The Day I bought my R65

[Danie]

During my lifetime I bought quite a number of vehicles, as well motorcycles, and in most cases, I can't remember any details about what happened on any specific day, when I bought my vehcles / motorcycles.

The exception though , is the day when I bought my R65    - 11 September 2001.

During that time we lived in a small town in the central part of our country - I was on holiday,  - and my wife and myself visited our daughter, and son in law in Bloemfontein (Free State).

I did not have plans at that stage to buy any means of transport - untill 10 September 2001. On that day I visited a friend (also in Bloemfontein) - and I was very impressed with the two Bmw's (including my current R65), he bought at a police auction. He told me that he would probably sell one of the bikes,  and offered me a ride on the R65  - I was hooked.

During the night of 10 September 2001 I was very exited, and I could't fall asleep - thinking about my "new" bike.  On 11 September 2001, I spent most part of the day at the Traffic offices - sorting out registration documents, number plate, etc........it dit not bother me too much........I was too exited about my R65.

We left Bloemfontein quite late, (about 6.30 - pm)   11 September 2001 - heading home - a trip of about 180 km  (113 miles). My wife was driving the car in front, and I followed  - my first "long" trip with my R65.   I really enjoyed the trip..........very impressed with the bike........

Then we stopped for fuel - (about 8 pm = 1 pm US time) and about 20 km from home. My wife also stopped , and almost immediately jumped out of the car - almost running towards me - still sitting on the bike. Then she told me about the Trade Centre disaster - she heard the news on the car radio.

My first reaction was that somebody has just made a sick joke on the radio ........something like this would never happen..........never..........When  my wife assured me that this was definately not a joke,  we were heading home - as fast as we could - to watch Tv news.

We immediately switched on the Tv at home, and I simply could not beleive my eyes.........both Towers were on fire...........still standing...........later tumbling down........

Both my wife and myself did not sleep that night. We were just sitting in front of the Tv - speachless, and completely shocked.

At about 5 am the next morning, we went to bed - fisically and mentally drained. By that time I did have very little sleep for two nights in a row.

Having owned my R65 for more than six years now,  I realize that should I sell it in future, it will always be part of my memories about a day that I will never forget.

[Bob_Roller]

That's more of a memorable experience of the first day you had a 'new' vehicle, than I think any of us here could ever come close to.

[Semper Gumby]

Too bad you have to sell it.  Most people around here regret selling their R65's.  One even went so far as to buy it back!

[Danie]

Well, I always find it very difficult so sell any of my vehicles / motorcycles - due to my personal "connection".........and the older I get, the stronger the "connection".

My first self driven "bike" was a Vespa scooter - I managed to get this old wreck going - all by myself, when I was about 14 years old.  It gave me endless pleassure ..........if I could get hold of it again, it would certainly get very special treatment.......

My R65 also became part of my existance, and as long as parts are available, I will probably never get rid of it........

[jinx]

Danie,
Not only was I in manhattan on the day of the disaster, I was just one of the people that had to live through its aftermath of debris, choas and sadness.  I reply here to say that it was my vespa scooter that made more than a few trips into and out of the city in the days following.  I gave plenty of people rides across the bridges, uptown or downtown, to lost tourists, buisnessmen and others, trying to help folks out in their travels.  The same thing happened when NYC had their blackout a few years later.

If anyone is interested in the whole story of what it was like to be on the street on that day, I have a few stories to tell.

So, yeah, vespas and r65ls's, we have that in common.

Right now, I have the p200 vespa motor on my workbench at home, I am dremeling the port windows for a new cylinder barrel, everything else is in progress on making its way back on to a freshly painted frame.  
As for my LS, after trying to sell it here for over a year, I think that I might just hold on to it.

later
p

[Bob_Roller]

Jinx,

If it's not too much of an a nuisance, I'd like to hear of your experiences of the September 11, 2001 'attacks' .

It's probably a little more personal than most, as my brother was supposed to be on  United Airlines flight 175 from Boston to Los Angeles that morning, only reason he didn't make it, was because of a large tree  that was up-rooted the previous night during a thunderstorm, and blocked his residential street.

That, and a close co-workers son worked in the first tower at about the same floor, that was hit by the American Airlines 757, flight 11, but was on vacation that week.

[Danie]

Jinx,
Before I posted my report about the day I bought my R65 , I was not sure whether I should raize this issue at all - I was  a bit worried  that other forum members might think that this was not a true story, and I did not want to make a fool of myself on the Internet........

I am also looking forward to hear about your experience on the street that day.......

Danie