Welcome New Members (and old) - Introduce Yourself!

[Doug]

The members and I would like to wish all newcomers a warm welcome to our little r1150r mecca. We had a post on the old board with many replies about who people are and it fun to read. It really helps everyone meet eachother and share interests too.

[update - dead link!]
Here is a link to the old thread:
http://p080.ezboard.com/fbmwr1150rmessa ... =1&stop=20

Who will be the first to post!

[Gord]

Hi - I'm Gord! Been following this site since I bought my Beak in March 2004. I took possession of my bike from Open Road BMW in Newmarket, Ontario, Canada on May 7, 2004. In my first season of riding - yes I am a newbie rider at age 47! - I clocked a mere 6905 KM. Certainly look to do more in 2005 - although a two week visit to Germany in July will cut into my riding.

I am married, a father of two daughters (Anastasia aged 17 and Sonya aged 13), and an IT Consultant by profession. I work for a big blue computer company.

I have had the pleasure of meeting a few of the folks who follow this site - and learning from a lot of the others. The power of the 'R' and two wheels lured me away from my fixation on anything Mini - my other passion in life!

Looking forward to renewed acquaintenances and new ones on the new site!

Thanks Doug

[Ed K]

Its great to know more about you Gord. . .this is a terrific community to be a part of. . .so glad Doug could keep it going.

I see you have received the inside knowledge that the Silver ones are the fastest!

Just have one question. . .who are those guys in the pic under your name???

[Gord]

Ed K - my avatar is of the notorious motorcycle gang from Every Which Way But Loose - The Black Widows! My three brothers and I have dubbed our riding sessions at my eldest brother's cottage The Black Widows Reunion! My biggest fear in life is that they are a gay motorcycle gang - not that there is anything wrong with that!

[Britnheaven]

Ello!

My 'handle' on this site is Britnheaven - coz thats wot I is - a Brit (truly) in heaven - now working and living in northern California USA.

I purchased a new 03 R1150R back in 2003 (my first Beemer) and loved it. I have since moved to the dirty side and gotten myself a new GS Adventure which I love even more - were soul mates....

I still miss my shiny - sexy - RED (fastest) R though - they are the ultimate alll round motorcycle...

Bob

Moss Beach CA

[CycleRob]

I got my 2002 Red R1150R July 28th of 2001. It's my 1st BMW after 13 previous Japanese bikes that I've owned since I was 19. There were only a few months time in the USNAF where I did not own a bike. I need a MotorCycle as much as good food or a dedicated woman. When an internet search popped up "R1150R.NET" I lurked a short time then joined this board, as member #10, the day before the 9/11 tragedy.
I'm one of the few career MotorCycle Mechanics on this board. I'll be 58 the 1st week in May 2005 and have been working on cars and then MotorCycles since my teens. Before that as a kid it was Briggs-Stratten and Clinton powered homemade Mini-Bikes and Go-Carts. Early on I evolved into one of those gearheads that is naturally tuned into the sound, smell and wonderful cadence of what I think is one of this century's greatest inventions: the 4-stroke engine. I learned what I know from about 50 years of dirty hands-on experience, reading/following shop manuals and all pertinant technical articles while focusing on completely understanding the what/where/when/how/why of all the physics involved. When all my friends were memorizing senseless sports trivia and scores, I was learning Volts/Amps/Ohms/Capacitance and why a condensor is needed in a breaker point ignition. To troubleshoot, tune or make things better you must understand exactly how the machine works. I've also learned, the hard way, to respect the hidden sophistication, Rocket Science and brilliant engineering of today's cars/bikes (especially Honda) by knowing when NOT to mess with system calibrations. One big advantage (prolly the only one) of being old is that all my mistakes have hopefully already been made. I live in almost paradise with my wonderful wife of 18 yrs, Ann, whom I met thru my truthful, but flippant newspaper personal's ad, and two semi obedient, PITA Boston Terriers, Sadie and Gracie.

For my final career I own half of Washington CycleWorks in Washington New Jersey USA. I'm the lone mechanic in it's 10 year old Japanese SportBike Service Department that, by design, focus, parts availability and workload does NOT work on BMW's. In the last 9 years that we've had it, I have Dyno tested hundreds of bikes on our DynoJet Dyno without ever being poisoned with a thirst for HorsePower in the bike that I ride. I guess that's part of why I am proud, satisfied and grateful to own my all around amazingly capable R1150R. I bet you feel that way too.

There's more to say, but I've already said too much and it's someone else's turn now.
Go!


