R1200RTBlog

BMW R1200RT three weeks in

Its now three weeks since I took delivery of my silver BMW R1200RT from Cliffs Cycles in Danbury and I have only managed to get 350 miles under my belt. With traveling for business and the inclement weather I just haven't had a chance to get out - however as the weather gets better and business life calms a little I am hoping to start to commute and see some of the Connecticut countryside over the coming weeks.

I do, however, have a few observations and comments about the bike. the first is that it is a great bike for touring - very comfortable and economical, I am currently getting 44 miles to the gallon and I understand it can only get better.

One problem I have found is with the electronic Suspension system. It is calibrated for a 187 pound rider and unfortunately after living in the US for 6 months I am now a 210 pound rider! the result is that the headlight is high and oncoming drivers aren't too happy with me. There doesn't appear to be anyway to adjust the suspension other than to tell it that I am a rider plus luggage! I will check with the dealer to see if they can make any adjustment when it goes in for a service in a few weeks time.

I have decided to fit the radio/cd to the bike so on Thursday I am going to pick up the various bits from the dealer and have a go at fitting it myself - I will post some photos and the results of my efforts in the next week or so.

The other modification I am going to make to the bike is to get a taller windscreen. The standard one is too short and doesn't give much protection for me - 6' 2" I get a huge amount of noise or buffeting wherever the screen is adjusted to. Not sure which one to go for but I will do some research and post me decision.

Overall I am really pleased with the bike and it is great to get out and about again - although the standard of driving is very questionable in the locale luckily the back-roads are pretty empty of traffic.

Further musings and pictures etc. in the coming weeks.

Taking delivery of my R1200RT

Well the day finally came when I went to pick up my new BMW R1200RT motorcycle on Saturday morning from Cliffs of Danbury. We drove up for a 10am pick up and the sun was shining - everything in the world was good!

At the dealers the bike was warming up outside and looked stunning and ready to go. A few bits of paperwork and I would be away. BMW dealers seem to have a different view of what a dealership is - friendly, unhurried and almost relaxing. All the dealerships I have been in around the world have coffee and donuts or muffins and no pressure to buy - which in the US is a great attribute!

I signed the papers for the insurance and the registration and then Joanne the sales person came into the office and said it was snowing and can we hurry up - snowing it was bright sunshine a few moments ago. One look outside confirmed that it was in fact almost blizzard conditions - well a slight exaggeration maybe but big flakes and lots of them.

The bike handover was very quick as it had turned very cold and we were getting wet. So with some trepidation I set off to ride the 40 miles back to Greenwich. The roads were relatively clear, however as I hadn 't taken my formal test yet I am not allowed to travel on interstate highways etc. so we were consigned to back roads - you know the ones with little traffic where the snow gathers!

The ride back was slow to say the least as it had been 6 months since i had left my bike back in the UK and I hadn't got round to hiring one over here in the US. The BMW was very well behaved and the heated seat and grips were a very useful addition. My only problem was that there was so much snow gathering on the front of the bike I couldn't see through the screen!

We finally managed to get back 60 minutes later with only a few tense minutes with slippery snow patches.

So why buy a bike in the middle of winter I hear you say? Well it is cheaper for one and I got a great deal but the main reason is that if we go back to the UK in September as planned I can take the bike with me and I don't have to pay tax on it. The rules seem to be that you have to live in the US for 12 months and own the vehicle for 6 months and then it is a change of registration, however if you own it for less than 6 months you have to put VAT, import duty etc. which seems to add up to around 30% of purchase price.

I will post some pictures etc. in the next few weeks as the weather gets brighter and hopefully warmer so I can get out and explore Connecticut.

Another new toy - BMW R1200RT

After living in the USA for 6 months I have succumbed and bought myself a motorbike. When we moved out here I left my BMW 1200GS in the UK in storage as the cost of transfer and alterations would probably have been prohibitive - illegal HID Headlights, exhaust etc in the USA.

I must admit I have been missing just getting on my bike an ride - getting away from work and thinking about nothing but staying alive. So on Friday I went along to the local DMV office in Norwalk and got my Motorcycle Permit which allows me to ride and buy a bike - although I can't take a pillion or ride at night!

We went and had a look at the local BMW dealer in Danbury - Cliffs of Danbury a couple of weeks ago and had a look at R1200RT, K1200GT and they were going to get the new R1200GS in on the 1st of February. So off we went this weekend and did the deed.

I am picking up my brand new silver 2008 R1200RT with all the bits on Saturday the 9th, hopefully, and then I will have freedom of the roads again.

To go with the new 'stead' I have ordered a 49l top box and a Garmin Zumo GPS which will allow me to play MP3, XM Digital Radio and phone through my BMW WCS-1 Bluetooth Helmet. I am still a gadget freak if you haven't guessed!

I will update you more next week when I get the new toy!

For further information please see my new blog dedicated to the R1200RT at www.r1200rtblog.com