HEY TWN.................

[HIGHLANDER]

So some of the Norcal group went to the bike show and found Santa. He was looking for you, heard you were headed to Alaska..............

Friendly farkle is not included..............'less you like high maintainence.

 

[twowheelnut]

Screw Santa! Screw the bikes! Who's the helper?! :dribble: And Santa's beard needs a trim. I can see lunch is still there.

:lol:

Actually, I just got back from the BMW dealer and witnessed an unbelievable site get this: a gent and his wife were taking delivery of their new GS-Ad. Fully farkled out; aluminum side cases and top boxes (yes, plural), GPS, radar detector, iPod, fancy shield, farkle bars, comm system, full electric Widders plugs, gonzo aux lights, blah, blah, blah, blah, plus a full set of matching his and her BMW riding gear including gloves, boots and helmets. As I passed them, I noticed the salesman's clip board had the check clipped to it. The bill for all that stuff? $31,110! :blink:

That's a 19,000 bike plus 12 large on farkles and labor! Cough, cough. Choke. Oy.

And which bike did Santa like?

 

[Toecutter]

We've all heard of Bad Santa. Now meet Mad Santa.

That V-Strom sure looks like it's the right color.

 

[FJRay]

Looks like Mike is doing his xmas shopping anf it looks like real high maintnance. :yahoo:

 

[radman]

Screw Santa! Screw the bikes! Who's the helper?! :dribble: And Santa's beard needs a trim. I can see lunch is still there.
:lol:

Actually, I just got back from the BMW dealer and witnessed an unbelievable site get this: a gent and his wife were taking delivery of their new GS-Ad. Fully farkled out; aluminum side cases and top boxes (yes, plural), GPS, radar detector, iPod, fancy shield, farkle bars, comm system, full electric Widders plugs, gonzo aux lights, blah, blah, blah, blah, plus a full set of matching his and her BMW riding gear including gloves, boots and helmets. As I passed them, I noticed the salesman's clip board had the check clipped to it. The bill for all that stuff? $31,110! :blink:

That's a 19,000 bike plus 12 large on farkles and labor! Cough, cough. Choke. Oy.

And which bike did Santa like?

As nice as that machine may be, there seems something so wrong about how it was, I don't know, acquired? Assembled? Don't know the word, but I do know the weird feeling I get when I hear about it-like somehow he hasn't paid his dues, and that, for me, lessens it and him in my eyes.

 

[HaulinAshe]

As nice as that machine may be, there seems something so wrong about how it was, I don't know, acquired? Assembled? Don't know the word, but I do know the weird feeling I get when I hear about it-like somehow he hasn't paid his dues, and that, for me, lessens it and him in my eyes.

I think what Rad is saying is that money can't buy you love. And you truly love the things you make your own, especially the hard way.

 

[twowheelnut]

As nice as that machine may be, there seems something so wrong about how it was, I don't know, acquired? Assembled? Don't know the word, but I do know the weird feeling I get when I hear about it-like somehow he hasn't paid his dues, and that, for me, lessens it and him in my eyes.

I think what Rad is saying is that money can't buy you love. And you truly love the things you make your own, especially the hard way.

Word.

 

[kaitsdad]

Screw Santa! Screw the bikes! Who's the helper?! :dribble: And Santa's beard needs a trim. I can see lunch is still there.

:lol:

Actually, I just got back from the BMW dealer and witnessed an unbelievable site get this: a gent and his wife were taking delivery of their new GS-Ad. Fully farkled out; aluminum side cases and top boxes (yes, plural), GPS, radar detector, iPod, fancy shield, farkle bars, comm system, full electric Widders plugs, gonzo aux lights, blah, blah, blah, blah, plus a full set of matching his and her BMW riding gear including gloves, boots and helmets. As I passed them, I noticed the salesman's clip board had the check clipped to it. The bill for all that stuff? $31,110! :blink:

That's a 19,000 bike plus 12 large on farkles and labor! Cough, cough. Choke. Oy.

And which bike did Santa like?

As nice as that machine may be, there seems something so wrong about how it was, I don't know, acquired? Assembled? Don't know the word, but I do know the weird feeling I get when I hear about it-like somehow he hasn't paid his dues, and that, for me, lessens it and him in my eyes.

Yep. It's wrong.

When something breaks (nah- it'll never break, right? ) I sure hope he has cell access and is able to wait for the towing service. Heaven forbid he should understand how it works..... and how to fix it.

 

[HIGHLANDER]

That V-Strom sure looks like it's the right color.

Yep !

Only $6599 show price !!

Buy FOUR and still have pocket change left over .........for less than a preassembled GS-AV ! :blink:

 

[Toecutter]

Only $6599 show price !!Buy FOUR and still have pocket change left over .........for less than a preassembled GS-AV ! :blink:

With ABS to boot? Where's the other pics (fingernail polish-colored FJR and that Kawi)?
Sure would hate to drop that $30k Beemer, like the guy probably will soon.