EDIT: I RETIRED from work on 8-18-05, got married on 9-18 to my 18 year long lifepartner and moved into our new house in Gainesville Georgia on Nov 30.
I plan on continuing to work on bikes, as a hobby AND focusing on OilHeads in particular, out of my walk-out basement. I will also provide full ABS Dot 4 fluid changes by then and if you have the time, join us in a modest home cooked meal. Rumor has it you'll also have 50% of what BMW Service Dept charges to spend on something else. Plan for sometime after May 1st when all the moving madness and my 2 month long oak tree (FREE!) firewood harvest marathon is over and the workshop is perfectly organized. People that see my firewood pile say "Wow! What are you going to do with so much wood?"

Retirement has been happier and busier than I ever could have imagined. No need to travel anywhere or be on time. Stress level near zero. Spending more time with the wife has made all things better. Like Pat says - - - Life is Good.

[Ed K]

Oh man. . .Gord, Brit, Cycle. . .you guys are almost poetic. . .and creative. . .kinda makes me think about "Ed K" being re-born or something.

I too am sort of a gear-head. . .although not by profession. As a kid we sawed-off baseball bats, drilled a hole in them, rammed them on to horizontal lawnermower engine shafts, and mounted the engines (with sawed off bats) on to bicycles. The end of the baseball bat was a "direct drive" on to the tire, and there is was. . .a cheap motorbike. We used handbrakes for throttles. . .and well, we didn't have brakes. Many more stories to tell about that, but for another time. . .

Well, then I graduated to dirt bikes. . .mom and dad didn't believe I could earn enough money as a 14 year old to get one so they said "ok." Well, 3 months later, and one shot lawnmower (dad's!), I had my first Kawasaki 2 cycle 175, with a pressed-steel frame. . .geez. . . anyone remember those??? Dating myself here.

Anyway the years went by I worked on VW bugs. . .(just how did that engine blow-up anyway when I was spinning the wheels and drifting it in the snow??). And "Then Came Bronson". . .(anyone remember??) and also my Yamaha RD350. . .2 cycle hot-handling 6-speed and front disc (in 1973!!). Well, I burned that up too. . .another story there too. . .and almost killed myself.

Then came the RX-7. . .this thing was smooth, but needed some more go-juice. So I purchased the faster aftermarket turbo kit (Car Tech) I could find, and upset my wife while I spend the next month of weekends in the garage, while we had a new born baby. (This is not recommended procedure guys, believe me!! But once I had it disassembled, I had to fix it to get to work.) Well finally got it together, and man, that car was fast for its day: 0 to 60 in 4.7. . . and the coolest things was I put it on myself. Nothing could touch it then.

Well then I figured I never had a muscle car. . . and eventually got rid of the RX got a Z-28, 6 speed with T-tops. . .lots of snorting grunt. . .it wsa different, crude, but fun, yes fun. (In fact still have it and it still is fun.)

Then came the Sporter (2004). HATED it!!! Didn't idle right. Dealer says its got to breath better, put on the slip-ons, and re-jet. Well did that and it did run better, but I nearly went deaf!!! (even with ear plugs). Got a damn headache every time I rode the freak'n thing. Also, the 5-speed tranny was not to my liking. . .and didn't feel nearly as safe riding it as the BMW. . .could go on and on. Got to say one thing though: H-D did smooth it out quite a bit with the rubber mounts. In the end, it was not for me; got rid of it with less than 2K miles (ouch!!!$$$).

Then came the BMW. . . LOVE IT!!! This bike is terrific. And to boot, a bunch of great guys ride 'em too.

Well. . .prolly more than you ever wanted to know about me. . .

See you guys on the street. . .

[wardieone]

I have been involved with motorcycling as long as I can remember. Enjoy the friendship and commonality found with those whose interests are in motorcycling. I host a motorcycle show called the Two Wheel Power Hour on Clear Channel radio in Youngstown, Ohio. This group has been very valuable and it's one of the best on the internet.

[Pat]

Hi,
For the past three years I've been posting under the screen name "PatrickRhys." I bought my 2002 Roadster in December of '01, and put close to 60,000 trouble-free miles on it. Here's a little film clip of a happy biker showing off his sexy attire, and my Roadster in traditional ("timeless") Black:
http://r1150r.smugmug.com/gallery/17829 ... 2251/Large

I'm 50 years old, have no formal education, work for the State of California as a Prison Canteen Manager, and I've never been married.
I like an occasional (premium) cigar with a cup of (premium) black coffee.


I've owned only street bikes, to include:
Hondas Yamahas, Ducati, Moto Guzzi, Harley Davidson, BMW, and my current Triumph. I was outa bikes for a dozen years and made a comeback to the motorcycle scene in 2000; In the following four years, I managed to log over a 100,000 miles between my Sporty 1200'S' and the BMW.
I'm a "Biker".... without the attitude; I live to ride, and ride to live.
I prefer the company of motorcycle enthusiasts to citizens (who just don't "get it.")

