Trade bikes for a day?

[thCapn]

My life and riding styles have changed over the years, so I'm thinkin' it may be time to try a different bike. I love my 2000 R1150GS but I've been wondering if an RT might better suit me these days.

This may sound unorthodox, but if there is anybody in the Portland, Oregon area interested in swapping bikes for a day so I can test out an 1150RT on a long (200-ish) ride then let me know. I rode a 2010 R12RT at a demo day at Portland Motorcycle last summer but it was only a few miles. I need to get a good feel for an 1150 under my butt before I decide to sell my GS for one.

[Omega Man]

Interesting concept, sounds like a good idea :bikes If you don't get any takers in this part of the forum-I can move the post over to your regional area for you. Good luck. Gary

[BCKRIDER]

Just today I went for an 80 mile tour of some of our backroads with two people I know in different contexts but had never ridden with. Mike, a neighbor, rides a Yamaha FZ1 and with a reputation of being quick. Keith had a Harley, but has ridden a lot, some of those miles on a K100. I expected both would leave me far behind until we came to a turn. Didn't happen. Keith always was last and stayed so far behind that he even slowed me down a notch. (He later explained, "I just wanted to see the country.")

Nobody suggested we swap bikes. And I was very glad. Just to be clear, I would have had few qualms about either of these very experienced riders riding my bike. But I definitly feared riding either of their bikes. Everything, but especially power delivery and braking, would have been different. Learning about that on the road is not good. I still think of David Hough's accident when he flipped a swapped sport bike because he hadn't gotten accustomed to the brakes.

If the OP finds somebody, for both your sakes, try to find a parking lot or less traveled road to get used to the new ride. Swapping bikes for 200 miles is a great idea. You just want to do all you can to be sure it doesn't come to a bad end for either of you.

[thCapn]

Good advice, Doug. Fortunately, in this case the two motorcycles in question will have very similar performance characteristics. Gearing, weight and wheelbase are different but I wouldn't expect those differences to make riding one versus the other to be a night-and-day experience.

I have owned Triumphs, Hondas, Suzukis, Yamahas and now a BMW, from sport bikes to cruisers to city bikes; Modern, vintage and antique. You can throw vintage motorscooters into that mix as well. In my 35 years of riding experience, I have been a motorcycle commuter, trail rider, touring rider and roadcourse racer.

I enjoy swapping bikes with other experienced riders for rides. It helps to round out our experience and technique.