Dutchblog

Finally collected the new bike from Motorrad Central this morning and although I’ve only covered the 10 mile ride home I already know that this is going to be a great bike for us!

It really is great to have another big BMW tourer in the garage again.

I now need to fit a few bits and pieces to the bike ahead of our first biking weekend away next week and already it’s in a hundred pieces all over the garage floor….

Hopefully it’ll be ready to test mid week before heading north next Saturday.

Sincere thanks to Graham, Tracy, Steve & Bruce at Motorrad Central in Dalkeith for the superb preparation of the bike & for making my return to motorcycling an enjoyable and memorable experience.

The arrival of our new bike, my 20th BMW since 1982, is imminent & will have the following specification:

BMW R1200RT-SE

• Biarritz Blue & Silver Lower Panels
• Chrome Exhaust
• Cruise Control
• Tyre Pressure Control (TPC)
• Electronic Suspension Adjustment (ESA)
• Automatic Stability Control (ASC)
• Heated Seats
• Heated Grips
• Radio & CD Player with iPod Connection
• Power Sockets x 2

Dealer Fitted Accessories:

• 49 Litre Topcase
• BMW Luggage Inner bags
• BMW Tank Bag
• Alloy Engine Protectors
• Rear Mudguard Extension
• Pannier Protectors

Self Fitted Accessories:

• Garmin Zumo 550 GPS
• Garmin GTM 12 Traffic Receiver
• Baehr Ultima XL Communications System
• GPS Mount
• BMW Alloy Oil Filler Cap
• Wunderlich Brake Pedal Extender
• Wunderlich Side Stand Extender
• Wunderlich Bar Risers
• Wunderlich Front Fender Extension
• Stebel Magnum Horn

Plus active & passive security/tracking devices.

Suppliers

• Garmin Zumo & GTM12 ::Global Gizmos
• Baehr Communications::Baehr GmbH De Hobbyist SD Moto
• GPS Mount::GPS-Mount.be
• Wunderlich::Rainbow Motorcycles
• Stebel::Nippy Normans
• Powerlet::Sportouring
• BMW Parts & Accessories::Motorrad Central East

Following a day long test ride back in February it was decided we should replace the departed R1200GS with another BMW tourer, the R1200RT-SE.

Recently arrived at my local BMW Motorrad dealer, Motorrad Central in Dalkeith, was a large cardboard crate containing the new bike, which should arrive in my garage any day now….can’t wait!

Ten years ago BMW celebrated 75 years of motorcycle production by launching a limited edition range of 75th Anniversary ‘boxer’ models.

I was fortunate enough to acquire one of the very first examples of the R1100RT model imported into the UK, finished in Arctic Silver with red seats & knee pads.

Additionally I had the pannier & topcase lids painted to match for a more ‘integrated’ look.

Included with the 75th Anniversary models was a presentation box containing a Certificate of Authenticity, a loose leaf book describing 75 years of BMW Motorrad history, press photographs, a lapel badge & embossed key fob.

I recently discovered my own presentation box which somehow became mislaid when I eventually sold the bike and images of the contents can be found here.