2 Strikes

Yesterday was a really weird day. We have been thinking about trading in our bikes on a different style for trips so we went to the BMW dealer. We test rode a pair of 650GS bikes from BMW for a few hours and while we were out riding around we stopped by the Suzuki dealer and test rode a V-Strom. After riding around for a little while and eating lunch, I had decided on the 650 BMW and we went back to the dealer. John said "Hey - sit on the 1200." That's when the trouble started.

I got on a nice red 1200GS and John got on the 650 and we went on a short test ride. They let me borrow a lower seat for the test ride - the thing is TALL. It was so smooth and so fast and had none of the annoying vibration of the 650 (which is only a 1 cylinder) I was having a blast! But then, it happened - I decided to turn around on a side street - gravel and a hill. I stopped while executing the turn and found myself lying on the ground on my left side. Not good. Not good at all. I was feeling quite embarrassed and stupid, but John helped me get the bike back up and I got back on that puppy and rode. And got on the highway - and rode some more. It was such a sweet bike! I decided I wanted one.

We went back to the dealer to tell them the good and bad news and then waited around for the requisite 3 hours it takes to do any kind of vehicle purchase. I ended up purchasing the one I had dumped because A) it was already discounted since it was a few months older and a demo B) I wouldn't have to pay for the damage I had done to it - cosmetic damage of a BMW is expensive.

Now - notice that the title of this entry is "2 Strikes" - can you guess what happened next? Yes, that's right, as we were pulling out of the lot a car turned in and I thought it was closer to John then it was. Again - I was already turning and I stopped. PLUNK - fell over on the right side. I have rarely been so thoroughly embarrassed and disappointed in myself. Two guys from the BMW place came running to help and the guy who sold us the bike offered to ride it to our place for me. Instead we switched, John got on the new bike and I rode his (which is still much bigger than my old one). We got home in one piece, but then both fell into a funk. We started to question this hobby of ours. And, of course, I felt so bad about dropping the bike - twice - that I was miserable.

This morning we decided that although the power and smoothness of the 1200 is spectacular - it's just too big for me. So, John is going to take the new bike and I am going to ride his until we sell it and then go get the 650 - which is what I should have done in the first place. Live and learn. I am NOT waiting for the third strike before learning my lesson.

Pictures later.