Wow - great post. I expect your sentiment and enthusiasm are shared by most everyone who frequents this forum - especially after having made it through the LT learning curve.
What a difference a year makes!!
What a difference a year makes!
It was exactly 1 year ago today that I took the last ride on my 05 Suzuki Boulevard, traded up to a BMW and drove my new to me 2000 LT home for the first time. It was love at first test ride, except for the fact that someone left the seat heaters on and I had no idea at the time how to shut them off. (Talk about burnt biscuits!!) It had brand new tires, exactly 22,000 miles on the odometer and a whole slew of fun little issues that I didn't know about except for blinking ABS lights. (that I knew going in)
On that long ago first trip home from the dealer, I was going down the highway creeping up to triple digits and decided to get off the highway just to top off the fuel tank. It showed half full. As I was leaving the exit ramp it started to stumble a bit but I made it to the pump ok. When I filled it up it took a hearty 6.3 gallons! Not knowing the size of the tank I thought. "dang, this thing must have a 12 gallon tank!" I later learned different... (I was out of gas) Little did I know a canisterectomy and float surgery were in my future.
Once I got it home I went about finding out how to reset the lights on the ABS. (Many thanks for those that calmed me down in those early days here on this great forum!) I was near to panic many times thinking I broke it. Well, loooooong story short it turned out that the previous owner thought it was a good idea to drill a large hole through the negative battery cable and bolt an L bracket from the hardware store and wrap it all up in tape to make it look original. I am glad to say, I am now not intimidated by electrical issues on this bike. Once I fixed this and reset the lights, viola! Functional ABS!!
Greatly encouraged, I went and did all of the needed service and more. Over the last year, I have installed LED lights in various places. Bought and sold some Darius boards, checked the valves, put on the HID upgrade. Basically made the bike my own.
I can proudly claim (knocking on wood) that I have not yet dropped the bike! I realize this may curse me tomorrow but today, I can still gloat by saying I did not drop it in the first year!
Whew!! I now have the confidence to work on other LT owners bikes and have even gone well into the engine fixing some burnt rod bearings and a defective chain tensioner.
Last May I joined a local BMW club (BMW Motorrad Club Northern Illinois) and have traveled a lot of miles going to breakfasts with the members. This was a good move for me and is a great encouragement to keep riding. I currently hold the position of Director in the club and have redesigned the club logo to meet the new BMW guidelines. My wife Carolyn, is currently enrolled in a Rider Safety Training Course and so far she hasn't dumped it. (Don't worry, she is not learning on the LT) I think she will do fine if she can just stop trying to over think everything and relax.
My only real regrets are 1. the temporary insanity that caused me to sell off the very nice trailer hitch that came with the bike and 2. that I still have not met any of you forum members face to face. I had the pleasure of talking with John Zeiler over the phone during the "sewing machine noise" issue but so far no faces to names yet. I hope this changes soon at some rallies. I am planning on going to the RA rally in Colorado if anyone wants to meet up! Also, I am hoping to go to Lacrosse WI on Memorial Day and possibly CCR. Later in the fall I will go to Potosi MO for the falling leaf rally.
Even if we never meet in person I am truly grateful for all of the helpful advice and support so many of you have so freely given!
It has been an amazing year! After 11000 miles of great memories and new friends, I have no less than doubled my riding skills, thanks in large part to a certain 77 year old German gentleman who drives like Rodan is coming over the horizon behind him! I have completely fried a rear Metzler tire down to the cords, replaced my all of my riding gear, believe in the virtues of ATTGATT and get butterflies in my stomach at the thought of long rides.
My bike now sits in my shop on its 1 year anniversary, with brand new tires (Avon's) and exactly 33,000 miles on the odometer waiting to start the next full year of riding fun.....! I can't wait to see what the rest of this season brings!
I realize now that while I used to like riding, I have never truly enjoyed this sport until I bought the LT and joined this forum. A VERY sincere thank you to everyone!!!
