Traded In Two, Bought One New

[dhgeyer]

In my seemingly never ending search for the perfect motorcycle, I have reconfigured. Today I traded in my 2006 Kawasaki Concours and my 1996 BMW R850R for a brand new BMW R1200R. BMW has a promotion going. Buy the bike, and they'll throw in the hardbags, which are luggage like, easily removable, quite large, and of course lockable. They would have added another $1,000.00 to the cost of the bike. In addition, BMW knocked $800.00 off the top. I decided it was time for a change.

I used part of the $800.00 to put a big windshield on it. It doesn't really lack anything else I want. It has ABS, and all sorts of electronic farkles built in. It is fed by closed loop FI with a catalytic converter for emission control, which will help decrease all this global warming we're (not) having. The engine is counterbalanced. The suspension is the excellent telelever front, and paralever single sided swingarm/driveshaft rear.
It has a six speed transmission, over a hundred ponies, and will do a tested 125 mph, which it will never see, or even close to it while I own it.

I test rode one last Summer, and I must say it has the smoothest engine and throttle response of any bike I ever rode. And it's white. I always wanted a white BMW boxer ever since a good friend from my high school days had one.

Anyway, this should keep me happy for at least 3 years. I'll have to keep it at least until the warranty runs out or my wife will kill me.

We're having the second snowstorm in 3 days here, so there's no possibility of riding for a while. The dealer is coming by tomorrow with a box truck to deliver the new bike and pick up my trade-ins.

So, now I'm down to two, much to the joy of my wife. I kept the GZ250, of course. I'm having way too much fun with that to part with it any time soon, and so is my daughter.

In the Spring, after some get acquainted rides and the initial service, I plan to do a coast-to-coast on the new Beemer. I recently was given a Blackberry, which I have equipped with a text editor and an FTP client. I also got a few micro SD cards and an adapter, so I can take pictures with my D80 (I'll have to leave the D300 home), edit/resize them in the camera, and get them onto the Blackberry. This means that I can do a live blog with pictures as I travel, without the need for a computer. It'll be a fun trip and project. I can also keep up with this forum with the Blackberry, as it has a decent web browser.

[mrlmd1]

Nice going - you should be happy for a little while. Don't forget to get some pics up here so we can all drool.
I went out and got another one too, nothing as fancy or as exotic as that but just for fun. A 2006 Kawasaki Ninja 250 in perfect almost new shape with only 4000 miles to add to my S50, just to try a different type of bike and hone up my skills. I'll get pics up soon, can't wait to see yours. It's hard to pass up a new bike when the price is right.

[Water Warrior 2]

Just Googled for a pic. Nice looking ride. One of my coffee buds has an older model and just loves it. He thinks nothing of just topping up the tank and disappearing for a week or two. Post some pics soonest. Gotta see it in white.

[dhgeyer]

I was just about to say I should have taken some pics at the dealership, but then I realized that the dealer had one up on their site. Not a great picture, but it will have to do until I can take some. You have to picture it with hardbags and a tall windshield, though. They have to order them, so I get the bike naked to start out with. I'll have them in plenty of time for the real riding season, though. I'll take some better pictures ASAP.

http://s3.postimage.org/1TPTZS.jpg (http://www.postimage.org/image.php?v=Pq1TPTZS)

mrlmd1,
You're going to love that Ninja, I guarantee it! Wish I'd never parted with ours. There's just so much fun loaded into that thing! Congratulations.

[burkbuilds]

Wow, really nice! I'm sure you will enjoy this bike. One of my good friends rode a BMW for years and he had nothing but praise for it!

[Water Warrior 2]

Spring must be just around the corner. New bikes, new destinations, new experiences.

[BusyWeb]

Congrats...
I also look forward for a beemer; f800 GS, for the little dirt ventures.
But, its too exprnsive, so I'm going to wait for years for the good used one... ha ha ha
Anyway, waiting for the riding report with your new bike...

[alanmcorcoran]

dh,

I was thinking about that one too, for touring rides. Stay in touch and let us know how it compares for long rides.

[dhgeyer]

dh,

I was thinking about that one too, for touring rides. Stay in touch and let us know how it compares for long rides.

Alan,

Oh, I'll definitely keep you all posted on my progress getting to know my white horseless stallion, and as the rides get longer I'll let you know how it's working out. I may want to replace the saddle, but on this type of bike that's a simple drop in, no mod required. Other than that, people actually do iron butt rallies on this model. But I'll let you know how it works out for me.

