I've seen the light - again

[wbrownell9]

I'm back in the BMW fold after having just gotten a lightly used 2023 GS. I had a dalliance with a Triumph Tiger 900 GT Pro. It was a fine bike, but I've put over 250,000 miles on BMWs (over 200K on GSAs) and just couldn't/wasn't willing to adapt to a new set of quirks. Before the Tiger, I'd been bike-less for 18 months - some clown pulled out in front of me when I was riding a service loaner. I got a helicopter ride out of it and besides a concussion, I came out of it unscathed - yay ATTGATT! But then I did an RV trip through the Southwest and remembered how much I enjoyed riding, and was all mopey. So bought the Triumph.

I retired nearly 10 years ago and my wife passed away before that, so I had a blast touring North America, solo. I think to a certain extent I was running away from loneliness, and I don't feel like I need to do that now. I'm no longer single, but my companion is unable to ride with me. She's not totally enthusiastic about me riding, so it'll just be day or weekend trips now.

 

[omega man]

Way to hang in!
OM

 

[pauls1150]

Welcome to the group!
A few months ago, a gal moved into the house next to me, with her three dogs.
She told me "that one" is named Delaware.
My response: "Why, because he has a New Castle?"
She got it!

 

[PGlaves]

Welcome back!

 

[mikegalbicka]

Welcome from central Florida. Enjoy that nice ride.

 

[langoptc]

Welcome wbrownell9! Hope you are enjoying the GS. A picture or two is always appreciated.

 

[HSVPhil]

Welcome wbrownell9, from the north Alabama region of the Tennessee River valley!

Good luck with your newest Beemer; ought to be a lot of fun. Hope you’ll watch out for the many distracted drivers up that way! Bet U could find some refresher training if advisable... Might make you and your Mrs more relaxed. Get a Paul-B stipend to help defray the costs on any chosen professional class.
https://bmwmoaf.org/rider-training/paul-b-rebates/

Happy eXplorations now and in the New Year!
HSV-Phil - & - HSV-Karen [Alabama Airmarshal of CC-214]
USAF-Ret'd — & — USN-Ret’d
'75 R90S ——-—— '82 R100CS
'14 K16GT ———— '16 R1200RS
’09 KLX250S ——— ’88 R100RT
’05 Vespa 200L -—-- ’11 Vespa GTS 300
President of MOA CC-05: mail-to: president@bmwmoal.org

 

[wbrownell9]

Welcome wbrownell9, from the north Alabama region of the Tennessee River valley!

Good luck with your newest Beemer; ought to be a lot of fun. Hope you’ll watch out for the many distracted drivers up that way! Bet U could find some refresher training if advisable... Might make you and your Mrs more relaxed. Get a Paul-B stipend to help defray the costs on any chosen professional class.
https://bmwmoaf.org/rider-training/paul-b-rebates/

Happy eXplorations now and in the New Year!
HSV-Phil - & - HSV-Karen [Alabama Airmarshal of CC-214]
USAF-Ret'd — & — USN-Ret’d
'75 R90S ——-—— '82 R100CS
'14 K16GT ———— '16 R1200RS
’09 KLX250S ——— ’88 R100RT
’05 Vespa 200L -—-- ’11 Vespa GTS 300
President of MOA CC-05: mail-to: president@bmwmoal.org

It's been my practice to get formal training at least once a year - track day, on-road, parking lot course, whatever. Perishable skills and all that. Took advantage of the Paul B program many times, but this year I couldn't. I did take a parking lot course in late spring, though.

 

[k100fran]

Welcome aboard! Enjoy that GS.