So, the first ride on the BMW 650....

**WanderBird** · 5th December 2007, 15:40

A friend bought it out for me so I could get a feel for it, without having to cope with city traffic.

It was AMAZING!!!! WoooHoooo

)

A couple of false starts in my driveway until I found the balance of revs/clutch and after that, sweet as.....

It was great, I handled it well, cornered well, (riding pretty safely....apart from one long straight, you have to try these things

No worries with the gears, balance, or anything really. It didn't feel like a 25 yr gap. I am happy to buy this bike, should have it within a few days.

)

A few cautious rides into central till I find my feet, - no gravel roads etc till I am thoroughly in tune with the bike, but I think in a while I will be up for anything....

Happy happy, joy, joy

**vifferman** · 5th December 2007, 15:41

Good stuff!

**tri boy** · 5th December 2007, 16:03

Sounds good. What model BMW650? Road or Dual purpose?

**WanderBird** · 5th December 2007, 16:11

It's the F650 Dual 1999

**Zukin** · 5th December 2007, 16:26

Congrats

You should visit KB topic thread
Its all adventure talk, and these guys and gals are great

It is like a great big family, I don't often venture too far out of the Adventure Bike compound.

Lots of good info and advice from well travelled riders

Cheers

**WanderBird** · 5th December 2007, 16:33

I will make myself known over there when I am feeling OK with that kind of riding - after such a long gap, and the BMW being biggest bike I have ridden, I need to tweak my skills.
I have found everyone on this site to be soo helpful -

**Rosie** · 5th December 2007, 18:28

Awesome!

Have fun with your new bike. Take your time getting used to it, maybe find an empty carpark somewhere and practise slow speed handling and a bit of emergency braking on it. Once you've got those sorted, the rest will be easy

**SDU** · 5th December 2007, 20:35

Great! Check out the rabble down your way, they'll look after you. There are dual sporters as well as road riders that travel through your way regulary.
Happy riding for when you get your toy.

**WanderBird** · 6th December 2007, 05:48

be VERY careful & cautious! I'll do a Ride Safe course when it next comes up as well.

Thanks for the encouragement and advice - will look forward to meeting some of you when I am on my feet/wheels

**NighthawkNZ:Me** · 6th December 2007, 06:27

Originally Posted by SDU

Great! Check out the rabble down your way, they'll look after you. There are dual sporters as well as road riders that travel through your way regulary.
Happy riding for when you get your toy.

Hey...

rabble, I will have you know that... oh wait...

Originally Posted by WanderBird

A friend bought it out for me so I could get a feel for it, without having to cope with city traffic...

You will have to join in on some of the rides as SDU said we do pass through quite regularly and you would be more than welcome to join in on the fun. Our Rabble is a pretty good bunch over all. There is a good mix of those that do adventure riding and those that do the tarseal...

Some of the tarseal riders (like myself) don't mind the odd bit of gravel road just not the full on adventure stuff for obvious reasons

**WanderBird** · 6th December 2007, 06:31

I would love to join 'the rabble' for a cruise as soon as I feel ready. No gravel for me for a while tho

**NZsarge** · 6th December 2007, 07:20

Although you should have bought a Yamaha!!

I must say congratulations on your purchase.
Now ride it up to Dannevirke so I can take a look.

**Blueskies** · 6th December 2007, 08:09

Great news WanderBird. All summer ahead of you too

.

**WanderBird** · 6th December 2007, 14:15

Been and gone and done it! All bought and paid for, - hoping for delivery tomorrow.

I'm having a real 'gulp - what have I done ' moment right now. Some anxiety, a degree of trepidation and a wee doubt - maybe it is too big after all? (silly when I have already been on it, I know) Over and above these probably quite normal responses is glee & excitement!!
Hopefully will be out on it in the weekend!

Sarge - actually I am hoping to get up your way - rellies all over Northland, and I am way overdue for a visit

Cheers

**NZsarge** · 6th December 2007, 15:28

Originally Posted by WanderBird

Been and gone and done it! All bought and paid for, - hoping for delivery tomorrow.

I'm having a real 'gulp - what have I done ' moment right now. Some anxiety, a degree of trepidation and a wee doubt - maybe it is too big after all? (silly when I have already been on it, I know) Over and above these probably quite normal responses is glee & excitement!!
Hopefully will be out on it in the weekend!

Sarge - actually I am hoping to get up your way - rellies all over Northland, and I am way overdue for a visit

Cheers

Well then, best you let us know when you come up this way and we might put together a wee ride