I did it. I thought about it a long time. Too long. I have visited the dealership far too many times. I have read the reviews and the ride stories. And finally I did it.
I test rode a BMW 1200 GS Adventure.
Why did I do it?
The simple answer is that there are roads in the world where I want to ride that my Harley just can't go.
The BMW 1200 GS Adventure is the finest sport touring, on road/off road, motorcycle in the world. There are plenty of other choices out there but nothing that has the complete package like this one. So, after salivating from a distance, I finally had to give it a try.
Five miles down the freeway. U-turn. Five miles back to the dealership. Over the bumps and potholes of the frontage road, past cars like they were standing still as I flew back onto the freeway. It was quick. Fast. Full of features. And grossly uncomfortable for a big guy like me.
BMW made it as easy as pie. They keep all the add-ons in stock (like GPS, the tank bag, the three rear storage boxes.) There are plenty of after market things (like a bigger windshield, lower foot pegs, risers for the handlebars, and, of course, a Russell Day Long seat) that would customize the fit for me. Nothing down. Basically the same payment as my Harley. 90 days until my first payment (which would be enough time to sell my Harley.) Easy peasy.
But I couldn't do it.
My bike is slower. Heavier. Much more limited in where it can go. I can never ride it to Prudhoe Bay or the farther reaches of Canada, or off road in New Mexico or Utah, or down to the beach in Galveston or to the most interesting places in Big Bend. I'm not really even comfortable visiting my uncle and aunt in North Dakota again if there has been any rain lately. But it is perfect for me. It fits me like a glove.
When it comes right down to it, sometimes you have to make choices in this life. Me? Given the choice of driving across the country in the cab of a Freightliner or the front seat of a Corvette, I'm going to take the Freightliner every time. It is just the way I'm wired.
I remember once riding across Florida. I saw two bikers riding in the other direction down the highway. One was all decked out in his Aerostich riding suit on a fully packed BMW sport touring bike. The other was a hairy guy on a Harley with his leather vest and full biker vibe happening. And, in that moment, I realized I would much rather have a beer and exchange ride stories with the guy on the Harley.
But we forget. I forget. So yesterday I test rode a BMW.
This morning in church I talked with two guys who visited Faith last weekend. Last weekend they came to our 2nd service - the one with the worship band where I don't wear a robe. This week they came to the 1st service - the one with the organ and the choir and the robes. In no uncertain terms, they said that today felt like "church" to them in ways that last week simply didn't. I understand that. Even though that isn't the way I am wired.
I am a multi-style worship guy. We have four different types of worship services every weekend at Faith. I like them all although I don't lead the service in Mandarin Chinese. I like lots of different ways of worshipping God.
I feel the same about bikes.
So I am not a dyed in the wool Harley or nothing guy. I don't think every other bike in the world pales in comparison to the all American, all steel, "only bike in the world with a soul" product of Harley Davidson. I think there is a place and purpose for all bikes.
So I test rode a BMW 1200 GS Adventure. Then left the dealership and walked away. Sometimes you have to make choices. My choice is to not make a choice. My choice is to wait for the day when I don't have to choose. The day when I get to have both.
There are roads out there with my name on them and someday I'm going to pay them a visit.
