Salutations from a new-ish member

bruno71 · Post by **bruno71** » Sun Jan 20, 2008 2:58 am

Hello. My name is Bruno71 and I have been loitering around this board since early November observing personalities, the quality of content/information and board politics before introducing myself. Happily I have found the information to be on the whole quite worthwhile and the folks to be first rate. The general lack of pettiness and brutish/boorish behavior has convinced me to finally say hello, which is quite counter to my normally reticent bent. I work for the Department of Defense and currently live in Salt Lake City, Utah, where our government has kindly sent me to pursue a graduate degree at the University of Utah. Although I am not native to the state, I have found the inter-mountain west to be a Mecca for on and off-road motorcycle riding. My '04 Rockster is my first BMW brand motorcycle and the fifth of such two wheel contraptions in my garage. Motorcycling has been a significant part of my life since the tender but eager age of seven when I started off on a Honda Z50. The Rockster was a near impulse purchase in Kansas City, MO last April after a series of long rides on my Ducati left me with a chronic stabbing pain in my left elbow, a dull throbbing pain across my shoulders and numbness in my wrists/ hands; all of which I attribute to the angle of the bars and the constant vibration. After purchasing the BMW, I only rode the Duc two more times; once for the nostalgia (and the glorious masculinity found in the attendant unremitting pain) and on the other occasion to deliver it to its new owner. Soon after taking up the R1150R, both my masochistic attachment to the Duc and pain faded away. However, I must admit to missing the musical burble of that Ducati engine! When I first saw the Rockster, I was intrigued, but the color scheme seemed a bit too wild. After riding it, I made the purchase from the perspective of it having first rate reliability, a sporty edge, and an all-round capability. (For some unknown reason I keep kidding myself with the yet unproven idea that I can get by with a single multipurpose bike.) The following day, I looked into my garage and thought it to be the ugliest and the most garish motorcycle I had ever laid my eyes upon. Some nine months and 4000+ miles later, I find myself in the garage just staring at the damn thing and finding it to be a very handsome bike. (It must be a brain sickness.) This Bavarian love affair started out as a friendship and I suspect that it will last somewhat longer than my previous passionate Italian tryst. Let me take this opportunity to say hello to all board participants; give you my sincere appreciation for the wealth of information I have already enjoyed, and thank you in advance for your wisdom on topics of future concern that yet remain unknown---even to me.
-DJ

Bike: 2004 BMW, Rockster-R1150R, Citrus, Non-ABS, 7500 miles
Farkles: BMW Clear Touring Screen, GS Hand Guards, Carbon Fiber Head Protectors, Bar Backs (German-I forget the brand), Works Performance Shocks, and Avon Sport Touring Tires

Today, I was fortunate enough to enjoy a 138 mile ride around Utah Lake and back around the Wasatch Mountain Front. The temperature was brisk, but overall, I remained comfortable save a chill in the tips of my fingers and across the leading edge of my boots.

Weather: Partly Cloudy, 28 degrees with wind-chill it feels like 12 degrees; Wind from the south at 15-20 mph; roads are clear, but 5-12Ã¢â‚¬Â of snow blanketing the ground

Gear: Silver Caberg Justissimo Modular Helmet; Pewter and Black Olympia Motosports Phantom One Piece Suit with Jump Suit Liner; Tourmaster Solution WP Boots; Helix Snowboarding Gloves; BMW Windstopper Balaclava; Aerostich, Kenetsu Electrics Wind Blocker TLtec electric vest; Polartec long underwear; extra thick moisture-wicking hiking socks

Post by **DJ Downunder** » Sun Jan 20, 2008 3:42 am

You crack me up Bruno71

I work for the Department of Defense and currently live in Salt Lake City, Utah,

I could have told you that..

..............Just kidding.

Just wondering...The last time you bought fuel..What was the guy behind the counter wearing..How old and how tall...and what color socks did he wear..

Seriously tho...Welcome aboard...Glad you like your Rockster...They are a beautiful bike..But only to the owner..Like you were it's Mother..

I look forward to your future posts.

DJ

Post by **boxermania** » Sun Jan 20, 2008 8:55 am

Welcome and feel free to lurk about....let me warn you that all you see and hear might not be real......but for the most part we are a good bunch without major vices from various nationalities.

I appreciate your tale and gather the following:

You are taller than average and in moderate shape, not particularly jovial or friendly at first since you must gauge the individual first and then decide if he/she is worthy of your friendship. A thinker that is petty much on his own and does as he pleases, for the most part. You are well groomed, well dressed and like to live the part, and no you are not one of those that must capture evry detail that surrounds you......

