It's an old moniker in the horse world, never throw your leg over a steed that you don't want to buy. Well, back in June this year the local BMW dealer had an off-road training day with 75 riders. BMWs fell out of the woodwork. The weather would have none it. She rained the previous day and most of the training day. Needless to say, ground conditions were moist and the track would rated as downright soggy. Anyhow, at the end day many owners were pretty much exhausted so we were talking. And then I had my undoing.
As bona fide shortypants (under 61" tall), I was a bug to a light as I spied a GS650X-country. I had never really given much thought to one previously, but this one had just followed in the footsteps of the rest of us. We went through the mud,
J4S
Blaster over the logs
Dorito and up the ravines....
So, I took the fateful action. And sat on the another bike. Normally, I find the GSs like a lumbering hippopotamus. If in their element, they are truly a ballerina in the water; graceful and light, and surprisingly nimble. However, out of their element, they are a metric ton of catastrophe happening.
Nonetheless, the G650X has me intrigued by the comfortable ergonomics. With that, I begin to scope out one to buy. Only imported for three years (2007-9), they are like hens teeth to locate. Nationwide, I find only a half dozen. Luckily, I find a nice low mileage one 300 miles away.
Shortly after I buy her, I begin to prep the other bike for the summer ride. The G650X sits near stock condition...until I find this advertised:
At first, I think it might be fun, but I some of the reports on previous events (at other locations) are not encouraging. Nonetheless, J4S throws the gauntlet down and puts his entry in the mail. Nothing left to do, but jump off the same bridge. With that, an entry for Blaster and I is mailed.
During the following months, much building is happening. The GS650X gets armored: chain/case guard, skidplate and crashbars and handguards:
Nonetheless in a few short hours, my chariot will arrive. J4S is hauling Blaster and I down to meet our destiny in Greer, South Carolina.
It's been a few years since I first walked the hallowed halls at the BMW Performance Center. In fact, I had probably been off-road only a half dozen times before taking their GS training. Their training has provided me some sound building blocks for riding. More over, the fun we had down there has provided years of tall "fishing" tales.
BMW Off Road Class Ride Report
Here's the map of events:
And the timetable of events:
Rider's Up!