New Bike Fever is upon me

[DaveDragon]

I rolled into BMW of Tampa Bay at lunch time Thursday to grab a set of Plugs for the LT and while there I noticed a White 2006 GS Adventure sitting outside the shop door ready to be rolled in for final prep work.

Damn if it didn't start the New Bike Fever all over again!

It has the pannier frame installed but no Panniers or top box, it has the driving lights installed and tires designed more for street than trail.

The Price is $18,2xx.xx on this bike.

While I have no intention of purchasing another bike from this dealer due to the poor after sale service and more examples of customer non-service than I care to remember, I do drop in to look around and get the odds and ends I need for service work on the LT.

I have been "on the fence" as it were over purchasing the GS Adventure; I want one so bad I can taste it but the Doc that did my back surgery recommended I not even consider a bike capable of off-road riding to reduce the chances of further deterioration of previously damaged disks.

Armed with this info and the New Bike Monkey with a Four Handed Death Grip on my back; I have been test riding all kinds of new scooters from the GW to Ural, Kaw X-14 (just for fun) to ST1300 and FJR1300.

The only thing that comes close to having the ergonomics I need other than the LT is the GW. So I spent some more time on a new GW (150 miles or so over a 3 hour period) and while I can get and stay relatively comfortable on the GW, I have a need it just don't fill. In my not so humble opinion the GW just has no Heart or Soul to it. It is smooth as glass and the Mecca of Farkledom but I can't get past the feeling that it instills no passion at all in me.

Several members here reminded me I don't have to Jump the GS or take up off-road racing like I used to do in years past when I raced Enduros and Hare Scrambles to fully enjoy owning and riding the GSA. A few folks indicated they are just as comfortable on the GS as the LT.

Sue & I had a Heart to Heart about this last night and we decided to pull the trigger.http://www.bmwlt.com/forums/images/icons/icon10.gif

So today, if I can get in touch with my preferred dealer, Miller BMW in Tallahassee, I will be ordering my 06 R1200GS-Adventure.

BTW: The New Bike Monkey is the brother of the Trunk Monkey and he is relentless.

[Jim]

Great news, Dave.

I busted up my back a few years ago riding dirt with my son. Docs said operations were not guaranteed to fix it so I passed. No more bouncing around off road for me. That said, I am having a ball with my GS. After the LT, it is much lighter and more responsive. Your commute in traffic will be way easier. Too bad you can't lane split down there. ;) Granted, it is a trade off in things like wind protection, but it sounds like you are keeping the LT for longer rides. You are going to have a blast.

Enjoy...

[amarider]

Dave,
You caught the GS fever :eek:..... Your going to love it:D

Be warned though, there are more Farkles available for the GS than there are for the LT.

[usmctpdog]

Dave, You will Love the Adventure touring seating position and power.
I have a mucho farkled V-Strom 1000 and absolutely love it !
*I have a bad back also and getting a Russell custom saddle made all the difference in the world. I can ride the bike 8-10 hours with no pain.

Now my S/O loves it and has sold her Hardley Dangerous and is swooning over riding my 1000 V-Strom. Good thing, as my garage was getting way to crowded with 3 bikes!

I think you will be surprized how easy it is to bond with these machines
like the GS and DL.

[ranks]

before ordering all farkles from the dealer, check out http://www.bmwgs.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=3 (http://www.advrider.com), the advriders GSpot section. Lots of good info there.

Many paniers/bags to choose from, many windscreens, many crashbars, many cylinder-head protectors, etc..

If you get ABS, be sure and read the many posts about the BMW hand guards moving, ever so slightly, but enough to keep the brake or clutch from the fully extended position. Many ABS problems have turned out to be this.

Besides, even if you can't go bouncing around off road, you can read the stories and look at the pics of those who do. (Most do not take the GS offroad).

Enjoy the new bike, you'll LOVE it for sure !!

[DaveDragon]

Theres Off-Road and theres Off-Roading I guess.
I plan to hit the Haul Road to Deadhorse and leave some tracks at Prudhoe Bay http://www.bmwlt.com/forums/images/icons/icon10.gif
I don't plan on getting airborne but you never knowhttp://www.bmwlt.com/forums/images/icons/icon6.gif

[hawg]

Airborne?

Yikes! I didn't expect to go airborne either????? <evil grin>

[DaveDragon]

Well I just spoke to Dusty Miller by phone and placed my order.http://www.bmwlt.com/forums/images/icons/icon14.gif
He has one on the floor that has already been sold so I get the next one in.

Dusty checked the inventory system and it shows the GSA shipped from Das Vaterland this morning and should be through customs and at the dealership in 20 days, then a few days to prep and sign the line.http://www.bmwlt.com/forums/images/icons/icon10.gif

Alpine White, Heated Grips, Computer, Fog Lights, Clear Lenses, ABS and Saddle Bag Mounts.

The price he quoted me is substantially better than what I got from the Tampa Dealer.

OK I"M NOW OFFICIALLY STOKED http://totalmotorcycle.com/BBS/images/smiles/shooting_smilie2.gif

[hawg]

Well I just spoke to Dusty Miller by phone and placed my order.http://www.bmwlt.com/forums/images/icons/icon14.gif
He has one on the floor that has already been sold so I get the next one in.

Dusty checked the inventory system and it shows the GSA shipped from Das Vaterland this morning and should be through customs and at the dealership in 20 days, then a few days to prep and sign the line.http://www.bmwlt.com/forums/images/icons/icon10.gif

Alpine White, Heated Grips, Computer, Fog Lights, Clear Lenses, ABS and Saddle Bag Mounts.

The price he quoted me is substantially better than what I got from the Tampa Dealer.

OK I"M NOW OFFICIALLY STOKED http://totalmotorcycle.com/BBS/images/smiles/shooting_smilie2.gif


Good on ya, Dave!!! Woohoo!

Wuz this you trying out a GS???
http://baldy.smugmug.com/photos/46769506-M.jpg


BTW, what color did ya order? What farkles, too?

[DaveDragon]

Good on ya, Dave!!! Woohoo!

Wuz this you trying out a GS???
http://baldy.smugmug.com/photos/46769506-M.jpg


BTW, what color did ya order? What farkles, too?

I wish :)
More like this:
http://www.bmwlt.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=3064

[eatanner]

I hear the Tejas Hill County calling you, Dave. I'll need a closer looky. Congrats.

[grifscoots]

Well I just spoke to Dusty Miller by phone and placed my order.http://www.bmwlt.com/forums/images/icons/icon14.gif


Jealous, I'm so farking jealous!!!:p

Good onya, man!

[pjessen]

Congrats on the new scoot, Dave! You'll love it. They make a great horse to ride almost anywhere. Looks like you need to sign up for the Top of the Rockies Rally and join a bunch of the boys from Texas that make it annually. Miles and miles of cool roads above 10k, even in the middle of summer...GS country!

www.coloradobeemers.com

[DaveDragon]

I hear the Tejas Hill County calling you, Dave. I'll need a closer looky. Congrats.
I miss the Hill Country, been 10 years since my last trip to Austin.
I need a dose of Rudy's Q!

[DaveDragon]

Jealous, I'm so farking jealous!!!:p

Good onya, man!
Thanks Grand Pappy!