My buddy Ray rode his Duc Multi 620 over to Eugene on business and planned to test ride a Triumph Scrambler. I needed plugs/points and a spare headlight bulb for my Slash Six and the Beemer dealer is only a few blocks east of the Triumph dealer. Ray and I haven't ridden together for a few weeks, so the logical choice yesterday was to ride the GS to Eugene.
Called BMW of Western Oregon and asked if I could demo an F650. "Sure, come on over." Said I'd be there between 1p-2p. As I've ridden Santiam Pass a zillion times, I went the long way to Eugene: 97 south to Crescent, took the Crescent Cutoff to OR 58 and went over Willamette Pass. Out of direction, but still a fun ride complete with a tunnel.
Made great time as there was little traffic and when there was a small tie-up, well, a quick downshift to 5th solves many woes.
Only had one "YIKES!" moment went I pulled out to pass a dark green car with only its parking lights on (illegal in Orygun to drive with only your parking lights on) emerged from the shadows in the oncoming lane. Let's just brake quick and hard and zip back into my lane and not end the day in a headon.
After buying my $70 in parts at BMWOR I said "I'm ready for my F650 test ride now, Mr. DeMille." They asked if my GS was in for service. "Nope, just buying parts and ready for that demo ride I called about." Then they said if I wasn't in for service they couldn't let me a take service loaner out as a demo bike. Letter from their insurance company, you know.
Wow, that's the first time I've ever been nixed for a test ride at a Beemer dealer. Normally, they are sign here, here, and here and go have fun. I did explain I had called earlier and who I had talked to, but still no test ride. I hope this isn't the start of a trend as I've always enjoyed BMW letting you ride a bike outside of the cattle call's of Demo Days.
Anyway, met Ray over at the Triumph dealer. Our curse semi-continued as they had no demos available for Scrambler, but he could ride a Bonnie. He thoroughly enjoyed his demo on the Bonnie Black. Said it reminded him of a two-wheeled version of a VW Bug: you just enjoy getting there in a relaxed manner. We both sat on the Scramblers and made putt-putt noises. Sweet looking bikes with very comfy ergos. Tough to put bags on due to high pipes on right side, but they have a solo gel seat with rear luggage rack that looks promising. Dealer had an unsold '06 for $7600 in the better-looking red/white paint scheme. The blue doesn't do the Scrambler any favors.
Mostly I spent my time yacking with the fellow who had put a sidecar on his Thruxton. Really sharp looking outfit, tub was and American Eagle that looked a lot like a Velorex. Bike and tub were both black with wide checkered flag stripe on fenders/gas tank/nose and trunk of hack. He had one son in the hack and another behind him. With aftermarket pipes that Thruxon sounded sweet.
Headed back to Bend and between Eugene and Harvick's Country store I was just clicknig along. Picked the right line for every corner, went fast in slow motion, and just re-fell in love with my GS.
Now it's time to get ready for a Ural ride into the Ochocos. Yes, life is good at the moment, even if you can't get a test ride on a Beemer as casually as you once could. But the H-D in town is offering test rides on the Ulysses and gives you a courier bag to boot... Hmm....
