Buying My Bike

I own a motorcycle.  That’s not something I would have imagined myself saying 5 years ago, or even 3 years ago.  But I am the happy owner of a 2021 BMW G310 GS in Polar Ice.

            We woke up Saturday and, instead of following our usual routine, my boyfriend asked if I wanted to go look at motorcycles.  I said sure and boom, we were out the door and driving to Adventure BMW in Chesapeake.  It was a pleasant drive on a beautiful, cool Saturday morning.  And we were happy at how easy it was to find the dealership.

            We, of course, were just looking.  Through extensive research, we had narrowed down the choices of what my first motorcycle would be to the Honda CRF 300 L or the BMW G310 GS.  My boyfriend had visited Honda of Norfolk where he could gaze upon the Honda, but it was already sold and there were no others in stock for a test ride. So we were going to look at the G310, leave, discuss our options, make a decision, and proceed from there.

            We were met by Clayton, a super-enthusiastic mechanic for BMW, who led me straight to the G310 Rally.  I mounted the bike and was happy to note that my feet were flat on either side, though the gas tank did put pressure on my inner thighs.  However, when I put my feet up on the pegs, I could envision the comfortable ride.  Alas, as a newbie just completing the MSF, I was not allowed to test ride the bike because I had not yet been to the DMV to get the “M” designation on my license.  Of course, had I not confessed to being a newbie, I’m pretty sure it would have been glaringly obvious had I tried to test ride the bike.  But Clayton is a bike enthusiast, and he suggested I at least listen to the bike.

            We proceeded outside where the bike was started for the first time and purred beautifully.  There is something about the sound of a motorcycle that causes your heart to leap and your blood to quicken, all in anticipation of the adventure to come.  Clayton rode the bike a bit enough to demonstrate the ABS on the grass for us.  Then he introduced us to Rick, the sales manager, who offered my boyfriend, Bill, a test ride.  Bill then asked me if I wanted him to ride it, and I said yes.  Then he asked what I wanted him to pay attention to, and I really appreciate how he wants me to think through how I want the bike to handle.  I asked him to get a feel for the clutch, the suspension, and how it turns, and I felt good about myself for knowing to ask for at least that.

            He took off around the corner into a parking lot and was gone for 5 minutes.  When he returned, he was smiling wide and raving about what a great bike it was.  That was enough for me.  When a man who has ridden motorcycles for 50 years and has owned all different makes and models tells you it’s a great bike, you take him at his word.  So without another thought for the Honda, I said let’s buy it.  And we did.

            In fairness to the Honda CRF 300 L, that bike has also gotten good reviews as a good beginner dual purpose bike.  Of the two, the Honda probably favors the off-roading more than the BMW, though after purchasing the G310, we watched the Dirt Test BMW G310 GS by Motorcycle Adventure Dirtbike TV on Youtube, and saw that the bike would be fine for the off-road plans we have at this time.  So that just made us happier with our purchase.  And the BMW has a more solid feel to it as well as an availability that Honda cannot match.  Now I am ready to practice my new found riding skills first learned last weekend.  No more lazy weekends for me; I have a new aspect of training, and I am super excited to learn how to ride my brand-new motorcycle.  Wish me luck!