I've been enamoured with

an "R" bike for a few years, and in particular the BMW R1200R. Over the past couple of years I have been scanning ads & Craigslist and for a time I knew every "R" bike for sale in our area, but none have been in "My price range". There was a close call last summer when I found a good one in Kelowna but I passed on it because of the logistics of getting it back to Vancouver. Then another close call late last year, when the local dealer in Richmond had a "DEMO" but it was Red. I went to see it several times and when I finally went the last time to try and do a deal, the salesperson said that they weren't interested in a trade as they would have to carry it until the Spring. So I left . . . and as it worked out, they didn't end up selling it until the next spring anyway.



Then on Tuesday I spotted one which looked delicious, except that it was Blue. I thought that this bike would look better in Graphite, silver or black so I hummed and hawed for 17 seconds, and sent off an email to ask if I could view it. I have found that if you are serious then you leave contact phone numbers and I thought that I left my cell number. I think all guys can relate to what I am saying. We all like to look at the ads and dream. I checked with my Beemer confidante in Atlanta, GA and she told me that this was that rare Biarritz Blue that was discontinued, but desirable.

I waited all day for "THE" phone call, but nothing. I was getting ansy that someone else had beat me to it.



I am a good detective and I did get an initial email saying that I could view it anytime after work, so I did a bit of googling and found the owner's address. I was going to ride by after work anyway and see if I could spot it. Then, THE phone call came just before I left work. When I got there he said he did try to call me but that a LADY answered. He explained that he was selling a bike and this LADY said "HE BETTER NOT BE BRINGING HOME ANOTHER BIKE !"

I told him I didn't know who this person was, only that I didn't get his phone call so I rechecked my email (which I sent a copy to my phone) and to my horror I had typed in Mrs Skoot's cell phone number by mistake. OH OH, what to do now ! The Gigs up and now she knows what I am up to.

We had a nice talk about bikes. He just bought a Honda VFR, and an older Honda Elite scooter for commuting. He also has a Nissan 300zx convertible. As I was leaving he said to me "You're the boss in your family aren't you ? She can't tell you not to buy the bike " I mean guys are always in charge, Right ? " I lied and said "of course"



Now I get home and I don't know what to say, and Mrs Skoot doesn't say anything. I am at a loss for words and I know she is waiting for me to open my mouth

Well, it finally followed me home and the past couple of days I have been busy bringing up to my standards .



This bike is set up for someone with very short legs and it has the low seat option. My legs are bent too much and I needed the brake pedal raised so I ended up at EMS: Essential Motorcycle Services and thanks to Ted I also got the tires back to spec.



He is often there "after Hours". This bike also has SW-Mototech bar risers so you don't have to stretch your arms so much



On the way home tonight, I stopped off at 2nd gear to buy some accessories



I bought a powerlet adapter cable, and a waterproof cigarette lighter type plug which I managed to install in the dark using a flashlight. I can use this plug to plug in my battery tender, or my GPS



I keep pinching myself. I can't believe I own a female bike with Jugs