If I actually make to California this Spring, maybe you could take it for a spin and see what you think yourself.

Dave

[alanmcorcoran]

Yeah, too bad you are on the opposite coast. A cross country run has been on my mind for a few years.

I'm in Chicago this week and I've picked up a lot of work. I may take the bike out here in the spring to stretch my range. I've already done 350+ in a day - I think this is a 2000 mile each way. Maybe take four or five days to do it. Have any of the rest of you ridden from Chicago to CA or Chicago to Florida? How many days did you plan on?

I think I can probably manage okay on the Strat, but the Beemer seemed to have a much greater cruising range (Bigger gas tank and better mileage). Of course, my back and neck probably don't want to go more than a couple of hours or so without a rest.

[Moedad]

Suh-WEET! Nice bike! I'm envious.

[dhgeyer]

Alan,

On most of my longer trips I average 250 to 300 miles a day, assuming a mix of highway and good, US marked 2 lane routes. If it's only a day or two I can do a fair amount longer, but day after day it adds up. You have to watch out for being more tired than you realize, because it's such an exciting and fun way to travel, and requires more effort and concentration than a car. The average I just quoted includes a day off every few days, or at least with very limited riding.

If you've never done touring, good advice would be to do a couple of 2 to 3 day rides. There's a whole science/art to figuring out what's important to you to bring in the limited space you have, and how to organize and pack it. With some obvious exceptions, it's a very individual thing. The first inclination is to seriously overpack, and regret it once out on the road. With experience you work the kinks out. Ultimately, there is no perfect solution. For 2000 miles each way, you will want more than just saddlebags. Options are a topcase (good because secure), a good sized tankbag, and/or a roll for clothing secured to a luggage rack or the back seat.

There are lots of places on the web to get touring tips and lore. Of course, for a trip like that, you need to plan bike maintenance ahead. Start with fresh tires, and a tune up. Have some idea how you're going to get an oil/filter change done somewhere. But, heck, planning a trip like that is part of the fun!

As for the bike, I personally never did distance well on cruisers, but that too is an individual thing. It's a question of which body part gives out first. After a long day in the saddle, something's going to hurt, it's just a question of what. This from a 63 year old in only moderately good shape. But, on the road I've talked to lots of MC touring people at the motels I've stayed at, and the most common bikes I encounter are various forms of Harleys. This isn't because people choose that type of bike for touring. It's because they buy Harleys, and then decide to tour, and a Harley is what they have. Most people do OK on them, although, depending on which generation of Harley they're riding, some of them have a lot of break downs.

I'd say go for it. You don't want to end up in a rocking chair with no teeth wishing you'd done it.

[dhgeyer]

Thanks Moedad! Now, if the roads would just clear up so I can ride it! Sure is fun staring at a brandy new bike in the garage.

[Water Warrior 2]

dhgeyer, you have pretty much said it all. My experience, take a day off from riding. Packed the wrong stuff or too much. Didn't have proper variety of clothing for all conditions. Alan, just a suggestion but it did work when Lynda and I started to ride together. Plan a couple overnighters and see what works and if you really needed some of the stuff. After last summer I just pack a handful of extra tools, a good variety of clothing for off/on the bike and any meds an old guy might need. Oh ya, spare eye glasses. Any light bulbs or small parts can be found at dealerships or auto stores. My bike always carries a first aid kit and half a liter of oil just in case. Tire pressure gauge too and plug kit if you have tubeless tires.

[alanmcorcoran]

Thanks for info. I did a mini tour in September, not sure if I posted the details. I left my house at about 1 or 2am on a Friday, rode in the dark up PCH to the 101 (oxnard?) and at about 5:30am Sat checked into a budget hotel. Got going again at about 11:30am and rode all the way up to Salinas on the 1 (Big Sur, and all of that.) Had dinner with my daughter, then to Laurel Inn. Sun AM did a tour of Cal State Monterrey bay (in her Chrysler) ate breakfast and hit the 101. Got home about 5:30pm. I think it was about 770 miles over about 40 hours or so. I packed very lightly (I am a seasoned traveler, just not on motorcycles,) basically my change of clothes and some emergency drink/food (which I returned home with unopened.) I'm not a camper any more so I didn't need tents, etc.

