There IS a new bike smell!

[crgrbrts]

It's logical -- but I never knew it. There IS a new bike smell! I picked up my brand, spankin' new K1200R Sport about an hour ago from Bob's BMW and took a fragrant 40 mile ride back to the office. What a thrill! It's my very first factory new bike since I began riding over 40 years ago.

This bike will be an even greater thrill once I've gotten through the break-in period. Keeping it below 4-grand is VERY challenging.

I got the little side bags with it, so I'm ready for some travelin'. Maybe to Gillette next year?

As for color, I decided to go with the White Aluminum Metallic. I know it's somewhat nondescript, but I thought the Cosmic Blue might wear thin in a few years. I plan to keep this bike for a long time.

Any other K12R Sport riders out there? Whaddya think of the machine?

[r11rs94]

Love the smell of a new bike. Congrats on the new ride. Pictures we need pictures.:wave

[bikerfish1100]

try this. it works.
http://www.mototuneusa.com/break_in_secrets.htm

[rkasal]

Congratulations! Those are nice looking bikes! The nice thing when bikes lose their new smell is we don't have to hang those silly looking pine fresheners from anything.

Regards,


Randy Kasal

[terham]

I'm jealous, I've never experienced new bike smell. Congrats. :thumb We need pics though.

[rkasal]

I'm jealous, I've never experienced new bike smell. Congrats. :thumb We need pics though.


He's probably out riding. I know I would be. :wave

Regards,



Randy Kasal

[crgrbrts]

Yup, I WAS out riding. Pics this weekend, though.

Later this month, after the 600-mile break-in service, I'm going to take my new toy down to Canton, Georgia to fetch my son (who's bound to a Honda) and introduce him to some of my favorite twisties between Helen and Suches. Can't wait!

[crgrbrts]

Okie doke. Here's the "homecoming" photo with my new K1200R Sport. I can't imagine a better bike (for me, anyway).

It's a beautiful day in Merry-Land, so I'm off the enjoy the countryside.

[bikerfish1100]

and the beem(er)ing father looks so happy!
schweet bike.

[rkasal]

Okie doke. Here's the "homecoming" photo with my new K1200R Sport. I can't imagine a better bike (for me, anyway).

It's a beautiful day in Merry-Land, so I'm off the enjoy the countryside.


Man, that is nice. If you stop long enough to get back online, please tell us your impressions. Any smiles from the ladies while riding?

Regards,


Randy Kasal

[crgrbrts]

In answer to Randy's last question first -- well, thanks to the anonymity and age-disguising camouflage bestowing qualities of full face helmets (reason enough for us old farts to wear one), I was the recipient of at least one admiring female gaze today. There were a couple of other young ladies who I imagined looked longingly, but I cannot confirm these.

The one unmistakable come hither look came from a very pretty young lady of apparent Latin persuasion whose male companion in their tricked out Honda Civic could be seen yammering away incessantly on some topic or other. She had long since ceased to even feign interest in his monologue and had folded her willowy arms atop the passenger side window sill and rested her chin upon them. Her half-closed eyes opened luminously as she spotted my shining K12R Sport next to her. Mistaking me for a dashing, rescuing knight astride a silver steed, she pursed her lips, blew me a kiss and smiled alluringly. I responded by nodding heroically and, as the traffic light morphed from red to green, departed the intersection in earnest, assertive fashion displaying just enough testosterone to assure but not enough to frighten.

I am certain the fantasy she now enjoys does not include the figure of a shopworn, gray-bearded 60 year old of screamingly Welsh extraction.

As for initial impressions of the bike -- it's the best I've ever had the privilege of riding, let alone owning.

I could not want one more horsepower. The K1200R Sport is very quick and very fast -- but not wholly uncivilized. Like the lovely A4 Skyhawk I flew so many years ago, it is an affectionate and (barely) manageable rocket ship.

On the highway, the K1200R Sport's manners are impeccable with a long wheelbase-borne stability that will make long, swift cross country journeys comfortable and safe. The riding position is more sporting than lounging, but I prefer that As I age (even more) I could opt for bar risers and cure any cramp.

In the twisties, The K1200R Sport is great fun if ridden with commitment and confidence. It is not a supremely "flickable" bike, but more than sporting enough to thrill if lines are chosen carefully and at least a little in advance.

Any motorcycle, save the purebred, dedicated racer, tourer or off-road machine, must be a design of compromise. Indeed, the K1200R Sport IS compromised in both its sporting and touring roles, but so minimally that I cannot imagine a better sport tourer of any brand and at any price. I love this bike! It suits my purposes perfectly.

I'll pass along a more detailed review once the bike and I have settled in together a bit longer.

[terham]

Congrats, beautiful looking bike. Here's to many safe miles.:thumb