Kirk J
It was exactly 1 year ago today that I took the last ride on my 05 Suzuki Boulevard, traded up to a BMW and drove my new to me 2000 LT home for the first time. It was love at first test ride, except for the fact that someone left the seat heaters on and I had no idea at the time how to shut them off. (Talk about burnt biscuits!!) It had brand new tires, exactly 22,000 miles on the odometer and a whole slew of fun little issues that I didn't know about except for blinking ABS lights. (that I knew going in)
On that long ago first trip home from the dealer, I was going down the highway creeping up to triple digits and decided to get off the highway just to top off the fuel tank. It showed half full. As I was leaving the exit ramp it started to stumble a bit but I made it to the pump ok. When I filled it up it took a hearty 6.3 gallons! Not knowing the size of the tank I thought. "dang, this thing must have a 12 gallon tank!" I later learned different... (I was out of gas) Little did I know a canisterectomy and float surgery were in my future.
Once I got it home I went about finding out how to reset the lights on the ABS. (Many thanks for those that calmed me down in those early days here on this great forum!) I was near to panic many times thinking I broke it. Well, loooooong story short it turned out that the previous owner thought it was a good idea to drill a large hole through the negative battery cable and bolt an L bracket from the hardware store and wrap it all up in tape to make it look original. I am glad to say, I am now not intimidated by electrical issues on this bike. Once I fixed this and reset the lights, viola! Functional ABS!!
Greatly encouraged, I went and did all of the needed service and more. Over the last year, I have installed LED lights in various places. Bought and sold some Darius boards, checked the valves, put on the HID upgrade. Basically made the bike my own.
I can proudly claim (knocking on wood) that I have not yet dropped the bike! I realize this may curse me tomorrow but today, I can still gloat by saying I did not drop it in the first year!
Whew!! I now have the confidence to work on other LT owners bikes and have even gone well into the engine fixing some burnt rod bearings and a defective chain tensioner.
Last May I joined a local BMW club (BMW Motorrad Club Northern Illinois) and have traveled a lot of miles going to breakfasts with the members. This was a good move for me and is a great encouragement to keep riding. I currently hold the position of Director in the club and have redesigned the club logo to meet the new BMW guidelines. My wife Carolyn, is currently enrolled in a Rider Safety Training Course and so far she hasn't dumped it. (Don't worry, she is not learning on the LT) I think she will do fine if she can just stop trying to over think everything and relax.
My only real regrets are 1. the temporary insanity that caused me to sell off the very nice trailer hitch that came with the bike and 2. that I still have not met any of you forum members face to face. I had the pleasure of talking with John Zeiler over the phone during the "sewing machine noise" issue but so far no faces to names yet. I hope this changes soon at some rallies. I am planning on going to the RA rally in Colorado if anyone wants to meet up! Also, I am hoping to go to Lacrosse WI on Memorial Day and possibly CCR. Later in the fall I will go to Potosi MO for the falling leaf rally.
Even if we never meet in person I am truly grateful for all of the helpful advice and support so many of you have so freely given!
It has been an amazing year! After 11000 miles of great memories and new friends, I have no less than doubled my riding skills, thanks in large part to a certain 77 year old German gentleman who drives like Rodan is coming over the horizon behind him! I have completely fried a rear Metzler tire down to the cords, replaced my all of my riding gear, believe in the virtues of ATTGATT and get butterflies in my stomach at the thought of long rides.
My bike now sits in my shop on its 1 year anniversary, with brand new tires (Avon's) and exactly 33,000 miles on the odometer waiting to start the next full year of riding fun.....! I can't wait to see what the rest of this season brings!
I realize now that while I used to like riding, I have never truly enjoyed this sport until I bought the LT and joined this forum. A VERY sincere thank you to everyone!!!
Kirk J
1 - 15 of 15 Posts
Nice post. You have certainly come a long way as many in this forum have. Congrats!14wntr said:What a difference a year makes!
It was exactly 1 year ago today that I took the last ride on my 05 Suzuki Boulevard, traded up to a BMW and drove my new to me 2000 LT home for the first time. It was love at first test ride, except for the fact that someone left the seat heaters on and I had no idea at the time how to shut them off. (Talk about burnt biscuits!!) It had brand new tires, exactly 22,000 miles on the odometer and a whole slew of fun little issues that I didn't know about except for blinking ABS lights. (that I knew going in)
On that long ago first trip home from the dealer, I was going down the highway creeping up to triple digits and decided to get off the highway just to top off the fuel tank. It showed half full. As I was leaving the exit ramp it started to stumble a bit but I made it to the pump ok. When I filled it up it took a hearty 6.3 gallons! Not knowing the size of the tank I thought. "dang, this thing must have a 12 gallon tank!" I later learned different... (I was out of gas) Little did I know a canisterectomy and float surgery were in my future.
