The new bike

New trip = new bike! My KTM almost left me stranded at the Gran Canyon last year and we'll be at much higher elevations this year. So, I sold my KTM and started my search for a suitable replacement. And continued to search. And searched. And got worried I didn't have a bike yet and *finally* broke down and bought the BMW (R1200GS) I've wanted for quite some time. It was insanely expensive (cost more than my truck!) but should do everything I need it to for this trip and AK next year (or whenever I finally get around to that trip).

Here's a pic of it without the windscreen. She's not the prettiest girl at the dance but she has some great moves ;-)


I picked it up last week and it's been great...until yesterday. I'm in the process of breaking it in and took it for a spin up the local canyons (Redwood Road). Was great fun -- I kept pace with the sportbikers and the look on their faces was priceless! Unfortunately, as the day progressed, my clutch engagement got progressively worse. And by worse I mean the lever did nothing and I couldn't disengage the clutch. I had to match revs and slip it in and out of gear to get home. I even had to push it the last 2 blocks home. $20k well spent, right?? Needless to say, I'm not pleased. Not pleased at all.

BMW NA will be picking it up tomorrow am and it better be fixed quickly. I still need to break it in and will be riding to the Sierras this weekend....at least I plan on it!