Archive of BMW Motorrad Club Cape (2006 - 2019)

--The help requested is at the bottom of this in case you don't want to read the whole story.

The answer is probably no...

I am 5'2" (or less than 1.6m in my language) and the only growth that has happened over the years has been sideways!

However, "mentally" speaking, my family stays concerned about the way their eldest forgets she is supposedly a gentlelady. That she should prefer knitting, grandchildren and tea parties above the roar of a bike on the open road, or "flentering" into the unknown gramadoelas, to return with a smile on her dial as if she has conquered the world. - Best they never know about the close calls. 

Fortunately, I (think) I have come to my senses. I realise I should quit my search for unknown little bospadjies, mountain trails and exotic picture opportunities. I must stop relying on my love of the ride to get me back safely.

Therefore, to quench my thirst I have come up with a brilliant plan. My husband's 1100GS, only a few short years from being an antique, would be the perfect solution! WAY too high for me, my options were to either put a sidecar on and take my 4 footed kids along, but that was super expensive. Alternatively, put training wheels on it. I have had a friend fix things for me and also try to come up with an idea on how I can ride it. Running nicely, a few weekends back I tried again and if I were tippy-toe on the one side, I still came short more than a foot on the other side. DRATTT! 

And then the real solution came!!

A girlfriend visiting has a factory lowered 1200 and told me to take if for a spin. Of course, I declined! You just do not ride someone else's bike, let alone when it's almost brand new and you might kill yourself or especially the bike, in the process. But kudos to her, she noticed the continuous stream of drool I was trying to keep at bay. By the second evening and the umpteenth offer, I realized I was a bad host not attending to my guest's wishes.

OK, OK, the truth is I just could not resist anymore and succumb to one of the dumbest things I have done in... well..., just leave it there. She insisted I get it through the gears quickly and then "feel its power"!

And so I obliged. Oh boy! And did I oblige?!

My feet could reach the ground even more easily than with my 650, the gears slipped in and I was gone. Before I knew it, by the time I could find the speedometer, this monster was doing 180.

Note to self, make sure your father NEVER reads this!

I terrified myself into a more peaceful 120km/h and just tested the feel of the bike and the handling on the road. I was in awe. 

I loved the feel of how my knees fitted into the "dent" in the tank and not forced outward by a bulge as I was used to. Although the wind was pumping, my legs weren't flung out like with my bike. My knees were also not so high up. Feeling a bit voor op die wa, I asked if she would have a problem if I saw how it went on the gravel, just the last little km or so to the house?

OH. MY. WORD!! Standing was such a pleasure and the seat came to my knees instead of an inch from my ermm... is crotch an acceptable word? So the whole bike was free below me and there was absolutely NOO effort to ride the few humps and bumps along the way. For the first time, I understand what "open up" means and how easy it is on this bike. I can't believe how hard one has to work for every inch on my 650?!? OK, I know a ton of you ride the 1200, so I won't go on and on gushing about it, but please do yourselves a favour. Get hold of a 650, ride it a bit and APPRECIATE what you have and what ease it is handling it.

So here is my solution. I want to sell my bike, hubby's bike and our bakkie - all of them ancient enough to join Noah if he were still around. I know it can take a long time to find a specific bike, so I want to let the word out for now. If you have, know of or in the future might want to sell a factory lowered 1200, I am very keen to buy. If you cannot find this article later, just ask Geoff.  - Please remember it's for me, Geoff!

Another note to self: Ask Geoff if this arrangement is OK.

I love longer trips and really wanted to get a bigger bike that has no problem with my large tent, loads of bedding, unnecessary tools - do you know how much space spare tyres, levers, fixing-stuff and chain lube takes?!?, much needed culinary proviant, loads of electronic necessities - the way gadget freaks and photographers roll - and still have space for myself.

Now I have seen the solution and I know it will work. Plus...

Then my folks can relax and not worry - as when I'm on the smaller bike, with dangerous, technical stunts I try on my own... I will only be doing long rustige gravel roads. Like meandering up Sani pass, or pass a pride of lions, or heard of Buffalo, enjoying the battle-ready war cries of the Mursi tribe in the distance. 

Therefore, a lowered 1200 will be in the interest of all parties' sanity. Yheee haaa!