I thought I’d say hello after an absence. I have been a member of this discussion forum for several years, but I haven’t posted in at least a year, and I confess I’ve done almost no riding for a long period.

Here is an update. My BMW K1200RS was knocked over by someone in the middle of the night – and none of my neighbors said anything, though I suspect some of them must have seen it lying on its side – and the fairing was scratched up. So I had it painted. I’ve always wanted to have a yellow bike, both because yellow vehicles always seem to brighten the day of any observer and because I wrote a book of that title. In any event, here is a photo (attached). It is in parked in front of the house I just sold, another icon of German design: it is part of the historic Lafayette Park development in Detroit, a national landmark built by Bauhaus architect Ludwig mies van der Rohe.

Before Labor Day, I rode the bike back to Washington, D.C. I am returning there after four years away. It was a great ride, despite initial problems getting on the road. I had charged the battery, but it didn’t take, and I had to remove the seat. When I went to do that, I found that the mechanism had been broken, and it was impossible to budge. So I took off eight hours later than expected, after a detour to the Detroit dealership. The shop manager kindly stayed open an hour late on a Friday! The tow truck took about 3 hours to arrive, because AAA had only one driver capable of carrying a bike.

The ride itself was terrific. A 500 mile solo ride reminds me of why I ride. The best part for me is always the early morning, when it is still dark, a bit cool, and there is almost no traffic on the road except truckers who are real professionals.

Welcome back, Frank. The yellow bike is certainly an attention getter.

Welcome back!

Nice bike. That musta been a fun ride.

BTW, I am a native of Detroit, Michigan. Grew up in the College Park area, near Mary Grove College.

Go Blue!

Frank,

It makes me wonder if the person that pushed your BMW over had an "ax to grind" against those he (or she) perceives as affluent? When I first bought my BMW, I began to hear things like "oh, you must be rich," - or, "so, are you going to be a snob now?"

Some people don't like a even the perception of achievement, - so they "key" the paint-job of a nice car (or truck), and push over a nice looking BMW.

BTW, my BMW has a lot of yellow in it also.

-TS

Welcome back to the world of riding. Nice paint job.

Frank,
Welcome back to BMWST.com and Metropolitan Washington. Nice looking bike. I hope nobody ever has to say "I didn't see it". Is it still the bike I sold you way back when?

A bike that color must have a name...

Great color on the bike Frank. Hope to see you on the roads in VA.