In 2003, I finally managed to add a new bike to my stable (ok, now I own two), a perfect 1998 BMW K1200RS. After searching for a couple of years, I found a very low mileage example nearby in Chicago. These are incredible machines, and I've now been able to log some good long-distance rides on it, just as I'd hoped.
My trusty touring mount for years had been a 1978 Yamaha SR500. I've been a member of the Four Stroke Singles National Owner's Club (FSSNOC, pronounced FizzNock) since 1992. If you're a fan of this unique style of motorcycle, you should be a member. It's great to attend their events, for example, the national rally I attended in Farmington, NY in 1999.
Past rides included a 1974 Honda MT250 Elsinore, and a 1974 Kawasaki 500 H1 Mach III.
I've become enamored of motorcycle touring -- there's no better way to see the country. And yes, it can be a challenge to tour on an SR500: one cylinder, hard narrow seat, only 30 hp or so. But it does hold 70-80 mph without strain, and gets 50-55 mpg in the process. I've ended up learning a lot from the participants on the LDRider Mailing List, among whom are quite a few members of the Iron Butt Association, who specialize in promoting the safe practice of endurance riding. I completed my qualifying Saddlesore 1000 ride (1000 or more miles in fewer than 24 hours) on July 20, 1999 on my SR500 and received my certificate in September, 1999. I completed a BunBurner 1500 ride on my K1200RS in 2003 with a run to Vega, TX and back.
I use these links frequently:
Motorcycle Tourers Forum, friendly folks who enjoy all types of riding
Internet BMW Riders, great resource for all things BMW-bike'ish
I-BMW.com, devoted to K1200RS motorcycles (thanks Vic!)
The Thumper Page, devoted to four stroke single motorcycles
Motorcycle Online, probably the best one-stop site on the 'net
Iron Butt Association, whose members' antics I enjoy reading about enormously
Free, personalized travel maps at mytriplogs.com
No comments:
Post a Comment