First Post:The Ride & My Bike

SandCityFlyer · 10-04-2004, 01:53 PM

This is my first post. This was also my first group ride. I’ve been lurking this board for about a year, and learned a lot about my 99 R1100S, which I bought 3 years ago. The bike has been my daily ride since then, and I ride it in the local mountains as time and conditions allow. The roads around Monterey are great for bikes, and of course we have Laguna Seca. I am interested in taking a riding course there, but haven’t got around to it. The first three years on the bike I have been concentrating on staying alive, and away from cell-phone drivers. No tickets, no mishaps, but a couple of scarey moments, mostly in town. I read the magazines and watch all the bike stuff on Speed Channel. Until this weekend all my street riding has been on my own. Reading about the Central Coast Ride #2 hosted by Jeff Williams I decided to have a go, with other riders of the same bike. I emailed Jeff and he gave me the details. and referred me to The Pace article, for general guidance.
I left Monterey at 5 AM Saturday and had a very swift (for me) three hour ride down the Big Sur Coast. There was no fog and the road was empty for over 100 miles going south. It was beautiful, and exciting, but I could have used some of those high-powered lights. I arrived at the arranged meeting place, The Nautical Bean, near San Luis Obispo, just before 8AM. I had already had an awesome ride down the coast, and “The Ride” hadn’t even started. By 8:30 about 10 riders had arrived and we were given a little safety briefing by Jeff. Before departing, Brad (Bradzdotcom) generously gave my Ohlins a proper adjustment, which I greatly appreciate. Several times during the ride he discussed the settings with me and made minor adjustments. There were about 8 1100S’s, most looking pretty serious, by tire wear. There was also an R6, a XX Honda, a Ducati S4s and a Triumph Sprint. It looked like fast company! The next five hours we shredded tires on the most fantastic roads you can imagine, in the beautiful rolling hills of Central California. I spent the whole time at the back of the group, as I had no experience at the level these guys ride. Every one of the other riders were very fast. I feel fortunate to have been able to follow them, for short periods, as I sure learned a lot about spirited riding of a BMW! Brad stayed behind me much of the day, as sweeper. When he did go by, it was something to behold. At road junctions the faster folks would wait for us, but there wasn’t much hanging around. It was ride fast, ride safe. Very Fast! My bike got a real workout. I was at 9/10 most of the day. Brad’s suspension setup worked great. The engine and gearbox were perfect. The bike has bags of power and behaved better than I could have imagined, over a variety of surfaces, a lot of very fast sweepers, narrow roller-coaster stuff, and the most hairball road coming down the west side of Naciemento-Ferguson to the beautiful Pacific Ocean. This road has lots of sandy switch-backs with 2000’ straight down if you get it wrong. That’s where the group photo was taken. We rode north 30 miles to Big Sur, for a great lunch at the beautiful Nepenthe Restaurant. The group turned back south at this point and, I’m certain, had a great 100 mile ride back to San Luis Obispo. I continued north to my home in Monterey, as my old body had done nearly 400 miles, 200+ at my absolute limit. I felt like I had ridden 10 laps of the Isle Of Man!
My only street riding has been pretty leisurely, and that for only three years. No racing, no tracktime, no stunting, yet. Before that I hadn’t been on a bike for thirty years. I rode dirt track in SoCal in the mid-60s and CZ’s in British MotoX 69-73. Through the 70’s-90’s I was deeply in to flying and skydiving, and later paragliding, which I now do here on the Central Coast; but I had a full adult dose of racing and didn’t really consider the street thing as very interesting. I bought the BMW on a bit of an impulse, but it quickly became my beloved daily rider. I’ve fixed it up to suit me and I’m very proud of it. I ride about 8000 miles each year. This weekend I got to see what my bike is capable of, on the road, very fast, and over some nasty surfaces. Thanks to Jeff and his friends for inviting me for an unforgettable two-wheeled experience. Please sign me up for the next ride, Jeff. The riding was great, and my appreciation for my BMW has increased enormously. In the right hands, and on real roads, the 1100S must be one of the quickest rides happening. I used to lust after a Porsche. I don’t even think about it anymore! Here are several pics of my ride. It’s got Ohlins, Staintune Exhaust, Induct, San Jose Paralever, Throttlemeister, Wunderlich Low Seat, Carbon Hugger and Pods, M-1 Sportecs, and a lot of polish. Underneath that old gray paint, which was flaking off, lies some beautiful german metal. After polishing, the stock rearsets and levers look like jewelry. The polished front forks seem to set off the front end. I used a small hand file, several grits of paper, NeverDull and Simichrome.The polished stuff is pretty easy to maintain, even though I live very near the ocean. Only the lower triple clamp needs more frequent polishing. Underneathe the stock barends is the most beautiful brass, when polished, but you have to polish it nearly every day! I switched to polished stainless steel.I was a flight engineer in the Air Force and have always been interested in BMW’s. I polished a lot of airplanes. I’m 63, single, and my goal is to tour Australia with my BMW and paraglider. Permission to come aboard. Jerry Miller, Monterey, California (sandcityflyer)

