Welcome New Members (and old) - Introduce Yourself!

[new2BMW]

....living in Saint Paul, MN. No, I didn't lose a bet. It just feels that way for 4 months every year...

Rafa, you crack me up!

Member #216 here. The name is Jeff. I bought my Roadster in May of 2003 and found this site within 24 hours. There is no place like home.

I am an engineer in the aviation industry. 17 years of it so far, but other options will be considered. (Anybody?)

I am 42 and have been riding since my early teens when I spent my paper route money on a box of Yamaha (Just add cash and shake well.) I raced motocross for about 15 years. The only trophies I still have are the grinding sounds in my knees.

Over the years I have owned a Norton, several Hondas, Kawasakis and Yamahas and a little strange Harley Davidson 250cc two stroke. As my screen mae implies, I am relatively new to BMW.

Born in Houston and stayed for 9 years beforre my family made a home in Tulsa Oklahoma. Currently I live, work and ride in Tokyo, Japan with my lovely wife Norma and my little dog Hobson.

[mcooperstein]

Greetings,

My name is Mark Cooperstein, I'm one of the moderators on the board and an avid R1150R owner! I have an atlanta blue (fastest color) 2002 ABS model that I bought new after 23 year hiatus from motorcycling. Since I bought my bike, my wife got interested in the sport and has learned to ride and bought a small Yamaha for her very own! We ride together here in southwest virginia, where the mountains and backroads beckon! It's a great place to live if you like to ride...but is somewhat rural and I sometimes miss not being around a big city.

I am in the middle of an BSN nursing program. I used to be a computer programmer for 20+ years, and decided its time for a change. Got three kids, one in college, one getting ready to go to college, and one still at home. The wife is an MD and stays very busy needless to say!

Hope to see lots of you at the upcoming Beakster Bash!!!!!


Mark

[berliner]

Horrido

my name is alex, I'm from hesse in germany but moved to berlin in the year 2000.

I've been sneaking around, for about an year but failed to register.

I am 32 years old and working for IBM.

Got my first Roadster 1998, exchanged it 2001 for a K100RS und switched back to Roadster 2003.

[GJBushman]

My name is Jamie. I am 48 and work as a systems librarian at the University of Maryland. I bought my 2003 Red 1150R in Feb of 2003, taking advantage of those great BMW financial incentives (first five payments and great APR). Like Bob the Brit out on the west coast I eventually moved to a GS. I found the 1150R a bit too cramped for my inseam. Fortunately, however, the Roadster is still in my garage. My wife now rides it and calls it her own. I took it out today for the first time in months. Great bike but the GS is a better fit for me. Both my wife and I have ridden bikes off and on for the past 20-30 years. I used to say that she had more riding experience than me but having commuted 60 miles daily (round trip) for the past two years I think I have past her. I put 20,000 miles on the Roadster in two years. I have done about 3,000 miles on my 2002 1150GS which I bought used this past November. 1150r.net has been great fun and a great resource over the past few years. I hope you don't mind if I continue to participate even though I don't ride a Roadster anymore.

[nemt1150r]

I have a Silver 2004 I bought new in Missoula, MT the summer of 2003. I was in an accident (not motorcycle) two weeks later that laid me up for the next couple of months, so I didn't ride much in 2003. I currently have over 25,000 miles on the bike. I did a couple of Iron Butt rides last year including the border to border ride. (actually would have qualified for the border to border to border if I had been thinking, but was enjoying the ride and not documenting the return trip)

I will have my fiftieth birthday this year and I have been riding motorbikes for the past forty years, about an equal mix of dirt and road bikes.

Currently married for the second time, have two boys 4, and 12 who ride dirt bikes, and from my first marriage a son 25 who rides sport bikes, and a daughter 20 who thinks she needs a Harley.

I have been flying air ambulance for the last ten years. Which for me has to be the greatest job on earth. I live along the Missouri river in morth eastern Montana. My sons and I enjoy kayaking, fishing, hunting, along with the bike riding.

