Saturday morning, the alarm clock goes off at 7AM, and I am out on the road before eight to attend the BMW Motorrad Exclusively Female Test Ride Event at the Town and Country Hotel in Delta. The roads are clear and I arrive much earlier than anticipated. With additional time at hand I visit Deas Island Regional Park and enjoy the calm scenic views over the Fraser River.
Meanwhile back at the hotel, bikes are being lined up for keen ladies to test the latest BMW models. I have a reservation for an R1200RT at 9AM, and the naked version, the R1200R an hour later.
the 'fat momma'
The motorcycle looks BIG, but elegant in design, definitely not your standard German engineered but otherwise plain ugly model.
With great anticipation I enter 'the cockpit' of the RT. Like with all beemers today, the bikes are adjusted to the various (vertical) challenges that our kind has to deal with when riding motorcycles, and the seat position is perfect, and my feet hit the ground solid. I take the bike off the side stand, and I maneuver it a little back and forth to get a feel for the balance. It is the biggest bike I have ever ridden, so I was reasonably anxious about both the weight and the power. To my surprise it handles exceptionally well.
The first push of the starter button awakes the boxer motor, another surprise, the vibration are way less than I remember from my R80. Another button adjusts the windshield electronically, and off goes the group on their various test rides. No enervating 'clunk' while shifting gears (sorry Nella!), a smooth and sporty acceleration, and the bike wants to lean by itself in the twisties. A wide grin is stamped on my face while imagining touring thousands of miles across North America on this luxury vehicle.
After breakfast, I am up for the R1200R. Naked (the bike, I am of course in ATGATT), I feel the wind pressure on my chest and shoulders. It was o.k. but I wasn't really enjoying it. I must have gotten spoiled by the comfort and protection of the fairings and the adjustable windshield of the RT.
Later on I sit on some of the other bikes and take a few around in the parking lot, such as the F800ST (as seen in front) and the F800S, but nothing compares to the new feel of riding I got on the R1200RT. I am afraid, now I need a sponsor, because luxury comes with a price tag... starting at 20K.
Lunch arrives while chatting along with other participants of today's 'for women only' event, and after that I am heading home. Nella once again fits like a glove, clonk goes the gear, and gaggle the motor, my reliable precious 650cc single cylinder motorcycle.
At home I swap bikes and grab my better half for a little scoot around town before sunset.
All day on two wheels, under blue skies in reasonably warm temperatures... it doesn't get much better than this!
It sure doesn't get much better as you say, Sonja!
ReplyDeleteAre you pretty tall? I was interested in you getting both feet down on the big Beemer, unless the adjustable seat really does have a great range of adjustment.
You did not mount the pinnacle of perfection on 2 wheels the R1200GS? - A R1200RT with a proper view ahead.
ReplyDeleteNice free sandwiches I see!
greetings from Wiesbaden, N
A female only test ride day sounds like a really good idea, both for the riders (no pressure from men) and for BMW (come ride our shiny new machines and you might just buy one). It sounds like the R1200RT made you feel very confident riding it. Being able to plant your feet is a real benefit, even for us guys sometimes.
ReplyDeleteI like the pictures of the bikes. Others will undoubtedly like the food picture.
I see you love the RT. I was torn very badly between the RT and the GS when I got my current R1200GS. The RT is a very impressive machine - how easy it handles and how good it rides. And the wind protection must be like driving a car for a smaller person ... I'm 182cm and I would have like the windshield to be about 10cm higher. But the adjustability is awesome.
ReplyDeleteGet that with heated grips and heated seat and cruise control and you could have just bought an X5 ... ;-)
@Geoff: I am an average size with 31" inseam, and the RT had a lowering kit and a low seat.
ReplyDelete@Nikos: Actually the GS was still too high for me...
@Gary: I wouldn't mind to get some pressure from my man to buy a(nother) bike ;-)
@Guido: The RT is totally my bike should I ever be able to afford it, and wind and weather protection for a person my size is awesome. I accept heated grips, but I would never go for heated seats. What would be the point of riding, if you are getting too comfortable ;-)
ReplyDeleteSonjaM:
ReplyDeleteI think I also like the RT. I sat on one at the bike show and could imagine that I wanted one . . . until I saw the price tag.
It was an excellent day for a test ride.
bob
Riding the Wet Coast
Test rides are dangerous things :)
ReplyDeleteLovely pics from the day, and great weather - woot!
What a great day! We don't have women only test days here! I would have like the idea of getting out on a GS or and F800*.
ReplyDeleteLike the RT... how spoiledly luxurious. Well, if you have your heart set...get a demo from the showroom floor. Might have a good discount. Our wait for a used one to come up. Some people might be trading them in for the new DOHC engine. Unless, of course, you want the DOHC too. :)