Custom Sargent seat, bubble fairing, and a Mag's Bag:
http://r1150r.smugmug.com/photos/6822279-L.jpg
CF pipe, map holder, and my cargo plate covered in truck bed liner:
http://r1150r.smugmug.com/photos/18410185-L.jpg

My current ride is a 2004 955cc Triumph Sprint RS

LIFE and motorcycles IS GOOD!

[rkdemay]

Rafael De May. Born in Mexico City, living in Saint Paul, MN. No, I didn't lose a bet. It just feels that way for 4 months every year...

I've been riding for 16+ years, the last 3 on the R1150R. In the first part of '05 I sold my (fastest) Atlanta Blue '02 to Optimus Prime and joined the Roadster Alumni Group. Now my ride reports will recount adventures from the very tall saddle of a yellow R1200GS.

I've owned Honda, Kawasaki, Yamaha and raced Suzuki (CRA Ultralight). But the first bike I was ever distinctly aware of was a BMW, and I've wanted one since (I think I was around 8-yrs). After 3 years of ownership I'll be surprised if I don't always have one, regardless of what else might come to live in the garage. We're a tiny percentage of bikes on the road, and I like it that way.

I'll turn 40 in November, and I find identity in being a father and a rider. After that, it's all negotiable. I'm a tech geek by trade, designing, implementing and adminning a mixed-platform environment for an advertising agency (we also own a design firm).

Any lister finding your route running through the Twin Cities give a shout. I'll rustle up an escort or show you the highlights if you're stayin' for a while.

Cheers,

-rkd

Triple Lifetime Member #177

[scottybooj]

I'm Scott, aka, scottybooj. pronounced like "rouge" for a girls face. A nickname given to me by college friends.

I'm a Chiropractor in New York, Long Island in particular, with two practices. One is solely geriatric and the other is focused on pediatric and women's wellness. (different ends of the spectrum, eh?)

I just turned 32 this saturday and I started riding motorcycles when I was 15 or so. I first had a Honda 50 scooter, but at the same time, my father let me ride his Harley FLHP Police Special up and down the block. You think it's hard holding up our R sometimes?

From the age of 18-26, I only rode in the summers when I would take my dad's bike out. But in Feb. of 2002, I was reading a bike rag while laid up with a broken leg...looking for my next bike. I knew it was going to be a BMW and the writeup on the R was great. I made some phone calls and bought my bike sight unseen over the phone....never even test riding it.

I stumbled upon this board, like others, after doing a web search. I lurked around since Feb of '02 and then joined the next year. (sorry doug!)

This is a great board and I'm sure most of you will feel welcome!

[Optimus Prime]

First, a little about the name. It's from a cartoon I watched as a child called the "Autobots". On a BMW cager board that I'm a regular of (http://www.bimmerfest.com) the Autobots came up, and one of my buddies informed us of his ignorance about who Optimus Prime was. Somewhere during the discussion I ended up changing my name to Optimus Prime just for giggles and it happened to stick. Since I'm addled, I find it easier to use the same name on multiple sites so as not to confuse myself. Thus, I use Optimus Prime on most of the boards I frequent.

My name is Jason. I'm 24 and have been riding for about 4 years. I have a Bachelors of Science in Mechanical Engineering and will start work on my Masters this fall. I currently work as an Engineer for a bearing manufacturer in the Industrial/Automotive field.

I'm married with no children, and we're currently not planning to have them. We have 3 spoiled rotten, but adorable, cats. We'd have a dog, but we're gonna wait a few years until we have a bigger home. I'm an avid football fan (Bears, Notre Dame, Ohio State), a video game nut, and an automotive enthusiast.

My political upbringing was very far to the right. However, I find myself to be Moderate/left-leaning on most issues except Gun control which I'm still very far to the right.

For the first 4 years of riding I stuck to 20+ year old, shaft drive, 500cc machines (Yamaha Vision, Honda CX500) and just recently purchased RKD's (fastest) Atlantic Blue roadster. I've taken the BRC and have registered for the ERC this spring. I plan on attending the BMWMOA rally and hope to have at least one saddlesore completed before the season is over.

That should do it. Let me know if you have any question.

-Jason

[Doug]

GREAT reads! Keep 'em commin'

[rkdemay]

Let me know if you have any question.

First, what are dogs' noses made of? Next, why does the feed ramp in my Bersa Thunder .380 always jam on cheap, range ammo? How does an economy pistol end up w/Champagne tastes in ammunition?

