Ever bought a bike and immediately realised your mistake?

kraftwerk · 11-02-2009, 02:16 PM

I did so this year. Always loved the look of the BMW K1, though had never ridden one. Spent quite a bit of time looking for one and came up with a near-perfect example. 1989, owned by a retired gentleman for 17 years, 19k miles, a roomful of history.

Got a flight from London to Dundee, Scotland, which cost a small fortune and there were only six passengers. Arrived to a sodden Dundee, did the deal and set off for the 550-mile trip back to London in the rain. Joy.

I hadn't even reached the end of the seller's driveway before thinking, 'Oh Jesus...'

Kept it for a few weeks, rode it a couple of times and sold on eBay to a man who breeds huskies and has 42 of them.... Huskies, not K1s.

BlackHammer · 11-02-2009, 02:19 PM

If by " bought a bike " you mean sleep with a chick ......then yes.

Why the sudden change of heart ??

kraftwerk · 11-02-2009, 02:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlackHammer

If by " bought a bike " you mean sleep with a chick ......then yes.

Why the sudden change of heart ??

It was so heavy and buzzy, and with only 100bhp it was like riding a clapped-out diesel.

Anorak · 11-02-2009, 03:08 PM

The K1 is more amusing to look at than ride. I'd buy one though because it's so absurd looking.

duckman · 11-02-2009, 03:09 PM

my 03 ducati monster,it was a winter day and i was wearing a puffy jacket and a full face lid, i looked like the Michelin man on a moped ,before i was half way home i knew i made a mistake.

Sniper X · 11-02-2009, 03:12 PM

I'm the operator of my pocket calculator.......

Sniper X · 11-02-2009, 03:12 PM

I love the strange looks of the K1, always have. So, they are THAT bad huh?

gatling · 11-02-2009, 03:26 PM

When I bought my '97 TL1000S, I thought I had made a serious mistake when I rode it home. Turned out to be one of the best motorcycles I've ever owned. Kept it 9 years. I wish I had not sold it.

pee wee · 11-02-2009, 03:28 PM

I have actually.....I bought an Italian bike. First ride on it revealed the rear brake didn't work. Aprilia thought it would be a wise idea to mount the reservoir on the engine block just ahead of your right foot. Cooks it and instant no brake. For an encore they have a tip over switch, that works back to front as well...so if you like to wheelie at say (100mph) the bike cuts off , LIKE SHUTS OFF, and you come smashing down on yer wedding tackle, in the dark, with no lights....it all shuts down. The there is the Frame, which you can literally COOK your legs on. Too hot to touch in the summer, makes a great winter bike though. Othe than the stalling issues and rough idle....it was stunning to look at.

What? · 11-02-2009, 04:13 PM

I bought a brand new Honda Rubicon ATV in 2001. I had never even sat on one, but I plunked down $8k and had it delivered. I didn't ride it 1/4 mile before I knew I made a mistake. I rode it 600 miles over the next three years and tried to pretend that I was enjoying it.
Then one day I was over my brothers and I swung my leg over his Harley and said "You know, I'm thinking of getting rid of the ATV and getting one of these." The wifes eyes lit up and she said "You are! Can we get a red one with a back rest?"
So after taking a 25 year break, I'm back into motorcycles.

Dilligaf0220 · 11-02-2009, 04:48 PM

Are my eyes having "a moment" and that K1 has a BT45 bias ply front and a Pilot Road rear?

The only POS I've owned was an RD400, but I knew it was a POS going in and couldn't afford anything else. Then again I'm looking hard at Buells, and I have a feeling I'd have a good bout of self-loathing for a good while if I came home with one

mitchxout · 11-02-2009, 04:55 PM

I sold my beloved 83 Honda CB1100F so i could buy a new 91 Harley Softail. I knew it as soon as I rode that POS out of the parking lot.

kraftwerk · 11-02-2009, 04:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dilligaf0220

Are my eyes having "a moment" and that K1 has a BT45 bias ply front and a Pilot Road rear?

