Hello everyone,
My name is Bill and I have been in Alaska since my parents drug me up here in1966. I have owned some sort of bike since I was 17. In 1975, I owned a water buffalo and had planned to take a road trip to what we call "outside" or "the lower 48". Instead, friends talked me into getting a BMW for the trip, so I went to the local dealer and bought a 1975 R90/6. I am glad I did. The bike ran flawlessly for that 10,000 mile trip. Anyway, I got married and started having kids and in1983 the bike sat in the back yard being neglected for the next 25 years. In 2008, a friend suggested I get it running, so I took it to the shop in the fall and it was ready by spring. I forgot how much I liked to ride. I have been gradually replacing all the rusted parts and it is now almost completely restored. Last summer I made the ride from Fairbanks to Homer. Upon getting back home I had to put a half quart of oil in the engine. I had never had to do that before. So at 85,000 miles I had the engine rebuilt and the bike still runs great. Last fall I picked up a used 2005 R1200GS. The new bike handles the dirt roads like it was made for it. I made the run to Dawson in June with the GS and plan on doing it again next year. Although the brakes and suspension on the new bike work a lot better, I think the old bike handles the twisties better. A couple years ago I joined the local airhead club, what a great bunch of guys and I have just joined the MOA.
Two weeks ago I bought a 1988 R100RT in Indiana and plan on leaving the bike outside. I am no spring chicken and in a couple years plan on becoming, what we call a "snowbird". Meaning during the colder winter months in Alaska, going south to someplace warmer. Hopefully someplace I can ride in Jan and Feb. Two weeks ago I had to put the bikes away for the winter and I am anxiously awaiting April when I can start riding again.
BB
My name is Bill and I have been in Alaska since my parents drug me up here in1966. I have owned some sort of bike since I was 17. In 1975, I owned a water buffalo and had planned to take a road trip to what we call "outside" or "the lower 48". Instead, friends talked me into getting a BMW for the trip, so I went to the local dealer and bought a 1975 R90/6. I am glad I did. The bike ran flawlessly for that 10,000 mile trip. Anyway, I got married and started having kids and in1983 the bike sat in the back yard being neglected for the next 25 years. In 2008, a friend suggested I get it running, so I took it to the shop in the fall and it was ready by spring. I forgot how much I liked to ride. I have been gradually replacing all the rusted parts and it is now almost completely restored. Last summer I made the ride from Fairbanks to Homer. Upon getting back home I had to put a half quart of oil in the engine. I had never had to do that before. So at 85,000 miles I had the engine rebuilt and the bike still runs great. Last fall I picked up a used 2005 R1200GS. The new bike handles the dirt roads like it was made for it. I made the run to Dawson in June with the GS and plan on doing it again next year. Although the brakes and suspension on the new bike work a lot better, I think the old bike handles the twisties better. A couple years ago I joined the local airhead club, what a great bunch of guys and I have just joined the MOA.
Two weeks ago I bought a 1988 R100RT in Indiana and plan on leaving the bike outside. I am no spring chicken and in a couple years plan on becoming, what we call a "snowbird". Meaning during the colder winter months in Alaska, going south to someplace warmer. Hopefully someplace I can ride in Jan and Feb. Two weeks ago I had to put the bikes away for the winter and I am anxiously awaiting April when I can start riding again.
BB
