WHAT’S AROUND US RIDES US

As an instructor I review with new riders risk factors that can and cannot be controlled. Automobile drivers are one risk factor we cannot control versus things we can control such as increasing our visibility or following distance etc. Another point I like to underline is one of the reasons motorcycling gives such pleasure is because “you’re out there”, you become part of the scene--you ride amidst an environment that’s ever changing around you. This has direct effect upon you unlike in an automobile where you’re more of an observing participant contained behind a pane of glass.

With that said, being part of your surroundings includes its mood and this was much the case this past Thursday night in downtown Toronto.
I had planned to take a friend on my “famous” Toronto City tour by scooter—when underway at rush hour, the Toronto subway system broke down and chaos hit the streets. I contemplated cancelling our plan of heading through the city because of its jammed up frustrated mood-- cars and cabs were frozen as thousands of pedestrians tried to find a way home after a long work day.

Even when en route to my friends’ home, I experienced a bout of road rage! A fellow in a supped up pick-up truck after much effort at illegal speeds and traffic manoeuvres (I realized after the fact) pulled up beside me at a red light, crudely threatened me while blatantly cussing me off! Evidently, earlier, I had cut him off. He couldn’t look me in my eyes, I think maybe because he thought I was a guy and felt embarrassed at behaving so inappropriately to a woman, or maybe it’s because it took him six city blocks to catch up with me! My response to him, nonreactive "blanco".

Nonetheless the city tour by scooter went on and we ventured downtown which ended up being not so bad—we were on scooter, an urban advantage. Later however, while course-plotting through traffic jam after shocks, a taxi cab in front of me hit reverse and managed to drive itself up onto my front fender. I caught him in time, luckily, resulting in surface scuffing of my fender. I asked him how it could possibly be that he didn't see us?
Indeed you’ve got to be calm, and mentally prepared for the ride around us—particularly in an urban environment.

BMW HP2 SPORT PACKED A PUNCH--I’M STILL SEEING STARS!

Yesterday I had the privilege to test four of BMW’s sport performance models-but the true "pièce de résistance" was the HP2 Sport—and all I can say is WOW!

We met on Shannonville’s FABI track, a special invite from BMW Motorrad Canada—their first event of its kind. There were approximately ten of us, all journalists especially invited to test BMW'S renowned sport models under the theme: “The Evolution of BMW boxer-twin racing motorcycles from the R1100 S to the HP2 Sport”.

Well, the world sort of stopped for me after the 20 minutes I had on track with the HP2-its the strongest, lightest, most sportive boxer BMW has ever produced and though not extremely familiar with BMW's, these characteristics were more than evident. Considering the chance of being able to test such an elite machine not yet on public roads was already in itself a mighty fine opportunity--yet to add "icing on the blue and white cake"—the HP2’s we tested were the Canadian Thunder team's race bikes—four of them to be exact!

My first impression like most first's in life, entirely recallable-- a truly great racing statement as I effortlessly led the boxer around the track and this without any personal set up. I had a great ride--except for my difficulties in not quite comprehending the quick-shifter, standard on the HP2. I’ve never had the luxury of using one before so I managed to get a bit off rhythm during shifts. The bike expressed its disapproval--particularly on acceleration, but I managed to sort it.
The HP2’s ease of performance could make a racer out of anyone. It certainly caused me to consider getting back into the sport!

The HP2 has not yet arrived in Canada—ETA, October. Just over thirty-five units are allotted and all are pre-sold. I’m excited to share the complete “how’s” and “why’s” of the HP2 Sport shortly in my full test ride report, including the R1200S, a race prepped F800S and the history behind Canada’s BMW racing team.

The HP2 Sport without dispute is a champ and I do believe it will go down in history as a real collectible —something I wouldn’t mind keeping my hands on!

*photos by: KEVIN VIRAG for MOTORESS