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Back in the saddle again!

  • <i class="fa--xf fal fa-check "><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" role="img" aria-hidden="true" ><use href="/data/local/icons/light.svg?v=1741921825#check"></use></svg></i> Discussion starter Discussion starter cwo4uscgret
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cwo4uscgret

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Joined
Dec 15, 2020
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2021 1st Edition R-18
Well almost.

In early 2022 I was diagnosed with Prostate Cancer aka “Old Man Cancer” and in October of 2022 I had my Prostate removed. So far there hasn’t been any re-occurance of any cancer! Thank God! Back in 2014 I had a heart attack and had to retire for a second time; and on 1 December 2022 I had a triple bypass. Am doing great; in the last year I lost 40# down from 306# to 265#. So my R18 has been sitting in the garage, unridden for almost 2 years.

Adding injury to insult I have chronic back pain and take 4 different meds the make life a little bit easier. At a doctor’s appointment with a Neurosurgeon I let my wife come into the exam room with me. Bad idea. She had one question for the doctor: “Do you think he should be riding his motorcycle?” Of course not replied the Doctor. On the way home my wife was trying to convince me I should sell the bike. Oh hell no; I couldn’t bring myself to sell it.

So it’s been sitting in the garage without a trickle charge on the battery; so naturally it’s been dead in the water (garage) for almost two years.

Recently (4 months ago) at an appointment with the neurosurgeon, actually a Physician’s Assistant I was told there wasn’t anything they could do to help me. That said it’s time to install a new battery, replace the fluids, get insurance, and after an inspection re-register the bike! Heck I hate to but it’s low speed relearn riding all over again.

It will be better for me; by cutting back on the daily mileage I’ve been putting on my F-Type Jag Convertible…
 
Oh man. Well, first and foremost, I am very glad the cancer did not re appear and well done you for loosing that much weight, I am sure that was not an easy task.
Regarding the bike, I am sure once you have changed what needs to be changed, she will slowly give you that therapy that riding a motorcycle provides.
Keep us posted and best of luck.
 
Thanks all. Ulrich - still need to change fluids, renew the insurance, inspected (Texas don't you know). and registration paid. But I will take it for a test ride tomorrow!
 
And more power to ya! ... You might feel better getting back in the breeze ... that is my hope anyway, It helps me ;)
 
I love it when a plan comes together!

On Saturday I rode to the San Antonio BMW Motorcycle Shop. I knew that there was something big going on but I wasn’t really there for that. They had a big todo food truck, icy cold beverages, lots of bikes. I wanted to find out how many payments I still owed and Hal (Sales) got into BMW Financial’s website and download my account information. Hard to believe it’s been almost 4 years since I bought it! This month and next month and it is paid for! On Sunday I went over 6,200 and today if I ride another 30 miles or so I’ll go over 6,300.

Next week I will schedule a service to change filters and fluids since the bike had essentially sat in my garage collecting dust. What surprised me was after sitting in my garage, unridden and unattended that everything worked and functioned like it hadn’t missed a day of riding it!

Although I’m not “cheap” last year I found a “Surplus” Italian Carabinieri Motorcycle Jacket. The jacket has soft armor in the shoulders and elbows, a neck gaiter, a “kidney” belt with segmented plastic armor, a rain hood, and a fleece jacket that zips out. All for under $50 when I bought mine!



IMG_3875.webp
 
Go man! Never give up! Ride it like you stole it, if your back can take it. If not, just ease into it a little day by day. Best wishes as it is good therapy!
 
cwo4, glad to hear you are clear of the big C. I haven't had to go through that but wish to encourage you to continue the weight loss effort. From personal experience getting the body lean is the best medicine out there..... times a million.
 
So sorry to hear your troubles. As for the R18, I recently rode a R18 pure (base model) when Alcina (my R18 Transcontinental) was at the dealer for the headlight recall, it was ROUGH on my back! I also suffer from degenerative disc disease and sciatica/neuropathy.

Bottom line, I have a new appreciation for Alcina's longer suspension travel/auto-adjusting rear shock after that experience. If you want to continue riding, perhaps consider trading up for the R18 bagger or transcontinental model for the longer suspension alone.