bingo · 10-04-2004, 02:45 PM

Hey Jerry,

It was my first ride with the group also. My goal is to never miss another one. I hope yours is the same. It was so enjoyable meeting everyone, and you are definitely correct in the comment about the level of appreciation gain for this particular BMW. I didn't know it was capable of that stuff either. You bike was the eye catcher of the day, and I think we all hope to see you and it again very soon.

Brent

Don Ro · 10-04-2004, 03:01 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by SandCityFlyer
I’m 63, single, and my goal is to tour Australia with my BMW and paraglider.

.
And you like walks along the beach under the moonlight 'n quiet times w/wine in front of the fireplace.

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Permission granted, Jerry.
Enjoyed your write-up. A guy who can spell!
.
Nice levers.
More pics, please.
.

SandCityFlyer · 10-05-2004, 03:47 AM

More Photos of my bike

ckcarr · ckcarr's Garage

Nice. Do a search for the "Show your scoot" post and add more!

motoyoyo · 10-05-2004, 04:18 AM

Jerry, it was nice having you along for the ride. Your bike is absolutely stunning, very well balanced details. How long did it take to get the black out of your thumbs after polishing all those bits.

I hadn't realized it was your first time on a group ride like this. You certainly got a workout, eh? I hope I wasn't pushing you too hard down Nacimiento-Furgesson Rd. You rode really well in spite of all the sand and cliffs. There wasn't a whole lot of time to sit down with everyone, but I'd like to here about your mx experiences some day too. I raced So. Cal mx during those same years you did, being on CZ's in '71-'73. Glad you had fun and got home in one piece. Welcome aboard.

Jeff Williams · 10-05-2004, 07:22 AM

Scott,
see some people think you go fast

BTW that was the oldest CZ hat Ihave ever seen.
see you soon my friend.

Jerry,
You're too generous with your praise of this group. Most are malcontents hiding behind a veneer respectability.

This was a nice paced group and as always you are invited to what ever event is happening within our area.
BTW, if Brad gets too much praise his face turns red, he begins to studder, and we won't be able to talk to him for a week,(yes brad is the shy type(not)). hehehehe
See you no the next ride.
jeff

Rapid Dog · 10-05-2004, 12:28 PM

Beauty bike Flyer! A nice custom touch.
Did you have to dismantle the front end to polish the parts?
Glad you're with us.

SandCityFlyer · 10-05-2004, 03:49 PM

Thanks for the welcome. I sure got a wild initiation this Saturday on The Mid-Cal Ride!

I didn't dismantle the front end. The underside of the lower triple clamp hasn't been done yet, but the top of lower clamp is polished, as is the corrosion-prone front fairing support. They look nice to driver. jm

John Lyon · 10-05-2004, 04:28 PM

Jerry-

I enjoyed meeting you and hope to see you on the next ride. This is a unique group - fast, but safe. And the roads....

As you mentioned, following Brad (and others) teaches alot about the proper line, braking points, etc., but it would be tough to duplicate all his experience. I'll be right there with you (I learned on this trip that I've been braking wrong and working my front tire too much as a result - back to the drawing board).

I agree about the Porsche too - just a car.

John (the all-black S)

Jeff Williams · 10-05-2004, 06:17 PM

hey,
I like Porsches

Francius · 10-05-2004, 07:17 PM

Looking at the first picture, what's that roundel in your key slot?

dee jones · 10-05-2004, 07:54 PM

Brings back many memories. I used to ride hyw 1 often when I lived in Carmel. Had some great experiances on my 74R90S. Totaled that bike in Humbolt County outside of Ferndale,CA. Your bike is truly a looker. I'am in morning right now do to the total loss of my 2002 R1100SBX. Lucky to be alive, narrowly missing a 18 wheeler on hy.58 in Va. that took up both lanes.Looking forward to riding your beautiful state again soon.