Once I got it home I went about finding out how to reset the lights on the ABS. (Many thanks for those that calmed me down in those early days here on this great forum!) I was near to panic many times thinking I broke it. Well, loooooong story short it turned out that the previous owner thought it was a good idea to drill a large hole through the negative battery cable and bolt an L bracket from the hardware store and wrap it all up in tape to make it look original. I am glad to say, I am now not intimidated by electrical issues on this bike. Once I fixed this and reset the lights, viola! Functional ABS!!
Greatly encouraged, I went and did all of the needed service and more. Over the last year, I have installed LED lights in various places. Bought and sold some Darius boards, checked the valves, put on the HID upgrade. Basically made the bike my own.
I can proudly claim (knocking on wood) that I have not yet dropped the bike! I realize this may curse me tomorrow but today, I can still gloat by saying I did not drop it in the first year!
Whew!! I now have the confidence to work on other LT owners bikes and have even gone well into the engine fixing some burnt rod bearings and a defective chain tensioner.
Last May I joined a local BMW club (BMW Motorrad Club Northern Illinois) and have traveled a lot of miles going to breakfasts with the members. This was a good move for me and is a great encouragement to keep riding. I currently hold the position of Director in the club and have redesigned the club logo to meet the new BMW guidelines. My wife Carolyn, is currently enrolled in a Rider Safety Training Course and so far she hasn't dumped it. (Don't worry, she is not learning on the LT) I think she will do fine if she can just stop trying to over think everything and relax.
My only real regrets are 1. the temporary insanity that caused me to sell off the very nice trailer hitch that came with the bike and 2. that I still have not met any of you forum members face to face. I had the pleasure of talking with John Zeiler over the phone during the "sewing machine noise" issue but so far no faces to names yet. I hope this changes soon at some rallies. I am planning on going to the RA rally in Colorado if anyone wants to meet up! Also, I am hoping to go to Lacrosse WI on Memorial Day and possibly CCR. Later in the fall I will go to Potosi MO for the falling leaf rally.
Even if we never meet in person I am truly grateful for all of the helpful advice and support so many of you have so freely given!
It has been an amazing year! After 11000 miles of great memories and new friends, I have no less than doubled my riding skills, thanks in large part to a certain 77 year old German gentleman who drives like Rodan is coming over the horizon behind him! I have completely fried a rear Metzler tire down to the cords, replaced my all of my riding gear, believe in the virtues of ATTGATT and get butterflies in my stomach at the thought of long rides.
My bike now sits in my shop on its 1 year anniversary, with brand new tires (Avon's) and exactly 33,000 miles on the odometer waiting to start the next full year of riding fun.....! I can't wait to see what the rest of this season brings!
I realize now that while I used to like riding, I have never truly enjoyed this sport until I bought the LT and joined this forum. A VERY sincere thank you to everyone!!!
Kirk J
(I had to put some paragraph breaks in your post so that I could read it more easily)
Thanks. When I posted it I really didnt consider its readability in regards to paragraphs. I originally wrote it in word and then copied it over. I have edited the first post.
Come to CCR and meet a bunch of us. Duluth is not that far away!
Very Nice. I too have just finished my first year of LT ownership and share your excitement. :bmw: :bmw:
Great post and nice to read some positive news.
Yes, the forum is fantastic. I cannot say enough good things about the information residing on this website -- the members are fantastic.
P.S. Your line about the battery and ABS issue was great. If you have not read the article in the MOA mag, it talks about the issues that crop up and how they are sometimes related to the last thing we touched or did.
Yes, the forum is fantastic. I cannot say enough good things about the information residing on this website -- the members are fantastic.
P.S. Your line about the battery and ABS issue was great. If you have not read the article in the MOA mag, it talks about the issues that crop up and how they are sometimes related to the last thing we touched or did.
Great read!
I have had mine close to a month now and really liking it..the more I ride it and figure it out the sweeter it is.
Tried speed shifting a few times without the clutch on a 60 mile ride I just took..after she gets rolling she will run pretty good!
Curves are real sweet compared to my old Voyager!
Love the 6 cd changer and can even play cassettes!
Seems to run great but 38-42 mpg is all I'm seeing..but that said I see 7k or more on the tach prolly more then I should..but I can't help it!!! :bmw:
I have had mine close to a month now and really liking it..the more I ride it and figure it out the sweeter it is.