Russ

[High Lord Gomer]

My name is Jamie. I am 48 and work as a systems librarian at the University of Maryland.

I used to live in Annapolis and commute to College Park where I worked at the Administrative Computer Center as an operator in the early-to-mid 80s.

[High Lord Gomer]

My name is Mike Nyland. I just turned 40, live in Columbia, SC and work in Augusta, GA. The 94 mile each way commute is very boring (straight, almost level interstate), but the R makes it better.

I had a couple of street bikes 20 years ago... 7? Yamaha 360 and 83 Kawasaki CSR750 (slowest 750 ever made). I've been racing MX for most of the last 20 years and been off of the street. Current bikes are:
04 Silver (best color for wheelies) 1150R
03 CRF450R - Way too much power is just enough to haul my fat butt around
03 KTM50 Pro Jr - Tommy(7)
04 CRF70 - Tommy
05 CRF250R - Danny (20)
02 YZF250 - Ricky(15)
04 CRF150 - Michelle(35)
00 TRX300 quad - Michelle's ride while her leg heals
03 XR100 - Hannah(13)
04 KX85 - Chris(11)
96 KX80 - Can't part with it...ridden by many of the kids and my late wife

I bought the R used last year with 2K miles from a true gentleman. Before I ever looked at it he suggested coming to this site to become better acquainted with the bike.

So far have only met machew from this board, but hope to get together with some more of you. With all of the kids around, it is not really possible to do any leisure riding so the R only gets ridden to work and back. I really did enjoy my one excursion to the Tail of the Dragon last year, though.

I don't get on here as much as I do on http://Dirtrider.net where I help moderate. DRN is bigger (60K+), but quality of the membership here is unrivalled by any other site to which I have been.

I never did make it through the similar thread on the old board, but I figured I would get in on this one early.

[Mikens]

Hi Folks

I'm Mike and I live just outside Halifax, Nova Scotia. My story is similar to yours Gord in that I got into motorcycle riding at the ripe age of 50 with a brand new Piedmont Red R1150R in August of 2003. It was my first bike ever! I took the Motorcycle Safety Course prior to my purchase and I would highly recommend it to any rider - young or old.

I work for the Medical/Surgical Division of a German technology company. I'ts great work and its gets me to Germany on a regular basis (where I can get parts for the 'R")!

I joined the old board shortly before it closed and as you can see by my number of posts, I haven't been able to spend much time on this board. I'm hoping to change this though, and I look forward to lots of posts in the future.

The weather'down east' was finally good enough to get the bike out last weekend (sunny & 6C) so I'm hoping for a mild spring. Here's hoping for a dry hot summer!

Mike

[The Bear]

Hi,

My name is Julian and I have been lurking for a while and have found the content to be of both assistance and amusement at various times. I am in the process of chasing Doug and paying the cash to become a "financial contributor" to this great site and resource.

I have had my Silver R for 13 months and love it to death. I have come from a pretty standard biking ( Bonneville and GSXr) background and have found the R to be a real function first - form second type thing. I personnally love the look, but more importantly I really enjoy the utilitarian nature of the bike in that it can truly be all things to all people, tourer, commuter, scratcher etc. Like all things in life though it ain't perfect, but that is the bit that really makes it a "passion thing" to be an owner, the fun/joy/torment of the search for that part or adjustment that makes it just right for me.

And that seems to encapsulate all that I see this board as - the window by which I can see you guys take the journey, suck it and see with some of the things your up to, and possibly contribute some of my answers ( like I seriously have any?).

Ciao

[geechie]

'lo folks, old and new. It's good to be back.

I'm George Steele, and I live in the lowcountry of SC. I'm 57 and have been on Beemers since my K75S in '94. Had an early fling with motorcycles back in '68 and '69 on a Bultaco Matador. Then life, rock 'n roll, etc., intervened, and I drifted aimlessly until '91 when I was saved by a Honda Nighthawk. I'm currently to be found aboard a Mystic Red 1999 1100R. I LUST, I tell you, LUST BIG TIME, after Dean-o's red 'n black ST.

