Motorcycling

 

 


MOTORCYCLING

 

Motorcycling has been a significant part of my life since I was 14 years old. Except for a period of time (1992-1997) when I was busy building a business (and driving a Corvette), I have owned a motorcycle since 1966. In total, I have owned 11 motorcycles. My first seven were Japanese models, the last two being a 1974 Kawasaki Z1 and then a 1982 Kawasaki KZ1100 Shaft. Upon my return to motorcycling, I have discovered and developed a fascination for BMWs. While not particularly flashy or in vogue, they have a quality of uniqueness and a substantial amount of engineering. BMWs are noted for their longevity. BMW routinely competes in and wins competitions requiring endurance. Prior to 2005, BMW had won the last five Iron Butt Rallies and their automobiles (yes, BMW does make cars) even won LeMans in 1999.

Some innovations introduced by BMW:

  • First shaft drive motorcycle (1923)
  • First OHV (overhead valve) sports engine in a motorcycle (1924)
  • First telescopic front wheel fork with hydraulic damping (1935)
  • First tubular frame welded electrically under protective gas (1936)
  • First production motorcycle with a wind tunnel tested full fairing (1976)
  • First production motorcycle with fuel injection (1983)
  • First production motorcycle with ABS (1988)
  • First catalytic converter for motorcycle engines (1990)
  • Introduces Telelever front suspension, resistant to front end dive during braking (1993)
  • First adaptive integrated braking system (2002)
  • Electronic Suspension Adjustment (ESA) - tune your suspension on the fly! (2005)
  • ASC - Automatic Stability Control (2007)

    My return to motorcycling (on Memorial Weekend, 1998) was marked by the purchase of a 1984 R80RT. When I purchased it on May 17th, 1998, the R80RT had a little over 56k miles. I rode it 10-1/2 months and put almost 7,600 miles on it.

    Wanting something a little better suited for two-up touring, I traded the R80RT for a 1995 K1100LT with nearly 49.5k miles on it on April 16th, 1999.

    Still missing that "Airhead" feeling, I purchased a R75/7 with 107k miles on it on October 17th, 1999.

    However, with work getting in the way, I had trouble riding and maintaining two machines. So, on that fateful Friday the 13th, July 13, 2001, I sold the R75/7.

    It's a new day and a new era as I traded the K11LT for a new R1150RT on July 16, 2002. I put more miles (52,379) on the K11LT than on any other bike I've owned. The KLT, although a wonderful touring bike, was getting a little long in the tooth so it was time for a change.

    On October 3rd, 2003, I reached a milestone by riding BMWs over 100,000 miles.

    On December 18th, 2004, I accumulated 50,000 miles on my R1150RT.

    By December, 2005, I accumulated a total of 250k miles lifetime (115k miles Japanese models; 135k miles BMWs)

    My first Saddle Sore 1000 ride was certified by the Iron Butt Association on February 18, 2006.

    My first Bun Burner 1500 ride was certified by the Iron Butt Association on May 29, 2006.

    On June 18, 2006, I accumulated 75,000 miles on my R1150RT.

    On August 13, 2006, I accumulated a total of 150,000 miles on BMWs.

    On June 22nd, 2007, I accumulated 100,000 miles on my R1150RT.

    On January 13, 2008, I accumulated 300,000 total motorcycle miles.

    On August 29, 2008, I accumulated 200,000 miles on BMWs.

    On November 23, 2008, I added a 2004 Kawasaki KLR 650 to the stable.

    On November 16, 2010, I accumulated 150,000 miles on my R1150RT.   

    On August 1, 2012, I sold the KLR 650.

    On August 2, 2012, I traded the R1150RT for a 2012 R1200GSA.   

    On August 31, 2014, I purchased a 1985 K100 RS from Don Williams.   

    On December 27, 2014, I traded the GSA and K100 RS for a 2003 K1200 RS.

    On February 2016, I bought a 1989 R100RT from Garry Newby (return to Airheads!)

    On May 26, 2018, I sold the K1200 RS to Bill (Der Kaiser) Schimko.

    On May 28, 2018, I bought a 2004 R1150R from Ralph Lombardo.