Yoinks! Maybe it is a fantastic bike, after all. If only I'd noticed the tyre thing...

(none) · 11-02-2009, 05:34 PM

uhhh...yeah...my K1200RS. Never rode or even sat on one before driving 5+ hours to pick it up. I could learn to deal with the heavy weight, even its appetite for premium fuel, i hated that it idled low, the FD input was leaking, i could tell it was going to eat tires, and every time i rode it i wondered what would break next. Oh, and the headlight sucked balls. That sublime power, awesome brakes, and good suspension just weren't worth it to me.
Sold it after 6 months with just over 3k miles put on it. I'd have sold it sooner, but Chicago BMW wouldn't send me the title (that a whole other can of worms...)

smokinjoe · 11-02-2009, 05:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mitchxout

I sold my beloved 83 Honda CB1100F so i could buy a new 91 Harley Softail. I knew it as soon as I rode that POS out of the parking lot.

That's apples and oranges.....2 different riding styles altogether.

So, what did you expect from the H-D as opposed to the Honda?

11-02-2009, 02:16 PM	#1
kraftwerk ^OP Trans Europe Express Joined: Jul 2009 Location: London, UK Oddometer: 329	Ever bought a bike and immediately realised your mistake? I did so this year. Always loved the look of the BMW K1, though had never ridden one. Spent quite a bit of time looking for one and came up with a near-perfect example. 1989, owned by a retired gentleman for 17 years, 19k miles, a roomful of history. Got a flight from London to Dundee, Scotland, which cost a small fortune and there were only six passengers. Arrived to a sodden Dundee, did the deal and set off for the 550-mile trip back to London in the rain. Joy. I hadn't even reached the end of the seller's driveway before thinking, 'Oh Jesus...' Kept it for a few weeks, rode it a couple of times and sold on eBay to a man who breeds huskies and has 42 of them.... Huskies, not K1s. __________________ '74 128 1100 Special; '78 238 Weinsberg; '86 XLV750R; '97 SL500; '99 X11.

11-02-2009, 02:19 PM	#2
BlackHammer Celtic Canadian Joined: Feb 2009 Location: Left Coast ---Canada Oddometer: 131	If by " bought a bike " you mean sleep with a chick ......then yes. Why the sudden change of heart ?? __________________ ***My thoughts go out to KneeDrachen , his family and his beautiful Daughter Juliet who is a fighter ......stay strong

11-02-2009, 03:08 PM	#4
Anorak Woolf Barnato Joined: Jul 2004 Location: OAK Oddometer: 29,130	The K1 is more amusing to look at than ride. I'd buy one though because it's so absurd looking. __________________ 'Gonna get me a six pack...push people off the highway!' "they live off the carrion of our mutual distrust and bribe us with symbols that equate hatred with manhood." "I mean at the end of the day, I was addicted to Starting Fluid for Christ's sake!" "Yeah, that guy sure is terrible at touching moms"

11-02-2009, 03:09 PM	#5
duckman unindited co consperitor Joined: Feb 2005 Location: new york new york Oddometer: 618	my 03 ducati monster,it was a winter day and i was wearing a puffy jacket and a full face lid, i looked like the Michelin man on a moped ,before i was half way home i knew i made a mistake. __________________ 2006 Triumph Scrambler 2003 Suzuki Sv1000 N 1987 Ducati 750 Paso "sic gorgiamus allos subjectatos nunc" 'we gladly feast on those who would subdue us'

11-02-2009, 03:12 PM	#6
Sniper X De Oppresso Liber Joined: Jul 2006 Location: Central New Mexico, 7420ft above sea level Oddometer: 30,330	I'm the operator of my pocket calculator....... __________________ "I claim to be frightened of horses but do so only to get out of attending parades. It's peculiar but ...it works. The Horses get it. RESISTANCE IS NOT FUTILE. IT'S VOLTAGE DIVIDED BY CURRENT