I spent a good deal of time on the old board (member #191) until things got real busy at work. I'm the data manager and database administrator of the commercial fisheries statistics section of SC's DNR Office of Fisheries Management. I'm about to get on top of the new system here and things are loosening up just a bit.

I've been married to Peggy for 26 years now. We live on Johns Island in a house that we mostly built ourselves. Her two kids (before I came on the scene) have produced 4 grandkids and two great-grandkids so far.

I'm into history, natural history, birding, photography, motorsports, and I sing in the baritone section of the Charleston Men's Chorus (major hoot, that last). On the motorsports front: I hump tires and pass gas for autometrics motorsports. We're a Grand Am team and this year we're fielding a 2005 Porshe GT3 cup car (#14). I'm not doing all the races with them but I did the 24 hours at Daytona and the Homestead/Miami race so far. We're presently 3rd in points, but it's going to be a long season.

If you come through Charleston, look me up.

geechie

[mbeemerbill]

Hi all. My name is Bill. I am a 35 yr. old Transportation Specialist.(Truck Driver.) I've been reading this site for 2 yrs. now, just registered when you switched to the new board. I bought my red 1150r in January of 03. Had been riding harleys for the past 19 yrs until I saw the error of my ways. I still have my "77" FLH but I've only had it out a handful of times in the last 2 yrs. Absolutely love the Beemer. We've had it down to Florida for bike week in 2003(Yes I trailered it that time, along with a friends' Roadking.) My wife and I rode it down to visit friends last August in Palm Coast. It was the adventure of a lifetime. I hope to get many more trips on it when the planets line up(family,money, job committments fall into place.) Currently have about 19800 miles on it. I guess I will have to be satisfied with just riding the tri-state area here for now. By the way, I've learned alot from this board and its members and for that I would like to say, THANK YOU!!!

[BigJugs]

Greetings from big beautiful Texas where you can ride year round and gas is cheap (relatively)!!! I bought my '04 1150R from a guy in Cal 5 weeks ago and I'm lovin it (1200 miles in 5 weeks)! Cut my teeth on dirt bikes and cruised thru college on a Suzuki GS650L. Met my love, got married, sold my 3 bikes to buy our 1st home (argh), had kids (awesome), had career, had.... NO BIKE (argh, again). Woke up, bought bike, joined r1150r.org. OK, that brings us up to date.

I'm 41 and do Product Development for a joint venture between Caterpillar and Mitsubishi building forklifts under both brands. Unfortunately this gig eats into my riding time way too much. Travel all over the US and some overseas (Japan & Europe). My other hobbies are DIY house projects (wife insists), golf (rare now that I got the bike) and getting my butt kicked on video games by my nine year old son (I used to let him win now I can't beat him).

This is an awesome site that allowed me to research the bike before I bought it and I have no regrets! I was on the outside looking in, now I'm looking forward to joining in the fun.

Cheers!

[pogo]

Hi, I’m new here:

Have been lurking on this board for about a year and finally got around to registering. I’m really not much of a joiner, but have found the chatter here both useful and entertaining.

Started riding while in the USN in California (San Diego-Coronado area) in the mid 60's on a borrowed Triumph Bonneville; but deployments, college, marriage, and family obligations soon took priority. Have been riding regularly for the past 22 years. Rode a 1983 Honda Nighthawk 550 (too buzzy), a 1986 R80RT for 18 years, and traded for a 2004 R1150R ABS last spring. Put a little over 9000 miles on the R last year; now that spring has arrived in Minnesota I’m looking forward to another great year. My riding has been commuting and touring, as work schedules allow, throughout the mid continent area.

I obviously enjoyed the RT, but the technological advance in the oil head over the airhead were amazing to say the least. I do sometimes miss the full fairing - especially during early spring and late fall. However, Aerostich snow suits work very well to keep the chill at bay.

