Greetings!

[AJB]

Good morning members!

Just to introduce myself, my name is Adrian and I live in Surrey near Box Hill.

I passed my direct access test last week (though I have ridden before abroad a little) and am taking delivery of a 52 R1100SS next week.

This is not necessarily the bike I aspire to, but I am hoping it will provide me with some experience, be suitable for the occasional trip to the far side of Holland, and allow me to take my 11 year old son and slightly older girlfriend on some trips this summer.

The said girlfriend is unaware that I have purchased a bike, so I may be in trouble next week. On the other hand she is German so buying a BMW should be acceptable (we have an X5 as well).

One day I would like to have perhaps a K1200S. That would be my next sensible option. As I really like Italian design though, I will continue to hanker after an MV F41000 as a work of art to leave in the garage and admire....(I am aware my riding skills are far from this level).

I am looking forward to finding out what the BMW biking community is all about.

Kind regards

Adrian

[PKBOXERCUP]

If you ever get to the stage where you want to make the MV your bike then be sure to have a test ride.
A mate bought one new without a test ride and couldn't get rid of it quickly enough.
I had a go on it and hated it almost as much! It certainly has the looks to die for and goes like stink, but has terrible fueling, kills your wrists, suspension like granite and horrible tingly vibration. Admittedly I rode it on a bumby 'B' road but that's normally where most of the fun is in my area.
Enjoy the BM. Hard to beat as an all round road bike.

[Motostratos]

I live in Kingston, so may see you down at Box Hill

Get rid of the X5 though......4x4's

[AJB]

PK - I am sure you are right about the MV F4 but I do think they are a work of art.

Moto - I will look out for you. As for the X5, it is an incredible work horse. I have done nearly 100,000 miles in it and it is as tough as old boots. 4x4's are very good if you have a suitable use for them. Tows brilliantly and goes of road very well for a road car.

However, next car looks as if it will be an Audi. Test drives tomorrow!

[harry3014]

howdee

or should i say audi

[AJB]

The Audi is for my girlfriend. Company car. Much better for shopping than a bike apparently.

[f90x]

Hi, that's a nice tool for a first bike after your test.

[harry3014]

show off

[AJB]

Thanks Harry. If that is how you welcome new members I will be sure to avoid you.

[Gromit]

Welcome to our little corner of the www Adrian - hope you enjoy it.

If I was looking at spending money on a top sportsbike it'd have to be the RC8. Fell in love with it at the O2 Bike Show.

[AJB]

Thanks. Although I am idly window shopping with sports bikes there is no way I will buy one until I have acquired some proper experience with biking in the UK. I think the R1100SS will be ample for now.

In any case, the problem I will have is that I am just over 6' 2" tall and weigh 95Kg ( I think that is around 14 stone) and I find many sports bikes quite uncomfortable for any length of time, and I don't have enough experience to work out what will be a good fit long term, just based on short test rides.

The BMW is a cost effective and hopefully practical option to get me going in the UK. One reason why I bought it is I have a very experienced biker friend who is 6' 4" and he used one as his second bike for every day stuff (fun bike was a 999). He is not riding at the moment so I have benefited by being given all his gear, which was very generous of him.

[Gromit]

Adrian - we're similar height/build in that case so I fully understand the 'problem'. Nice thing about BM's is that they do tend to cater for fairly large people; I never had a comfort problem on the 11S even on 600+ mile days.

[snavetrauts]

Welcome AJB...... You have chosen/researched well.... especially for a big bloke like you.

The S is a very rewarding ride and you get out what you put in ..BUT it is very safe, very predictable and a bloody good allrounder... a safe set of wheels... what more can i say.

If you love it..... you will probably buy another bike... but you will always come back to the little beastie.

Enjoy... I do


Stuart

[seamus]

Hi Adrian

I bought a R1100S as my first bike and looking back I couldn't fault it.

[AJB]

Thanks guys.

I will post some pics when it comes on Wednesday.

A