Junior is in a canine boarding facility certain I have abandoned him and my Vespa sits in the garage waiting patiently for it’s next outing.
Myself, well, I’m sitting in a hotel lobby in Cleveland wondering what to do for the next few hours before an afternoon appointment. I have my Leica M6 and a lot of film. I have my journal. I have my iPhone. And I have a dozen pages of handwritten notes and stories about the BMW F650 GS that had last month. Craig Kissell is probably beginning to wonder if I will ever post on that bike.
The BMW was a different experience than everything else I’ve ridden. Who would have thought a mere machine would cause a mini crisis of faith…
I’ll have time to work them out over the next few days as I post these letters from Cleveland.
— Posted from my iPhone
The 650GS was a near crisis of faith?!? Do tell!
I recently had my mechanic do some work I was unwilling to do and me casually mentioned that the maintenance costs of a new 650GS are lower than what I am doing for the R80 airhead beemer……hmmmmm
BMW motorcycles will do that to a person. My first test ride of a BMW was some 14 years ago, I still have the bike today.
I look forward to reading your thoughts on the 650GS.
GAW
Charlie: I am not an engineer or mechanic so I can’t make any statements with authority. But I can share my observations on how I perceive the way this thing was put together. The short comment is “Wow”! Any elaboration will have to wait for a time when I am not tapping on my iPhone.
GAW: It has been apparent to me that the men and women who ride BMWs love them and are committed. Once I post my longer review I am anxious to learn a few more things from other BMW riders.
Steve, I can relate you your “crisis.” I’m glad I’m married to a F650GS owner so that I can ride it often. Love my bike more, but I will need a GS fix every now and again!
Steve: looking forward to your observations on the BMW. Can’t wait to read more about your “mini crisis of faith.”
Uh oh, next will come the muted German silver one piece riding suit, aluminum panniers covered with travel stickers, a 300 liter tank bag, and weekend ride reports from BMW rallies a minimum of five states away.
😉
Dear Steve:
I tried to warn you about this… Yet you just laughed in my face. Feels a little odd now, doesn’t it? That desire to start the day with two fried eggs over wiener schnitzel? Pouring yourself a beer at the end of the day in mug that looks like a Bavarian castle? Wanting to be the tuba player in the oompah band?
Just give into it. Give the man at the dealership all your money. Get the roundel. Next year’s MOA rally is in Bloomsburg, Pa. I’ll introduce you to the guys. We’ve all been through this. It’s nothing.
Sojourner rides: You are in the drivers seat having a bike you love and a BMW fix when you need it. I’m curious though–does your husband ever say he needs a fix on your bike?
Mike: Yeah, the crisis of faith has long lingered beneath the surface. Maybe it’s time to drive a stake through it.
Doug: I have the one-piece silver Olympia riding suit. Does that count?
The other stuff you outline certainly plays into my mental pictures of a BMW.
Mr. Riepe: I will not waver, I will not give in, I will not go quietly into the night!
Do you think the dealer will take a personal check?
Speaking of Weiner Schneitzel–the best meal I ever had in my life was in a small restaraunt in Marchellenberg (?) Austria. The finest weiner schneitzel. Nothing has come close to that meal back in 1968.
Still I search…
Where’s Junior? Stone Valley, or Royal?
Anonymous: Junior stayed with a local dog trainer this time. He gets all the care he needs and some extra training too.