I’m married with two adult children and one granddaughter. I’m a field geologist and have worked in the oil industry, academic “theater”, and state geological surveys. I still enjoy my work, but it does get in the way of riding sometimes.

So . . . I’m just another geezer who prefers two wheels to four.

pogo

Black 2004 R1150R

[UHGORDO]

My name is UHGORDO, no wait, uhhh, Dave, that's it!!! Whew!!

I first found my love on the IBMWR.ORG website last May, 2004. A beautiful used R with 4400 miles on her, accessories galore! I could not pass up this great opportunity!!! If you have been on this site for over a year, you know that I flew to Dallas, TX and picked her up and rode her home for my first ride on an R! And what a trip it was!!!

My riding history is...let's see, NONE!!! Well, I did take the Basic Rider's Course! In September 2003 with the intention of getting an R someday! A friend of mine mentioned to me that BMW had this R bike that was pretty cool! I started to search for it and began looking at the BMW website everyday for 6 months! I even went to A&S Cycles in Roseville, CA for his wedding and made everyone in the car go with me to see the beauty!!! I first sat on the Red Piedmont R in that dealership! They were so nice!!! They let me try on all the gear--helmet, pants, coat, etc and gave me a sheet with all my sizes!!! But since I didn't have a bike at the time I didn't make any purchases!!! I did buy a gift certificate for the Groom!!!

Wow! Where was I?? Oh, yeah, I left Dallas, TX and had to get home for work but it was still a great way to learn how the R reacted. We made 4 full days plus a day in Denver for some work, new rear tire, etc. It rained while I was there so I got to experience that! Oh, boy!

Since then, I have added driving lights and am waiting for my new Sargent Seat to arrive next Friday. BTW, my new Metz Z6 Roadtec tires showed up today!!!

Dave

[BeemeRandy]

Hi Everyone,

My name is Randy. I go by BeemeRandy on this board, one of a couple of Randys here. I don't post a huge amount - I think I was in the low hundreds of posts on the old board - but I check in religously and enjoy the comraderie as well as the tech tips and cool stuff alerts. I've been riding motorcycles for more than 30 years and my current stable includes my beloved 2002 black R1150R (black was not my first choice - it was my only choice when I bought my bike - but I've grown to love it); a 2001 MZ Skorpion 660; a 1975 Ducati 860 GT; a 1968 Ducati 350 scrambler; and a 1977 Jawa model 634 (350cc). The first two are daily runners; the last three will be restored "someday". The Roadster is my second BMW; my first was another oilhead, an R1100RS - which totally sold me on the brand. I'd like to get an airhead Beemer sometime - maybe an R100RS or an R90S - and I really like the R1200ST (I'm jealous, Dean-o, I won't be able to afford one for awhile).

I'm a geologist but I'm currently in a management role, so my job doesn't get me out in the outdoors as much as I'd like to. It's one of the things that makes being an earth scientist such an enjoyable vocation - the fieldwork is almost like a paid vacation. So I try to make up for it in my offtime. I've always ridden my bikes for commuting and weekend fun rides, but I'd like to start doing a bit of longer-distance touring. And you can't beat a BMW for that.

Anyway, I'm a lifetime member of this board, and I'm looking forward to continued entertainment, enlightment, and comraderie that comes from a mutual interest in our favorite two-wheeled escape pod. I'm not usually a joiner, but this board is worth being a part of. Thanks Doug, and the rest of you, for making it a worthwhile place to hang out.

Randy
Lifetime member #268

[beekstersocal]

hey guys, names mike , live here in beautiful san diego am a general contractor[kitchens&baths] 39 years old married 20 years 2 awesome daughters 20 & 17 .my 1st beemer was a 02 650gs ,had a few other bikes in the past but when i bought my 04 r about 6 or 8 mos ago i was blown away.have about 4000 mliles now and just installed a remus pipe and she runs better the more i ride and where i live there are so many places to ride its like being in heaven . this board is great and very informative thanks for the topics and the good b.s. ill be around for awhile torrey 05 see ya there

[BobFV1]

Hi Gents -

47 years old and happily esconced in Tempe, Arizona. I am a transplanted Californian.

