Greetings from the Queen City!

[joepayne1950]

New member here from Charlotte, NC - The Queen City!

Long time rider (since '79) and have now owned four BMWs since 2000. Really happy to be able to enjoy such fine machines and I am looking forward to this forum and BMWMOA events. I registered for the 2023 Grand Coddiwomple over the weekend and plan to work on those challenges starting now

No Pic of BMW #1, a red 2000 F650GS. Before this bike I had numerous other bikes, but here's the BMWs I do have pics of:

#2 2007 R1200GS; #3 2002 R1150GS; #4 R1150GSA (the 3rd times a charm as far as full-size GS goes- this bike is my favorite!):

 

[Paul_F]

Welcome to the Forum from Ontario!

 

[mikegalbicka]

Welcome from central Florida.

 

[skibum69]

Welcome from Newfoundland.

 

[HSVPhil]

Where ya been lately, Joe? Been AWOL for quite a spell? Did U at least attend the MOA Rally in VA?

Guess you’re pretty sold on the capabilities of the GS brand... The point is you’ve got so many options with a GS!

Good Luck on your entry into the CoddiWomple competition. We did it for the first two years, and enjoyed the quest {if not the judges & their rules’ interpretations}.

Cheers from Rocket City and the Tennessee River valley. We’re likely of the same graduating cohort...

Happy Trails whenever U can - Ciao!
HSV-Phil & HSV-Karen
USAF-Ret'd — & — USN-Ret’d
'75 R90S ————— '82 R100CS
’09 KLX250S ——— ’08 CRF230L
'14 K-GT ————— '16 R1200RS
’05 Vespa 200L

 

[langoptc]

Welcome joepayne1950. Interested as to why the GSA is your favorite of the three. Thanks for the pics.

 

[joepayne1950]

Welcome joepayne1950. Interested as to why the GSA is your favorite of the three. Thanks for the pics.

The GSA is, quite subjectively, my favorite due to its set up (skip to DETAILS if you wanna go fast). It is a totality of the parts working together.

For perspective, I loved the 2007, but it did have some unique issues which caused us to part ways somewhere around 50,000 miles. I'd try another Hexhead or Camhead with no worries.

Having several bikes in the barn, I went without a BMW for a little while. Then I replaced the 2007 with a very good friend's 2002 1150GS. What a fine bike - I really loved that bike! Sold it due to mental illness I think, something about trying out lighter dual sports for a while. Don't get me wrong, the dual sports were awesome and the adventures were great, but I felt limited and I missed my Oilhead.

I was casually looking around for another Oilhead when I found the 2002 GSA. It was a bike I had dreamed of for many years, so I picked it up without hesitation.

DETAILS: Here's the set up that makes it my favorite: Smooth, smooth suspension, possibly due to that extra stroke length (sitting on almost new OEM GSA shocks). A plus 0.5" Sargent seat gives great ergonomics for me - comfy knees, comfy bum. I really like the enduro transmission (very subjective, I'm like a doting father). The larger tank does indeed provide better wind management (I am not sensitive per se, but at highway speeds it makes a difference). The Handguard extenders from TT also help with wind management and the now unobtainium Cee Bailey screen is the cherry on top (I also really like CalSci as seen on previous '02). Finally, tiny detail, the twin 45L panniers on the narrow TT racks are really kool! I can pack everything I will never need

Only one downside: I am 5'7" and she is t-a-l-l. I feel a little like I'm back in the woods of my youth riding my dad's ol' two-stroke. No big deal, and I always ran previous GS seats in highest slot without solid footing. I just do the Capt. Morgan at stops and carry on.

Joe

 

[joepayne1950]

Hi Phil!

I missed MOA Rally. Had plans to go and to also visit family in VA, but that dang ol' work hemmed me up.

I heard it was a great event and I have reviewed a lot of pictures and reports with a bit of envy.

 

[langoptc]

The GSA is, quite subjectively, my favorite due to its set up (skip to DETAILS if you wanna go fast). It is a totality of the parts working together.

For perspective, I loved the 2007, but it did have some unique issues which caused us to part ways somewhere around 50,000 miles. I'd try another Hexhead or Camhead with no worries.

Having several bikes in the barn, I went without a BMW for a little while. Then I replaced the 2007 with a very good friend's 2002 1150GS. What a fine bike - I really loved that bike! Sold it due to mental illness I think, something about trying out lighter dual sports for a while. Don't get me wrong, the dual sports were awesome and the adventures were great, but I felt limited and I missed my Oilhead.

I was casually looking around for another Oilhead when I found the 2002 GSA. It was a bike I had dreamed of for many years, so I picked it up without hesitation.

DETAILS: Here's the set up that makes it my favorite: Smooth, smooth suspension, possibly due to that extra stroke length (sitting on almost new OEM GSA shocks). A plus 0.5" Sargent seat gives great ergonomics for me - comfy knees, comfy bum. I really like the enduro transmission (very subjective, I'm like a doting father). The larger tank does indeed provide better wind management (I am not sensitive per se, but at highway speeds it makes a difference). The Handguard extenders from TT also help with wind management and the now unobtainium Cee Bailey screen is the cherry on top (I also really like CalSci as seen on previous '02). Finally, tiny detail, the twin 45L panniers on the narrow TT racks are really kool! I can pack everything I will never need

Only one downside: I am 5'7" and she is t-a-l-l. I feel a little like I'm back in the woods of my youth riding my dad's ol' two-stroke. No big deal, and I always ran previous GS seats in highest slot without solid footing. I just do the Capt. Morgan at stops and carry on.

Joe

Thanks for the insights.