BMW F900XR
Mike is introduced to the BMW,and it's not exactly a smooth start...
Mike makes acquaintance with the new sportstourer.
The nice thing about being an old man on a motorcycle is that other people do not realise that you are an old man on a motorcycle. That is unless they pick up on the long grey hair flowing from the underneath of the helmet, or the grey beard visible through the visor. Not that there is anything to be ashamed of, either being old or riding a motorcycle.
So yes, I am getting on, and I ride an assortment of motorcycles, from adventure bikes to tourers to sportsbikes ... So, with that in mind, and after much deliberation, I opted for the BMW 900 F900XR as this year's long-termer. It should serve my purposes well.
TOUGH START
The BMW, a rather striking sports-tourer, had been in storage at MSL HQ for two months due to the lockdown. When Uncle Boris declared us fit for riding on May 13, I arranged to collect the bike. Upon arrival, my colleague Ross Mowbray and I wheeled said bike out of the unit, went to the self-start button and ... nothing. Dead as the proverbial dodo.
Not surprising really, as it had lain idle for so long. Ross and I tried a new-to-the-market
Lextek Portable Motorcycle Jump Start Pack. The crocodile clips, being somewhat bulky, proved a nightmare to connect to the battery terminals, but with them eventually in situ we were good to go. Or not. Nowt. Zilch. Squat.
Plan B. The only thing to do was to leave the bike on charge overnight. Meanwhile, I had to get home. Plan C. Ross had an MSL short-term test bike
Leisure - established 1962 available, a Honda crosser. I have never ridden one before, so that was to prove an education! I stuck to the B roads and had what I confess to be an uneventful and rather enjoyable ride home. I say that with a certain level of surprise, although I still don't think nobblies are for me, although I can now better appreciate why so many riders like these bikes so much.
BIG WHEELS TURNING
As for the BMW, that first ride home from HQ proved to be a revelation. As you might expect, the build quality is superb. Not only does the bike look attractive with the dynamic red colour contrasting tastefully with the granite grey metallic matt, and gold anadised fork tubes, but it did not take me long to realise how well equipped it could be for long-distance performance. I say 'could be', because a few simple modifications will help transform the bike. So I am ordering a touring screen, touring panniers, hand guards and a comfort seat, so that will involve a ride down to Sywell at some stage.
Don't get me wrong, comfort is already good with the bike's pleasantly relaxed riding position, but I could do with more protection than that offered by the sporty-type, short two-position windshield, which is easily adjustable manually with the hand lever.
One thing is for certain. I know I am going to really enjoy this bike, as it could well prove to be the ultimate database for easy living.