I’m a firm believer in continuously learning, no matter how long I’ve been doing something, always worth a listen, or in this case watching and listening. Thanks for sharing.

You are very correct in observing that the bike will go where you are looking and it is so easy to forget just how important that is, and a skill you really really really, did I say really? MUST master is how not to look at an accident or somewhere you don't want to go especially following someone that's just slid off in front of you. It's called target fixation. You focus on something and there the bike will follow so you have to learn not to get distracted until you can safely pull over. It could be something real simple like looking at a ditch in the side of the road as you go round a bend to make sure you miss it, don't look at it. So many bikes end up in ditches because the rider was trying to look at it in order to avoid it. So please learn how to avoid target fixation and keep up the great learning process. Thanks for sharing and stay safe

Like yourself, I returned to motorcycling after a 30 odd year break, and have a BMW R1200RT (2014 model). I agree that this bike is way easier to ride at low speed than it ought to be. My wife and I did a trip to Bruges on it last year (video available on KZfaq), and are off to Germany this year. I think the two most important factors when riding are observation and staying in your comfort zone. Never feel pressured into riding faster than you want, and be aware of what other road users are doing (or, more importantly, what they may be about to do). When I got my first bike back in 1973 my Dad gave me the advice to "treat every other road user as a homicidal maniac... because one day you could meet one" - it has served me well!

No wheelies no stoppies no dragging knees. Still entertained. Great job👍🏻

I continue to watch your videos as I consider my back to bike opportunity. Its especially good when I recognise all those roads your are riding on. For many years that petrol station was close to where i lived. Done an afternoon back to bike course on a little Kawasaki 125, terrifying and exciting in equal measures. Only served to heighten my desire to get on with it. Will post more when I take the next step.

picked My bike up Sunday and road it home ,150 miles of open hwy, once I got out of las vegas,scary,but not as bad as riding in vegas for a day .I wouldn't do that for money right now,low speed corners and stopping smoothly is still a bit rough. I haven't ridden anything this size for at least 35yrs ,maybe 40. What a difference , bikes are much better now and if I get used to the boxer torque it will be great . Glad to see I am not the only one that's still crazy at this age .

Hi Just found your channel. I have returned to motorcyling after thirty years. Watched many of your videos. I begin my IAM training July 04th. You inspired me to book. Keep the videos coming. Put each ride into God's hands and also do your bit. Ride safe. God bless Tony

Hello. I just purchased a slightly used 2018 R1200RT yesterday. Rode it back to my house (500KM away). Excellent! I have ridden sport bikes like Ninjas, CBRs and VFRs. This bike is comfortable and amazing. All the bells and whistles are on it. However, like you, the low speed maneuvers i am working on. The first gear is tall. Getting used to that! I appreciate that also you mentioned that your a Christian!!!! That is the most important item we have in common!

Just came across your video while researching the RT range. I have considered this bike, and still considering it (or it's smaller sister the RS) I was a little worried about the slow speed stuff but your video has reassured me a little. Currently I'm on a Tracer 900 but the big BM is on my list to replace it in a year or two. Subscribed!

Enjoying watching your vids so far after coming across your channel earlier today! By the looks of it, you not a million miles away from me so never know, we may cross paths one day.

Just came across your channel.... catching up on videos.... nice looking bike. Slow riding is so important. We have long winter seasons over here, so come April, I spend a few sessions in the car park working on slowriding and u-turns. Riding a big Kawi Nomad, thieve sessions are superb for rider confidence. Great channels to watch, in my opinion.... seaflyfisher his masterclass series is awesome... advancedbiker and roadcraftnottingham... fabulous content on those channels. Greetings from an ex-Brit now living in BC.

Hi Back2TheBike - came across your channel the other day and have been catching up on your journey. Like you I have returned to the joy of motorcycling after a break of 32 years ( once a biker always a biker and so the urge was strong) having trained and passed my DAS in April 2017. From viewing and enjoying your videos I have concluded we think very similarly ( although perhaps not quite so OCD about some things and this is not a criticism but an observation based on your videos). Like you I have a healthy respect for vulnerability as a biker and I am very comforted to know I am not the only one trundling along in car parks practising slow speed manoeuvres ! I also ride a BMW bike and count myself very lucky to be able to do so considering the cost of purchasing and ownership but it is truly a wonderful piece of engineering. I wont ride now until spring other than a few outings to my local car park to keep my hand in over the winter but very much looking forward to my first Euro tour in June 2018 with a work colleague . Anyway thank you for posting the videos and as they say ride safe, especially if you are a winter biker.