Mike
 
Man, what a journey you've been on. It's awesome to hear you're back in the saddle despite all the health hurdles. Keeping that R18 waiting patiently for you instead of selling it was the right call. Stay safe and keep enjoying those rides, @cwo4uscgret!
 
cwo4uscgret said:
I love it when a plan comes together!

On Saturday I rode to the San Antonio BMW Motorcycle Shop. I knew that there was something big going on but I wasn’t really there for that. They had a big todo food truck, icy cold beverages, lots of bikes. I wanted to find out how many payments I still owed and Hal (Sales) got into BMW Financial’s website and download my account information. Hard to believe it’s been almost 4 years since I bought it! This month and next month and it is paid for! On Sunday I went over 6,200 and today if I ride another 30 miles or so I’ll go over 6,300.

Next week I will schedule a service to change filters and fluids since the bike had essentially sat in my garage collecting dust. What surprised me was after sitting in my garage, unridden and unattended that everything worked and functioned like it hadn’t missed a day of riding it!

Although I’m not “cheap” last year I found a “Surplus” Italian Carabinieri Motorcycle Jacket. The jacket has soft armor in the shoulders and elbows, a neck gaiter, a “kidney” belt with segmented plastic armor, a rain hood, and a fleece jacket that zips out. All for under $50 when I bought mine!



View attachment 16063
Click to expand...
Interesting. Is the sizing correct on these? What's your opinion?
 
I have found my BMW bikes to be mechanically sound.
Had some electrical issues along the way, but mechanically excellent.
 
Since resuming riding back in September on the days and evenings that I ride the bike I have less tension in my lower back and at times although I still have chronic low back pain the pain doesn’t seem acute as the days that I drive my little F-Type Jag Convertible! Of course neither one of them are really good choices if you suffer from low back pain; but I just don’t feel comfortable driving the wife’s VW Atlas! (Good news; both the Atlas and the R18 are paid off; and the Jag is only about 15 months left to go!)

Today I passed another small milestone on the R18 - the Odometer just passed 6,900 miles. No wonder it still looks good! After the two year layoff from riding though it’s like relearning how to ride the big bike all over again. With the front-Rear Brakes being linked (with an estimated 70% front - 30% rear effort) I’m still trying to get a feel for using both the front and rear brakes to stop at a light of stop sign. I’m usually between 10’ to 15’ short of where I want to stop! I have to remind myself that practice is what works!

Finally, from an equipment standpoint on some days I wear my full-face French Army Motorcycle helmet, made by Technoplast SRI in Italy - dual action visor; either raise the visor itself or release the latch and raise the front of the helmet up - $59.95 from Keep Shooting.com and my Italian Caribinari Motorcycle Jacket with shoulder, elbow pads, and a removable low back “kidney belt” that was $32.95 on Sportsman’s Guide are exceeding expectations. The jacket has a removable fleece liner that functions as a separate jacket and came with a removesble drawstring hood and a neck gaiter. Last week during the cold I zipped the liner in the jacket and was toasty warm!

So I’m glad I sort of ignored the wife’s suggestion to sell the bike two years ago!

“ride fast, take chances” as one of my best friends I worked the US - Canadian Border used to tell the Canadienne Truckers; however I abscribe to the theory of Speed Safe!


IMG_2249.jpegIMG_1222.jpeg
 
Glad to hear you are feeling better than before. Take your time riding the bike, you will master it very soon. I also use both breaks despite the linkage however, I don’t put enough pressure on the pedal for me to feel the ABS pulsing. It is a habit of using both and one I am happy to keep.
 
I got a +20mm Wilbers shock for my R18 (same as yours) ... gives an extra inch of travel and when set correctly makes a big difference to comfort.... worth considerimg. A 2x improvement in my view.
 
emgarciax said:
Interesting. Is the sizing correct on these? What's your opinion?
Click to expand...
emcarix - Sorry I must have missed your post. I’m 6’2”, 265# and the jacket is big enough that I could add a heated vest or down vest and not feel squeezed. But if it that cold I drive my car!
 
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