31st May
It may seem a minor gripe to you, but when you have to put up with BMW's crazy indicator system day in, day out, it'll drive you bonkers, I promise. In a way, it's an intuitive system. You use the buttons on each side to start that bulb flashing. And I've not got much of a problem with that, after all, it's only a quick flick of a switch. But it's the cancelling switch that does my head in. You see, it's located on the right hand side, meaning the throttle hand is doing a fair bit. Typically, you indicate to execute a manoeuvre, and after that manoeuvre is completed you have to apply the brakes, turn and then wind the throttle on – so you're right hand is hardly idle. For it to have to then flick a switch to turn the indicators off is a job too far in my book, and it leads to jerky throttle application and frustration. It was a wet ride in this morning, and when you're faced with a junction, a drain, a fleet of cars and this bloody system, it doesn't half get frustrating. A more intuitive system would be to hit the indicator switch another time to turn it off. There you go BMW, you can have that one for free.
In all other regards the BMW is great.

1st May
At last, there's a picture of my ugly mug and my new charge for the next gawd knows how many months. The bike in question is BMW's new K1200R Sport, the German firm's fourth bike propelled with the bonkers inline four 1,156cc motor.

Sitting in between the naked R and the faired S, I worked out that the R Sport ticks all of my boxes. I hoped it would be fast, comfortable, fun and more than a little fruity. Having not tested the bike before phoning up BMW to ask meekly for the use of one I was a little apprehensive about the German bike's performance. I'm a big fan of the naked R, but not so keen of the faired super-touring R, but after 1,000 or so miles I'm well happy.

I've now ticked all of the boxes after this experience. It's fast – I reckon good for at least 150mph on the autobahn. It's comfortable – my 60-mile journey in and out of work is a breeze. It's fun – as discovered by the R Sport's ability to wheelie at will. And it's fruity – the Laser can (an optional extra) sounds good, and there's a little twinkle in the BMW's eye that suggests that it should be able to live with more focused bikes on my travels this year.

Plans with the machine are varied and plenty. I have to go to Germany to make use of the motor's ability. Similarly, I fancy a few trackdays to put a few people in their place. I love the fact that the bike couldn't have any more understated looks, but don't be fooled by appearances because already I've learned that there's performance aplenty.

All I need to do is get my stitches out from an ankle operation, do a couple of wobbles on my wobble board and reunite myself with the Beemer after an enforced two weeks off…