Perhaps a bit late to comment, but its great to see someone coming back to biking after all that time. 37 years is an awfully long time to return to bikes, and it just goes to show that there is never really a time when you should say 'that's it, i'm not going to ride again.' I say 37 years is a long time because, i myself, have just returned to motorcycling after just ten years! The biggest problem i have encountered so far? My body! I have pains in my legs and hips after short rides. I cannot seem to be able to open my legs very far, either. Before i bought the bike, i also watched a few you tube tutorials, MotoJitsu, Roadcraft Nottingham, to name but a few, and i've also owned two previous Honda VFR's before buying this, my third one. Hopefully my body will return to something that i consider normal, if not, then i may be forced to give it up. I m only 47! Thanks for posting all your vids.

I like this video of you riding your new BMW. It's a year old but I just happened on it: winter in Canada is not conducive to riding, but great for watching KZfaq vids. Stay safe .

Love your videos. I so much miss England 😩. Maybe I’ll get there after things settle down 🙏🏻

Apologies if this has been covered elsewhere. After 37 years away from bikes, what made you decide to get such a massive machine? When I was looking to get a bike at the start of this year I did loads of research. Nearly everything I read or watched said if you're an inexperienced rider (that's me) or are coming back after a long break (that's you) going straight to a big 1200cc bike is not a great idea. It was actually a difficult process for me. Being 6ft2in, but not wanting to get a bike that a 63-year-old with chronic arthritis couldn't manoeuvre, or worst case scenario pick up off the floor, really narrowed my choices down. I settled for a Kawasaki Versys x300 in the end though after 6 months owning it I sometimes wish I had a bit more grunt. You are obviously a very logical, thoughtful person so you must have a good reason for your choice. I'm intrigued as to what that is though. In my, maybe misinformed, opinion something like a Versys 650 or similar would have allowed your confidence to grow faster and accelerate the learning process. More than enough power for the road and much more forgiving and agile. I see from the other comments that you are not the only one to make the same choices.

Great videos, been looking for one as my 2nd big bike so very interesting

Ohh am Paul by the way , newbie, green but keen to learn and listen.

You made me fall in love with this bike too For now I have a Africa Twin with dct which is really nice but the RT is so much more of a class bike.

MC Rider! Yes! I have his training ap. I plan to buy a (used) BMW R1200 GS this coming Tudeday. MC Rider said he also had a problem with right turns. It was in the video titled: What do you need to work on? Oct 27, 2017. He doesn't get to his own problem with right turns until 12:245, and he explains it starting at 13:45. Very informative.

When touring I always go for the highest octane petrol. A couple of tanks in the UK and continue abroad. Its done the bike no harm and I always get the high 60's mpg.

Hello sir, New subscriber and fellow R1200 RT. Owner. Same story here born again rider. 38 years since drove a motorcycle untill just 2 weeks ago, still getting the hang off it, and cautious and nervous with it's weight and handling. Glad I found you mate ( sorry not aware off your name ) enjoying your videos shall watch several off them over the coming weeks very helpful. What part off the country are you based, the west midlands. 👍

Well done for practicing, however you seem to be doing your turns all wrong. You don't turn into a corner, you turn away from it just before entering. Just a tiny blip on the bars the opposite way throws the balance of the bike into the corner, so you are leaning effortlessly. You then use the throttle to control the lean, while your body does very little but just goes with the bike. You don't lean off the bike, you lean with it. After a while, this will seem natural and actually fun, because you are using the bike's weight and engine to do all the work while you relax. It might seem scary at first, especially in the wet, but you have to trust the lean angles. Of course in very bad sub zero conditions this goes out the window

Nowt wrong, your riding within your comfort zone that's good, keep your eyes up and if possible use a gear lower than you think you should, also look well ahead, miles=smiles! It gets easier.

Hi, when you came back to the bike what did you start on(I’m thinking of doing the same I road a 600, for about 10 years then stopped due to work commitments) also looking at the BMW R1250RT .

