For those who care about these things, it's a 2003 model twin-spark BMW R1150RT with just 40k kilometres on the clock and in showroom condition. It has a twin Corbin comfort seat, with rider's and pillion's backrests, larger touring screen, cylinder head guards, top case and what I'm pretty certain (yet to fully check it out) is a Stebel Nautilus airhorn that lets others know you are nearby in no uncertain manner! I've wired the Autocom intercom system and GPS into it and added a headlight protector.
Oh ... and it's red, 'cause red's faster.
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| "Big Red" at Mindarie Keys, Western Australia |
Red is a step up from our previous bike, a 1997 Yamaha XJ900S Diversion, on which we did many thousands of happy kilometres together. The keyword is "together"; I enjoy riding far more when I have Dearly Beloved behind me to share the sights, sounds, smells and joys that riding brings. The BMW is, however, a quantum leap in terms of comfort for this poor ancient body. It's more of a "sit up and beg" riding position, with no weight on my wrists or shoulder muscles. And it's quieter ... no matter what you may think of screens on bikes, the larger screen on the BMW certainly cuts down on wind roar around my helmet. After 40+ years of target and field shooting, I am anxious to preserve what hearing I have left!
Mind you, I still miss the Diversion's four cylinder induction howl when I wound the throttle open and the revs started to climb ...
Anyway, here's the Old Girl ... and the bike. (Sorry, love, just joking.)
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| At Lancelin, north of Perth, WA |
We had a "shakedown cruise" on the BMW when we took a couple of days off work, added them to a weekend, and headed south into the wine region. We did about 1200 km over four days and I am pleased to report I could still hear — and walk erect — at the end of it all. You can't ask for more than that.
I've been asked why we ride a bike (the "at your age" is implied!) and where we go and what we do on it.
I'll post more on that when the muse is upon me.
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