- submitted by Derek Post
Well, I’d decided after a test drive of BMW’s K1200GT a year ago this spring, I would own a BMW by this fall. After many hours of searching and test drives trying to decide which bike was right for me (coming from a 83 Honda Goldwing Aspencade), I settled on two models: an R1100RT or a R1100GS. By the numbers the RT should have been the bike for me; however I was having a hard time giving up the idea of heading down the "dirt road".
I told myself I’d take back to back test rides on both bikes to help decide. So I was heading to my local BMW dealer (Gina’s in Iowa City, IA), who start this whole adventure. Once arriving I was given a RT and a GS to test ride by Gina. I rode the GS first for about 15 miles, and then I got on the RT. After a mile I wanted off the RT.
I was off to test ride another GS that Gina recommend (as she didn’t have any in my $$ range). I was more convinced after that test ride (it was a 1995). My Goldwing must have known she was about to be replaced. As it wasn’t soon after my test ride, while my buddy John and I were looking for a hotel, a large clunking sound come up from my bike’s tranny area. As she coasted to a stop we found ourselves in front of a Marriott. We stayed the night, because they had the prerequisite Jacuzzi, indoor pool and attached bar...and because the old girl wasn’t going another mile.
The next day, I was rescued by a good friend (drove three hours), I was heading home with my Goldwing on a trailer, and the decision about my future BMW, it was going to be a GS! The search began as soon I got home. I did my homework; I was looking for a 97-99 GS with less than 20K miles all for less than 7K. Was that possible? I hoped so.
After three purchase failures, reasons varying from misrepresented years to having a bike bought out from under me. I was beginning to wonder if it was a sign. I then noticed a Black 97 GS, I’d watched on Ebay didn’t sell. So I shot an e-mail to the owner. It was still available. I was in! I had a business trip (for the Navy) to the area of the bike so I had a way to get out there. After a few hours of discussions with the owner and the latest BMW dealer to see the bike, I was certain the bike was a good deal. I headed to the airport Friday evening, for a flight to Philadelphia to accomplish some training with the U.S. Naval Air Reserves, with the plan to pick up the bike in Fredrick Maryland on Sun. The weekend went well and I was able to meet Jerry Smith (great guy) at the Baltimore Airport (2 hr ride from Philadelphia) to drop off the rental car. Jerry took me to his house and showed me the bike, and all the workings of it. He made sure I was ready for the ride home to Iowa. I inspected the motorcycle, checking the tires, oil and etc before a long ride. All I had with me was my Arai helmet, jacket, gloves, tank bag full of snacks and my clothes from the weekend.
At 12:10 pm (EST) Sunday June 6th, I had Jerry witness my Saddle Sore 1000 starting form and I was off with my shiny Black GS and a huge grin. I proceeded to the nearby gas station, drained my bladder and topped off my tank getting my starting receipt. I hopped onto I70N and I was headed to home Iowa, with the deadline of having to be at work at 10:00 am (CST) Monday morning for a meeting.
After 30 miles I knew I had made the right decision about the GS. I was second guessing my decision on making a Saddle Sore ride after a tiring weekend. Adding to my worry was the lack of license plates. I had the title, sales receipt and proof of insurance. I fretted the whole ride to the Iowa border, that a highway patrolman having a bad day would not be fond of my "In Transit" sign. But I keep telling myself, I’d asked the right questions and was told it would be "ok" by the "authorities".
As I pushed north on I70 I found the bike to be as advertised; very responsive and a blast to ride. I enjoyed the countryside as I rode up I70 connecting to I76, and eventually connected with I80W near Youngstown, OH. As the sun began to set, I started to feel the long weekend hitting me. So I stopped for dinner, freshened up and headed out again. I decided that I had to ride the fuel tank empty before stopping, if was going to make any time at all. I caught my second wind around midnight near Chicago. I kept calculating time left in my head and no matter I many times I did it, the ride was only half over! Was I going to make it? I was getting extremely tired. Even after a close call with Bambi, (testing BMW’s ABS system) I was still fighting the head nods.
It was then I remembered the IBA hotel theory, so I pulled off the interstate and found a dirt road off the beaten path; the roadside grass was deep and dry. So I parked the bike and caught a quick 20 minute siesta. Man, did that help! I hopped on the bike headed for the Iowa border. The rest helped my body for another tanks’ worth. However around 3ish my mind was begging for sleep. I so convinced myself that I could rest (on rest stop picnic bench) for another 20 minutes (its 3:15 am CST). I woke up around 4:45! Oh my gosh, I’m late. I still had another 200 miles to go. After a quick fuel stop at the Iowa / Illinois border (finally safe in the home state) I continued west. As the sun came up, I found a twisty (the best you can find in Iowa) state road to help fight the sleepies. I arrived in my home town around 7:47 CST as everybody was headed to work. I cruised by my buddies’ house to show off the new ride, he wasn’t home. So I headed home for a shower, quick nap and breakfast. I rode to work logging the extra miles (for good measure). I refueled for the last time on the 1056.1 mile journey (via odometer) at 9:24 AM CST logging 1011 via GPS. I walked into work content knowing that I made the ride, had a bike that I loved, which performed flawlessly.
Derek Post
IBA 18900
BMW R1100GS
Honda GL1100 Aspencade
Honda VF700 Sabre
Honda CB750 Super Sport