What a feeling...

[RRDallas]

Hi everyone: I'm a novice rider, especially compared to most people in this forum. I've had a license for just under a year and took the MSF novice riding course. My first bike is a 1972 Yamaha 650 that I carted around from Denver, to DC, to NYC to Dallas over eight years, with the hope that I could someday restore it and learn to ride.

I accomplished both goals last year, and then soon graduated to a 2003 R1150R (while keeping the Yamaha, of course). Yesterday, I rode the Beemer to work for the first time -- in rush hour both ways. It's about 35 miles round trip. Just a roll around the block to most of you. But it was a big step for me. It was 28 degrees when I left in the morning, and -- while my palms were nice and toasty -- my finger tips felt like they were about to fall off when I arrived at the office. The ride home, as dusk turned to night, was a comfortable 57 degrees or so. I avoided highways both ways and stayed on back roads mostly. It took about 40 minutes each way.

The difference between making the trip in a car and on a bike -- especially my RR --- is startling. Rarely have I arrived at the office so refreshed and stress free. Rarely have I arrived home after a long week at work feeling so relaxed but not dead tired. I'm finding more and more excuses to opt for the bike over the car on the weekend.

Anyway, as a late bloomer when it comes to riding, I am finally beginning to understand and experience the source of your passion and enthusiasm.

[RRDallas]

sorry for the double post.... blame it on the mouse and too much coffee.

[bmwr1150rbmw]

That was a nice story. I too look forward to commuting to work on the bike. Very nice!

[towerworker]

Put a set of GS handguards on your R. That will help the winter riding immensely.

Welcome to the board!

Wayne

[P_Jensen]

+1 the heated grips work much better when the wind isn't hitting your hands.

[Johan_SA]

Welcome and may your stress levels keep on deminishing. That is what is so great about bikes and in particular BMWs.

[Jimbobvfr]

RRD, Excited to hear you had such positive results with your first commute! As a motorcycle mentor, its great to see you are taking the chance and getting such immediate feedback. I commuted for 20 yrs using only a m/c as my main source of transportation.
Don't just stop at the BRC, get enrolled in the ERC, and get plenty of miles. As you are a fairly new rider, I would encourage you to practice your emergency stops and read everything you can about becoming a better rider.
Go!

[channa]

It is great to learn you enjoyed your commute experience

Just keep aware of what is around you, take it steady... your confidence will grow accordingly.

TBH Iwas a bit scared at the size of the r1150 rt after the fazer ...but I am probably riding quicker.

I stress in the sense a new bike has re kindled my senses..so i am planning and preparing better ...It seems the byproduct is a more enjoyable ride

Channa

[RRDallas]

Thanks everyone for the kind words of encouragement and advice, especially about staying safe and keeping my hands warm. In Texas , the weather changes faster than you can keep pace. So, as cold as it was on my Friday morning ride to work, it was in the 70s over the weekend. And I was trying to stay cool when I rode from Dallas to Fort Worth and back. Not that I was complaining. That was a lot of fun, too. Pretty much as soon as I arrived at my destination, I was looking forward to the return trip. I can see why everyone who participates in this forum is so enthusiastic about their machines. Not only are these bikes practical and fun, they are extremely well designed and well made. They even have a sculpture-like quality to their appearance...art on wheels.