We were lucky to get the chance to ride this weekend.  Saturday was a wash out as it rained into the mid-afternoon.  So we made plans to head over to Bayside Harley-Davidson/Ducati and Adventure BMW and hope the roads would dry out by Sunday. 

We needed to go over to Bayside as the new exhaust shields for my Ducati Scrambler had arrived.  As we drove into the parking lot, we saw the MSF class in session.  MSF classes run rain or shine, and I thought how confidence-inspiring it must be to learn in the rain as the rider really has to have good purchase on the tires because of the slippery conditions.

Heading inside the dealership, we were warmly greeted by Dorian, the Ducati salesman who sold us the Scrambler.  It was clear he remembered Bill and recognized him right away.  We were amazed by how many motorcycles were in stock at the dealership, both Harleys and Ducatis.  I was helped by Cruz and purchased the exhaust shields while Bill looked around and chatted with Dorian.  Bill spotted the new Desert X off-road bike, so we went to take a look.  The bike towers on its 21-inch front wheel.  Most motorcycles have a 17-inch front wheel, and some adventure motorcycles have a 19-inch front wheel, but 21-inches is not often seen on anything but dirt bikes.  I liked the look of the bike; on screen the gas tank looked disproportionately large, but in person, the bike looks great.  I don’t have any interest in it having better knowledge now of the flaws of Ducati motorcycles.

While we were there, Dorian showed us the HD Nightster.  We’d seen some positive reviews of this motorcycle on line, so we wanted to see it.  The salesman pulled it forward so I could sit on it.  It was incredibly low, barely rising above my knee as I stood beside it.  I sat on it and imagined trying to ride it.  As I went to set it back down on the kickstand, I had the unpleasant fear that the bike would slip because the kickstand slid out several inches before letting the bike come to rest.  Bill sat on the bike next and had the same experience; he didn’t like the kickstand motion either.

Soon after we headed back out into the rain which was now a softer drizzle.  Because of the rain and since it was pretty much on the way home, we decided to stop by Adventure BMW.  Looking online, we had seen a 2023 R 1250 GS Trophy edition, a motorcycle I really wanted to see.  And on Friday the salesman Clayton had texted me a picture of the Option 719 R Nine T that we really wanted to see in person.  So we made our way to the showroom and found that they had increased their inventory as well.

In addition to the two motorcycles, we really wanted to see, there was also the R 1250 R in stock, so we would be able to make a direct comparison between it and the GS.  In addition to Clayton, Rick, the sales manager who sold us our other two BMW motorcycles, was also there.  So Bill was being chatted up by Clayton while Rick tried to sell me on the GS.  Because of the rain, there would be no test rides.  I sat on the R, then the GS, then back to the R.  My riding position on the R is slightly hunched forward, similar to what it is on the R Nine T.  On the GS I am straight up and down, much more comfortable. 

The beautiful 719 was sitting outside, so we headed out to sit on that.  It is a smaller bike than my current R Nine T, with even lower handlebars, making the riding position even more hunched.  It is a gorgeous motorcycle, but it is not my next bike.  We left the dealership knowing that my next motorcycle will be the BMW R 1250 GS preferably the Trophy color scheme, but I’d also be happy with the Rally or the 40^th edition colors.

So it wasn’t until Sunday that we were able to ride.  The roads dried out enough overnight and in the morning sun to make our ride possible.  Because I was on the balls of my feet sitting astride the GS, Bill brought out my Daytona Lady Star GTX boots.  He got me these boots for Christmas last year because they provide an extra inch of lift.  I had tried to wear them on the Scrambler, but I couldn’t fit the toe under the shifter.  But I had been thinking lately that I needed to give them another try with the R Nine T, so I gave them a try.  Bill suggested I take a ride around the block and see if I was OK in the boots. 

My first shifts were on the side of the shifter not underneath, which is not what I want.  But I wasn’t uncomfortable, so I wanted to work on getting the toe under the shifter.  I had a couple of missed shifts into neutral, but these were early on when I was watching for the neutral light.  I did get the hang of the shifter and getting my toe underneath.  I figured out if I moved my foot back a little on the peg, that opened up enough room for me to work the toe under.

Another skill I was working on was trail braking into turns and curves.  Trail braking is where the rider applies the brakes approaching the turn or curve and then gradually trailing off the brakes.  The purpose of this braking is to preload the front tire so that if the rider runs into an obstacle or obstruction into the curve, she can increase the brake pressure and straighten up the motorcycle.  If the rider goes into a turn and suddenly needs to apply the brakes, the bike will most likely slip out from underneath.  For me the challenge is to feel the trail braking when the motorcycle isn’t moving at great speed.  I actually had fun even at my slow speed.

The day was beautiful and our ride was great.  The trees are showing more bare branches now as winter approaches.  The squirrels seem to have settled down somewhat, and the geese have moved on to greener pastures.  I don’t mind; I think I enjoy the surprise of finding small glimpses of something spectacular.  I managed to spot some bright white daisies in bloom, a pleasant surprise.  I also enjoy working on my riding skills, and I can’t wait for next week’s ride.