 

[madmike2]

Looks like Mike is doing his xmas shopping anf it looks like real high maintnance. :yahoo:

Merely window shopping for the "Postmeister General", Mr. TwoWheelNut.

BTW, the "high maintenance farkle" came and found me...and that's the truth. I have witnesses!

Actually, I just got back from the BMW dealer and...........
And which bike did Santa like?

So, what did you think after your test ride? Is the GS something that "floats your boat" or does the search continue?

And.....Santa likes them all

 

[twowheelnut]

So, what did you think after your test ride? Is the GS something that "floats your boat" or does the search continue?

No ride today. Seems they frown on test rides in the rain. :dntknw: I did spend a lot of time poking and prodding, yanking the seats, working the switchy bits, scoping out the farkles (holy ****! BMW branded crap is spendy! ), and doing a lot of 'vrooooom, vroooom and vrooooming' while sitting on the various models. I will say this though, in a static state the GS is plush as compared to the Strom. I like plush.

That little F650GS is rather sweet, too and a more palatable price not to mention that GT. Woof. :dribble:

 

[teerex51]

... the GS is plush as compared to the Strom. I like plush.

...mmmmhh, TWN I can tell you're in love.

I reckon by now the distance that separates you from a brand-new GS is the thickness of a check.

Will you still wave back at us? B)

Stef

 

[Bounce]

I reckon by now the distance that separates you from a brand-new GS is the thickness of a check.

the thickness of 2 checks.

1 for the bike and 1 that puts a mechanic on retainer.

 

[odot]

Hm....harley hating out, beemer bashing in......I can't keep up with the changes in here....

 

[skyway]

I remember this bike well MM2, as I spent quite a bit of time discussing it with one of the factory reps there, (real nice guy and avid rider BTW) I'll fill you in with the details when we next meet.

p.s. During our conversation, (translated to: I was able to quickly gain his confidence and his vocal cords turned from the normal everything is perfect on this bike salesman line garbage to the real scoop about the dark side of bmw ownership) once he had a quick scan around to see if any of his team were listening and then turned to me before continuing and said "I'll deny any of this if ever asked about it" and "you and I both know nothing lasts forever". Well, after finishing up around 20 minutes later, I'm about 95% sure I just scratched this bike of my wanted list unless I see several changes made to it.

Especially until the CAN BUS system is either significantly revamped, or they remove it completely from their bikes. And this may very well happen, as they have dropped the power assisted brakes (very bad idea and concept IMO for any M/C) from the entire line except for the LT this year. (which I have absolutely zero interest in anyway)

In short, if I was only planning on tooling around close to home, I would not be put off the GS and would put one in my garage, even though they are mucho $$$ to own. But since every once in a while close to home becomes a little exaggerated for me, I would not choose this bike for any back of beyond missions.

As always YMMV, literally. :lol:

 

[Toecutter]

I was able to quickly gain his confidence and his vocal cords turned from the normal everything is perfect on this bike salesman line garbage to the real scoop about the dark side of bmw ownership

One man's dark side is many mechanic's livelyhood. Why should they make 'em perfect?

I would not choose this bike for any back of beyond missions.

Uh, what's the other half of your meager opinion?

IOW, what bikes are still on the short list for Adventure Skyway Touring?

Hm....harley hating out, beemer-bashing in......I can't keep up with the changes in here....

No, just a Harley hating time out for Beemer bashing.See Scab's Santa tire thread for some Harley bashing (into an FJR).

 

[skyway]

IOW, what bikes are still on the short list for Adventure Skyway Touring?

I'm disappointed that KTM was a no show, but there is a very good dealer close to me that I will visit soon. I'm not ruling out the upcoming Triumph Tiger, this bike deserves a close look and is only 1 week away from arriving at my local dealer.

I think any of these bikes will suite my needs on local fire roads, loose gravel and general long stretches of crappy highway (Alaska is calling ), since I'm not planning on any serious off roading. (none of the bikes mentioned in this thread would be a good choice for this anyway)

So the search continues.... I'm not entirely sold on the VStrom yet either, but a promised test ride is coming soon. But I do think it could be great platform to start from for little $$$, important consideration for me is value for money!

I need to balance LD on-highway comfort and speed, with enough ground clearance and suspension travel to handle situations when the going gets a little rough. The kind of roads I see and want to explore on my FJR, but are just plain out of reach for the platform.

 

[dcarver]

I keep tellin' ya guyz. KTM 950 Adventurer. Go ride one TWN. Notice how simple it is to work on. It can damn near out accelerate our beloved FJR's from a rolling 2nd gear start, run at 100 all day long. I rode an earlier model over 200 miles one day and found it more comfortable than my stock FJR.. I'm going to feel badly for you Beemer guyz when we go Adventure Riding and you're all tore up and me and Miss Katoom are still going strong.. Not to mention when the trail gets ugly... the KTM will be in the lead, every time.