It's NOT a mid-life crisis

I've decided to buy a Motorbike. I've been zipping along in Los Angeles for the past 8 years on a small, Honda Elite 80cc scooter, and I have always wanted to go big and get something my friend Camber Hill would call more "Age Appropriate". Some of my other friends have looked on this new project as something as obvious as a mid-life crisis. I want to quell that, I'm certain and insistent that it's not. No really!

In July of 2010 I'm looking to make a great Alaskan roadtrip with a good friend of 20 years and we want to do this trip in the style of Ewan McGregor and Charlie Borman (Long Way Round), on bull-headed BMW GS bikes.

The only thing that makes the acquisition of a BMW R1100 GS even remotely resemble a mid-life crisis is in the fact that I'm in my mid forties. That, and the fact that it's sexy, black and HUGE! Other than this, there is nothing there to remotely suggest that I'm trying to compensate for a profound sense of dis-accomplishment or desire for life event what-so-ever.

Fact is, like many mid-life acquisitions, I couldn't afford to make this dream a reality until now. The fact that it's happening during the window of a certain age is strictly coincidental. No, really, it is!

I started looking for a bike of my own after a 90 mile motorbike ride with Wally in Mass. last fall. I had a ball, and have been on the lookout ever since. Wally Suggested the R1100 because he knows what I can handle, and what I will be asking this bike to do. I trust him, and will not question his profound judgment at this time, he knows more about this stuff than I do.

He suggested the 1100, and with that I learned that this specific bike is very difficult to find, where as the R650 GS (a bit smaller, one-piston bike) seems to be prevalent. Wally's explanation for this is that the 650 is a starter bike, and those that outgrow go for the 1100 or the 1150's. There are fewer of those to find (Used, mind you) because you never outgrow and 1100. Period.

I tried on the 1100 and it was scary. She's huge (standing on my tiptoes to hold her upright) She's Heavy (650 lbs) and nothing like what I expected. After climbing on her to take her for the first test ride, I knocked her off her center pegs and she tipped right over onto the pavement like a drunk sorority pledge. I was calm, collected, and horrified. Everyone was watching.


Thinking she was too much, I tried out the 650, and liked it a lot. Now that's more like it! She fit, feet flat on the ground, and I could carry her on my shoulder if the water got too high.
I told Wally I would prolly (aka: probably) get the smaller bike, and he essentially advised me to man up.

"Halfway to Alaska you're going to wish you got the 1100 instead Tom!" he said.
"Oh, really? And why is that Wally?" I asked.
"Because You won't be able to see me in the distance anymore, you'll be running out of gas, and I won't be able to hear you cry because I'm so far ahead of you".

Point taken. I got the 1100 and resigned myself to lowering her a little bit, and strengthening my core so I can lift her myself if I dump her again. In the meantime, I'll pray I never dump her again.

The 1100 also came with a great designer seat,(that I'm trading in for something lower) a large windshield and Panniers (suitcases) that I would pay extra for if I got the 650, so I'm overall very happy with my purchase.

In the next few weeks, I'll be posting images and dispatches about what I've learned, what I acquire (as far as gear) and the overall preparation of the great Alaskan Bike tour of 2010. Check and and see me, post a comment, and let me know what you think. If your an avid Biker, or BMW fan, I want to hear from you.

See you on the road!