Another Bike Changer

So, after almost 8 years of owning the R6 many of you will have seen me on, it's time for me to change my bike.

Unfortunately, the ol' bones ain't what they used to be, and riding the R6 has become more of an endurance than an enjoyment in recent times.  

So I've swapped out to join the beard, cardigan and slippers brigade   

I'll shortly be taking delivery of this 2011 BMW R1200RT;

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To be honest, I was actually quite surprised on the (almost 2-hour!) test ride how you can hustle one of these through the twisties with the suspension in "Sport" setting.

And there's plenty of comfortable room on the back for Jax to come along and pillion with me.

And with radio, heated seats and grips, panniers and top box, sat nav mount, cruise control, to name but a few of the toys, I will be able to get back into enjoying the journey again!

I'll still be kicking around the forum, of course - If I'm still allowed.....!  

nice bike
58 here & still a ninja warrior lol

At last, I finally took delivery of the 1200RT today (I'll try to get some better pictures over the weekend), and I decided to take the scenic route back home from Rainbow.

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And it looks like there'll be less money needed for farkles than I originally thought, as the previous owner went a bit mad with the extras;
- Large top box with back pad (On the floor in the photo)
- Factory fit audio system
- BMW alarm
- BMW comfort heated seat (Rider and passenger)
- Nav IV mount
- Front Fender extender
- "Crud catcher" protection plate
- Headlight protector
- iPod cable in the glovebox

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Although there's still my workbench full of bits to add to it, too  

And this Sunday looks like it will be a nice day, so hopefully I'll be able to get out and try it out on a long ride   

Wow! That's quite a bike you got yourself there. Congrats! Nothing beats getting a new bike   

Hope you're planning some continental touring this year to make full use of it. That's what they made it for after all...

... which reminds me... there's 2 beds available at the Nürburgring trip. Sorry about the blatant plug.   

A little run up to the borders in a fortnights time would be a good test for it, failing that, how about Surf & Turf?

Lonterra wrote: . . . I'll still be kicking around the forum, of course - If I'm still allowed.....!  

Only if we get a shot on that beauty   

Nice bike Matt . . . You lucky devil.

I'm more jealous than a [You must be registered and logged in to see this image.] thing

Very nice! Congrats to you, and hope you have many a mile of riding enjoyment.

Lovely bike Matt. Enjoy.

Cheers
Rosco

Hi Matt,

Crumbs that is a change, but looks a very comfortable machine.
Let us know how you get on with it and hopefully, if you don't mind running with us more insubstantial machines, it would be nice to get out for a run sometime this year.

All the best,
Chris

Thanks for the kind comments, folks.   

I must admit, it is taking some getting used to compared to the R6.

It seems I'm back to "50p corners" while I figure out how well it leans - Which is actually quite a lot, I have found   

It is certaily heavy at a standstill, but once on the move and the suspension in "Sport" setting it is actually quite nimble.

However, I keep feeling like I am dawdling along and taking an age to go round corners, because of hiding behind a big screen compared to the R6.

However, when I look at the speedo, I'm doing around 15mph faster than I thought I was!  Need to recalibrate myself......  


Chris, I'll definitely be up for a rideout some time this year - even if I end up carrying everything.....   


And I tried to get a nice shot from the top of Holme Moss of the lovely countryside over Holmfirth, but failed miserably due to the low cloud.....   

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