Sorry, couldn't resist.

Extra bio info: My Most Memorable Moment (M4) on a Roadster so far would be doing >$8k of damage flinging a brand new '02 into the cabbage in rural Wisconsin. Gravel, mid-apex, in a 65mph right hander. The bike had less than 1k miles at the time. But I had enjoyed them so much I went right out and bought another one! (and a bunch of new riding gear)

Great bike.

Cheers,

-rkd

[Pat]

"First, what are dogs' noses made of?"

Another dog's butt, for which the search for a match seems endless (for dogs).

"How does an economy pistol end up w/Champagne tastes in ammunition?"

An "economy" pistol is less likely to have the fit & finish of better pistol. In addition, the feed ramp is especially in need of burr removal & polishing, not to forget that the mechanism responsible for grabbing & ejecting spent brass must be a 100% spot on. Good ammo has consistent brass and a reliable (soft) primer for increased reliability.

"My Most Memorable Moment on a Roadster so far would be doing >$8k of damage flinging a brand new '02 into the cabbage in rural Wisconsin. Gravel, mid-apex, in a 65mph right hander. The bike had less than 1k miles at the time. But I had enjoyed them so much I went right out and bought another one! (and a bunch of new riding gear)"

As I too, with less than 300 miles on a brand new '02 Roadster, caused $3,000.00 worth of damage by throwing it down on a icy road. In so far as "riding gear", I just got through having body armor added to my leather jacket and purchasing leather pants (w/body armor) the very week before being thrown from my bike.......

Body armor & leather is goooooood.

[Bobby A]

Hi,
My name is Bobby and I make a living chasing down bad guys on the computer. as a NYC Police Detective. I had a great relationship with a local dealer and the R is my 4th (and I think best and last) BMW. My bike is unique in the way that it was shown at the annual Javits motorcycle show. It was customized by the dealer and I purchased it right there on impulse. I have no regrets. I have been riding since a teen and am currently nearing retirement after 20 years on the job. My other passion is my 2001 Corvette.
I have a part time DJ gig that I enjoy alot. Never had a bad party! I love the beaches of Long Island and the Hamptons and am always ready to enjoy a cold beer while listening to Jimmy Buffett.
Later : )

[TonyT607]

I'm a relatively new BMW owner (& rider) having picked up my R (first bike) in November of 2002.

I use the R to commute (I actually work home most of the time) and leisure ride nearly year-round and have put 18,000 miles on it as of today. I've not winterized it and will ride all winter save for when there's snow on the ground or if it's below 25 - 30 degrees.

Married to a TWM (tightly wrapped mom) with a 15 yr old daughter and have been with the world's leading IT company (Hint: we used to be called 'beemers") for 21 years in sales, management, and international assignments. Did a 2 year tour in the UK from '98 to '00 and lived in a small village just outside London.

Just turned 44 but I refuse to grow up. Hobbies include riding, music (everything from heavy metal to opera), bicycling, working on my car (96 BMW 328is - heavily Dinan-modifed), puttering around the house with my power tools. I also am a lover/student of Renaissance art and architecture and have been to Italy many times to see it all up close. Also an avid reader, mostly history, foreign affiars and the occasional novel.

I was born in Manhattan, grew up 2 miles from midtown across the Hudson and have lived in northern NJ my whole life. Currently in suburban Union County, NJ, USA 20 miles west of NYC. Fluent in Spanish and Italian and can read some French.

Like most of the people here I enjoy the good things; Italian food of course; anything on the grill, learned to love Indian food living in the UK and Cuban food since I grew up in New Jersey's Cuban enclave - Hudson County. I've also traveled quite a bit - maybe 40 countries across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa and have sampled some fantastic cuisine. I enjoy a glass of wine with dinner once in a while but that's it. I do enjoy a good cigar however and try to treat myself once in a while.

We're also big dog lovers in our family - we have a 6 yr old Yellow Lab Wembley) that we brought back from the UK and are about to take in a Seeing-eye dog puppy which we'll raise for a year and a half and then hand back to The Seeing Eye who will send it to doggie school.

I've already met/ridden with several guys from this board - all good people - now that spring's is here lets get out and RIDE.

Tony

[bikerdudeQC]

Hello All,

I’ve been an occasional poster on the old board for the past two years, ever since I bought my silver R1150R. I upgraded from the F650CS (my first bike) when I took a 2 month sabbatical of sorts and went out to Cape Breton and James Bay. Two spectacular trips. That first summer with the RR I clocked about 15,000km.

