Fast forward 25 years. I’ve been busy. I never thought of getting a motorbike again. Until some madness strikes. I am on gardening leave, after some fun and games at my prior employer. I’m negotiating a new role to go to. I want to do something memorable with my paid time off. Parachuting? Too dangerous. Ceramics? Used to love that but where would we put my output? Motorcycle tour of europe? Yes!
I make a public commitment at my leaving drinks, whilst leaving some wiggle room. “I am thinking of” rather than “I am ..”. I have seven or eight weeks before I am likely to start work. Plenty of time!
I start to read about motorcycles. The things to have for touring are a big engine, big fairing and hard luggage but those things come together in monstrously heavy things like this Harley we saw in Vienna. Sophia asked me whether that was going to be what I was going to get. My mind was clear. No.
The thing to have for sports touring when I was a biker was a Honda VFR750. Fast and complicated and way too expensive for a young man of limited means but now only £10k new and much less second hand. But I’m now an older man of means, as in this means leaning forward on my wrists would be painful after a while so best think more upright. Given what I got up to later this was a wise move.
I rattle through the list of what used to be the fastest kit when I was younger. VFR750? Now the VFR800 but it’s an old design and after visiting a dealer who didn’t seem to care about selling me a bike I decided it wasn’t for me. ZZR1100? Now gone but there is a Ninja H2 SX SE. Hardly rolls of the tongue that. Supercharged with 200hp at 11000 rpm. Way too much power. Pan European? Oh, the police don’t use them anymore as they weigh a ton and are unstable at speed. The police use BMW R1200RT bikes now. They look nice but huge up close. I read up on them. Seems like a popular choice, except its outsold 3:1 by the R1200GS.
I visit the BMW dealer on Park Lane. I am blown away by how friendly and helpful they are. I book a test ride for a few weeks later after I return from holiday with Sophia to Singapore and Vietnam.
Holiday planning is complicated. We juggle lots of commitments and support and decide on a departure date of May 18th, returning on June 2nd. I’m on risk with the Bank’s group life insurance until June 1st, so if the worst happens it’s not too bad for those left behind. My sister-in-law kindly agrees to step in and come over to London to be in charge for a week but fortunately that isn’t necessary. The team rallies round and adapts plans and schedules just like a family should. I’m proud.
A test ride is arranged for April 30th at BMW Park Lane. I buy a fabric jacket rather than leather as I want a jacket that can be worn for other purposes just in case. (£450! This had better happen). I buy motorcycle gloves (£75! This had better happen) as my old gloves are shot. I buy a good Shoei helmet (£450! This really had better happen now).
I’ve spent nearly £1000 and not even got on a motorbike let alone ridden one enough to know I can do the trip.
Andrew’s Bike Blog 