Tried speed shifting a few times without the clutch on a 60 mile ride I just took..after she gets rolling she will run pretty good!
Curves are real sweet compared to my old Voyager!
Love the 6 cd changer and can even play cassettes!
Seems to run great but 38-42 mpg is all I'm seeing..but that said I see 7k or more on the tach prolly more then I should..but I can't help it!!! :bmw:
Awesome post, thank you for sharing your first year with us. Hope to see you around for many more to come.
Very cool post! I bought my used 2002 LT in Boise, Idaho, and rode it back to Dallas in 3 days. I had never ridden a full-on touring bike before (old sport bike rider), and wasn't sure I liked the experience. The Bimmer was so top heavy, and although I didn't know it at the time, the Metzlers that were on it were hard as a rock, and made the bike a real pain to lay over through turns, especially two up; the lousy headlights gave me some harrowing experiences cutting through the Utah canyons after dark. However, with some new Avons, the bike was transformed. It is still top heavy, but it bites into corners, and holds well. I have a cruiser for tooling around on Saturdays, and I like both of my bikes, but the LT beckons me, even for short, 200 mile jaunts. I am wary of FD failures, and I wish the radio/tape/CD player had better sound, but I love the convenience of the hard bags and various storage spaces. Unfortunately, I don't have the confidence to peel off the tupperware to do some of the easy stuff I would like to do. There are so many little plastic clamps and tiny pieces to break! Just changing the windshield a couple of times, I need to replace the plastic bracket covers.Oh, well, such is life. I do love riding the bike, and I hope to run up the West Coast this year. See ya' out there!
Come on over one of these days soon and we can put your bike up on the lift table so I can show you how to do your regular maint and also remove/install the tupperware.Skisinger said:Very cool post! I bought my used 2002 LT in Boise, Idaho, and rode it back to Dallas in 3 days. I had never ridden a full-on touring bike before (old sport bike rider), and wasn't sure I liked the experience. The Bimmer was so top heavy, and although I didn't know it at the time, the Metzlers that were on it were hard as a rock, and made the bike a real pain to lay over through turns, especially two up; the lousy headlights gave me some harrowing experiences cutting through the Utah canyons after dark. However, with some new Avons, the bike was transformed. It is still top heavy, but it bites into corners, and holds well. I have a cruiser for tooling around on Saturdays, and I like both of my bikes, but the LT beckons me, even for short, 200 mile jaunts. I am wary of FD failures, and I wish the radio/tape/CD player had better sound, but I love the convenience of the hard bags and various storage spaces. Unfortunately, I don't have the confidence to peel off the tupperware to do some of the easy stuff I would like to do. There are so many little plastic clamps and tiny pieces to break! Just changing the windshield a couple of times, I need to replace the plastic bracket covers.Oh, well, such is life. I do love riding the bike, and I hope to run up the West Coast this year. See ya' out there!
Really is quite simple, even though intimidating at first. I felt the same way back in 2006, and other have helped and taught me along the way. Soon you will be helping others too!
PM me for contact details.
+1. It was someone from this forum that suggested the same to me. I hope I never have to miss one, as this is the highlight of my summer.
jzeiler said:Come to CCR and meet a bunch of us. Duluth is not that far away!
:histerica That is exactly what happened to me when I rode mine home some 8 months ago! 60 miles of burnin' the butt! Thanks so much for your comments!14wntr said:What a difference a year makes!
It was exactly 1 year ago today that I took the last ride on my 05 Suzuki Boulevard, traded up to a BMW and drove my new to me 2000 LT home for the first time. It was love at first test ride, except for the fact that someone left the seat heaters on and I had no idea at the time how to shut them off. (Talk about burnt biscuits!!)
Great post and I will be happy to meet you at some point in the future, but until then be safe and keeeeeep ooonnn smiling! :bike:
Great Post! Great Forum! Great Bike! And Great people here!
FD
FD
1 - 15 of 15 Posts
- This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
BMW Luxury Touring Community
A forum community dedicated to BMW Luxury Touring motorcycle owners and enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about performance, modifications, classifieds, troubleshooting, maintenance, reviews, and more!
Full Forum Listing
Explore Our Forums
Top Contributors this Month
View All
kbob12
56 Replies
williamshanejackson
46 Replies
Wazza
29 Replies
Recommended Communities
