Bought a New Hoopti

[Snapping Twig]

Been riding for the last 5 years on my first ever bike, a hand-me-down 1985 Virgo 700.

Liked it so much I totally reworked it, replaced all the old chrome with new, upgraded it with modern suspension, a new seat and numerous things. Sweet ride.

Well, I'd been saving all year and holding my breath that the tax man wouldn't totally eviscerate me, and it worked!

Had enough left over to buy this, my first new bike from the dealer.

2012 BMW R1200R

Panniers and a taller windscreen are on order. What a difference! Same weight and wheelbase, twice the horses and torque - and modern suspension design. Single swingarm direct drive rear end, paralever front suspension, computer dash system, ABS, traction control, heated grips.

The heated grips saved my bacon this morning. 32 F on the climb from the coast to Alice's today.

SWMBO is having Easter brunch here, so chores dictated an early morning suarey if I was to ride today. O dark-thirty and I was on the road. Heck, do you blame me? I got the thing yesterday.

White knuckle ride home from the dealer in San Jose to my home in Pacifica on 280. Different controls, different everything - including the BMW turn signals.

Damn if my hands didn't freeze today! Even with the warmers on high I couldn't feel my fingers when I got to Alice's and had to go through the painful thing when you let limbs go too cold before I could work my fingers to take off my helmet. Might adapt some GS handguards for this after all.

Anyway, if anyone is interested the Virago is on the block, she did me right while I had her. She's tight and got a whole lifetime of miles ahead of her. I have only one parking space, so PM me, its gotta go.

 

[Onomea]

Very nice! Congrats! I believe my little bro has that Beamer, too. He likes it a lot.

 

[mkk41]

Congrats! Gotta admit , last time I walked thru the local multi-brand cycle dealership , I was quite surprised at the BMWs. Last improvement I recall was the flat 3 & 4-cylinder K-bikes. I was really impressed at some of their sportier bikes and the advancement of the old Boxer motor. And shocked at some of the prices!

 

[halco46]

WOW!!!!.

Excellent Buy!!!. My sincere congrats and Good Luck!!!!.

 

[Indiana George]

Nice!

I've ridden mostly Harley-Davidsons for the past 35 years, but always had a soft spot for Beemers.

Here's a twin of my last BMW:

 

[Marshwheeling]

Nice bike. There is probably a BMW part that will offer wind protection for your hands: lever guards for one or another of the GS models. Incidentally, they will protect your levers in the event you drop your bike, not that you ever plan to do that.

If the BMW parts don't do it for you, look into some dirt bike lever guards. They are available with shields that will give wind protection. Any of those will enhance the effect of your heated grips.

Another option is Hippo Hands, insulated muffs that will surround your hands and levers. If you get desperate, you can make hand protection with milk bottles or detergent jugs, but I assume that appearance is at least a little bit important to you, which is why I started with the BMW parts.

 

[Long Barrel]

Congrats on the Beemer!

You might wanna check out a Russell Day Long saddle after a couple of hours on the road. Also check out BMWMOA's website for lots of tech and other data.

Take a run up Mt Tam for me! I miss the SF area.

Tom in Cincinnati
06 R1200RT
Many Smiffs