I was missing from the Forum yesterday because I was on an errand...
Ruby2sday just passed 150,000 km and so I was in search of her successor. I know Diesel's ST has over 230,000 and I'm open to keeping Ruby 3 that long, but I was ready to move on.
I'm going backwards- Ruby 1 was a 2009, then came my 2008 and the latest acquisition is 2005. Her main attraction is her 28,000 km. She comes with a few sweeteners- a recent comprehensive service, low k tyres, factory heated grips, bar risers, pannier and top box liners, sheepie and factory maintenance manual. In the next little while I'll put on a CC, Stebel horn, GIPro, GPS mount, highway pegs and LED driving lights plus a few bits and pieces. I can't believe how pathetic the OEM horn sounds after having Stebels on all my bikes.
With Stinky Pete's help over recent months I investigated the BMW R1200RT and the deciding factor keeping me with mother Honda was my positive experiences with STs and a full set of farkles saving a fair bit of outlay. While there are many happy converts to Beemers, there are also a few who came back or moved to Honda from BMW.
I noticed this one has a bit of "buzz" from the engine around 100kph. I'm thinking it might be ironed out with a bit of balance shaft adjustment.
The deal was struck over two weeks ago for the bike in Sydney. Dick "Yewie" kindly rode over to North Turramurra to look over the prospect and assured me everything was "as advertised". Going there to get her was achievable, since QLD residents can come and go, but we don't let in riff-raff. The stumbling block was the cheapest fare I could find was $494, the trains are stopping at Casino and Greyhound similarly. Eventually I found a more reasonable fare and flew down yesterday and went out by train. The seller had the bike presented immaculately- I doubt it will ever be as clean and shiny again! The records were all in order so I was on my way. My only misgiving is there was only 1/4 of a tank which I think is poor form. The gift of a full tank (what, $30?) is a nice gesture especially when I gave the seller his asking price (he had already dropped it from his initial advertised price).
So let the farkling begin! Mrs Biggles is keen to see the garage back down to two bikes since three has added another level of challenge to her reversing the Camry in.
P.S. I'm open to more imaginative names. It was a club member who came up with Ruby2sday (she was my second Ruby, bought on a Tuesday). And no, Ruby3wed has nothing to recommend it!