For all of the days that there is not ice or leftover salt on the roads, I ride to work and wish I lived a hell of a lot further from my office! Unfortunately living in Montreal there are a few months in the year where I simply have to put the bike away. This past winter was my best yet – last ride was on the 23rd of December when I took advantage of heavy rains which had cleared away ice and snow to get out a bit, first ride was March 18th.

I love riding for a whole host of reasons. The biggest of which is the one I have the hardest time defining, call it the meditativeness for lack of a real word (perhaps Pat can suggest something out of his extensive vocabulary!)– the singular focus on the road ahead and the bike below and not much else.

Any of you coming through Montreal, first beer’s on me.

Cheers,

Justin

[Guest]

This site has given me some Really Great Friends to ride with , Bought my YellowJacket , in 5/02 , have 38,600 miles on the bike and now I've found a New LustBucket to feed my Fantasy on Wheels , gotta admit that the YJYJYJ still just Looks Right to me , but when I make the choice which bike to pull out of the garage , it's the K1200rs (16,300 in 9 months) that gets the nod , a little heavy at low speed but so much Power, so Smooth on the road , Handling (Bitubo's) at speed is amazing , SO the R-Bkie has been sold for $7500, with Ohlin's, custom lights F/R , Corbin seat RKA tank-pillion-and soft luggage, tour-shield (tho it still resides in my garage til' May when friend from St'Louis coming out to pick it up and he's already paid for it, and had my Ohlin's reworked/revalved and re-installed at his expense) ... ... When he found out that I had the bike up for sale few months ago , he asked for some pics. , sent him CD full and he Fell in Love with the looks just like I did , sold his Vstrom and Buell (he's got 6 bikes) sent me a check, so it's almost gone now, but even tho' a K1200rs owner now , the guys I've met here at r1150r.net are still like family , and the rides/friendships are still the most important part of motorcycling, 2cyl's or 4cyl's doesn't matter , it's about how BIG you Smile at the end of the day that counts ... ... .... My handle in the beginning was Baron Von Manhawk , LifeTime member # 86 , Currently Squiddly VonRipper and I'm having more fun with less Ego attached ..... So Be Well and Safe all , Rick , the Mill Valley Flash

[NK ED]

My name is Mike and I am from Urbana Illinois. GO ILLINI! I ride without a fairing, or hard luggage. I love the sense of flying freely down the road. Hence I use NK ED for my forum name and the little rocketman for my avatar. It pretty much clarifies my take on motorcylce riding. My first and most memorable rally was the Chain Gang rally in Mena Arkansas. The roads through Missouri and Arkansas were a dream. I am taking a week maybe more to take the long way to the Ohio MOA rally this summer. I think I will head south through Kentucky and head up into SE Ohio for a three day stay at Burr Oak State Park (the Monday through Wednesday before the rally). Maybe I will catch up with some of you in Ohio.

I also bought my 2004 R on impulse. I had been thinking about bikes for several months and decided to go look at the local BMW dealer to see what they had. I fell in love with a silver R. I couldn't stop thinking about it. I ended up buying the bike, that was two years ago. I rode motorcycles twenty years ago in my twentys. I purchased my first bike to take with me to my summer job in the Shawnee National Forest. My buddy had a apple green 90R BMW and that is what I used to get my motorcycle license. If I had the money I would have looked for a used BMW but I didnt so I bought what I could afford.
1st bike was a piece of crud Suzuki 500 with a Vetter fairing. It ran 1 out of the 3 months I had it. But I sold it for the price I paid to a guy who wanted the Vetter fairing. I was lucky!
2nd bike was a rocket! 1972 Kawasaki 500 Three cylinder two cycle, bright orange. It was the famed H1. I got it from my uncle who bought it to ride but found it a little to tempermental for him. The darn thing would pick up the front wheel in third. I never mastered the wheely thing, but many did on this bike.
3rd bike was my first brand new machine, 1980 Kawasaki 1000 shaft. I loved this bike! Although it was more a sport bike than touring and for a sport bike it was a lug. It also was Kaw's second year into drive shafts and the bike had a tendency to stand you up when acclerating around turns.
4th bike was a Kawasaki 175 dirt bike that I purchased with three college roomates. We liked to kill ourselves on that thing. But we would go out every weekend and look for trails.
Now twenty some odd years later I am looking to tour on my R. I have taken the Motorcyle Riders Course, I really had a ball with all the various bikes, cones, obstacle courses and things to run over. And last year I took the advanced Motorcycle Riding Course on my R, not as fun but worth my time.
I look forward to meeting those who go to the Ohio rally.
http://img97.exs.cx/img97/1391/Menatrip ... 262003.jpg