New Member and BMW Nebie

[Dave39]

Hi, I joined yesterday. I bought my first BMW last week, a used 2001 R1100 RT. I'm a senior born again rider. Got back into motorcycles after 30 years off. Bought a little Honda Rebel last summer to train on, took my MSF, and got a CA license. I'm learning now how to handle the RT and loving it. I was afraid to take the Rebel out on the interstates, but the RT seems to be in its element on the freeways. I hope to do some touring of the Pacific NW this summer. The RT was mint when I bought it. The previous owner took very good care of it, but I dropped it on my 15% driveway the other day and scratched the valve cover. Made me sick. I need to get some engine protectors or crash bars. I hope to learn a lot on this forum. Sounds like there's many knowledgeable folks here. Dave S

[Stormrider]

Welcome aboard Dave!

Sorry to hear about your little mishap...it happens to everyone & anyone. Did it with two previous bikes, but not my RT (crossed-fingers )

Lots of great info and good folks here too.

[RiceToy]

Welcome Dave! Sorry to hear you dropped your bike. I'm a noob also, having less than 500 miles on my new (used) RT. From what I read on these boards - nearly everyone drops their bike sometime (typically in the garage or driveway). So don't feel too bad about that. I have one for you...

 

Loaded the RT in my enclosed trailer when I picked it up. Had it all strapped down tight, but no wheel chock. when I arrived home 100 miles later, I open the side door of the trailer to show my wife this ultra-cool new machine (I was so excited)... to find it leaning against the inside wall of the trailer - Tadaah! Ratchet-straps were all still conected. Apparently, without a chock, the front tire had 'shimmied' sideways and the bike eased over to one side, coming to rest on the wall - against the mirror and topcase. The only damage was a pencil line of rubbed-off paint on the mirror and a buffed-smooth spot on the topcase. I was sick when I opened the door to find it like that. My wife standing there shaking her head, "Is it supposed to be like that?"

 

Mine is without valve guards too, and they're on order. I figure $120 is a good investment. I have seen the 1100 guards for $114.

 

Welcome to the board!

[Firefight911]

Welcome Dave!!

 

Keep your eyes peeled to the Ride and Event Planning section. I'll be announcing the N. California Tech Daze and Motorcyclist First class within the next two weeks!!!

 

Great opportunity to learn about the bike, meet some amazingly wonderful people, and get to learn firsthand just how great a place this is.

 

Welcome!!

[lopaca]

Welcome - Welcome and Welcome

 

This is a great support site. Head guards are a must - yes I dropped mine on my driveway. Stopped on the way out put the kick stand down -(I thought - now I always visually confirm as it sprang back up) to close the gate and literally had to walk it down. Thank goodness I had read other posts about the guards and got them right away. Still scratched up left rear case but you have to really bend down low and look for it.

 

Consider it more of a badge of courage than anything else. The good news is that you got it out of the way and don't have to wake up at night in a cold sweat from having a nightmare about it.

 

I have a very good friend in Carmichael with an LT that does a ride down to Cambria and I ride up from So. Cal. to meet him. You might want to join in on that ride the link is www.bmwlt.com/forums/showthread.php?t=31063

 

You may enjoy that site as well. Very informative and everyone loves to share. Stay safe and hopefully we will see you in Cambria.

[Channa]

Hi i am a newbie too, and you guessed it i dropped mine.

 

I was putting her on the centre stand, my foot slipped and over she went.

 

Looking at the valve covers when I bought her, it aint the first time she has been on her side.

 

I negotiated a pair of guards as part of the deal, to hide the scratches has much as anything, but it seems it was one of my better negotiations.

 

 

I guess lopaca is right, look at it has a form of initiation ceremony.

 

Enjoy your ride , many happy miles to you

 

Channa

[BMWSTeve]

Welcome Dave,

 

You couldn't have found a friendlier site to visit! As far as falling over we all have had a bought of "parking lot stupid" the accustomed to the bike you become the less it will happen. So don't fix those scratches yet!

[Twisties]

Welcome! Ah yes the famous "Zero Speed Drop" (ZSD) or "Low Speed Drop" (LSD). They happen. Me too. The extremely famous "side stand sprang back up" trick for me. +1 on visual side stand confirmation.

 

Yes, the bike is happy on freeways, but even happier on twisty roads! Some say RTs are bit wide for California lane splitting and wouldn't view it as a great freeway bike, but I know what you mean. I haven't ridden your exact model, but mine just gets more stable the faster you go. Unlike my cruiser that is a bit scary at speed.

 

Speaking of touring the PNW in the summer, you should take a look at the Unrally Forum on this board. You might find some locals to ride up with.

 

Enjoy the new bike, ride safe, ATGATT (all that gear, all the time)!

 

Jan

[hANNAbONE]

yO dAVE...welcome - get out there and ride and then post your stories and pictures..!

[Lawman]

Welcome aboard Dave..This is definately a good place for us old farts..Everyone here is kind..Answers to a few questions will get you off to a good start..

 

1. What oil do you use?

2. Do you use a headlight modulator?

3. What's your view on capital punishment?

4. Do you carry a gun?

5. Do you believe in God?

 

Tell us what you think....

[OoPEZoO]

Welcome aboard Dave..This is definately a good place for us old farts..Everyone here is kind..Answers to a few questions will get you off to a good start..

 

1. What oil do you use?

2. Do you use a headlight modulator?

3. What's your view on capital punishment?

4. Do you carry a gun?

5. Do you believe in God?

 

Tell us what you think....

 

This is going to be a loooooooooooong thread

[keithb]

Hi Dave and welcome to the board. Congratulations on your first BMW bike. Don't be a stranger and enjoy your new toy.

[Bullett]

Welcome aboard Dave..This is definately a good place for us old farts..Everyone here is kind..Answers to a few questions will get you off to a good start..

 

1. What oil do you use?

2. Do you use a headlight modulator?

3. What's your view on capital punishment?

4. Do you carry a gun?

5. Do you believe in God?

 

Tell us what you think....

 

Billy, stop trying to "set up" the newb. I swear, you LEOs, all you can thing about is trying to entrap an innocent ...

 

 

OOPS, what I meant to say was nice to meet you Dave. Hope to see you at the Un.

[Dave39]

Wow. Thanks for all you guys info and responses. I can see that this is a lively forum.

 

1. What oil do you use? Don't know yet. Will look at previous owner's maintenace records.

 

2. Do you use a headlight modulator? Huh?

 

3. What's your view on capital punishment? Hang'em high!

 

4. Do you carry a gun? No, but keep a shotgun under bed and ammo in sidestand drawer. I live in the boonies.

 

5. Do you believe in God? Still trying to figure that one out after 68 years.

[Firefight911]

Welcome aboard Dave..This is definately a good place for us old farts..Everyone here is kind..Answers to a few questions will get you off to a good start..

 

1. What oil do you use?

2. Do you use a headlight modulator?

3. What's your view on capital punishment?

4. Do you carry a gun?

5. Do you believe in God?

 

Tell us what you think....

 

You are a baaaaaaaaaaaaaad man, Billy!!!!! I LOVE IT!!!!!

[bobanddianne]

Hello Dave,

Welcome to the best BMW sorce of information I know of.

 

And the tip over thing, it's seems to be a right of passage for some of us. Mine was four days after getting our 07 brand new... have 15,000 miles since then and the bike just keeps getting better and better.

I still have the little 94 R1100RS, it has 142,000 on the clock and I can't seem to part with it. The 1100 still runs like new.

...Welcome to the site,

Ride safe,

-Bob & Dianne-