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Swapping Bikes

Just to show that I am not only a loanee, but a loaner, here's a shot of Richard Sheckler after trying out my 1928 R52:

DSCF0664_resize.JPG
 
Darryl, does anyone ever wear gear when riding your R52? Brent wasn't.

<img src="http://snafu.smugmug.com/Motorcycles/MOA/p-20080809-1312-41352/1142729612_DFKac-O.jpg" title="Brent on Darryl's R52">

Or is the big smile all that is needed?
 
I've loaned others my machines, and ridden other's bikes, but only when the riders are familiar with that type of machine, and there is either a spoken or unspoken agreement that if something goes wrong the borrower will take care of the problem.

Everything will likely go OK, until a hazard appears suddenly, requiring a quick response. Then, unfamiliarity can put you in trouble. The same is true for the novice rider on his/her first bike, or a rider who has just purchased a different machine. It takes several months of riding for the operating techniques to become subconscious enough to respond correctly to emergencies.

I had a nasty crash in July on a borrowed machine, a Triumph sport bike with which I was unfamiliar. I flipped over the bars attempting to do a quick stop, reverting to my BMW muscle memory. I've never crashed someone else's machine, but I've been on rides where someone on a borrowed bike crashed. It's enough of a known hazard that some event organizers have a written rule against swapping.

I've sometimes ridden someone else's machine in a controlled situation such as around the rally grounds. I've seldom wanted to swap bikes during a ride, but from here on out it will be an ironclad personal rule.

You're free to write your own rules, of course.

pmdave
 
Don, now that you mention it, I'm sure the bike was either an 1100 or a 1150. (Really must remember to fully engage brain before activating my typing fingers.) Anyway, it DIDN'T have a gear indicator and DID vibrate a lot. I understand the 1200's are much better in that respect.

By the way, the K75 had lots of power above 5000 rpm. (Running out of breath?) The same is true (only more so) of my current K100RS four valve. Guess I will take pmdave's advice and not try a 1200 - might create a need I didn't even know I had.
 
... Guess I will take pmdave's advice and not try a 1200 - might create a need I didn't even know I had.

I really think you should head on down to the dealer and try out a few machines. The economy needs a boost.

I've done my part already by channeling lots and lots of Medicare bucks and co-payments to various fire departments, hospitals, X-ray technicians, surgeons, anesthesiologists, drug companies and occupational therapists.

pmdave
 
Don, now that you mention it, I'm sure the bike was either an 1100 or a 1150. (Really must remember to fully engage brain before activating my typing fingers.) Anyway, it DIDN'T have a gear indicator and DID vibrate a lot. I understand the 1200's are much better in that respect.

By the way, the K75 had lots of power above 5000 rpm. (Running out of breath?) The same is true (only more so) of my current K100RS four valve. Guess I will take pmdave's advice and not try a 1200 - might create a need I didn't even know I had.

Kinda thought so. The 11xx and hexhead 1200's are really much different.

And Eilenberger's Law #13 covers the rest ride situation: http://www.eilenberger.net/laws.htm

I purposely broke it when I found the R1150RS was causing me not to ride much.. (and I'd test sat the R12R at the NYC moto show a few months before - and immediately thought "BMW has finally made a bike just for me.." - that opinion hasn't changed..)
 
great shots, darryl!

but i think the risks of swapping vintage bikes are mitigated by the unwritten understanding about how one treats the machinery.

i only swap bikes with the most trusted of riders/friends, people who also ride built bikes. we expect each other to "try out the accessories" :evil

ian
 
Darryl, does anyone ever wear gear when riding your R52? Brent wasn't.

<img src="http://snafu.smugmug.com/Motorcycles/MOA/p-20080809-1312-41352/1142729612_DFKac-O.jpg" title="Brent on Darryl's R52">

It's part of the vintage experience.

Or is the big smile all that is needed?

<img src="http://forums.bmwmoa.org/images/smilies/nod.gif" height=200 width=200>
 
great shots, darryl!

It occurs to me that I should mention what each of those bikes are:

1938 Z??ndapp K500 500cc sidevalve boxer

1920 Victoria KR I 500cc sidevalve (with the BMW m2b15 boxer motor)

1913 Douglas 2 3/4 (hp) 350cc sidevalve boxer; 2 speed trans with no clutch

1917 Rudge Multi 500cc OHV single w/ 4 valve head (nothing new about that!) and 4 speed transmission
 
:eek

You know, those hardtail bikes aren't so good in the dirt...

i promise not to test the accessories. :D

The 11th Annual Surf City Tech Day will be April 9th at my house in Santa Cruz... We will BBQ something for lunch. And yes, I know what BBQ is, and I don't mean grill.

(New year's resolution: got to get the website ready!)

Ian, you can hit Vech's rally the next weekend on your way back!
 
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