My biggest problem was a general uneasiness with riding for no particular reason. Once I got on the road I was basically in a hurry to get where I was going and didn't really enjoy the ride as much as I thought. I'm not sure if a different destination, or grander goal would help there. I've pursued many other pointless activities of moderate difficulty and dubious value (ran three marathons in '04 for example and did a double century in '96 on a bicycle) so I don't want to rule this out just yet. I'm "only" 51 so I guess I still have some time if I don't kill myself in the interim.

[Water Warrior 2]

Alan, you don't need a destination to ride. I quite often just go in search of a cup of coffee. If you do need a destination don't fret about time limits or the exact route. Look forward to detours and getting lost. Stop whenever/wherever you want just because you can. Sit out front of a Star Bucks with your coffee. Motorcycles and dogs attract new friends like a magnet. Make stops at different bike dealers just for the fun of it. You may find something you never knew you needed til you saw it there. Buy a T-shirt to remind you where you've been. I once drove an extra 1000 miles just to get a T-shirt while on vacation. That was my only actual destination that popped up while I was in New Mexico and thinking about a round about route home. Why, because I didn't buy it 18 years earlier when I was there. Ya, it was a special T-shirt. Still have it and wear it.
Riding across America, take your time, take a camera and capture memories. Oh, and a roll of TP, you never know.

[dhgeyer]

I think Alan touched upon a very real issue with touring, one that I still struggle with. It's something of a guilty pleasure. We're so conditioned, especially men, to be goal oriented, it's hard to let one's self purely enjoy watching the scenery go by while dancing with curves.

I find that when I'm touring there is always an argument going on in my head between "Put on a lot of miles so you've got something to show for the day.", and "Hey, you're on vacation here, smell the roses.". I'm acutely aware of the burden my absence puts on my wife and daughter, and the fact that they worry about me when I'm on the road on my bike. So I feel a pressure to get the trip done as quickly as possible, and still get it all in. Against this I balance the fact that nothing I've ever done has been quite as rewarding in the dimension of pure enjoyment, and, I don't want it to be over.

For my big trip this Summer, I am planning in advance to set a pace that allows lots of time for photography and exploring places on foot, and etc. I'm going to get the guilt out of the way before I leave, and really pace myself to enjoy the ride. At least this is the plan.

But, apart from my own issues, the point is that Alan is right. State of mind is just as important to enjoying this activity as getting the hardware right. And I think it does take a while to find the right balance, at least for most of us.

If this comes across as negative in any way, it's not intended that way. Nothing is perfect. No joy, at least in this life, is without some balancing drawbacks. Motorcycle touring for me beats anything else, and it's what I look forward to doing all year long. It's in my blood, and I need it.

This year I negotiated with Sue a new bike, arguably the safest model made anywhere, and a month or more on the road, whatever it takes, and I'm going to do this (God willing and the creek don't rise) at a pace that's ideal for fun and health (getting a good walk in every day). I'm going to finally tell that "hurry up" voice inside my head to shut the Hell up.

[burkbuilds]

dhgeyer,
I hope you have a great trip. I struggle with the "enjoy the ride vs get there!" all the time. I find that if I'm focused to much on the destination, I don't really enjoy the ride as much. I think you have the right attitude going in, just slow the pace a little and enjoy the trip while you are on it and the destination once you get there.

[mrlmd1]

"This year I negotiated with Sue a new bike, ARGUABLY THE SAFEST MODEL MADE ANYWHERE'.

While maybe or not that's true, that has to be one of the greatest lines or arguments of all time to get the wife to agree on the purchase of a new bike, as most of them don't understand what this is all about unless they ride too. Nice going, and good luck again with it.
And how do you convince her to for "a month or more on the road, whatever it takes, and I'm going to do this"? Either she truly understands your need to go for a long solo journey or she wants some peace and quiet for a month too. Do you take along a Spot Messenger so she can follow your travels online?
How soon 'till all the bags etc. are delivered and attached and you're ready to roll?
When I told my SO after the fact that I had bought a new bike, I used the lame excuse that I wanted a little more fun in my life and I could hone up my riding skills on the Ninja so I could better handle the S50 and she bought it and said "great, go for it, be happy and stay safe" What more could you want out of life?.

[Easy Rider]

My biggest problem was a general uneasiness with riding for no particular reason. Once I got on the road I was basically in a hurry to get where I was going and didn't really enjoy the ride as much as I thought.

In my experience, that is typical of folks from the "left coast". :poke2: :biggrin:

You need to spend some time on a midwest farm or in the south.......away from a big city.
It also helps to get OFF the super-slabs.....once you are away from the city.
In your area, just getting AWAY from the "city" (and the traffic) is a chore in itself.

