Finding My Hack Zone

MJZ - 2/1/2012 11:40 AM Took Colby on her first long ride yesterday ... she really liked it.... Scooting along at a relaxed pace while enjoying the scenery, the music and the company was a brand new experience.... Did I just write this, damn I must be getting old.

Welcome to the new world of sidecars, MJZ. I now prefer puttering down the backroads on my rig at 50mph to running down the big roads at 65 mph. And, yeah, it does take me longer to get there. We're not getting old, just maturing.

It is well summed up by fellow sidecarist Oldtimer in his epilogue to the Rib Eye Steak Ride with his dog Tripper a couple of years ago (viewtopic.php?f=2&t=10628&hilit=rib+eye+steak+ride):

...I have traveled around 400,000 miles across this country and in every state but I have to say, I had more fun on this trip then ever before and it's because the speed of the Ural limits the miles you can put in in a day so why push it. The approximate 200 mile days we planned were about the perfect amount for seeing things, taking photos, talking to people and never being in a hurry. Your riding partner is important and Charlie was the greatest....

Wow, I'm kind of surprised that you rigged the K16. I've been a long time BMW and Ducati "eat the chicken strips" hoon, and actually switched to an H-D to slow myself down. I love the idea of a hack for the Harley, but I don't know that I'd have even considered it if I had your bike in the garage. In fact, I envision my H-D sidecar rig in the garage with a K16 parked alongside a few years from now.

What made you decide to do it?

As I have had several BMW K bikes and just decided to trade a K1300S in on a K16. When I ordered the bike the thought never occurred to me to buy a sidecar but while I was waiting the long long anticipated delivery I realized I was not riding the K13 at all. I have several other bikes that, to me, are perfectly suited for the different type of riding I enjoy. I have an old Honda Pacific Coast for urban errands and local transportation when weather conditions are too good to pass up in favor of my car, a BMW F800R which is just pure fun, no storage but an 800 twin that is perfect for twisties and suburban jaunts. A KTM 990 ADV for dual sport and a BMW S1000RR for the child still in me and track. So even though I think the K16 is a marvel and a grand slam for BMW and if I could only have one bike that would be it, the bike would probably just sit in the garage. My wife will no longer ride and I do very little long distance riding as work schedule has been greatly modified due to the economy, I re-thought the need for the K16. Then one day a guy pulled in to a gas station next to me, he was riding a R1200GS w/ sidecar with his dog as the passenger. We talked for quite some time and somehow the K16 I had on order came up, he mentioned what a great bike that would be to put a sidecar on and the rest is history. When we left the gas station we rode together for about an hour, I watched as the dog was in hog heaven. They were a matched pair completely enjoying the company together while doing his favorite thing. I have a black lab that goes everywhere with me, except when on a bike, and realized I was really missing out.
Long story short (too late) I'm thrilled with my decision and love having my best friend with me to enjoy it also, not to mention the guy was right as the smooth incredible power of the K16 makes a great rig.

mmmpies - 2/2/2012 3:36 PM
... I've been a long time BMW and Ducati "eat the chicken strips" hoon, and actually switched to an H-D to slow myself down....

I have owned acouple each of BMW original-K's & oilhead-R's, selling a R1100RT back in the late '90's because I rode it too fast. But then after settling in with a GL1500 Goldwing and a F650 "Funduro," I proceeding to crash the F650 doing the same thing. :o:( Shortly thereafter, we traded the 'Wing for a Miata car. I now ride a couple of "slow" bikes, my Sportster rig plus a KLX250S. I also have an R850R that was revived from a garage last year, but it keeps asking me for one of the smaller Hannigan sidecars -- or an EZS conversion. 🙂

I'm a bit jealous of you both - I haven't been able to convince my wife yet that I need multiple bikes. One step at a time...

Convincing a spouse that multiple bikes are "necessary" is a work in progress.

It's not always the wife who say you don't need more than one bike. The two of us have three rigs now and I'd really like another.

The key to owning more than one bike is never ever ask permission to buy a toy! Let it just appear in your garage and when it is noticed say "what! I told you I was going to get it, you never listen to what I say". Of course once that works the barn door is wide open, like my old coach used to say, since the play worked let's just run it again. Then you have 3 and the wife can't really tell the difference in them, only the color so from there you get to trade any bike anytime as long as your replacement bike is the same color as the one you got rid of. Luckily my wife no longer rides and my bikes are so crowded in to my half of the garage she would only notice when one pops up with a sidecar, she did and I was ready for that with a happy birthday honey, look what I got you so we could spend more time together. 🙂

PS: you notice who is in the sidecar above, she said no way you think I'm going to ride in that thing. Now at this point I act hurt and she quits complaining about all the time I spend playing on the toys.

I thought after 38 years of marriage I had it figured out, but I am a rookie as compared to MJZ! And you are correct, Joyce. It s NOT always the guy! 😉

I think you've hit the nail on the head Swampfox, at 80 I much prefer the word mature! Although my wife (Bless her heart) would argue that, she thinks I've got a 16 year old in this old wrinkled body! LOL

To be honest, after 35 years of marital bliss I loose many more than I win, as evidenced by her closet that makes Imelda Marcos shoe collection look tiny in comparison.

Mark, your comments bring a funny memory to me. One time I traded and got a newer BMW and never consulted the "one who must be obeyed". One day she said " your bike is a different color"? I told her that I painted it. (hope she doesn't read this post).

When i meet my wife of now 26 yrs she asked about all the bikes i owned. I told her "some is good , more is better, too many is just right."
fly
gl1500/hannnigan
xs11/hitchhiker
gs850/hitchhiker
i don't keep count of the solos