I borrowed BMW bikes in Germany when I was stationed there in my late teen years. My room-mate owned a couple and he let me ride with him. Germany, in those days was the place to ride a bike! My first bike, after that, was a Honda CL-350 Scrambler - 1969, if I recall correctly. It was a twin, had lots of power in its day, and I learned a lot riding it. I crashed this bike a lot because I rode it in the dirt and tried to flat track with it. I had no clue about counter steering, but figure I must have done it naturally. I've since learned how to manage a motorcycle a bit better. I got sent overseas, just after my daughter was born, and I could barely afford my next bike when I returned home.
It was a Yamaha 125 Enduro machine, followed by a Suzuki TM-125. I like the Yamaha and the TM-125 but wasn't skilled enough at Motocross to really get the huge fun out of it. Frankly I was lousey at Motocross, but had to try.
Migrated to Kawasaki KZ-500. Nasty, buzzy, and a lot of fun but I gave up both my Yamaha and the Kawasaki on my next assignment. We went overseas and couldn't take them with us. When I got back stateside I concentrated on my career, as most mid level professionals tend to do. But then I retired and entered civilian life. Bongo - get a bike to overcome the boredome.
So here's the list since then, and know that I have multiple bike disorder having more than one bike in the garage. Also I work for a BMW dealership that allows me to trade bikes frequently. The good is I can honestly relate ownership experience to customers interested in something I've owned and get our product out on the road for people to see. The bad is my wife isn't sure if I need medication on not:
2002 BMW R1100R - OK for a few months but kind of not enthralling
2002 BMW R1100S - Awesome, and one BMW I regret selling. Put many miles on this bike - many of it cross country.
1997 Honda ST1100 - A very good Sport Touring machine I used for my 4 Corners Tour and many Iron Butt rides. Kind of bland to ride and scary in side winds but otherwise dead nuts reliable. I put huge miles on this machine.
I made a huge mistake buying one of these Honda Shadow 1100 Spirit cruiser bikes. OK for relatively slow speed stuff and the engine is the most low maintenance thing around. It just didn't work out - handles poorly in corners if there is any speed and if loaded.....Hell if this is what you like and what your budget dictates then go for it and you won't hear ill from me.
2003 R1150RT - Good soild touring machine but it had a nasty lean surge common to 1150's of the era (2003) so kept it only a few months, but completed a 50CC on it.
2002 F650 Dakar - Nice thumper that took me all over the place; another bike with lots of miles.
2003 BMW K1200LT Not me but I lifted this image off the net to illustrate the big bike is more than just a freeway pig. I was working at a Honda dealership when I bought my LT and a couple of folk there were scratching their heads trying to figure out why I didn't buy a Gold Wing. The good news is this is a wonderful large touring motorcycle that is quite agile in the twisty bits. Again I put a lot of miles on this machine and recommend it to anybody. It has all the creature comforts a rider could want and as many for the pillion with heated seats and back rest. Incredible ABS brakes, 48 - 52 mpg and an easy bike to ride Iron Butt rides on. It was a bit tender at low speed and I had to be very careful not to drop it. I now own a 2006 K1200LT which has a much improved low speed ability.
2003 Suzuki SV1000S - As the magazines say "best value". Fully adjustable suspension, big horsepower, and fun to ride. Cop magnet. Since I was selling Suzuki products, it made sense to ride one.
2004 R1150GS Adventure. I stupidly traded this bike, and I regret it even though it was heavy and tall. Should have put a side car on it.
2005 R1200RT - This handles better than my 1150RT, has better brakes, better wind management, better fuel economy with more fuel aboard, and adds the heated seats, grips, cruise control, etc. It is 265 lbs lighter than my LT and a whole lot more sprightly than the LT with 110 hp. You will see that I devoted a page to this bike and the modifications I made to it. As a solo rider LD machine - well it just can't be beaten. It handles like a sport bike, has awesome range, and just does everything well. On the down side, the large top case is only functional when there is a passenger aboard. It otherwise acts like a big sail. In really windy conditions I longed for my LT or the older R1150RT. The new fairing adds weather protection but loses wind stability. I got used to the bike wiggling around but I didn't like it and have had some scary moments in very windy conditions.
The bike does well two up but that is from a rider's perspective - my wife didn't like it as much as the LT and I had more of a sense for her riding pillion on the RT than on the heavier LT. Since she rides with me quite a bit, I decided to move back to a K1200LT. Had I been primarily a solo rider I would still have the RT.
2006 K1200LT - much improved low speed handling over the 2003. I like this big bike a lot and still own it.
2005 K1200S - I was completely smitten by this bike but it had clutch problems and a transmission issue which soured the relationship; kind of like when your first girl friend dumps you for another guy - traded it for a
2007 R1200S - Best boxer I've owned but a bit more aggressive ergonomically for my now older body.
2007 F800ST - An amazing little twin but hard to live with emotionally after owning big engine bikes.
2007 Ural Patrol - Like I said, I should have put a side car on the Adventure. A Ural is like nothing else and they deserve an infatuated owner. I wasn't one, after I got to know the machine. I will own another side car rig and maybe a Ural, but the marque has to upgrade the engine and lengthen the swing arm - hell the whole machine - for North American environments. They are fun and have a dedicated following - but so do other useless bikes.
2007 K1200R - I have to say my 2005 K1200R was the kind of bike that left a mark on my psyche like no other bike. I could not be around one and not flash back to the first one I owned so, I traded my Ural and the little F800ST for it and expect plenty of smiles and mile out burning gas and killing bugs.
Here is a little video promo for the K1200R - works for me but I think a bit too sensitive for some: BMW-K.com_Respect
So, in the garage are a 2006 K1200LT which I think is the best touring bike around for 2-up riding and my spouse likes it, and a 2007 K1200R like the one pictured.