[alanmcorcoran]

Good topic, although I could do without the "left coast" generalization. (FWIW, I spent the first half of my life mostly on the East Coast, and a third of that was in farm country in Ithaca, NY.)

I don't think my issue has anything to do with my surroundings - it's more attuned to what dh alluded to - "the conditioning to be goal oriented." In my case, it has less to do with ambition (I am extremely lazy and am capable of doing damn little of anything for long stretches) and more to do with dealing with mortality. I can't really be sure of the true motivation but I'd venture to say that it goes something like this: "When my number is up, if I've done x and y and z it'll be that much easier to accept." Of course, this is probably not going to be the case. I generally have a hard time accepting any minor setback and death is, of course, the Biggie. Nonetheless, a good deal of my life has been one long "bucket list."

In any case, I enjoyed reading the various takes on this, but the above is probably the main instigator/proponent behind my doing the double century, the marathons, playing the piano in public/keyboards in a band, taking over/running my company, writing/publishing books and learning to ride the motorcycle.
To be sure, many of these activities have, on occasion, provided that certain, elusive joy that comes from doing something well, almost perfectly, on a beautiful day, when everything seems to be going one's way. (I've had some real good days on the slopes skiing for example.) But that is not usually the default for me. I am often caught up in other distractions and many days, I'm just not doing the thing I'm doing particularly well or being all that into it.

Contrary to the back country/backroads purported appeal, some of the the most enjoyable rides I've had on the Stratoliner have been riding home from some coffeehouse/date/rendezvous, on the freeway at 10-11 o'clock at night, maybe with a full moon, moderate traffic. The bike just fees at home on a four lane and it's both relaxing and exhilarating to be out on two wheels astride a beautiful machine perfectly attuned to the task at hand. This is not to say I didn't enjoy some of my completely pointless rides out into the California desert, etc. but I do seem to appreciate my toys and life's little pleasures more when they are integrated into the regular flow of Things I Pretty Much Have To Do Anyway.

[dhgeyer]

And how do you convince her to go for "a month or more on the road, whatever it takes, and I'm going to do this"? Either she truly understands your need to go for a long solo journey or she wants some peace and quiet for a month too. Do you take along a Spot Messenger so she can follow your travels online?

How soon 'till all the bags etc. are delivered and attached and you're ready to roll?

When I told my SO after the fact that I had bought a new bike, I used the lame excuse that I wanted a little more fun in my life and I could hone up my riding skills on the Ninja so I could better handle the S50 and she bought it and said "great, go for it, be happy and stay safe" What more could you want out of life?.


Well, it helps to marry the most loving, understanding, forgiving, giving, and agreeable spirit God ever made, I swear. I really got that right the second time around. And, yes, she does understand my need for this. I'm just one lucky SOB, and that's all there is to it. I did have to deal a little. No more major trips for a year unless it's with her. No more big toys for a while. What the Hell, I get my dream bike and my dream trip, I can give a little. She also gets to spend some time away doing some stuff she wants to do while I hold down the fort at home. Our daughter has a condition such that one of us needs to be in town, so I owe her the same total time away, and that's fair.

I don't know what a Spot Messenger is. I have my Blackberry, and intend to do a blog while I'm on the road, with pictures. And we talk pretty much every day while either of us is away.

Sounds like you have a great SO, too! It's the most important thing a man can have, and that's for sure!

I just discovered this morning that the handlebars on the BMW are the same diameter as on the GZ250. So, I took the little Spitfire windshield off the GZ and put it on the Beemer as a temporary measure. So, I can get out for a ride as soon as the roads dry out, possibly later today. The big Cee Baily is supposed to be in in a week. The bags, they don't know, maybe 2 weeks, but a month at the outside. I need to put 600 miles on it and get it in for its initial service before I can leave on a long trip. I'm going to let the dealer do that first service. Those first 600 miles will take a while. It's January in New Hampshire. In January and February, I'm lucky to get out at all. Last year there was not a single day in January with the roads safe for a motorcycle. So this trip isn't imminent.

All in all, I'm thinking May or early June sometime would be the ideal time for the trip. There are no real constraints on the Spring or early Summer. I'll look for a window of decent weather, if we get one this year about that time.

Thanks for the good wishes! Much appreciated.

