BMW GS Motorcycle riding?

Nachtycoupe

Nachtycoupe

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I ride but I'm thinkg of selling all my bikes. Been riding since I was a kid, but not like this. Rider behind this guy says GS, guessing a BMW...my palms are sweaty just watching it. Crazy.


As they say, it's not matter of "if" you go down or get into a wreck, it is a matter of "when." Seen lots of these guys get helicoptered off off Ortega over the years.
 
I used to ride regularly when I lived on the west coast, but when I moved to the east coast the riding season was so short that I stopped.

I have thought about buying a bike to restore (less space than another car), but I know I would want to ride and what scares me most is how inattentive drivers are these days. Too many are still using their phones while driving...

I remember a CHP officer talking to a group of us about two kinds of motorcycle riders, "those that have gone down and those that will go down."
 
My friend who owns the largest vintage motorcycle collection in the US had a very bad crash last weekend and is the hospital with a broken back in 3 places, loss of feeling in fingers and toes, and with breathing assistance. We're all praying for a recovery. As much as I love the look of vintage bikes, none of that for me.
 
I stopped riding years ago when two friends were killed within a year. Favorite scary story: A buddy broke his leg in a crash. Then he broke the other leg in a crash with the other leg still in a cast.
 
for me, its not the riding of the bike that is bad ... its the idiot drivers out there that don't pay any attention to bikes and roll thru stop signs and right turns on red without stopping ... and my personal favorite, put their blinker on for a lane change after they have started to move over. and i see that in many places other than Atlanta too.
 
I drove my KZ1000Z1R like that when I was 18... until I got laid out by a distracted driver. Only a matter of time.
 
^I cannot disagree with anything already said.^

I ride a 2019 R1250GS. I have been a BMW MOA member since 1986, and riding since 1976 when my dad bought me a Yamaha 80GT. I may have 400,000 mi under my belt. Some years, when I was young, and saving money, I rode pretty much all year long. I have probably owned a100 motorcycles, every BMW variant since R75/5 SWB, and I used to own a dozen, and rare, Moto Guzzi collection.

I don't ride much anymore. My bike is 6 years old and has 6,000 mi on it! Always wear full suit aerostitch, boots, gloves, etc. I have owned many many cars, but nothing is as much fun as motorcycles!
 
Everyone is on point with the comments IMO. It is hard to let them go when Spring rolls around but I think my riding days are numbered. Lots of fire roads and single track here that I feel much safer on, but I do ride to get there. The street bike is awesome but yeah, too many distracted drivers etc. Not sure it is worth it anymore. o_O Even riding an electric bike with no shoulder or bike lane I feel vulnerable to the crazy drivers. Even more so than a motorcycle. At least they make noise.
 
I've got a 1995 Honda VFR750 that I love to death but hate riding in the Seattle area with how poor the other drivers are. What used to be a fun way to commute and enjoy myself is now stressful. I still have an old XL500 that I have in Eastern WA that I use as a beer-run bike in Chelan or fire road exploration bike, but that is about the extent of riding that I do anymore.
 
I had a Yamaha dirt bike when I was in my early teens, then had a Yamaha Seca 400 in college. I love the feeling of freedom being on a bike. Last fall, I read an article on BMWs new r12 s, a retro version of one of my all time favorite bikes. I was smitten and told myself it might end up being a collectors item. My plan was to sell the e30 and use the money to help fund it. Even talked the dealer about ordering one. Then reality set in, I'm now 60 and probably don't have the reaction time I did at 20 plus it's a way more powerful bike than I've ever had. It was fun dreaming about it for a bit. If I need to go for a ride, I'll stick to my little mini bike.


IMG_0519.jpeg
 
My fault but a head on collision at somewhere around 30 MPH thank the powers that be for helmets, I went throughm the windshield A one year recovery. As soon as I was able, borrowed a friends bike and went out for a ride to see if I was scared to ride again. I wasn't, but other than few times I stopped alltogether as it affected my wife as well
 
I bought a Husqvarna 450 vintage racer.

My Doctor had a sit down intervention with me after my 3rd ride/visit. It wasn’t going well.

Mind you I just finished 80 miles here in Portugal with a Bolt scooter…..
Wearing a helmet and gloves

I stare at people riding in shorts and tee shirts - scary!
 
Don,
I didn't"t know you were a biker.
In 1969 I bought a new Honda CB750 while I was with the Royal Air Force in Singapore when I was 21,
I still have it and ride very occasionally but it seems to be getting heavier every year and if I ever dropped it I don't know how I would get it up again
 
vince said:
I had a Yamaha dirt bike when I was in my early teens, then had a Yamaha Seca 400 in college. I love the feeling of freedom being on a bike. Last fall, I read an article on BMWs new r12 s, a retro version of one of my all time favorite bikes. I was smitten and told myself it might end up being a collectors item. My plan was to sell the e30 and use the money to help fund it. Even talked the dealer about ordering one. Then reality set in, I'm now 60 and probably don't have the reaction time I did at 20 plus it's a way more powerful bike than I've ever had. It was fun dreaming about it for a bit. If I need to go for a ride, I'll stick to my little mini bike.


View attachment 203026
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These are actually VERY collectible now...but I' sure you know that. Killer bike in great shape. If you ever sell, let me know. This is more my speed now too...LOL Sadly.
 
Nachtycoupe said:
These are actually VERY collectible now...but I' sure you know that. Killer bike in great shape. If you ever sell, let me know. This is more my speed now too...LOL Sadly.
Click to expand...

Thanks, I've wanted a Honda 70 since I was 8 or 9, it only took 50 years to get one. :) Actually, it's a copy and it's only 3 years old - it's a 125, disc brake, and electric start. The guy I bought it from bought and installed everything thing to make it look just like a Trail 70, things like retro blinkers, rear light, mirrors, front fender, and the logos. I changed out the wheels and put bigger tires on it.
 
125cc even better. I saw that in the picture but didn't think it was referring to cc's since the bike is so small. When you say "copy" is it still Japanese made? It must rip...
 
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