No, I'm NOT Jack !

Last week after I made arrangements to view my `new to me` R1200R, I arrived at the previous owner`s house and this was my first view of THE BIKE sitting in the driveway



I parked my V-strom on the street by the curb and started to awww and ooooo at the bike and snap a few photos. Shortly, the owner arrived after walking his dog, we discussed the bike and talked about the details of what came with the bike, its former history, how long he owned it and when it was serviced. His name was Jack

I made arrangements to purchase the bike the next day and he agreed to ride it over to my place, and I agreed to drive him back home as he lived about an hour East of Vancouver. This would save me a lot of time as then it would have left me the problem of retrieving my bike from his place.

It took me a day to get the bike ready and check everything out before I actually rode it. You know, check the tire pressures and bring the battery back to full charge. After I got the insurance I decided to ride my new `R` to work, and after work I went to 2nd Gear to see what farkles I could muster. I ended up at 2nd Gear where I had purchased things for my V-strom. 2nd Gear is a Twisted Throttle distributer and I find it easier to just pay and order from Dave, then to order it myself. I need to install a top case but I don`t have the topcase rear rack.



Dave was busy with another customer so I patiently waited and eventually I got to call him over to see my `new to me` `R`

The first words uttered from Dave`s mouth was "Is this Jack's bike ?"

I couldn't find an aftermarket rear topcase rack for my "R", which would also fit the original OEM BMW sidecases, so on Saturday I decided to visit my local Beemer dealer in Richmond. I had to bite the bullet and pay the premium price for the BMW part. I have been to this dealer many times to look at their R1200R's and also the Tiger 800.

The first thing that I did was to enter the building and show off my "new to me" R1200R to Stuart . . . and the first thing

he said to me was "Did that bike belong to Jack ? "

Jack was just here the other day . . .

I went to the parts department and we negotiated a deal for the combo sidecase/top case rack which replaces the sidecase strips that I have to remove. The new combination rack comes with the top case attachment plate. I should have this in about a week. I had already check pricing at two dealers in Seattle and I received a close price match

This was the first time that I had ridden my "new to me" R1200R on the highway, and I must say that it has lots of power, the engine is nearly silent and you can only hear the sound of the wind. At speed, the speedometer seems to be indicating much too much, as it is showing much higher than what I imagine

On Saturday, I usually find myself at Rideaway Motors to have lunch and keep Benny company for an hour or so . I arrived earlier than usual but I notice that Benny has already bought his lunch. I sit down and we chat for a few minutes and then a customer comes in the front door . . .


My "new to me" R1200r, with its previous owner, Jack


I don't believe my eyes !! It's JACK . . .

He's the previous owner of my "New to me" R1200R . Imagine that I am in the back alley behind the Mcdonalds Restaurant, over an hour from where Jack lives in Coquitlam, BC and he notices MY "new to me, but his previous" R1200R parked in the lane and decides to come in to find me

He is also hungry so I offer to buy him lunch



He also doesn't believe that I am here so he phones home to tell his wife and I manage to say a few words to her using his phone. I can't believe that we just happened to meet "by chance", in such an unlikely location. I watch as he walks down the lane towards his bike (Honda VFR), which is parked around the corner



It just seems that he is following me wherever I go . . .