| Motorcycle updates: bought 2008 BMW R1200R and sold 2006 Suzuki DRZ400S |
[Jul. 11th, 2009|10:51 am] |
In March 2009 I bought a 2008 BMW R1200R motorcycle (black) from BMW Motorcycles of Detroit. This motorcycle has been a lot of fun to ride. I've put over 3,000 miles on it already. I used ebay and r1150r.net's forum to purchase BMW side cases, touring windshield, and tank bag all at half price. This BMW stuff is expensive, but worth it! I also picked up the Throttle Rocker wrist rest which is an amazing simple, cheap device that completely removes wrist strain for long distance trips (+1 hour in the saddle).
In May 2009 I sold my 2006 Suzuki DRZ400S via Craig's List. I had also placed a $50 ad on cycletrader.com where I had success quickly selling my 1983 Honda CB900C back in 2006 but I only received 1 serious nibble in three weeks of being online and in print. Contrast that with the first person on the first day who responded to the Craig's List ad ended up buying it for my minimum selling price which was fine by me. It was sad to see the DRZ go after so many fun miles especially my Around the Mitt trip last summer.
As with most bigger picture purchases there are the ancillary costs no one thinks about until after they are committed. Of course I had to get a new matching helmet and gloves but I also ended up having a new 2 car garage built to house the R1200R. How's that for associative purchases? I've done my part to stimulate the local economy. Now do yours!
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| Two Wheel Fun |
[Jul. 22nd, 2007|01:54 pm] |
Old School, School, New Wheels
 A couple years ago I bought a 1982 Honda CB900C that had a major electrical issue that my brother and I could not resolve. I enjoyed riding around for a summer and it only cost me a couple hundred dollars. I sold it the next summer and didn't think much about motorcycles for a while. In the oppressive heat of a July weekend last summer I completed the Motorcycle Safety Foundation's weekend boot camp with three co-workers. We all passed and received our CY endorsements. One of them already had a motorcycle and the other two bought one that summer. I told my coworkers if I still had a job next spring I would get a motorcycle. The spring came I still had my job so true to my word I bought a used 2006 Suzuki DR-Z 400S in very good condition with 3,200 miles. The DR-Z is a dual sport or enduro motorcycle designed more for trail riding but is street legal. I wanted a cheap reliable motorcycle that I could drive to work on and zip around on the DNR trails up north near the family cottage. Besides, the condition of some of the roads in metro Detroit are worse than some dirt roads I've been on.
Green Machine
I have put over 2000 miles on it in the two months mostly riding back and forth to work about 30 miles a day. I've calculated an average of 60 miles per gallon which in this era of $3.25 to $3.50 per gallon has saved me a lot of money and lowered my carbon emissions greatly. Whenever there isn't a lot of rain in the forecast I'm riding it to work and long trips for lunch with two of the co-workers who ride theirs.
Neighborhood Contrasts
I must say it is a lot of fun zipping around on the DR-Z! I get a lot of speed and power out of the low gears but the top speed for me is a windy 70 MPH. Since I'm sitting higher up with no wind shield I catch more of an unsteady breeze. This type of motorcycle isn't designed for high speed highway driving which is fine for me. With all the construction on two of the major south bound arteries, highway driving really isn't a viable option even in a car. I've taken this opportunity to explore the roads to and through the northern Detroit. The differences crossing 8 Mile is even more staggering from the view of the neighborhoods. The driving style is even different. For example most of the major roads are one and a half lanes wide in each direction with the occasional parked car. Drivers will take it upon themselves to pass one another in the half lane regardless of how fast the car in front of them is going. Drivers making left turns from the center lane or from a side street give themselves the right of way by just blocking the road until they can cross rather than waiting for a break in the traffic. I haven't had anything resembling a close call but I have seen potentially dangerous situations from far back and have taken preemptive action to avoid them. The onus is on the motorcyclist to pay attention to everything coming up in their path. Regardless of whether you are north or south of 8 Mile assume that no one sees you. If they do see you, assume they are out to kill you.
The Runway
Since I've started riding I've noticed a subset of behavior in humanity new to me. The only way I can describe is that people treat a motorcyclist as someone who is making a public statement and that they must respond to it. For example, unsolicited I have people judge my motorcycle and judge my decision for riding it. Other drivers seem to want to test themselves against me. They don't want to be "beaten" off the line let alone passed. They want to race or pass you in a dangerous way. The attitudes of some other motorcyclists is one of competition. If you aren't riding what their favorite or most respected make and model then you're riding a piece of shit. And oh my god is it a fashion show. I have had numerous people tell me their opinions of the style of bike and helmet without even asking. Why is that do you suppose? Recently I went on a group ride charity event at work. As expected I had the lowest end bike so I expected to take some shit for it. Fortunately everyone was cool to my face. It was a fun ride, the longest I've done since going to the northern shore of Lake Eire.
Phase 2
I've already decided that I want more out of a motorcycle, specifically higher top speed and more stability at higher speeds. I like the concept of dual sport but I haven't hit a trail yet so I'll reserve judgment until then. I did order a Michigan ORV license and soon I will be heading up north to the trails. My vision of the future is the DR-Z up north for zipping around the back roads and trails. Down south at home is a touring sport standard style 650 or larger in a new garage. I've already started looking at local contractors for the project. Stay tuned! |
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