NEIL BMW S1000R
THIS MONTH I HAVE MOSTLY BEEN… “Crying.”
It was sod’s law that Bruce had to ring me when I was having the time of my life over in Italy. I don’t like speaking to him at the best of times, and especially so when he calls with bad news. “Your bike’s got to go back,” came his depressing words, which put a right damper on my blitz around Europe on the Beemer. Still, it gave me a gee-up to make the most of the bike for the time I had left. I’ve already covered how well it performed on that multi-thousand mile blast, so I’ll not go into it all again. But needless to say, it performed a treat, just as it has done all year. I’d go as far as to say this bike’s saved me from a life of slippers and early nights, as I’d all but turned my back on sporting endeavours for the road. Pre-S1000R, I was the owner of a Triumph Explorer 1200. I wore textiles at every opportunity and obliged the speed limit at every given moment.
Then came along this bike and completely revolutionised my world. It’s rejuvenated me and got me feeling a buzz for bikes that I thought had vanished, just like my hair, since reaching 40. Don’t get me wrong, this bike isn’t a relentless head-banger. It can do smooth and sophisticated without any qualms, but it has the potential to be a menace when you ask that of it. It’s beyond versatile, extremely comfortable, and perfectly suited to humbling your mates on outings with your mates. I found it a great bike on track, too, made all the more pleasurable thanks to its linear motor and lithe handling.
The bike’s high-speed stability was my only concern, which I’d have hope to better with more time and knowledge. Still, a few weaves here and there often make life more exciting, and it never stopped me from going flat-out in sixth on a German autobahn. That’s a memory that will live with me forever, just like the great times I had on this bike scratching around the West Coast of Scotland. Whatever I’ve asked of it, the Beemer’s performed obligingly. I’m a critic. I always have been and I always will be, but it’s extremely difficult to knock this bike.
Yes, there are pokier motors out there and probably stiffer chassis too, but I’ve not wanted for an ounce more oomph at any given time, and the way this bike can be thrown around would put some sportsbikes to shame. It’s been a real pleasure to explore the virtues of this machine, and I’d highly recommend anyone of my vintage with a similar predicaments to give this bike a go; it’ll heighten your riding life just as it has done mine. I’d also recommend the MRA screen I fitted to one and all. That was the bolt-on item that made the biggest difference to this bike. If you’re daft enough to expect a naked bike to offer decent wind protection, there’s something wrong with you.
But that’s not to say that desire can’t be achieved with a little cash investment, with the MRA item proving to be worth every penny. That aside, I never went big on the aftermarket accessories, because I never felt like I needed to. This bike ticked all my boxes and that was that. I’m genuinely devastated to see it go back, but I knew this day was always going to come. What a ride it’s been.