Wednesday, Feb 11 2015
Chris writes:
It was a short notice affair, but five (5) riders did appear. wwwwobble called it, but no Bill Grass, no Marco Hyman, no Marcus Baur. However, Dave Emmet, Randy Hendricks, Alberto Sevilla, Bob Burns and Chris Weld turned-out. It was a spirited ride down Canada Rd for Olive Hill, Kings Moutain to Tunitas Creek and onto Lobitas Creek with a break at the creek itself. Off again, now for Hwy #1 for San Gregorio and up #84 for Alices, then south on Hwy #35 for Hwy #9 to Boulder Creek and the second ‘break’ at lunch at the coffee house.
Riders split-up here, Alberto and Chris headed to Cal BMW in Mountain View (Palo Alto per GPS) to wheel’n deal on a new motor for Alberto. The others headed for Bonny Doon and the coast.
Wheeling and dealing on Alberto’s behalf was both fun, and profitable. A 2013 R1200RT offered at $16,950, (5K on the clock, with radio, factory GPS, etc.) sold for $15,700 — a decent discount.
Pics from Chris
5 Riders, No Bill, No Marco
Gonna Be a Beautiful Day
Chasing Dave, Lobitos Crk
Whoa Bob! Wait Up!
Chasing the Deer
Great Road, Great Company
That Kind%220 Day
Dave? Yooho, Dave!
Sure Beats MN this Time ‘o year.
Alberto Sevilla
Dave Emmet (L), Bob Burns (R)
Randy (50 Mission Jacket) Hendricks
Alberto’s Purchase
Alberto’s Purchase#2
Alberto adds these comments
MWR - Major Wwwoble - Robert Burns’ proposal.
As usual today’s ride had little advance notice.
Major Wobble Tuesday evening , or so, notified, “if interested in riding, tomorrow Wednesday we will be at it”. As he put it, what is better than one MWR… of course TWO! (You see Friday may have yet another MWR, for those who cannot go Wednesday). “Meet me at my place by 10:00 am”.
Meting at Bob’s house were Chris Weld, Dave Bennett, (one or two Ns and Ts - sorry Dave I forget - but opposite of the Irish terrorist, he explained), Randy Hendrix and yours truly, Alberto Sevilla.
10:15 am we headed out on Canada Rd south, and then on Olive Rd. Man, what a neighborhood! I am certain no welfare cases around here, unless it is for the maid’s maid. Here the servants must be rich. Eventually we found our way up on Kings Rd, and crossing Hwy 35 to Tunitas Creek (Tunitas, from TUNA or prickly pear… Strange because the prickly pear grows only in desert-like environment… Tunitas creek is quite forested and moist!) This is as far as I can let you know where we went, after that, yes I was lost. But that’s okay. Up, down and sooner or later you’ll see the ocean. No problem.
I must add, Tunitas creek Rd is certainly a pleasure ride. Today however there was a bit of debris from the last storm. Not dangerously littered but enough to get your attention.
On a different road, we stopped at some bridge where Chris shared some of the finer details of his new bike. I must admit… It is beautiful. Maybe I should buy one for myself, hmmm, (stay tuned, do not change that dial!).
Hwy 1 south for a little bit and back into the back roads. I think I saw a name Green Rd. And in time connected to 84, up to Alice’s and south on 35 to Boulder Creek via Big Basin.
To sum up. Road and weather were magnificent. Lunch by 2:00 pm and we were ready to head back.
Dave, Randy and Bob headed back some other way, but this tale ends not here. Chris and I (Alberto) headed back via Black Bear Rd to Hyw 17 and Hwy 85 to Mountain View. Chris had been volunteered into helping me on a mission. He goes, “sure! And it might be fun!”.
I had spotted at Craigslist a BMW 1200 RT, all I know about it is: 5,000 miles 2013. Still under the warranty!! Knowing next to zilch about motorcycles I called on Chris to help evaluate what had I found.
Chris asked, ” you want to make an offer?. - “I am prepared to purchase a bike, weather I get one today is up to you”. “Whatever you think, I will accept, even if that means, forget it”.
At Cal Moto, The bike was still there, asking $16,590. The salesman truly was not prepared for Chris. Comes close to the salesman, and looks at him down the slope of his nose: “You want how much for the bike? Well, it is not worth that much”. Right here, I knew the salesman was going to have the loosing end of negotiations. Blah, blah, blah. Listen, “We can offer you $15,700”. The salesman had seen me the day before and I had told him, ” listen, I’ll be back tomorrow (thinking on checking with Chris and volunteering him into help)” . With my coming back , this cat is in the bag! You could tell the salesman was already on his way to Hawaii with the commission With gear assurance, he stuck to his guns on the price. He he’d the temerity of asking Chris, “Who is buying here?”, ” I am” I replied, “but I do whatever he tells me”. Salesman remained firm on they price and tried to justify it to Chris. I, was relegated to wallpaper. “The price is 16,590”, he announced with some finality yet without conviction (you know, like when you Argue with your wife, you say “X” and she proceeds to walk all over you because… Your voice had no conviction - How do they do it?, but I digress).
Very calmly, Chris informs him, “listen if you are not ready to negotiate, take Alberto’s phone number and call him when you change your mind and are willing to deal. Alberto, let’s go!”. Well! - I was ready to get going and so was Chris…. And behind us we hear, wait. Wait! Let me see what can be done the salesman interjects. To sweeten the pot, Chris indicated that I would be accessorizing the bike with some extra items at CalMoto thus getting more profit (that is creative offer of non-existing profits - Chris is good, very good) He goes back to chat with management… 3 minutes later. Sure. We have a deal.
The bottom line is that Alberto finds himself $15,700 plus tax poorer but happy as he can be. I have secured my new iron-horse and getting ever closer to do a proper tour across the US … Oh, I forgot, I have yet to ride such a huge-heavy bike. Small detail. Wish me luck.
This MWR report is now finished.
THE NEW BIKE - FIRST DAY MAIDEN VOYAGE.
I picked up the bike Thursday. I was right, this thing is a monster. I can not even turn the bike! Yes, I asked myself, “have you messed up Alberto?”. Today Friday was devoted to parking lot driving. For three hours in a row all I did was figure-eights to get the weight and feel of what this Mostar is.
12 hours later… I have tamed the brute! Well, that is what I think.
With this bike, I have learned so far:
- This bike is a girl, you do not turn it… It turns by itself. And if you argue… You loose!
- You think you are doing 30 MPH… Wrong! More like 50mph! Discuss this with the cop.
- There is nothing cheap at BMW.
- The radio on the bike is like a TV on a bike… Useless!
- all the bells and whistles, gizmos and gadgets… It is just a bike. Yeah, but, What a bike!
Enough.
Maiden voyage: I had my own MWR going over via Big Basin, Hwy 35 to Alice’s. Shot the baloney with a nice guy on a new 1200 GS, who is thinking to come with SMBC (he already is familiar with the website and story telling, but never partake with us). And down I went on hwy 84. This was a test of fortitude as, you well know, 84 has a lot more turns. A challenge to me. Back home via 280.
I will not be ready to ride this motorbike with SMBC for some time until I get used to it. So I will only bring it for breakfast…. Just to show off!!