[Easy Rider]

Good topic, although I could do without the "left coast" generalization. (FWIW, I spent the first half of my life mostly on the East Coast, and a third of that was in farm country in Ithaca, NY.)


OK, apparently my sarchastic brand of "humor" has worn thin with you so I will try to stop that. Sorry.

Are you saying, however, that you think you have NOT been thoroughly urbanized at this point in your life ??

When I was embroiled in the "rat race", I found that the things I got the most pleasure from were those that were the farthest removed from the daily grind.

[mrlmd1]

Look at the post I put on here under GPS and Trip Planning about the Spot Messenger viewtopic.php?f=22&t=1414 (http://www.gz250bike.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=22&t=1414)

You can usually find these things on sale for about $100 (reg price $149) with a yearly service contract that ranges $50-100 depending on what services you want.
You can buy them in a place like West Marine (a boat store) and many other places on online. Check it out, you and your wife and friends may love it to follow your progress.
When one of my friends a year or so ago took one of his trips to Sturgis and his wife and I and and friends could track him every day. I was kidding his wife that she knows where his Spot Messenger is, but she really had no clue where he was (could have given it to his friend he met early along the way).

[alanmcorcoran]

OK, apparently my sarchastic brand of "humor" has worn thin with you so I will try to stop that. Sorry.
Are you saying, however, that you think you have NOT been thoroughly urbanized at this point in your life ??
When I was embroiled in the "rat race", I found that the things I got the most pleasure from were those that were the farthest removed from the daily grind.

Although I wouldn't say I'm a fan of sarcasm, I think my irritation is more with unfounded generalizations (directed, or projected, at me) that don't really add any value to the discussion. I'm very reluctant to get into any sort of critical debate here because the general sensitivity and flaminess of this site has caused me to lose interest more than once. I am probably guilty of the same thing, but I try to make an effort to remember my opinions and thoughts are not universal and, while offered, should not be assumed to be true for anyone else.

I probably would have appreciated the contribution more if it was characterized as "here is what I feel (and why)" rather than, "here's what's wrong with you." But really, it's no big deal.

As far as urbanized, I don't think you know much about me, where I live, how I work or how I spend my time. I live in a suburban area that borders the wilderness on one side and is 35 miles from downtown LA. I have a single family detached house in a so-called affluent neighborhood with a yard and a homeowner's association and so on. Hardly "urban." I own my own business, rent an office building six miles from my house and show up at work mostly when I feel like it (yes, part of the "rat race" I guess, but hardly "embroiled" in it.) No freeway travel is required for me to commute to work (takes ten to 12 minutes, maybe 15 on the worst day ever.) So overall, I really don't have any daily grind to escape. Perhaps that is why I feel uneasy about just climbing on the bike and going nowhere in particular. It's not like I need to get away from anything.

[Moedad]

I probably would have appreciated the contribution more if it was characterized as "here is what I feel (and why)" rather than, "here's what's wrong with you."

You should change your signature quote. :poke2:

[alanmcorcoran]

Good point. That is/was my job, though. Hadn't really thought about it in a while.

[dhgeyer]

Look at the post I put on here under GPS and Trip Planning about the Spot Messenger viewtopic.php?f=22&t=1414 (http://www.gz250bike.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=22&t=1414)

Interesting gizmo. Maybe after I master my Blackberry, not to mention the electronics on my new bike....... I'll ask Sue if it appeals to her.

[mrlmd1]

No big deal to get it to work - just one button to push and take it with you. The Google maps online tracking is live and updated as often as every 15 min or can be set to longer intervals. Check out Spot's website.

[Easy Rider]

As far as urbanized, I don't think you know much about me, where I live, how I work or how I spend my time.

Obviously I know nothing about you except the picture you paint on here.......which is open to all sorts of mis-interpretation.

To that end, my mis-interpretation of this last post paints quite a different picture in my mind than my mis-interpretation of your earlier posts did !! :shocked: O_o

I must admit that I find your posts here to be always interesting, usually thought provoking and, taken all together, to be a little confusing at times. Never a dull moment. :tup:

[dhgeyer]

No big deal to get it to work - just one button to push and take it with you. The Google maps online tracking is live and updated as often as every 15 min or can be set to longer intervals. Check out Spot's website.

Thanks mrlmd1. I checked out the website. Then I ran it by Sue. She said words to the effect of "Why would I need that? You call me every night and tell me where you are.". I don't think she's interested, but thank you for the suggestion. Sometimes I call her more than once during the day. Sometimes I even have her find me the best deal on a motel near where I think I'm going to land, and make me a reservation.

