dumb idea....money i don't have....but i just put a deposit on a 2005 BMW R1200 GS

[jerk]

i've told you guys about my grandiose idea to do some two-up touring and start to include my significant other in my motorcycling. i've only had my RSV4 RR a few months and i've already put 5,000 miles on it and most of the time i'm riding it i wish that i could share the exeprience with Kate.

i thought long and hard about buying a new Moto-Guzzi Stelvio. They're really nice bikes- and at $11,000 with full dealer support it's a heck of a deal. I also test rode one for a day and really liked it. In fact, I liked it better than the R1200GS i tried.

but at the end of the day saving 7,000 (once we start including taxes and all the other stuff) was too much of an argument in favor of getting something tried and true. so i just venmo'd some guy in Texas $1000 to hold on to this thing until I can get out there and grab it and ride it back home to San Diego.

it's a 2005. it's got 30,000 miles on it, it has new bitubo suspension and spoked wheels. it's only seen highway miles.

i like the way it looks. i think it should be a decent bike for what i want to do with it. i'll certainly be getting some more aggressive rubber for it and maybe a 21" front wheel because i really want to play in the desert on the thing- although the point of the bike is going to be to use it for camping for the two of us.

tell me what a horrible mistake i made. and yes- i did really want a new R1200GS rally but i can't swing 20k right now. i can't even swing the 5k this thing is costing me- but it's cheaper than a boat and Kate really wants to do this.

[Too Tall]

I hate you a little. I've been forcing myself to sell my beloved 1951 Chevy Truck so that I've got room to park a Moto and work on my other project car

That's a oil head and was HIGHLY recommended to me by Jim Ford, a recent new friend ( Riders Workshop | ) Jim has that same bike with 150K on it and runs like a top.

That is one of the most highly revered motos ever made how could you go wrong and PS I hate you.

[maunahaole]

The bags alone are probably nearly a grand. 5k for that is a good deal. Say hi to Garro on your way thru Flag.

[NYCfixie]

You only live once. Great choice.

[dogrange]

Like you, I've got "want a second bike-itis," so I am very jealous of your second bike! Enjoy it, it sounds perfect for what you want to do.

[SlowPokePete]

Nice.

I once had an R75/5.

That was a long time ago, but I love a boxer.

SPP

[jscottyk]

Great choice Craig. And that price seems very good.

Where did the seller have it serviced?

[jerk]

fingers crossed this sale goes thought. 5k is big money for me- and i just got word that the fuel pump and its sending unit shi'ite the bed. i'm asking that the dealer do a thorough check on the thing- and worse comes to worse at least I know what is up. the guy has $1000 deposit that i'm not walking away from...but in a strange twist of fate my old man just said that he might want to buy the Guzzi Stelvio NTX that my shop has on sale for $12k and leave it out here with me for when he comes out and visits- he'll even let me use it- but only for two-up riding with Kate. :)

so if that happens- i might be the shortest term owner of an R1200GS ever....hahaha.

as you guys might remember- the Stelvio was the bike that sparked this whole crazy fantasy of getting a big off road bike that we could do two up touring on. i demo'd a Stelvio NTX for a day and REALLY liked it. I preferred the engine and egos to the R1200GS actually.

anyway- none of this really matters. i have the best bike in the world- an RSV4 RR with it's new fancy pipes and race ECU!

[ron l edmiston]

-- "never dumb" if you believe....
ronnie