[ProductUser]

Hello –

My name on this board is ProductUser. A few people have inquired as to the source of my user name, so here it is: This name was derived while working at a bowling alley (Country Club Lanes) in Sacramento, California. One summer while tarring the asphalt, the manager called the tar product. We could understand why this knucklehead couldn’t just call it tar. So that summer, a few friends and I decided to call ourselves the ’84 Product Users.

Bike to my BMW:
I own a ’04 Silver R with just over 24k miles, and have put all but 2.1 miles on this R in the last 18 months. This is my first street bike after a long hiatus from dirt bike riding back in the late 80’s. The reason I returned to riding is two-fold: 1) the recent bike shows on television triggered a lost love I had for riding; 2) a present for achieving some personal goals. I just can’t believe how great I feel when I ride.

My other passion is golf. My passion for golf is as bad as my passion for riding. My weekend days are spent riding in the high country of Arizona or on a golf course trying to win a few skins. Between a full time job; golfing; riding and grad school; my weekends and weekdays are very full. Oh – I’ve never had a wife or children.

Enjoy,
’84 ProductUser

[BMW Fan]

I'm Kurt, and posted a few times on the old board under the name "regular dude," because I couldn't think of a clever name.

I'm 42 and a USAF KC-135 instructor pilot. I got my first Beemer, my beloved 2004 Dark Ferro R, last year while still in Germany (in Oklahoma now). It was my second motorcycle, having owned an '81 Honda CX500 Custom a few years ago. I miss the terrific German curvies. SW Oklahoma sadly offers very little in the way of curvy roads.

I have a wife, two daughters, an undergrad degree in mechanical engineering with a minor in German technical translation, an MBA, and two cats.

I'm not a terribly experienced rider, but am a good learner and have read most of the written material out there by Hough, Code, etc. My motorcycling goal for this year is a several-day trip to the prime motorcycling roads of the Arkansas Ozarks.

I'm quite a lurker, and in the past have posted only on the odd occasion when I had a specific question or actually thought I had something to offer (which is not often, compared with all the regulars here with loads of motorcycling experience and knowledge). I've found the board to be both entertaining and informative, as well as occasionally combative (but not for some time now).

Happy riding.

[MidlifeMark]

Hi gang, I'm Mark, and I've been hanging around this board since I first started shopping for a motorcycle after taking the MSF course back in May 2002. My first bike was (still is) a 1987 R80RT airhead beemer touring bike that I bought after much consultation with the membership of this board in July 2002.

I bought my Roadster (1999 R1100RA) not quite a year later when the airhead stranded me in the rain on the way home from work one Friday night in May (the stock charging system was WAY undersized on the airheads) and I needed something more reliable. Roadster reliability has been just fine, but the best part has been the fun! I took off the windscreen that came with the bike, and learned to love the feel of the naked bike.

Ironically, last year I found an alternator upgrade for the airhead that probably would have precluded my buying the roadster had I known it was available; I upgraded the airhead and now have two happy beemers in my garage. Anyhow, I can't decide which bike I like best; I only know that I'm keeping them both and probably need at least one more.

When I'm not out riding, I'm an engineer for an aerospace company. I'm also a husband of 23 years as of last weekend, and father of two daughters 21 and 18. My other hobbies are flying (I'm currently about halfway through my airplane instrument rating), music (playing and listening), bicycling (solo and tandem), and screaming my lungs out at New England Patriots games with my head painted silver.

I look forward to lots of riding this season; I fired up the bikes Tuesday afternoon after reshuffling my garage & moving them to the front. Would have started riding this week were I not trying to get rid of a lingering winter cold. Next week for sure!