Final service for the Big Fella…

The Big Fella’s odometer has been inching towards the 40 000 km mark, slowly but surely over the past few weeks, and I planned to do this service at the same time as the pre-trip safety and service check. I made contact with our “home branch”, Auto Alpina in Boksburg, where I purchased two BMW 1200 GS’s in May 2007, after trading in our two F 650’s for “something with more grunt and load bearing capacity”… This was not because my wife and I were putting on any weight, but we were tired of the guys on their bigger machines zooming past us on the way to Sabie on a Sunday morning !! I also had the seeds of a plan to do some long distance touring germinating in my mind, and after the enjoyment we got from riding the BMW 650’s, upgrading to another BMW was the obvious choice for us…

The guys at Auto Alpina went out of their way to assist and within minutes, we were zooming around the streets of Boksburg, test driving the 1200 GS’s. Within hours, we were the proud owners of these machines and I have never looked back since (except to check out the other bikes disappearing in my rear view mirrors !!”)

I have purchased the vast majority of my riding gear, as well as the many accessories I first put on the bike, at AutoAlpina Boksburg , and have enjoyed the excellent service meted out by Aldridge Steyn in the accessories department, Khalid Rebaney in the parts department, Mannie Koutsoudakis in the service department, as well as the sales staff that make George Ludeke’s team at Auto Alpina hard to beat !!

I delivered the Big Fella into the capable hands of Mannie yesterday, and we sat discussing exactly what would be checked and serviced, as well as the spares that I should consider taking along with me. Mannie’s advice has always been delivered in a confident and professional manner and when listening to him, you are immediately aware that this man has a wealth of knowledge, and dispenses this knowledge more than willingly. Thanks for putting my mind to rest on so many things, Mannie ! You Legend, you !!

It was then explained that the bike would be in for a few days to ensure that everything was properly checked out. George Ludeke, Auto Alpina’s Sales Manager, very kindly arranged a bike for me to use in the interim… He pointed casually to a K1200R that was lined up in their showroom, and nonchalantly asked me if I had ridden one before… At my reply to the negative, he said, “Try it, you’ll like it!”… The bike was wheeled out into the forecourt, pointed in the direction of the gate, and with a cheerful wave, the salesman strolled back inside, leaving me staring at 1200 cc’s of Superbike !!

I eased out into the traffic, getting used to a new riding style that has you hunched forward over the tank, as apposed to the very upright riding position required on a GS… Once I was out onto the R21, riding towards Pretoria, I began to experience the beauty of this machine… It is light, handles like a dream and is probably the most well balanced bike I have ever ridden…. I also discovered that the “R”,  in “K12ooR”, does not stand for “Relax” !! This bike is super quick !! Whilst cruising along in 6th gear, I gave the throttle a small twist, and the bike took off like a startled cat !! Amazing acceleration !! For sheer exhilaration, swing a leg over one of these Babies, Dudes !!

Thanks for making me feel like a Rossi, George !!

The K1200R, an exhilarating ride !! You gotta try it, man...!!