I am a newbie….yes I can hear you all thinking ‘so what’ just another lucky person coming to his senses and buying a fabulous GS. But when I say newbie I mean it in a more global sense. Yes I have bought a GS, in fact a lovely shiny silver 2003 GS adventure (I will add pics when someone tells me how to). The problem is I have not passed my test yet. So now I guess you are all thinking ‘born again rider’…..well that’s not true either. I am straight out of the womb as I am just learning to ride a bike. I will, however, confess to owning a 125 about twelve years ago which some thieving bastards stole within one week of purchasing it. So the sum of my experience is a few days on a 125, which was so long ago I cant even remember what make it was, and the three days of lessons I have had in the last few weeks in a school playground with a load of spotty 16 year olds. I intend to write regular updates to give all you experienced riders an insight into what it’s like to have a 1150 GS as a first bike. I thought you may get a few laughs from this and in return I, hopefully, will get a few tips and useful bits of advice.
To bring you all up to speed a quick summary of my current status is:
• The bike is being delivered this weekend, bought it from a lovely guy on the South Coast who cherished it, or at least that’s what he told me (bought it without seeing it)
• Passed my theory test on 6th June – I now understand why the current pass rate is low. The multiple-choice is a cinch but understanding what exactly one should do on the hazard perception test is way beyond the understanding of most normal people (I was going to say bikers but realise I now fall within that category). Hmmm….fall…..perhaps that is not the best word to use as I already have visions of myself lying on the ground looking upwards in a Russel Crowe sort of manner (gladiator) with quarter of a ton of german engineering pinning me down like a Turkish wrestler.
• Practical test booked for 21st June – I am being well taught by an experienced fireman from Hartlepool so should be a piece of piss.
At this point I think I should mention that I have a very understanding wife. It all started when I said to her ‘adventures calling my dear’. At first she put it down to a mid life crisis but when she knew I was serious she was all for me going off to far distant lands, her actual words being the further the better.
Next instalment will include details of my motorbike training and a visit to the BMW dealer to get some appropriate attire….boy are those rallye 2 jackets heavy, would not be surprised if seven stone weaklings instantaneously collapsed under the sheer weight of them. Oh, and if its after the weekend I will also convey first impressions of my new chariot.
That’s all for now.
Richard
p.s if you do see someone 6’3” and 17st with a yellow vest sporting trainee on the back, on a bike way too small, being followed by a fireman in the North East of England please stay well clear.
To bring you all up to speed a quick summary of my current status is:
• The bike is being delivered this weekend, bought it from a lovely guy on the South Coast who cherished it, or at least that’s what he told me (bought it without seeing it)
• Passed my theory test on 6th June – I now understand why the current pass rate is low. The multiple-choice is a cinch but understanding what exactly one should do on the hazard perception test is way beyond the understanding of most normal people (I was going to say bikers but realise I now fall within that category). Hmmm….fall…..perhaps that is not the best word to use as I already have visions of myself lying on the ground looking upwards in a Russel Crowe sort of manner (gladiator) with quarter of a ton of german engineering pinning me down like a Turkish wrestler.
• Practical test booked for 21st June – I am being well taught by an experienced fireman from Hartlepool so should be a piece of piss.
At this point I think I should mention that I have a very understanding wife. It all started when I said to her ‘adventures calling my dear’. At first she put it down to a mid life crisis but when she knew I was serious she was all for me going off to far distant lands, her actual words being the further the better.
Next instalment will include details of my motorbike training and a visit to the BMW dealer to get some appropriate attire….boy are those rallye 2 jackets heavy, would not be surprised if seven stone weaklings instantaneously collapsed under the sheer weight of them. Oh, and if its after the weekend I will also convey first impressions of my new chariot.
That’s all for now.
Richard
p.s if you do see someone 6’3” and 17st with a yellow vest sporting trainee on the back, on a bike way too small, being followed by a fireman in the North East of England please stay well clear.
You'll be fine though - mate of mine passed his bike test 2 months ago and had an 1150GS as his first bike - we got back from a 2000 mile trip around Scotland last week
Once moving a GS is a very easy bike to ride. Look forward to hearing how you get on.
