Riding to work at 6am this morning, in some very high winds and lashing rain. You know the sort of rain that's horizontal .... I got to thinking.
Of the four bikes I own my F8GS is, I think, my fave. It's certainly been the one that's most often taken out of the garage.
My R1100S Mamola BoxerCup is exceptionally "pretty" and I don't like taking it out unless the weathers nice. Sure I will (it's not a total garage queen .... and has been on a Scottish Weekend and a Minehead Weekend
) but I prefer to keep it for really nice days as I have other choices.
My R80RS was a gift from my Uncle before he died, so it too, rarely comes out as there's just way too much emotional baggage attached to it. The guy was the closest I've known to a Father, he lost his left arm in a mining accident at 21 years but still rode big BMW bikes all of his life, (including having the most gorgeous R69 all of my life,) by having the clutch mounted on the throttle and his prosthetic arm would clamp to the left bar. Cancer took him a couple of years back.
My K1200GT SE, again a lot of emotional attachment as it was bought with money my Mum left me when she died in 2007. It was a tough year, I gave my previous bike, a mint K100RS, to my kid brother only to have a taxi driver kill him by poor driving on her part a couple of months later.
The K12GT is stunningly fast, stupendously comfortable and surprisingly economical (in fuel if not tyres!).... oh and finally is now handling as it should.
However, she has been a fickle beast requiring frequent returns to the dealership for various warranty jobs. In all fairness BMW have always stepped up to the plate regarding those repairs which is a credit to them and their customer service.
If I have a 500 mile day in front of me the K is the best place ever to view it from, and as such I still love it to bits. I cannot think of what to replace it with except maybe a K13GT.
But the F800GS, just like the F650 Funduro it replaced, has taken a small space in my heart for its willingness to perform, has been utterly reliable.
It's economy is at times unbelievable! The handling belies its knobbly Heidenau K60 Scout tyes with an incredible willingness to corner.
So pleased was I with it that I nursed it up to 10,000 miles and never took it over 5000 rpm (80mph). Now she's reached 10,000 miles I've started exploring the upper rev range occasionally and she spins over nicely when asked! But on the other side it's a pleasant place to sit while exploring the tiniest backroads and mild trails.
