Long Term Test: 2007 BMW K1200S post #1

Update: Click here to read post #2.

I have been riding for a few years now, having gotten my start with an easy to ride and manageable Kawasaki Ninja 650R. That bike served me well, having taken me on numerous trips, daily commutes, and fun rides around the DC area. However, one of the things that it never did all that well is provide pillion accommodations for a long ride. Learning to ride, I had always wanted to have my wife ride with me so that we could share some memories together. Knowing that I would only be able to keep one bike, I began looking at various sport-touring options that would provide more comfortable pillion accommodations but still offer plenty of fun and sport for my solo rides, which would probably still make up the bulk of my riding. Additionally, I wanted something that would be able to mount a fair amount of luggage for longer trips while requiring minimal maintenance between services.

To satisfy these criteria, I began my search looking at mainly larger bikes specifically designed for sport touring and carrying luggage. The bikes were all shaft-driven, longer wheelbase, and weighing anywhere from 450 to 590 lbs. All had lockable luggage options from the factory and could accommodate a top box with minimal modification or additional parts. Ideally, the bikes should also have some cold weather equipment included from the factory, such as heated hand grips or heated seats. Most importantly, the bike should still be fun to ride. The bikes that quickly found their way to the top of my dossier included at least one new bike, the Honda VFR1200 that was being discounted heavily at the time, as well as several used bikes, including the Kawasaki Concours and Yamaha FJR. What did not originally make my original list was the BMW K1200S.

Editorial: Why I Ride

The Ninja 650R, my first motorcycle decked out for touring.

Living life on two-wheels is oft considered a perilous venture. More than a few close friends and relatives have questioned my decision to ride a motorcycle, but from an early age, I knew that this was something that I wanted to do. To have the opportunity to experience the world in such an up close and intimate manner, unadulterated by the filter of glass, steel, and plastic of a car. The freedom and exposure that make a motorcycle so dangerous, are also the very traits that make the experience appeal to me so much.

Test Ride: 2011 Kawasaki Ninja 1000

Kawasaki has a long history of producing excellent race replica motorcycles, sport touring motorcycles, and commuting motorcycles, but in recent history, they have not had a single motorcycle that could fit the bill in all of those categories. That is, until 2011, when Kawasaki introduced the Ninja 1000 (sold as the Kawasaki Z1000SX in other markets). This bike, based off the hooligan favorite Z1000 super-naked, shares the same powerful inline-4 cylinder motor, excellent ergos, and strong suspension, but adds a full fairing for improved wind protection. I had the opportunity to take an extended demo ride of the Ninja 1000 through a variety of different roads and see for myself the amazing work that Kawasaki did to make this one of the best all-around motorcycles one can buy.

Test Ride: 2009 Triumph Sprint ST

I have always had a soft spot for Triumphs after hearing the triple on my friend's Speed Triple. And when Clinton Cycle in Camp Springs, MD offered the opportunity to test ride some Triumph motorcycles, I jumped at the chance. While the event offered a rather limited selection of bikes to ride, I did find the opportunity to ride a Triumph Sprint ST with Triumph's phenomenal triple motor.

Firing up the motor, the bike makes the most beautiful sound, even with the stock exhaust system. Picking the bike off the side stand, it feels heavier than my Ninja 650 daily rider, but is not off-putting and with a seat height that is completely manageable for my 31" inseam, the bike felt only slightly top-heavy, especially given the more sport oriented ergos.

Rolling out of the parking lot, the weight of the bike practically disappears. In fact, despite being a slightly heavy sport-tourer, at speed, it feels just as agile as a sport bike and is totally light and flickable, yet stable in even the most difficult corners. Pulling away from a stop, the sound of the triple through the Sprint's exhaust is downright intoxicating. Every roll-off the throttle triggers a cacophony of clicks and pops as the motor slows to an idle. Speaking of the 1050 motor, it is buttery smooth, with loads of torque down low. Every opportunity to rev it up when pulling away from a stop, I roll on the throttle just to enjoy the fantastic mid-range and strong pull from anywhere on the tach.

