Bay Area - Can You Look at a Bike for Me?

[ted]

Hi Folks,

About 20 years ago Bob Higdon got a bug in his bonnet, as he often does, and decided to ride Rt. 50 from the old track in San Francisco, through Sacramento, and all the way to Ocean City, Maryland. In all the riding all the world over he has done, he still looks fondly on that ride - and ever since he got back I've been wanting to take it myself. I now have the time in August and a kitchen pass, and I figured the easiest way to do it would be to buy a bike in San Francisco and ride it back.

Enter the MOW MOA

I've found a bike I'd like to buy, but am in great need of someone who has a few hours free to go take a look at it. It is a 2013 F800GT, and I have swapped a bunch of email with the seller, a nice guy named Jim, who is fully informed of my plans. The bike is in/near a place called "Sharp Park" - sooooo, anyone have a few hours they would be willing to give helping me check off a top item on the bucket list? I'd just need an independent set of eyes to look, maybe while on the phone with me, and maybe take a few pics or facetime.

Thanks!

Ted

 

[PGlaves]

Welcome back!

 

[20774]

Maybe check the Anonymous Book for members in the area?

 

[98lee]

Sharp Park is a neighborhood of Pacifica, a small town on the coast about 13 miles south of SanFrancisco.
It’s about 8 miles west of the San Francisco airport.

Unfortunately Ted, I know nothing about F800s.

 

[ted]

Hi Kurt - great suggestion, will try that too!

Hi Lee and Paul!! My K75RT isn't going anywhere, though it does need a new fuel pump (starting to take "whining" to a new level!) It is however now just shy of 30-years old, and I've been looking for something to use for longer rides. I rode the F900XR and liked it, sat on the S1000XR (2019) and loved it, but settled on the F800GT due to it being light, easy to ride, upright seating, and dependable (not to mention affordable.)

I don't think I am in need of an expert, more just someone who can look at the bike as well as the seller and let me know thoughts (does it start and idle well, no obvious accident damage, etc.) If anyone has some time I'd sure appreciate it - please PM me and I will send along details.

Best,

Ted

 

[visian]

Dave Swider lives close to Pacifica. I pm'd you his phone numbers.

F800GT is a great choice... I was drooling over one in Germany a couple of weeks ago.

 

[ted]

Looks like I am all set - can't believe this actually might happen! Though I am guessing August in Nevada might just be hotter than a set of Bloomsburg jet trucks ;-)

 

[paul_f]

Looks like I am all set - can't believe this actually might happen! Though I am guessing August in Nevada might just be hotter than a set of Bloomsburg jet trucks ;-)

Sitting far up the stands, wearing shorts, I can still remember my legs sweating once those beasts were fired up.

 

[PGlaves]

Sitting far up the stands, wearing shorts, I can still remember my legs sweating once those beasts were fired up.

We were in the front row of the stands. Voni was due to be called up on stage for a mileage award. So was I going to be called to the stage, but I didn't know I was getting the Knocklein Award but she did, so she insisted I go with her up on stage. I was so hot I just wanted to leave. So during the Doomsburg Flame Cars I was in row 1 of the stands. All I can say is ouch!

 

[ted]

Hah - yes, I remember it being hotter than a K75 gas tank in rush hour traffic on the 14th St. Bridge in August!

Now if I could just track down an F800GT oem tank bag and top case (and NAV V with cradle, but that might be asking too much ;-)

I arrive in California at the end of next week!

 

[visian]

All I can say is ouch!

“Wanna see ‘em again? Y’all paid for ‘em!”

 

[PGlaves]

“Wanna see ‘em again? Y’all paid for ‘em!”

It seemed like a good idea at the time.

 

[lee]

(and NAV V with cradle, but that might be asking too much ;-)

This Nav V and locking cradle might still be available.
https://www.advrider.com/f/threads/bmw-nav-v-with-factory-cradle-and-mount.1658209/

I don't know if the GPS Prep cradle will mount on the F800.

 

[ted]

Closing the loop here, ended up being a pretty amazing trip! I started Rt. 50 at mile 0 in Sacramento and stayed on it all the way to DC, then finished the short DC to OC hop a week or so later. Had no Nav or GPS so it made sense

Had some good side trips and one lengthy and unintentional detour/backtrack in Cincinnati. Only really tough spot was the ride across Kansas - started 101-degrees at 5am in Pueblo, CO and shot right to 107-degrees for the entire day to Emporia, Kansas. The bike itself is amazing - light, nimble and effortless to ride back-to-back 600+ mile days. Big thanks to Greg Hutchinson for putting eyes on it before I bought it - have a bottle of bourbon for you when we cross paths next!

(Video travelogue - GoPro's editing, not mine)

 

[lee]

(Video travelogue - GoPro's editing, not mine)

Thanks.
I watched the first 2 days and will return to watch the rest.

 

[r0ckrat]

Closing the loop here, ended up being a pretty amazing trip! I started Rt. 50 at mile 0 in Sacramento and stayed on it all the way to DC, then finished the short DC to OC hop a week or so later. Had no Nav or GPS so it made sense

Had some good side trips and one lengthy and unintentional detour/backtrack in Cincinnati. Only really tough spot was the ride across Kansas - started 101-degrees at 5am in Pueblo, CO and shot right to 107-degrees for the entire day to Emporia, Kansas. The bike itself is amazing - light, nimble and effortless to ride back-to-back 600+ mile days. Big thanks to Greg Hutchinson for putting eyes on it before I bought it - have a bottle of bourbon for you when we cross paths next!

(Video travelogue - GoPro's editing, not mine)

View attachment 100615

That'd be an excellent picture for the "Long lonely road" thread on the ADV Rider forum!

 

[kbasa]

Nice to see you on two wheels, Ted.

 

[beemerguru]

Closing the loop here, ended up being a pretty amazing trip! I started Rt. 50 at mile 0 in Sacramento and stayed on it all the way to DC, then finished the short DC to OC hop a week or so later. Had no Nav or GPS so it made sense

Had some good side trips and one lengthy and unintentional detour/backtrack in Cincinnati. Only really tough spot was the ride across Kansas - started 101-degrees at 5am in Pueblo, CO and shot right to 107-degrees for the entire day to Emporia, Kansas. The bike itself is amazing - light, nimble and effortless to ride back-to-back 600+ mile days. Big thanks to Greg Hutchinson for putting eyes on it before I bought it - have a bottle of bourbon for you when we cross paths next!

(Video travelogue - GoPro's editing, not mine)

View attachment 100615

I've been on that VERY long stretch of road way too many times...but it's my favorite route from the Bay area to the MOA Nationals back east. You can always find a Mom's Cafe in the little towns..and the breakfast group will tell you about road construction, things to see, and where not to wander..local knowledge is great.