[mrlmd1]

Sounds like you got the best of all worlds, keep it that way.
And nobody "needs" any of these things, including our bikes - we want them, so we get them if we can, and we justify it by "needing" it.

[alanmcorcoran]

dh, do you have a an iphone or other smartphone? I used mine (iphone) on my mini tour to locate and book a cheap hotel via a hotels.com app. As you probably know, hotels often will have extra low pricing on last minute bookings. In my case the place I stayed (which was no Four Seasons, but clean and quiet and free breakfast) had a special low price for booking through hotels.com. Then again, this probably comes under things you already know.

mrlmd - One possible benefit to the tracking thingie is - my wife really doesn't care that much where I am at any given point, but she does worry that I might be dead somewhere (by the side of the road or otherwise), especially when she hasn't heard from me in a while. THe tracking thing - assuming it was moving - would give the odds I was still of this mortal plane a boost. I'm not sure, but I thought that Google or somebody offered something like this to regular cellphone carriers.

[alanmcorcoran]

Obviously I know nothing about you except the picture you paint on here.......which is open to all sorts of mis-interpretation.

As mentioned before, no big deal. I guess the "left-coast" thing (along with "Cali", "The OC", "Frisco", "La-La-land", "Fruits and nuts" and so on ad nauseum) is one of of those trigger words that annoys me. California is a big place (and probably has just as much farmland percentage wise as IL) and there are all kinds of people here.

Again, it's no big deal and probably an overreation on my part.

[bonehead]

Obviously I know nothing about you except the picture you paint on here.......which is open to all sorts of mis-interpretation.

As mentioned before, no big deal. I guess the "left-coast" thing (along with "Cali", "The OC", "Frisco", "La-La-land", "Fruits and nuts" and so on ad nauseum) is one of of those trigger words that annoys me. California is a big place (and probably has just as much farmland percentage wise as IL) and there are all kinds of people here.

Again, it's no big deal and probably an overreation on my part.
Just like when people visit TX, they're wondering where our horses and six-guns are. :??:

[burkbuilds]

When I was a kid growing up in Tennessee, a new family moved in from New Jersey at the end of our street. My friend Greg and I met the kids at the bus stop the next school day and one of them actually said to us, "We thought everybody in Tennessee lived on a farm and went barefoot all the time."

[mrlmd1]

AC, and dhg and everyone else - the Spot has a button to push if you need help, or immediate help - calling an emergency center with your GPS coordinates to notify people on a prearranged list. Very useful if something happens to you and you have to contact someone or the cell doesn't work. At least they know exactly where to find you, or they know where you are if it's on and the device is not moving making a track as it gives your last position. I'm not pushing or selling them, it just seems like a good idea for someone on a long trip so others can be aware of your whereabouts and you can summon help if you need it (Like if you ride off the road).

[dhgeyer]

Alan,

I have a Blackberry and a Garmin GPS unit. Either will locate motels near any specified location. But neither is as easy as a wife at a computer. I can call her about 3:00 or 4:00 with a town and an ETA. I'll stop and call her back an hour or so later and it's done. As long as she doesn't mind doing it, I'll take it. She's very good at it. Most times I just happen to see something promising on the road, and that works too.

Another possibility, which I've never explored but I may this trip is the BMWMOA (BMW Motorcycle Owners of America) Anonymous Book. Every member gets one. When you sign up for membership, they ask you if you are willing to be listed in the book, and what services you can/will provide for fellow members on the road. Options run the whole range from having a truck to pick up a dead bike, a place and tools to work on it, bedroll space, a spare room, just meet for coffee and chat, and so on and so forth. They call it the Anonymous Book because everyone is listed grouped by location, with a phone number but no name or address. It could be a resource for places to stay for free, meet interesting people, and talk bikes till all hours. As I say, I've never tried it, but it could add a fun dimension to the trip if it's any good.

mrlmd1,

I'll run it by her again with that new info. When I'm on a tour, I seldom end up in the back of beyond, and help would be passing by within a reasonable time if I needed it. If she's interested, I'll do it.

By the way, I don't mean to be mysterious - my name is Dave. I just use dhgeyer for everything computer related.

[Easy Rider]

"We thought everybody in Tennessee lived on a farm and went barefoot all the time."

