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Posted: Fri Oct 14, 2005 4:42 pm
by tipstall
Posted: Fri Oct 14, 2005 5:48 pm
by queenpdog
Tipstall,
Welcome to the family. I just now read the whole thread, anxious to find out if you had gotten a bike yet. I don't think you can go wrong with new or lightly used when it comes to BMW. Some might advise getting a smaller bike for a first street bike, but almost every new rider I have met has grown out of their first bike very quickly. You risk the occasional oops in the driveway while getting used to the weight. However, I am 5'7", 140 lbs. and I have never dropped my R (although I have dropped all of my previous bikes and I'm sure it is just a matter of time).
I'm so glad you got your new toy and the last comments I have are these:
When deciding on a helmet, try one on and KEEP IT ON for about 20 minutes. You will not know you hate it if you don't give it time to start to cause you pain. I see you got an HJC but you may look to upgrade. I have nothing but good to say about Shoei and Arai. Depending on your head shape you will gain loyalty to one or the other.
Lastly, I'm in MN and I think next summer we need to have a upper midwest beakster bash. There are a lot of us around these parts and it is a long ride to the coasts! Who is in?
Julia
Posted: Fri Oct 14, 2005 7:37 pm
by Biff's R
Heck, t looks like there is stilll a good bit o life on that rear z4.
Nice ride, best color.
Posted: Fri Oct 14, 2005 7:41 pm
by Guest
Tipstall,
Congrats on the bike, it looks great! Give me a call sometime and we'll take the R's out for a ride.
Dwayne 356-6026
Posted: Fri Oct 14, 2005 7:48 pm
by DK
That was me above, thought I was logged in...
DK
Posted: Sat Oct 15, 2005 7:11 pm
by tipstall
Anonymous wrote:Tipstall,
Congrats on the bike, it looks great! Give me a call sometime and we'll take the R's out for a ride.
Dwayne 356-6026
DK
Sounds great. The weather is awesome this weekend but I'm booked. I did take a nice .5 hour ride, took the bags off and I did not notice a difference.
Does after work, work for you? Weather looks good all week and it does not get dark till 6. I can leave a little early for some fun. Otherwise this weekend I only have my kids soccer games.
Posted: Sat Oct 15, 2005 7:14 pm
by tipstall
Biff's R wrote:Heck, t looks like there is stilll a good bit o life on that rear z4.
Nice ride, best color.
Jeff,
I'm a newbe and when the dealer measured the depth it was below spec and I was able to negotiate a nice deal on new rubber. I thought it just removed any problems, doubts on my part.
Posted: Sat Oct 15, 2005 7:24 pm
by DK
Tipstall,
I should be open for any evening except Monday. Just let me know what works for you and we'll take 'em out.
DK
Posted: Tue Oct 18, 2005 10:21 pm
by Kevin
Tipstall,
Congrats on the purchase. I just picked up my used '02 R (black) last Friday and have put 250 miles on it. I've been riding street for a couple years now, never have been on dirt, and stand a mere 5'6", 160 lbs. I find the bike is easier to handle than my Kaw vulcan 500! I quickly learned to control the weight, after having to gently lay it down while trying to turn around in my stupid narrow inclined driveway, but found picking it back up not too difficult. While riding, I find it to be so well balanced that it feels and extension of my own body, and corners both at low and high-ish speeds without issue. I am having a blast on mine, how 'bout you?
I noticed there are cases on your bike and you had mentioned not wanting them -- are you going to try to get rid of them?
Here's to a few more sunny days.
Peace-
Kevin
Posted: Tue Oct 18, 2005 10:33 pm
by tipstall
Kevin,
Love the bike. My ride home from the purchase was unreal. 5:30 limo to the airport, flight to Green Bay, Nick's BMW picked me up, (great people), did the paper work and bike was as discribed, 199.9 mile ride home in perfect weather. I choose a route that did not put on interstates. Could not have been more fun.