     

    Stats:

    Model Purchased

    Sold 

    Duration
    (Months)
    Total
    Miles

    Miles
    per
    year

    Date Miles

    Date3

    Miles
    1984 R80RT

    05/17/98

    56,448

    04/16/99

    64,047 11 7,599 8,290
    1995 K1100LT

    04/16/99

    49,481

    07/16/02

    101,860 39 52,379 16,106
    1977 R75/7

    10/17/99

    107,000

    07/13/01

    117,205 21 9,0771

    5,217

    2002 R1150RT

    07/16/02

    15

    08/02/12

    165,197 120.7 164,450 16,428
    2004 KLR 650 11/22/08 5,151 08/01/12 8,852 44.7 3,699 993
    1985 K100 RS 08/31/14 116,412 12/27/14 118,995 3.9 2,583 662
    2012 R1200 GSA 08/02/2012 17 12/27/14 18,730 28.8 18,713 7,797
    2003 K1200 RS 12/27/2014 28,551 5/26/2018 33,401 40.9 4,850 1,409
    1989 R100RT 2/16/16 65,057 (6/20/19) 73,147 40.0 9,08110 2,719
    2004 R1150R 5/28/18 33,428 (6/20/19) 37,030 12.6 3,028 3,697
    Total BMW Miles4

    273,1605

     in 21.08 years (12,957 mi/yr)

    Commuting Miles

    02

    Total Motorcycle Miles

    391,858

    Miles by BMW Engine Type

    Type

    Miles
    Oilhead, Hexhead (R1150RT, R1200 GSA, R1150R) 187,592 5
    69%
    Brick (K1100LT, K100 RS, K1200 RS) 59,812
    22%
    Airhead (R80RT, R75/7, R100RT) 25,757 1
    9%
           

    I completed SCMA/AMA California Parks Adventure Tour in 2008. Click here to see how I did.

    Long Distance Riding 

    Category Date(s) Miles
    Most miles before noon August 3, 2007 561
    Longest Day (24 hours)9 October 14, 2006 1,186
    Longest 36 Hours April 24-25, 2008 1,778
    Longest Two Days May 5-6, 2007 2,0816
    Longest Three Days May 4-6, 2007 2,5337
    Longest Five Days April 24-28, 2008 3,632
    Most consecutive 1,000 mile  months (after subtracting commuting miles) 05/05 to 05/08 378

    Iron Butt Association Certificates

    Category Date Certified?
    SS 1000 December 17, 2005 Yes
    BB 1500 May 6-7, 2006 Yes
    SS 1000 October 14, 2006 Yes
    SS 1000 November 24, 2006 Yes
    SS 1000 December 15, 2006 Yes
    BB 1500 May 5-6, 2007 Yes
    SS 2000 May 5-6, 2007 Yes
    SS 1000 August 3, 2007 Yes
    SS 1000 April 24, 2008 Yes
    BB 1500 April 25, 2008 Yes
    BB 1500 April 28, 2008 Yes
    SS 1000 (Top of the Rockies Rally July 25, 2008 Not submitted
    SS 1000 (Chocolate Run 2010)
    (1,008 mi in 17h 17m)
    December 3, 2010 Not Submitted

    1 1,128 miles put on by Bob Gray (aka "Bad Bob") to the Roadrunner Rally in May, 2000 and have been subtracted from the total.
    2 Commuting miles tallied for the benefit of my friend Jeff Bliss who once commuted more than I do.
    3 Dates in parentheses indicates that I still own these bikes.
    4 I rode a little over 115k miles on 7 Japanese models from 1966 to 1991.
    5 Includes rental for Edelweiss Tour June, 2005 (1,190 miles).
    6 Less than 48 hours (SS2000).
    7 Less than 59 hours.
    8 Previous "best" was 22 months from 02/00 to 11/01.
    9 Most "efficient" SS 1000: August 3, 2007 (16h 0m)
    10Includes 687 miles on temporary speedometer

    Over the past twelve months, I have ridden 9,383 miles. 

      Some of the motorcycle organizations I am associated with:

    BMW Motorcycle Owner's Association (MOA)

    South Coast BMW Riders Club

    Iron Butt Association

     

    The BMW Motorcycle website can be found by clicking here.

    I have taken within the past 12 months:

    Date Destination Camp/Motel Days
    June 15-16, 2019 Big Bear, CA (ABC) Camp 2
    March 22-24, 2019 Borrego Springs (SCBMWRC) Camp 3
    February 15-17, 2019 Death Valley (ABC & SCBMWRC) Camp 3
    June 21-25, 2018 Sonora (SCBMWRC Sierra Passes Ride) Motel 5
    12 Month Total
    13

    My previous adventures can be found here.

    Camp 12
     (92%)
    Motel 1
     (8%)
    Highest Number of Touring Days5 in 12 month period 51
    Lowest Number of Touring Days5 in 12 month period 0

    5 Days interconnected by nights out on the road.

    The 10% Rule

    Click here for the Rogue's Gallery.

    Certificates