No, that's Alabama. :hide:

:oops:

[alanmcorcoran]

I think there was a Yamaha club that I was automatically enrolled in when I bought the Strat but I never really looked into the program. Probably expired when I renewed my registration. That BMW anonymous thing is a pretty cool idea. One of the bigwigs at my big client in Chicago has a BMW1200 (R? not sure what model if there's more than one.) It was his third bike and he educated me a bit on its strengths. He has done some group and solo tours.

I have AAA with MC coverage but I wouldn't be surprised if it didn't work that well in other states or in the boonies.

[Water Warrior 2]

It is my understanding that some or all of the more modern cell phone have a built-in GPS locating feature. This could be a way to track down some one who has failed to check in with their family, friend or whoever.

[Easy Rider]

It is my understanding that some or all of the more modern cell phone have a built-in GPS locating feature.

Only in the last 18 months or so.
Access to that "feature" for anything but 911 might be a legal quagmire.

[Water Warrior 2]

So true Easy but I think the GPS feature is only there for the authorities to access in case of a missing person. Anything else could be considered an invasion of privacy etc. Private parties might need written consent and/or a password. Might be a good way to find out where the kids really are spending their time.

[dhgeyer]

It is my understanding that some or all of the more modern cell phone have a built-in GPS locating feature.

We may be talking about two different things, but my blackberry has what they call a GPS feature (app), which is really a pseudo-GPS, not really a GPS. Instead of using satellites, it triangulates based on distances to cell phone towers. I haven't tested it at all because I have a perfectly good GPS unit. I suspect that there would be a lot of areas where the Blackberry's system wouldn't work, since it requires contact with not only one, but multiple towers. In a lot of places, particularly out West, you're lucky to have any service at all.

There is (of course) a Blackberry forum that I posted a couple of inquiries to. I could check this out also, if anyone is curious. I have no idea whether it is set up in such a way that someone could initiate a search for my phone, but I could ask.

[Water Warrior 2]

It is my understanding that some or all of the more modern cell phone have a built-in GPS locating feature.

We may be talking about two different things, but my blackberry has what they call a GPS feature (app), which is really a pseudo-GPS, not really a GPS. Instead of using satellites, it triangulates based on distances to cell phone towers. I haven't tested it at all because I have a perfectly good GPS unit. I suspect that there would be a lot of areas where the Blackberry's system wouldn't work, since it requires contact with not only one, but multiple towers. In a lot of places, particularly out West, you're lucky to have any service at all.

There is (of course) a Blackberry forum that I posted a couple of inquiries to. I could check this out also, if anyone is curious. I have no idea whether it is set up in such a way that someone could initiate a search for my phone, but I could ask.

That sounds like what I was trying to say. But you say it so much better. A little more info would be nice as I don't really know much about the system and someday I will have to replace the old cell.

[dhgeyer]

Well, I just found out that I was flat out wrong about the GPS capabilities of the Blackberry, and other similar units. I downloaded and activated the software (app) that does the GPS thingie (VZ Navigator), looked it up on Wikipedia, and played around with it a little.

The Blackberry does indeed have a true GPS chip in it. Where the cell towers come in is as an assist to the satellite triangulation, where possible. So the phone is actually more powerful than the Garmin GPS unit with respect to finding where you are. I verified this quite easily. The Garmin has never been able to get itself located indoors at our house. It will try for several minutes, then give up and start asking questions about where you are. If you're inside, it will suggest going outside. Outside it works fine. As soon as I tried the Blackberry, it had me at my correct address within a few seconds, and I was sitting right here at my computer. And we don't even get very good cell phone reception here. So the phone is not only a full GPS unit, it's a supercharged one!

The maps are not stored in the phone. They are on the server of whoever is ultimately providing this service, probably not Verizon, but I don't know. The bad news is, according to Wikipedia, they don't update them very often. The good news is, unlike Garmin, when they are updated it doesn't cost me anything. Garmin does yearly map updates, which cost 40 some odd bucks, and the time and effort to download them first to my computer, then to the GPS unit. On the other hand, with the Blackberry, if I'm out of a 3G service area, the GPS function won't work, since it won't have access to the maps.

I'm not sure I like the Blackberry interface as well as the Garmin, but that may be just a matter of getting used to it.

Remember when life used to be simple? You got a map at a gas station and damn well learned how to read one.

As an aside, I also learned that any cell phone can be tracked by "The authorities" in an emergency. This is true whether or not the phone is old or new, or whether or not is has any GPS capabilities. I guess I knew that, sort of, since I have read a number of news articles over the years of this feature being used to rescue hikers who get lost in the White Mountains here in NH in bad weather.

