October 03, 2014
Ride to the Bavaria BMW took longer than that...
Upon arrival at the hostel, a guy named Roberto Newbill, approached me, while I was parking my bike. He chatted with me about BMW bikes, and that his dad has a vintage bike. What perfect guy to ask for the nearest BMW dealership. He recommended Bavaria BMW Motorrad in Guatemala City and gave me the contact info to the service department. Thanks, Roberto. Super helpful!
With help from the hostel receptionist, Francisco, I made a call to the dealership and was able to set up an appointment for the next day. "Come early. Hopefully, not soon.
I got up at 5.30 am, and with heavy and grossly poluting rush hour traffic, I was first in line. 7am sharp at Bavaria BMW. So I thought...
They let me roll my bike into the building shortly after I arrived. Nice of them. However, it took a while for someone to write the service order. By around 8, Benjamin, who spoke English, took care of Big Bertha. 6 hours later, I was on my way.
Orange "safety" vests are required for riders in Guatemala...I want one...NOT.
SACHS MadAss...nice little bike for around town...
Piece of BMW history on the showroom floor...
Boy, was I tired. I hadn't really slept much the night before, because mid-night, my stomach started to make strange noises. Without going in too much detail, I got sick, and then the obvious happened...probably the dinner was the culprid. The ride to the dealer was torture, the 6 hour wait even worse, like being hit over the head with my 20 pound security chain...repeatedly.
Hanging in there....
But, I survived. Big B. got fixed, and I rode back to Antigua...fast and furious...like a local.