It's been a month and 2500 miles, since I headed home from Kansas City on my BMW motorcycle. I still find it to be an amazing machine. It has all the get up and go that I need, even when two up. For a gear head like me, that is saying something. It has far more handling capability than I have nerve to push it, so that leaves me with a decent safety cushion. If I find myself in a corner, going a little too fast for my liking, I can just lean into it a little more and the bike goes right on through. I know that I am nowhere near the bike's limits, and may never be, but that is OK.
The ride is wonderfully comfortable. I have left the suspension set where the PO had it. Knowing I outweigh him a fair amount, it probably rides a little softer with me on it, than it did with him, but it sure soaks up the bumps. My 54 y/o body appreciates the smooth ride. The old Honda would beat you to death of you were not careful. I crank in three turns on the springs, and go full firm on the shock when the wife climbs aboard, and we are good to go.
The engine vibration (its an opposed twin) is not really noticeable in the driver's seat, although the wife has some complaints at interstate highway speeds. The seat is not too bad, and could be/ will be better, but it is way better than the seat on the old Honda, so I can endure for a while. We plan on a seat rebuild over the winter. The adjustable windscreen is a handy feature, as are the heated grips. I now know why some BMW riders don't wave, they don't want to take their hands off the warm grips on a cool day.
I am a little disappointed in fuel mileage at 41-42 mpg, but then again I am hauling around more weight than I should be, so it has to work a tad harder. It beats the Honda's fuel mileage by 10 mpg, so I really can't complain. And one other comparison to the old Honda, the BMW doesn't spit and sputter when it rains, it just keeps on running. That is a great feeling, especially after more than one harrowing moment on the Honda, in the rain, and in traffic. I've beat myself into the ground trying to sort out that problem until I gave up and bought another bike. I'll get the 'matic out once in a while on sunny days now.
All in all, I am quite happy with my purchase, in spite of needing to rebuild a master cylinder so soon. It is 13 years old, with 50K on it, so I knew going in that there would be repairs/maintenance needed. I'm pretty good with mechanical things, so I look at it as part of the experience, and not a hindrance. My only regret is, I didn't buy one sooner.
I'm glad the BMW is working out so well. I can hardly wait to see the pic's of your adventures this summer.