[dhgeyer]

I'm getting around to uploading a few pics of my new beast. I took these before I had ridden it at all. I've since managed to get about 150 miles on it despite the weather. I'm definitely going to love this bike. At right around freezing it gets about 50 mpg at 50 or so mph, more like high 30's around town. That will improve as the engine breaks in, so they tell me.


http://s1.postimage.org/uQ8W0.jpg (http://www.postimage.org/image.php?v=gxuQ8W0)
From the side.

http://s4.postimage.org/1SOwDi.jpg (http://www.postimage.org/image.php?v=aV1SOwDi)
Front view (with my GZ250 in the background without its windshield, which is temporarily on the Beemer).

http://s1.postimage.org/uQAmA.jpg (http://www.postimage.org/image.php?v=gxuQAmA)
From the back. Note matching plates (sort of) on the Beemer and the Prius in front of it.

http://s4.postimage.org/1SOE6J.jpg (http://www.postimage.org/image.php?v=aV1SOE6J)
Instrument cluster. The screen on the right can display all sorts of interesting stuff, like ambient temperature, engine temp, fuel gauge, remaining miles in tank at present average consumption, average fuel economy since last reset, average mph since last reset, number of miles till service is due, if it's getting close, all sorts of diagnostics including any bulb being burned out, etc. etc. etc.

[alanmcorcoran]

Looks pretty slick. Give us an update when you get some miles on it. I'm interested in how it likes the highway and how quick/nimble it is.

[Water Warrior 2]

Oh my, that is just sweet looking. Nothing like clean shiney and new. Two things though. Is it my imagination or the slight angle of view front and back. Is the engine slightly offset to the left side ? Weight distribution maybe ? Also, do I see a steering dampner on the side view ?

[dhgeyer]

Thanks guys! I won't know anything about the highway till I get the big windshield, and mount the EZ-Pass transponder. The only indication I have is that at 50 in 4th gear it's turning under 4 grand and is very smooth. And it has 6 speeds. I can tell you right now that it is very nimble. It doesn't handle a lot differently than the R850R, but has a lot more power. I think it's actually a little lighter. I just looked carefully at the "jugs" from the front, and I can't see any offset. I suspect a slight photographic distortion, as I can see what you mean from the photo. It definitely has a steering damper, as did the 850. They don't do anything unless the steering is turned violently. The only purpose is to prevent "tank slappers" at high speed. Everyone in this country who has ridden these bikes agrees that the dampers are not needed, as the steering is stable at any speed the bike can attain.

[Easy Rider]

As an aside, I also learned that any cell phone can be tracked by "The authorities" in an emergency. This is true whether or not the phone is old or new, or whether or not is has any GPS capabilities.

OK, we are getting closer.

"Tracking" the older phones depends on cell tower tiangulation. When this works, it is not very accurate.....maybe to withing a quarter mile. If you think about that for just a second, for it to achieve even that accuracy, you need to be "in range" of 3 towers. With only two, the accuracy goes WAY down; with only one, you get maybe a 5 to 10 mile radius.

For the GPS function of your Blackberry to be useful for more accurate tracking of YOU, it must be arranged internally to pass the coordinates to the "phone" part so it can be transmitted out.
I suspect that it will do that but it wouldn't HAVE to......up until the last year or so.

[dhgeyer]

Easy,

I agree with your first paragraph. Inaccurate as this approach might be, it has saved lives in the White Mountains that I know of, and probably other places as well. Search parties here tend to have enough volunteers and professionals that getting them within a quarter mile, or even a mile, makes all the difference in the world. I have no idea whether or not the Blackberry and/or other similar devices do what you describe in your second paragraph. It seems to me that such a connection would turn my phone into a hand held "Onstar"! I'm not sure I want that.

[Easy Rider]

It seems to me that such a connection would turn my phone into a hand held "Onstar"! I'm not sure I want that.

Well, yes, that IS the crux of the discussion. :)

The "new" GPS technology that is mandated in all new phones now gets a fix from the GPS birds just like any other GPS device but then passes it to the 911 center as coordinates instead of an address. I don't know if it does it automatically or if the center has to send a signal to get it.

I'm betting that you could find out if yours has that feature by contacting your cell carrier....or the Blackberry maker.
It would be a nice thing to know, I would think.