2003 BMW K1200GT
the morning 50 percent of the bikes
r7.) MW
riders are a hearty bunch of
motorcyclists. I've noticed this
funny phenomenon the past couple of
months during my chilly morning
commutes: BMW riders don't put
their bikes away for the winter. Unlike
the fair-weathered sportbike riders
and the really, really fair-weathered
yuppies on their Harleys. the BMW
faithful just keep on riding. I'm not
exaggerating when I say that early in
D
30
MARCH 12, 2003'
eye
I
than a BMW - the heated seats, heat-
on the road that I see are BMWs,
maybe more.
I wouldn't dare try to convince you
that it gets cold in Southern California. It doesn't. It gets into the low 40s
By BLAKE CONNER
PHOTOS COURTESY OF BMW
ed grips and the electronically
adjustable windscreen have made my
trek to work each day totally comfort-
and, on rare occasions, maybe into
the high 30s in Los Angeles. I grew
up in Colorado - that's cold - but
Southern California? However, when
I'm commuting to work early in the
mornings, it gets pretty nippy at 75 to
ture comforts - unless it's snowing,
but I guess even I'ue ridden a BMW in
the snow, so never mind. Beyond
that, BMW riders are cut from a dif-
80 mih, especially on bikes other
e
able.
BMW riders don't really have too
many reasons to leave their bikes
home - with the aforementioned crea-
ferent fabric. I'm not sure if the crea-
n
..
VII'
S
ture comforts are a product of the riders' needs (because of their die-hard
riding habits) or the other way
around. It matters not - it's just an
interesting observation about a small,
loyal, cross section of motorcycle
culture.
The K 1200GT (GT stands for Gran
Tourismo) was created to fill a perceived gap in the BMW lineup of
bikes. BMW has split its line into four
segments, Adventure, Velocity, Freedom and Travel. The new GT is con·
