Spring Speed

Spring is sprung! If even for just a day, the temperatures brushed 60 degrees and the R50 was out to celebrate. It started on the second kick as usual, and we were off after a few minutes of warming up. A great ride through familiar farms and fields. We were moving along at a good clip with the bike in the 50 to 60 mph range most of the time. It was briefly hovering around 70 on a favorite long straight stretch. I was reminded of how special it feels to exceed the posted speed limits on this bike. On one winding road in particular, I was stuck behind a Toyota dawdling along. I then noticed that he was actually traveling at the speed limit ! I passed him shortly after that as he was ruining a great road for a great bike on a great day.

The Magic of Meandering

The R50 has not seen a lot of action this year due to a busy schedule, and the concentration on getting the R60 on the road. However, it has been the magnificent meanderer when there has been just a few hours to spare, and bucolic countryside to explore. On this occasion, I took the very long way to get some spark plugs for another vehicle. It always causes smiles and inquiries into its age. The real magic though is leaving town once again, and navigating the seldom traveled roads in the more rural parts of the neighboring counties. The errand is just an excuse..

Bucks Backroads

When it is sunny and in the mid-70s, it is arguably a perfect day for riding a motorcycle. Any motorcycle. If you want to really savor the ride, then it is best enjoyed on a vintage motorcycle. If you want to meander around and take your time exploring back roads, then may I suggest the BMW R50/2. It may just be the perfect vintage motorcycle for traveling around below 60 mph. It is an excellent conveyance for visiting small country post offices that are within a hundred mile radius of your starting point for example. However, you don't really need destinations or excuses, all you need is some time, some empty roads, and one of the best motorcycles ever built.

Barn Stormer

Perfect fall weather always seems like an invitation to take the R50 for a lengthy meandering to no place in particular. Cue the weatherman....."Today will be a picture perfect fall day with highs in the low seventies, and sunny skies. No humidity to speak of and...." I was out the door before they finished. I headed roughly to the south and east, and quickly came across a favorite red barn. One side had been repainted, and it presented a striking contrast to the rest of the facade. I wondered if other barns were being repainted, and in so doing, I would risk losing the wonderful patina that coats them. Only one way to find out, and that would be to visit a healthy sampling of them. Not hard to do in these parts.

I needn't have worried. It turns out no one else was repainting barns, and weatherbeaten red was still the color in fashion. A few green, and a couple white, but red was the clear winner. If I had traced the route on a map, it would look like the manic scribblings of a lunatic. Back and forth, crossing over the route, darting off at strange angles, u-turns. All of it taken in stride on the perfect vehicle for meandering country roads in search of red barns. The BMW R50/2. 

The Bagel Run

There is a reason that early in the morning is my favorite time of day. Empty roads, cooler temperatures in summer, the solitude of pre-human hustle and bustle. It is all good. It is also the reason that a simple trip to get bagels takes 2 hours. Once again, the R50 encourages you to take the long way there, and the long way back. In this case, 40 miles there, and 43 miles back from a bakery 7 miles away. Speeds of 40 to 60 mph are perfect for this bike, and it simply ticks along contentedly. Dappled sunlight, and appreciative glances from the occasional horse or cow across the meadow formed another tv commercial for the /2. Oops, forgot the newspaper.....

An Evening Affair

On a beautiful evening, I decided to take a ride in the almost summer-like temperatures. Shadows were already getting long when I set out 2-Up on the R50/2. One forgets that this bike with its' 27 horsepower was a perfectly good tourer 2-up in its day and makes a competent sidecar machine as well. That is, as long as you are not in a great hurry. On this evening, the countryside was literally radiant with the late evening sun and we meandered around on back country roads past farms and barns and woodlands. We stopped at the site of a replica of the longboats used to ferry cannonballs across the delaware river. The boat was elegantly simple, with no frills, but it carried a lot of weight, and got the job done. Just like the R50.

A Quick Spring Fling

Today was a beautiful sunny day with temps on the cool side at 52 degrees. I had started the R50 a few times over the winter, but this was a good day for an actual ride with clear dry roads. The bike started 2nd kick as usual and settled in to a lumpy idle for a few minutes until it got warm. Once we were off, it was reuniting with an old friend. We cruised along for about a 30 mile loop and the bike seemed to run better the longer we went. I topped up with gas about halfway and enjoyed the ride home. I continue to wonder why there is no modern version of the Denfeld seat and silent block. It would be perfect for a hardtail...