How did I do....not bad for a Bovine Marriage counselor......

Like DJ....just kidding....

Ves · Post by **Ves** » Sun Jan 20, 2008 9:58 am

Welcome from a fellow citrus owner...

First things first, you'll need to do something about that signature... You couldn't possibly be "DJ" because there's only one "DJ" on this board. Or maybe we're going to allow one per continent? But then we'll need to have suffixes DJdu (down under) and DJuy (up yonder) or something like that to minimize confusion.

Second, if the Defense Department is working on anything that even remotley resembles "Skynet", let me put in my vote now that you sabotage it before it gets out of hand.

I also am out to prove that I can get by with a single multipurpose vehicle. As far as being an unproven idea, we need to look no further than ChiTown; touring, dirt roads, and scraping pegs (and assorted engine parts, though I wouldn't recommend that). What else is there?

As for the aesthetics of the model... I think your initial impression was skewed by all the "ugly" bikes you've been looking at all your life, because literally, everyone from five year olds and up, looks at the bike and utters something like... "Wow!" , "Cool!", "That's a nice bike!", "Woh... Sexy!" I've never gotten that kind of reaction to any other bike I've owned.

Alas, you're not going to match Ducati "burble" with the BMW (or the rattle of the dry clutch if you're into that sort of thing), but if you haven't tried it yet, I would suggest you at least try the exhaust without the can. It didn't take me long to fall in love with the improved sound.

As it regards "staring at the damn thing"... If that's some sort of sickness, I'm terminally ill.

Post by **OU812** » Sun Jan 20, 2008 10:06 am

Welcome bruno71! Tis a great bunch here and glad you have chosen to show yourself.

I just want to say the pains you described from the Duc may just be a sign of age? I have had the same pains. I like you choice of riding boots, as I find them to be very comfortable for my paddle feet.
Again, Enjoy!
Steve

Post by **wncbmw** » Sun Jan 20, 2008 8:49 pm

Welcome to the forum. I am sure after your study of the board, you know who the smart a$$es are! They have already posted on your thread!

This a a great source of info for your bike, entertainment for your free time and friends and riding partners! Glad you have you aboard!

bruno71 · Post by **bruno71** » Sun Jan 20, 2008 9:53 pm

Gentlemen,
Thank you for the kind welcome. DJ Down Under, my attention to detail might be an indication why so many Aussie lasses line up to greet the Yank Ships when they arrive in port. By the way, he was brown haired, pasty skinned with a short cropped beard and dark cirlcles under his eyes. He was wearing a brown T-shirt with a faded logo that was stretched out around the neck and arms. The counter was in the way so I couldn't see his pants, shoes or socks! Boxermania, you have attempted to extract a great deal from a few words. However, my ego is not sufficient to look for worthy friends, but rather make myself worthy of good society. I admire the effort; you would have been a great phrenologist. Ves, I will ensure that I do not use DJ in my signature in the future. Far be it from me to cause an existential identity crisis on the board. I'm also sad to say that I'm not familiar with skynet, but it sounds worrisome, so sabotage may be in order. I've also gotten many positive comments about the appearance of the Rockster. However, those with negative reactions to it are likely less effusive. OU812, I think you could be right about age and pain. One seems to grow proportionally to the other. Although, a 73 year old friend of mine gave me a good drubbing and made me look like a novice while we were riding in a particularly curvy road in the mountains last fall; he was on his R100 an I was on my Rockster. So, age can't be all bad. wncbmw, point taken-thanks for the welcome. It is good to join such a jovial and witty group of mavericks.

-Bruno71

Post by **Biff's R** » Sun Jan 20, 2008 10:18 pm

Welcome bruno71

Post by **boxermania** » Mon Jan 21, 2008 5:12 am

Van....just because your ride is black it doesn't make you walk on water.....

Welcome again Bruno71, and thank you for your observation hoeever I don't remember being anywhere close to your highermost apendaje, let alone feeling for bumps....but I digress.

I'm more of a Graphic Bikecologist....so as the opportunity arises do graces us with some pics of your ride......your pug is optional, as hopefully we can meet you in person at one of the Bashes.....

I'm really a nice and jovial marleting size fellow......trust me......

Post by **Doug** » Mon Jan 28, 2008 2:13 pm

Welcome!

Post by **MikeCam** » Mon Jan 28, 2008 2:29 pm

This quote: "without major vices from various nationalities. "

Post by **MikeCam** » Mon Jan 28, 2008 2:30 pm

Came across a little wrong I think.

Welcome Bruno.