Aug 20

Written by: k1ir
8/20/2008 10:48 AM

Sue and I decided to have a little fun a few weeks ago and take a beginning motorcycling course sponsored by the Motorcycle Safety Foundation. In Massachusetts, before the course, you have to get your motorcycle learner's permit, which requires a test. I took it first and just made it through. Sue took it and aced it, of course. The course includes six hours of classroom and ten hours of riding. We took it with Ironstone Ventures. The classroom is in Acton, MA and the riding range is a short drive away in Ayer, MA. We did it over a weekend starting Friday night and finishing on Sunday morning. The course ends with a riding exam. If you pass it, you get your full motorcycle license. We both passed. Of course, Sue did a lot better than me. I had trouble with the figure-eight . . .

Next, it was time to find a "ride". I did a little searching on Craig's List, and found the perfect solution. So, here's the latest additional to the K1IR toy collection. It's a 2001 BMW F650GS. I chose it for a number of reasons:

• I really like the way it looks
• The riding position is very comfortable - fairly upright and the seat height is just right for me
• The F650GS has a proven performance and reliability record
• This bike had fairly low miles for its age - 10,371
• After inspection, it turned out that the bike is in good condition, requiring only normal maintenance
• Sue likes it
• The F650GS has a very loyal following and there is a lot of good information available on the 'net
• There are many accessories available for it
• I really like the way it looks

So, there you have it - the latest distraction to enter my world.

73, Jim

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