Accidents only happen because people ride / drive beyond their own capabilities. As your confidence grows so will your capabilities. Where ever the front wheel is pointed is the direction you will travel, but the most important thing too remember is that new tires should be treated with great care until they have been broken in, and that can take a number of miles; they will be slick, slippery with not much too no grip at all until the fresh new rubber has been roughed up and created road grip. I tip my hat to you, no lesson is a bad lesson if you can walk away from it with something. Like yourself I came back to riding after many many years of self imposed exile (married and had a family) and it is a much different kind of game / animal you are dealing with in the kinds of machines the have and the attitudes of those around you on and off the road. Your mental structure is good; as you are accepting where you are at both in competency and reality. Slowly slowly; an apple can only be eaten one bight at a time. May all your rides be happy ones and your rubber be down on the road with your head above your bike. God bless, cheers Les 🙈🙉🙊

Mirrors every 8 seconds? At the start, it looked you’re checking them more than the road ahead.

Absolutely loving your vids. Beats Eastenders / Coronation St any time !! I would thoroughly recommend the IAM and the RoSPA. Go for Gold (Class 1) !! You will learn so much doing this training 👍 All the best and take care. Alan

Moving he’s head way too much , give me literally a migraine

Hi there, what’s your average petrol consumption since you have the bike please?

Enjoyed watching your video's lately.. and like your final choice of bike.. thinking of doing the same myself.. Just watching your refuel/slow man. video.. and wondering what the flashing item on your wrist is?

I discovered your videos whilst hunting for information on the RT1200 RT , now im well sold on getting a BMW ;) ,,,,, what i want to ask is what is the thing on your right wrist i saw flashing whilst you were fueling up ???

Hi you have picked a fabulous bike I have been looking for about 3 months trying to decide what bike to get I’m 99 percent sure I will end up with the rt a friend of mine have one and keeps telling me how good they are he takes is to bmw Northampton where he brought his bike and still gets it serviced there ever though he lives in Shropshire he pays about 275 for a service which I think is fab anyway enjoy your bike I will be watching to see how you get on take care garry from Aylesbury

A familiar story. I last rode in the late 80s and now that the children are (mostly) grown up, I just purchased an R1200RT. Mine is an older model, price played a part since I still have a couple of college educations left to pay. I'm doing a similar training program. For now I am mostly riding around the neighborhood and low speed manoeuvres in the parking lot of the community pool. I looked at the R1200 because most of my friends who ride that I talked to are BMW riders, currently a GSA and a K1200. I found a good deal and managed my RT a couple of weeks ago. I have taken a trip or two further out through town, but still keeping it relaxed. Other than the drive from the dealership which was a dual carriageway ride of 20 miles at 80MPH, I've managed a more relaxed 25-30 around town while I work riding reps. I was surprised though, the ride home was far more relaxed than I expected. I'll catch up on your other videos over the coming weeks.

I was with you on just putting 95 in but bike had a slight cough in 1st, several re mapping by BMW didn't seem to sort it....i put 97 in and must have cleared some deposit, so always 97 now. Most people put one tank of 97 to five tanks of 95.

Hello, Sir. I wonder if your video was edited. The reason I ask is because I was surprised at how little time you spent practicing your turns. For a 23 minute video, I expected some 20 minutes of that to be actual practice. I mean, I've watched several videos on youtube where instructions are given on how to practice certain skills, and those videos spend way more time doing the drills than your whole training session. I'm not trying to be disrespectful, just wondering. Anyway, I enjoy your videos, Sir. Keep them coming. Ride safe!

did you get straight on the rt with no recent riding experience?

I'm a 65 year old returning rider myself and got myself a 650 V Strom, do you find the 1200RT heavy?

what is that in your right wrist?

If you want to improve I would run a self commentary as you are riding. I.E look ahead and say aloud what hazards or potential hazards you can see and then adjust your position speed gearing appropriately. And this is not negative criticism but focus less on talking TO the camera about general things when riding and focus on what you can see and hear and then talk yourself into better position etc. Saying it aloud makes you focus more on what you what to achieve.

Hey Thanks..After 35 years since my last Bike, I too picked up an R1200RT ( 2005) and am in Training / Reacquainting mode now as you were...So I have Watched several of your videos over the past 2 months, and have also found MCRider, and Motojutsu ( IG@Motojuitsuclub) helpful...Also a few others. KEITH CODE and Ienatsch Training Material in various KZfaq Channels...Thank you again ..IG@sunshine rich

feeling nausious, dude keep your head still instead of moving all the time