Good day to own a GS
It was a heartbreaking day for both of us. Mitch is faced with going home, and I with continuing alone. After everything we have done, and dreamed about it doesn’t seem fair.
It was however a good day to own a BMW GS. Broken down on the side of the busy hot freeway, we finally decided that attempting to tow Mitch’s bike was the best option. So with a few strands of 550 (Parachute Cord) we made a tow strap. I tied it off to the frame holding my Jesse Luggage, worrying that the extra weight would cause problems.
Slowly we started out down the shoulder of the road, weaving between all the normal debris bits of tires, and trash. With busy traffic zooming past us on the left it made for a nerve-racking operation. Things were going well when I noticed up ahead a bridge crossing a dry riverbed. The long bridge had no shoulder! I beeped my horn to signal Mitch I was going for it. Pointing like a charging Calvary Rider with sword drawn I down shifted and let all 100 horse’s loose. Traffic was whizzing by and we had to be up to speed to merge safely before the shoulder ran out. With Mitch, his bike, and all his luggage 600 pounds is a low guess as to the extra weight the GS was pulling. She got us up to 75 mph without complaint and safely across the bridge.
After asking directions at a gas station we began a 10 mile trip down a small road to a hotel. I kept a close eye on my temperature gauge afraid that the GS would start to over heat towing Mitch through the 100 degree plus Arizona weather. She performed like a champ though never missing a beat. The only problem we had on the way to the hotel was one strand of 550 slid under Mitch’s front wheel, jerking his steering hard to the left and nearly sending the both of us crashing to the pavement.
We have to wait out Memorial Day before we can take his bike into a shop. Only then can we know if this is the end of the road for Mitch.
--Ryan
It was however a good day to own a BMW GS. Broken down on the side of the busy hot freeway, we finally decided that attempting to tow Mitch’s bike was the best option. So with a few strands of 550 (Parachute Cord) we made a tow strap. I tied it off to the frame holding my Jesse Luggage, worrying that the extra weight would cause problems.
Slowly we started out down the shoulder of the road, weaving between all the normal debris bits of tires, and trash. With busy traffic zooming past us on the left it made for a nerve-racking operation. Things were going well when I noticed up ahead a bridge crossing a dry riverbed. The long bridge had no shoulder! I beeped my horn to signal Mitch I was going for it. Pointing like a charging Calvary Rider with sword drawn I down shifted and let all 100 horse’s loose. Traffic was whizzing by and we had to be up to speed to merge safely before the shoulder ran out. With Mitch, his bike, and all his luggage 600 pounds is a low guess as to the extra weight the GS was pulling. She got us up to 75 mph without complaint and safely across the bridge.
After asking directions at a gas station we began a 10 mile trip down a small road to a hotel. I kept a close eye on my temperature gauge afraid that the GS would start to over heat towing Mitch through the 100 degree plus Arizona weather. She performed like a champ though never missing a beat. The only problem we had on the way to the hotel was one strand of 550 slid under Mitch’s front wheel, jerking his steering hard to the left and nearly sending the both of us crashing to the pavement.
We have to wait out Memorial Day before we can take his bike into a shop. Only then can we know if this is the end of the road for Mitch.
--Ryan
Labels: adventure, arizona, bmw r1200gs, GS, jesse luggage, kawasaki klr650, motorcycle, travel, yamaha heritage 650
posted by Half-Throttle at
4:16 AM
6 Comments:
you'll get it fixed. Someone will step up to help you. Whenever someone is doing something great and adventurous, there's always someone ready to assist. As observers, we want you to succeed.
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
So its Tuesday now and I'm dying to hear the latest!
Ain't much money can't fix. You'll be back on the road soon (I hope).
As I am dreaming of an epic ride myself, I'd like to ask some questions:
How many miles are you averaging per day inside the USA?
How far into Central America are you planning to go?
x32792
Haven't been on the road too long, but, 500 seems easy enough. Almost all highway miles (they take longer). So if you were on a trip and running behind you could just jump back on the freeway for awhile and be caught up in no time.
We are planning on riding until the road runs out. Panama and back to Utah.
--Ryan
hey it is 31st and I am expecting some news from you!!!
Mariana
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