Motorcycling Touring K1200RS SR500 and Links

In 2003, I finally managed to add a new bike to my stable (ok, now I own two), a perfect 1998 BMW K1200RS. After searching for a couple of years, I found a very low mileage example nearby in Chicago. These are incredible machines, and I've now been able to log some good long-distance rides on it, just as I'd hoped.

My trusty touring mount for years had been a 1978 Yamaha SR500. I've been a member of the Four Stroke Singles National Owner's Club (FSSNOC, pronounced FizzNock) since 1992. If you're a fan of this unique style of motorcycle, you should be a member. It's great to attend their events, for example, the national rally I attended in Farmington, NY in 1999.

Past rides included a 1974 Honda MT250 Elsinore, and a 1974 Kawasaki 500 H1 Mach III.

I've become enamored of motorcycle touring -- there's no better way to see the country. And yes, it can be a challenge to tour on an SR500: one cylinder, hard narrow seat, only 30 hp or so. But it does hold 70-80 mph without strain, and gets 50-55 mpg in the process. I've ended up learning a lot from the participants on the LDRider Mailing List, among whom are quite a few members of the Iron Butt Association, who specialize in promoting the safe practice of endurance riding. I completed my qualifying Saddlesore 1000 ride (1000 or more miles in fewer than 24 hours) on July 20, 1999 on my SR500 and received my certificate in September, 1999. I completed a BunBurner 1500 ride on my K1200RS in 2003 with a run to Vega, TX and back.

I use these links frequently:

Motorcycle Tourers Forum, friendly folks who enjoy all types of riding

Internet BMW Riders, great resource for all things BMW-bike'ish

I-BMW.com, devoted to K1200RS motorcycles (thanks Vic!)

The Thumper Page, devoted to four stroke single motorcycles

Motorcycle Online, probably the best one-stop site on the 'net

Iron Butt Association, whose members' antics I enjoy reading about enormously

States visited via motorcycle so far:

Free, personalized travel maps at mytriplogs.com

Click on the K12 for photos/info about my 1998 BMW K1200RS

Click on the SR for photos/info about my 1978 SR500E
SR500 Links:
ThumperStuff, a great source for parts.
KEDO, in Germany, another great resource. They're able to answer email in English if needed
AltaVista Translation Service, to help you with the KEDO site should German be a second (or more) language for you
The SR500 Page, put up by Ron Sutton, another SR fan and FSSNOC member
The Thumper Page, a great resource for all things thumperish