Took a small trip, found some small fun

[derf]

I started out the day with the idea that I wanted to take a small ride over to West Virginia to take a photo next to a welcome to WV sign, it turned out to be a much more involved process than I expected.

I started out heading over to the local BMW dealership Bobs for a cup of free coffee. And maybe a test ride. They let me take the K1600GTL out for a small ride, not long 15 miles, but damn was it a pretty neato 15 miles. I gotta say, this bike has everything, GPS, Ipod dock, cruise, radio, XM, heated everything, comfortable, great seating position, powerful, all around a little too comfortable. They even had these little flip out thingies that funnel fresh air in toward the riders stomach and chest. The thing I didn't care for was the fly-by-wire throttle. It just seemed to be slightly off, almost like I would suggest to the bike that it needs more gas, and the bike would put its $.02 in and make a call as to what it should do. It wasn't lag, or that the bike didn't do what I said, just that one minute I would give it 1/2 throttle and it would zoom ahead, then a minute later at 3/4 throttle it would zoom less than at 1/2 throttle. I guess I'm just used to old fashioned throttles. Anyway I think it just takes some getting used to, I give it 2 thumbs up, putting aside the throttle differences, the only problem with this bike is that maybe its too comfortable, I bet I could fall asleep at the wheel.

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5159/5846565481_13c61fd2b4_b.jpg


Bobs also has a small museum that they keep some cool bikes in:


http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2541/5847157020_853d7e5e2c_z.jpg

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Anyway, took off from Bobs BMW after sucking down a fresh cup of coffee, and shot down the road to the Kawasaki dealership to see if i won a big prize from their ticket to ride contest. I didn't win shit, 15% off a kawasaki accessory. Left there, headed west to look for West Virginia.

To be continued...... (dont reply until I finish, I have a few more pictures to throw in)

[Trip]

Bob's is awesome.

The 6 is one badass machine. The throttle thing could of been the mode you had it in. What mode did you have the bike in?

[derf]

On the way to WV, I see a car show on the side of the road so I swung in, cool cars, i hung out for 20 minutes, pee'd got some water and moved on

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3304/5847147624_b39b2d0f54_b.jpg

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I followed the roads toward West Virginia and found a sign next to the Potomac River, problem was that because of all the kyack folks the side of the road was covered in cars, I couldnt get a decent picture.

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5188/5847128410_03d3346da8_b.jpg

So I went on, and stopped in the WV tourist info center, got a map and went looking for another road that leads from VA into WV. I failed miserably, but I was able to find some nice roads, some really nice roads.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3444/5846587525_8597154f64_b.jpg

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I kept going and eventually found a boat ramp down a very tight switchback road, dipped my back wheel in while some kyakers took my picture.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3183/5847088072_ea8c0f9e71_b.jpg

Then I zoom on some more, finally find a WV sign, take the picture and head for home.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2611/5847100978_9270387d47_b.jpg

Just about 300 miles, 3 states, and a smiling me

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5160/5846747003_7fe61efed7_b.jpg

[G-Rex]

Great pics! I need to go to WV again. They have better signs now.

I'm envious. I still want to try the K16!

[derf]

Bob's is awesome.

The 6 is one badass machine. The throttle thing could of been the mode you had it in. What mode did you have the bike in?

Bobs is awesome, I stop in there every few weeks just to see whats new, its 8 miles from my front door.

The bike was in GO mode. Seriously I had a hard enough time with the friggin blinkers. The I6 engine is pretty awesome, sounds like stock 240z, power on top of power. The bike really is incredible, but its kind of hard to describe my issue with the throttle, it just didnt do what I asked of it.

The coolest thing about the bike was the click wheel on the left grip, it rotates both ways and clicks left and right, and the bike has bluetooth that works with the sena

[marko138]

That BMW looks like a spaceship.

[tached1000rr]

I love trips like that....

[azoomm]

Fred, was it at low speeds, or anywhere? What you are describing was my reaction to the clutch at low speeds. It seems to click and behave strange getting started, as there is an assist on the front and back of the slipper clutch. That means you work the clutch differently when starting out, ish. Hard to explain, but noticeable when doing parking lot maneuvers. I didn't use the clutch at all moving them around, if I did, it tried to help me and lagged.

The adaptive headlight is, by far, my favorite feature on that bike. It is amazing and incredible at night.

[derf]

Yeh low speeds, I really noticed it under hard accel, like when coming out of a corner or pulling onto the highway (I might have hooned on the bike a little bit)

[azoomm]

Weird. I had the opposite experience. I fell in love with the GT, though I could get really used to the heat on the backside of the GTL's seat.

[derf]

Weird. I had the opposite experience. I fell in love with the GT, though I could get really used to the heat on the backside of the GTL's seat.

I think it was the ABS/traction control kicking in

[azoomm]

I think it was the ABS/traction control kicking in

Nope, ABS only kicks in if you are on the brakes.

It's possible it was the DCT if it was spinning up, but if you were in Dynamic mode it should allow for that.

[derf]

Nope, ABS only kicks in if you are on the brakes.

It's possible it was the DCT if it was spinning up, but if you were in Dynamic mode it should allow for that.

Dont get me wrong, it was a great bike, and the throttle isnt a problem, just something I made a mental note out of, I'm just being really picky

[azoomm]

Dont get me wrong, it was a great bike, and the throttle isnt a problem, just something I made a mental note out of, I'm just being really picky

Oh, BE picky. I love it when people come back from a demo with feedback. :) How about that seat height??

[derf]

How about that seat height??

What seat height? The bike had the low seat height, it was perfect for someone like me with a 31" inseam, I had no problem getting my feet down, For my size though the handlebars were just a tad bit too high, if I were to own this bike I would definately look for a way to lower the bars a little, maybe even pull them back some

[azoomm]

What seat height? The bike had the low seat height, it was perfect for someone like me with a 31" inseam, I had no problem getting my feet down, For my size though the handlebars were just a tad bit too high, if I were to own this bike I would definately look for a way to lower the bars a little, maybe even pull them back some

That's exactly what I meant :wink:

For YEARS BMW has been told their bikes are "too tall." This is the lowest seat height they have ever had on a luxury tour. THAT, and the seat height is adjustable for those of us that are taller and need a non-painful knee bend.

[derf]

That's exactly what I meant :wink:

For YEARS BMW has been told their bikes are "too tall." This is the lowest seat height they have ever had on a luxury tour. THAT, and the seat height is adjustable for those of us that are taller and need a non-painful knee bend.


Every bike is too tall, this is me on a Tiger, the other foot is just barely touching

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[101lifts2]

I was almost positive that the "found some small fun" was you jerking it off on some WV highway. Guess I was wrong.

lol

Nice pics dude.