dpandorf
New member
I joined the MOA this morning as I'm about to venture back into driving a motorcycle for pleasure. A week or so before this past Father's Day my wife texts me as I'm away at work (I'm a Gulfstream 550 Captain) that she wants to buy me a motorcycle for Father's Day. This has come completely out of left field. I ask her, "Do you really need my life insurance money so soon?" No, she's being serious.
You see, for over 35 years I've been flying high performance aircraft including 20 years military flying and the past 15 years in business aviation. I guess I get a little bored hanging around the house when I'm not on the road in the cockpit and her idea on spicing up my life is a motorcycle.
In my past I've raced motocross from the 125cc class all the way to the open class riding a 400cc Husqvarna to riding a 250 Yamaha on the indoor short track circuit. At the same time I road on the street.
I've always envied those I've seen riding BMW motorcycles as they gave me the impression of true "professionals" as those I saw were properly equipped from head to toe. So the first thing I did to pique this new interest was to go to the BMW shop website which happens to be in nearby Asheville, NC. (Eurosport Asheville) Not ready to plunk down a big chunk of $$$ I looked at their used bike offerings and found they have a 2003 K1200GT at an affordable price single owner, garaged, and "factory" maintained.
2003 Blue BMW K1200GT
The bike includes Ohlins suspension and almost new Michelin PR4s.
Of course I didn't stop there and will be wearing a Schuberth CS3 Pro helmet, Rev'it Dominator GTX Jacket along with their Poseidon trousers, BMW All Around Boots and Rev'it gloves. I will be taking the MSF class locally and will be working with the shop's parts manager who teaches motorcycle safety classes through a third party company who work with motorcycle patrol officers.
I'm excited to begin this new adventure and am well aware of the responsibility it entails in being 100% committed to safety and learning all I can about being the best I can on the bike. (that does not mean the fastest out of the turns either
)
Look forward to hanging around here.
You see, for over 35 years I've been flying high performance aircraft including 20 years military flying and the past 15 years in business aviation. I guess I get a little bored hanging around the house when I'm not on the road in the cockpit and her idea on spicing up my life is a motorcycle.
In my past I've raced motocross from the 125cc class all the way to the open class riding a 400cc Husqvarna to riding a 250 Yamaha on the indoor short track circuit. At the same time I road on the street.
I've always envied those I've seen riding BMW motorcycles as they gave me the impression of true "professionals" as those I saw were properly equipped from head to toe. So the first thing I did to pique this new interest was to go to the BMW shop website which happens to be in nearby Asheville, NC. (Eurosport Asheville) Not ready to plunk down a big chunk of $$$ I looked at their used bike offerings and found they have a 2003 K1200GT at an affordable price single owner, garaged, and "factory" maintained.
2003 Blue BMW K1200GT
The bike includes Ohlins suspension and almost new Michelin PR4s.
Of course I didn't stop there and will be wearing a Schuberth CS3 Pro helmet, Rev'it Dominator GTX Jacket along with their Poseidon trousers, BMW All Around Boots and Rev'it gloves. I will be taking the MSF class locally and will be working with the shop's parts manager who teaches motorcycle safety classes through a third party company who work with motorcycle patrol officers.
I'm excited to begin this new adventure and am well aware of the responsibility it entails in being 100% committed to safety and learning all I can about being the best I can on the bike. (that does not mean the fastest out of the turns either
)Look forward to hanging around here.
After driving the same model vehicle since 1998 (Honda Odyssey mini vans) it was time she stepped into a real machine! Actually a computer on wheels!