The one surprise for me was just how stiff the suspension was. While I understand that in order to get the bike to handle well, it needs to be set up pretty stiffly, for a  bike that is expected to eat up the miles, bumps seemed to transfer through the frame to the rider with a rather jarring motion, certainly much more jarring that a number of other sport-tourers that are on the market. Combined with the more forward-leaning riding position and the smallish fuel tank, I had some reservations about really using this bike for distance sport touring.

But honestly, the wonderful 1050 triple is enough to make me overlook the stiff suspension and the other minor shortcomings. This bike has such a strong motor and rides so well on smooth roads that I cannot help but fully recommend this bike for someone who loves to carve the canyons, needs to commute, rides three (possibly even all four) seasons, but can only afford to keep one bike. It really is a wonderful ride and I have added this bike to my short list of potential purchases in the near future. I do want to try the new Kawasaki Ninja 1000 to get a comparison because that bike seems like it is the perfect competitor to this one.

Thanks to Clinton Cycles for hosting the event.

Road Trip: Cruising Skyline Drive in the Shenandoah Mountains

This weekend was to be epic. I was traveling into the Shenandoah mountains for the weekend with a group of friends to spend the weekend drinking Scotch and Bourbon, smoking cigars, and cooking on the grille. On top of that, I had taken the day off to ride the entirety of Skyline Drive before arriving at the cabin we had rented for the weekend. Needless to say, there was no better way to enjoy this warm summer weekend.

My trusty steed, loaded up for a weekend with friends

The day started with me throwing the saddle bags on my trusty Kawi and strapping everything down tightly. Slipping into my gear and pulling on my helmet, I set off to begin my ride out to the northern edge of Skyline Drive, located in Front Royal, VA. But first, a quick detour to downtown DC to pick up a selection of cigars.

Smooth ribbons of gray surrounded by lush greenery

Back on the road, I had opted to take the highway to quickly get to the start of the fun, twisty roads. Stopping briefly to fuel up both bike and rider, I paid the entry fee and set off for 100+ miles of nothing but twisty, curvy, enjoyment. Buttery smooth pavement greeted me, along with Skyline Drive's notoriously slow 35mph speed limit. Just minutes in, I was also greeted by the Park Police welcome wagon and picked up a tail for about 5 miles. But I kept my throttle judiciously applied to maintain exactly the speed limit and before long, Johnny Law decided I was too boring to keep following and peeled away, allowing me to cruise in peace.

Beautiful views abound all along the mountain road

The temperature fell to a brisk, but comfortable level as I sailed deeper into the lush greenery. My mind cleared as my lungs filled with fresh mountain air and the sound of the parallel twin beneath me bounced off the road, filling my helmet with its pleasant thrum. This was nirvana and I was seriously alone to enjoy it. Not a soul in sight both in front and behind me for nearly the entirety of the 100 miles.

Keeping a relaxed pace, I was able to sail through the turns, maintaining a single gear nearly the entire way and never once touching the front brake and only periodically dragging the rear to tighten my line for a corner. Everything in my mind evaporated and I just cruised, enjoying the view of a sapphire sky contacting the jade green treetops, interrupted only by this ribbon of ash gray road on which I was traveling.

All too quickly, though, I reached the end of line. Up ahead, the Blue Ridge Parkway tempted with its many miles more of winding roads. Mentally kicking myself for not having allotted adequate time to go further, I did a quick time check and realized I would not be missed for another couple of hours. Recalling the many side roads that lead back onto Skyline Drive, I quickly decided that I would run through the middle section between Route 33 and Route 211. Ripping away down the road, I could not wait to get back onto Skyline for a little while longer.

During the weekends, Skyline Drive is a mess, overcrowded with tourists and filled with law enforcement officers looking to fill their ticket books. However, during the week, the road is clear and the opportunity is there for the intrepid soul to take some time off to enjoy themselves. If you ever find yourself down in the mountains of Northern Virginia, set aside a little time to take the cruise from Front Royal down to Waynesboro on Skyline Drive. And, if you are a fan of wine, there are a number of great little wineries in the vicinity of Waynesboro to be enjoyed.

Next time I will be looking to ride the Blue Ridge Parkway, but for now, the memory of this amazing day brings a smile to my face every time I think of it. This is an experience worth having for auto and moto enthusiasts alike. Take the time to get away from the world and create your own memories like this one.