as they really cannot a££ord not to 

[nigelp]

On an upbeat note , this may get a ban on here!! I spoke at length with Nok12RS today and I'm pleased to report that he sounded fine and on the mend. The bruising and pride will take a time to heal, but he sounded very chipper and positive about his future search for a GTR.

[Kwikasfuki]

Good to hear he's on the mend

[Nok12rs]

Thanks Kwikas,

Yes on the mend but more slowly than I expected.    I've more front than Selfridges when on the 'phone

[Andy]

A few impressions of my first 46 miles on a 2009, 1400GTR.

Rider Dimensions: 6' 4".   18stone plus in kit.  34" inside leg.

Recent riding experience:  From 1999  to 2012  (with a two year break December 2007),   BMW K1200RS with 2.5"Bar raisers and Wilbers suspension.  Of the touring miles, about 10k were with 5'7" copilot who found it (with the addition of an aftermarket  back rest) all very comfy.  She also wore an enormous rucksack without complaint.

Priorities (for the first ride) comfort and handling.  All those other good things like economy, reliabilty, servicabilty, depreciation etc. come next of course.  First ya gotta lurv her!


I was coming from a bike which fitted me like a glove from the start and simply became, as it were, an extension of my aging frame.  I always trusted her in both  commuting and "pan European" touring situations; often hanging on in the mountain twisties to friends on sportier machines.  In short, the bike was better than me.

So, I was really pleasantly surprised at how quickly I felt at home on the GTR.  It's weight is very well deployed allowing for almost track stand balance. Despite concerns about the low end, I found it completely tractable in London traffic thereby complimenting the low speed balance.

For quick passed on the 50mph A3, the lingering low end concerns had me dropping to third.  She slowed beautifully on the engine to avoid photography.

By now a couple of niggles were coming through. There was a definite sense of slipping forward on the saddle causing an apparent need to prop myself on the bars rather than the lighter wrist feel which most of us favour.  Leg bend was somewhat tighter than the K with leather and protection drawn tight at the knee, probably exacerbated by the forward slipping sensation.  However, it was nothing to which I could not adapt.

Probably, the most odd comment I will make here is regarding the tank height;  it seemed to be far below me and out of sight. I should explain that I have, almost, never ridden the K without my large volume Bagster. When fully expanded, it comes well up my chest; I find it really comfortable (or perhaps, comforting).  I would like to compare the actuality of the tank heights.  Unnerving would be to over egg  "banter" but it felt very strange.

We are now on the derestricted A3: time to fly!  Accerating nicely in fourth we swept around the first gentle curve.  Into fifth, twist her right ear and then into the bachman turner- nice.   

But no!  Wait on!  Where was the much vaunted rein wrenching, back sliding, bum lifting explosion of top end torque?  It was all so smooth!  This should really not be taken as a complaint; smooth is good but...........at higher straight line speed the front end seemed a little vague and slightly wondering; not as planted as I am accustomed to; perhaps tires or wheel balance, she is a hire bike after all; you never know what blokes will do on a hire bike; well, I do now!!!

Off the A3 into Guildford, here and there on less familiar traffic laden streets to check, after that first blast the low end again; absolutely fine.

With nose pointed towards Chichester, it's time for a few gentle sweepers (and some tighter ones) with confidant overtaking on the two lane road.  Slowly through Petworths one way system and, as mentioned in my other thread, I am in love.

Down the hill to the Seaford College bend, that's the one I did not bother taking, and the trial reaches its abrupt conclusion.

What a bike!!

http://g.co/maps/zndd2