I don't love the look of the bags on but it is nice to have a place to put things so I think I'll keep them.
Posted: Wed Oct 19, 2005 5:19 am
by greer
Kevin,
Check out
http://www.ibmwr.org, click on marketplace, then classifieds, under oilhead bikes click on accessories. A set of cases for sale in Ohio. Always lots of used stuff out there if you don't mind to look. Good luck. Sarah the cheap-o.
Posted: Wed Oct 19, 2005 7:37 am
by Kevin
Thanks for the info, Sarah-
Now I've found yet another site to spend all my time in front of (when I'm not on the R) instead of doing other things, like eating, laundry, sleeping. I am currently following an auction on e-bay, but will keep these in mind as well. Anyone have any preference on hard versus soft luggage, and recommendations for soft? I was given a Cortech tail bag with the bike, and it seems to do well, so have looked at getting saddles of the same, but I like the look of the Givi's a little better. Any suggestions?
Thanks again, from a fellow cheap-o.
Kevin
Posted: Wed Oct 19, 2005 10:08 am
by Capt. Blackadder
Tipstall,
Congrats on the new ride and welcome to the family! Thanks for sharing the photos, too. I like how that Givi top case looks.
Wishing you millions of miles and smiles!
Posted: Wed Oct 19, 2005 10:42 am
by jonothan
Gorgeous bike, Tipstall.
Ride safe, bro.
J
Posted: Wed Oct 19, 2005 1:00 pm
by greer
Kevin,
My husband and I used the whole Cortech set on our Bonnevilles, couldn't beat them for the money. We still use our tail bags, but let the saddlebags go when we sold the Triumphs. I know they are expensive, but you just can't beat hard cases, especially if you plan to do much touring. I have no experience with anything but the BMW bags. If you can stand to be patient, some used ones will turn up. You might post a WTB on
http://www.advrider.com Flea Market. That board sees a lot of traffic. Good luck, Sarah
Posted: Wed Oct 19, 2005 2:45 pm
by yjleesvrr
tipstall - congrats on the new silver R. Silver IMO is the best color after black
You will love the bike and appreciate its qualities like a fine wine as time goes by.
Posted: Wed Oct 19, 2005 7:38 pm
by tipstall
After work I took the 50 mile trip to the grocery store, 2 miles away. The Givi top case is growing on me. It does have it's own brake light, loading it is easy since it's top opening and it's pretty large. Got to check out the heated grips for the first time, glad those were there as my index fingers were still frozen.
Thanks for the comments on the bike. I think she is one pretty neat ride.
One question, does anyone else have problems putting your helmet on the locking holder? With numb fingers almost not possible.
Posted: Wed Oct 19, 2005 7:45 pm
by yjleesvrr
Just reach through the face opening of your helmet with your right hand to grasp the clips on the helmet straps, use your left hand to grasp the locking bracket, and you'll find it easy to lock your helmet. I let the back of the helmet rest on the right footpeg.
Posted: Tue Oct 25, 2005 9:59 am
by cc
queenpdog wrote:
Lastly, I'm in MN and I think next summer we need to have a upper midwest beakster bash. There are a lot of us around these parts and it is a long ride to the coasts! Who is in?
Julia
Now there's a good idea. You should follow up on that. Maybe in Lake City or LaCrosse or Prairie du Chien?
Charlie in PI
Posted: Sat Oct 29, 2005 6:23 am
by tipstall
Took a great 80 mile quick drive yesterday. Sunny but not very warm up here in Chicago. Found out the low fuel light works. Had lunch at this old western town place in Union, (forgot the camera so bad cell phone picture).
http://www.geocities.com/massettfamily/ ... rntown.jpg
Getting very use to the R. My transition from dirt had one major problem. I was not very good at releasing the clutch smooth. I'm sure it seems weird to you guys but in the dirt you just sort of drop the clutch and floor it. It took me awhile to release it nice and smooth from a stop and when down shifting.