11-02-2009, 03:26 PM	#8
gatling Beastly Adventurer Joined: Jun 2006 Oddometer: 1,961	When I bought my '97 TL1000S, I thought I had made a serious mistake when I rode it home. Turned out to be one of the best motorcycles I've ever owned. Kept it 9 years. I wish I had not sold it. __________________ www.motofoto.cc www.CaliforniaScooterCo.com/blog/ '06 KLR 650 (Red...the fast one...) '10 California Scooter (my Baja Blaster!)

11-02-2009, 03:28 PM	#9
pee wee Reformed Squid !! Joined: Nov 2006 Location: Victoria BC...Canada Oddometer: 145	I have actually.....I bought an Italian bike. First ride on it revealed the rear brake didn't work. Aprilia thought it would be a wise idea to mount the reservoir on the engine block just ahead of your right foot. Cooks it and instant no brake. For an encore they have a tip over switch, that works back to front as well...so if you like to wheelie at say (100mph) the bike cuts off , LIKE SHUTS OFF, and you come smashing down on yer wedding tackle, in the dark, with no lights....it all shuts down. The there is the Frame, which you can literally COOK your legs on. Too hot to touch in the summer, makes a great winter bike though. Othe than the stalling issues and rough idle....it was stunning to look at. Attached Images __________________ Is this like the guy who took his bike into the shop and left it for repair. He went away for a coffee and some lunch. When he came back the mechanic said, "It looks like you blew a seal!" The guy wiped off his face and said, "No its probably the mayonnaise from the sandwich I had!"

11-02-2009, 04:13 PM	#10
What? curmudgeon Joined: Oct 2007 Location: Biddeford, Maine Oddometer: 347	I bought a brand new Honda Rubicon ATV in 2001. I had never even sat on one, but I plunked down $8k and had it delivered. I didn't ride it 1/4 mile before I knew I made a mistake. I rode it 600 miles over the next three years and tried to pretend that I was enjoying it. Then one day I was over my brothers and I swung my leg over his Harley and said "You know, I'm thinking of getting rid of the ATV and getting one of these." The wifes eyes lit up and she said "You are! Can we get a red one with a back rest?" So after taking a 25 year break, I'm back into motorcycles.

11-02-2009, 04:48 PM	#11
Dilligaf0220 Miserablist Joined: Dec 2007 Location: Armpit Of Canuckistan Oddometer: 4,030	Are my eyes having "a moment" and that K1 has a BT45 bias ply front and a Pilot Road rear? The only POS I've owned was an RD400, but I knew it was a POS going in and couldn't afford anything else. Then again I'm looking hard at Buells, and I have a feeling I'd have a good bout of self-loathing for a good while if I came home with one

11-02-2009, 04:55 PM	#12
mitchxout Studly Adventurer Joined: Jan 2004 Location: Asheville, NC Oddometer: 523	I sold my beloved 83 Honda CB1100F so i could buy a new 91 Harley Softail. I knew it as soon as I rode that POS out of the parking lot.

11-02-2009, 05:34 PM	#14
(none) poser Joined: Jan 2007 Location: Cincinnati, Ohio Oddometer: 2,481	uhhh...yeah...my K1200RS. Never rode or even sat on one before driving 5+ hours to pick it up. I could learn to deal with the heavy weight, even its appetite for premium fuel, i hated that it idled low, the FD input was leaking, i could tell it was going to eat tires, and every time i rode it i wondered what would break next. Oh, and the headlight sucked balls. That sublime power, awesome brakes, and good suspension just weren't worth it to me. Sold it after 6 months with just over 3k miles put on it. I'd have sold it sooner, but Chicago BMW wouldn't send me the title (that a whole other can of worms...) __________________ Current: 2001 R1150GS 1981 CB650 Custom 2011 Golf TDI - New tow rig

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