The Bike (a 2001 F650GS) and upgrades

The motorcycle that I will use for this trip is a 2001 BMW F650GS. Perhaps it is not the best suited for this trip (as it is a dual-sport bike; on road/off road), but it is what I have!I got the "F" in 2006 when it only had ~800 miles on it (indeed, it was a GREAT find for a used bike - John B., THANKS for the tip!).

Here's the bike when I bought it (isn't she a beauty!?).

Since then I have logged many miles with this moto (~18000; ~6k per year). These miles have mainly been "road" miles, with only limited miles being "off road" (rather, gravel/dirt roads). I've been to/through NJ, NY, PA, DE, VA, MD, CT, MA, VT and on the more adventurous side I also got myself to Ontario, Canada (who can guess why I chose Ont. as a venue?). Although a good portion of the more elaborate rides/miles (WV & VT; both trips were a total of ~2000 miles in 4-5 days) were with companions, I have logged many miles (and few multi-night trips, such as a 4 day/1.5k ride up to/through Ont.) solo. Indeed, you can always use more experience, however, I do feel as though I have enough miles under my wheels to undertake this planned NM, AZ, CA, NV, UT, CO trip.

When I first bought the bike the previous owner warned that I should be prepared to take it to the shop to deal with its maintenance (as they thought that a novice, such as myself, would not be qualified enough to care for bike). Although I still do not consider myself "qualified," with the help of a various manuals, online videos and moto-centric forums (and posters associated there in) I have managed to perform a good number of basic (and a few not-so basic) maintenance tasks. As of this writing, I have not yet had to take the bike to a shop to deal with a maintenance issue. This is no SMALL feat for a guy with NO automotive mech. skills coming into the world of motorcycles! A sampling of maintenance issues that I have been able to tackle are:

- Valve adjustments, replacement of radiator, replacement of fork seals, replacement of chain and sprockets, replacement of steering head bearings, installation of Ohlins shock, greasing of swing arm bearings, and minor things like bleeding brakes, changing tires/tubes, etc...

There are only a few tasks that I have not yet dealt with (changing brake pads comes to mind, but they're still good), so I'm confident that my meager set of "wrenching" skills are up to the task.

Over the past few years (and in preparation for this trip), I installed a good number of "upgrades" to increase the safety, comfort or functionality of this moto. They are listed below in no particular order (except, perhaps, from top to bottom):

- Cee Bailey's Wind Screen
- Touratech handle bar risers
- Stebel Horn
- Delphi 2 Satellite radio
- Garmin Visa e-trex GPS unit
- Wolfman Tank Bag- Aerostich Tank Panniers
- A Sealed Battery (the make escapes me!)
- Fork Seal Protectors
- Mr. Eds custom seat
- Ohlins Shock
- Happy Trails Teton side cases
- Touratech lowered foot pegs
- Best Rest rear rack
- Hyper Lights rear brake light
- PVC Tool Tubes (home made)

(I guess I need to plant another $ tree in the backyard! Erin, can you get on that for me?).

Here is the bike in all of it's glory PRIOR to being loaded up for the trip.

(I thought I had a better pic, but I guess not)

I've never been one to name my motorcycles (much), but from the proper angle and with the right lighting, I cannot help but to think...

wall-e...