LIving in a climate I spend most of the winter months reading
magazines, spending most of my time "wanting". Wanting to ride,
wanting to buy, wanting to shine, wanting to wrench. I spend
countless hours figuring how much cash I'll need to satisfy my lust.
I've got 4 bikes but still, I'm not satisfied. Then spring comes and
my whole perspective changes. I thought about it and here's what I
came up with; There are bikes to own, bikes to want and bikes to
ride.
The exotics are the bikes to lust for. Ducati, Aprilia, MV Augusta,
maybe even BMW or Harley. They are all about show and exhileration.
They really dont' make economic sense. Never mind that they spend so
much time in the shop, or they are so fast and noisy, not so
comfortable or the parts are made of "unobtainium". They are also
typically high owner maintenance bikes.
Then there are the bikes to own. These would be the classic Triumphs,
airhead BMW's, maybe an old Harley, you know, bikes that are just
cool to talk about. The ones everybody knows something about. "I've
got a BMW, yeh, an airhead, an R90. R90what? Oh, just a /6". Which is
usually followed by "I used to have one of those and maybe some day---
" yadayada.
Then there are the bikes to ride. This is the domain of the Japanese
motorcycle. Typically reliable, inexpensive and pretty comfortable.
Usually minimum maintainance, reasonably good handling and so on.
Most of us land here. This is the land of the compromise motorcycle.
Good at many things, best at none. This is also where the KLR rules.
Its the best at nothing, good at everything and are readily
available. The new Versys even picked its name after mediocrity, "
versatile-system". Oh, you thought it stood for veritable sysboombah?
NO, I'm afraid it was contrived as a compromise. Corny, but true.
Now I look at my garage, at my R90,(its a /6) my Connie, my RM125 at
the KLR and think, maybe one bike really is enough. Time to go ride.
Ride often, ride safe.
a17 for sale
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bikes to own, bikes to lust for, bikes to ride.
Good synopsis Mike,
In the end you can only ride one (bike) at a time...
Get one you like to ride and put a great many smiles on it.
albatross
drifting on a gentle wind today
> " yadayada. > Then there are the bikes to ride. This is the domain of the Japanese > motorcycle. Typically reliable, inexpensive and pretty comfortable. > Usually minimum maintainance, reasonably good handling and so on. > Most of us land here. This is the land of the compromise motorcycle. > Good at many things, best at none. This is also where the KLR rules. > Its the best at nothing, good at everything and are readily > available. The new Versys even picked its name after mediocrity, " > versatile-system". Oh, you thought it stood for veritable sysboombah? > NO, I'm afraid it was contrived as a compromise. Corny, but true. > Now I look at my garage, at my R90,(its a /6) my Connie, my RM125 at > the KLR and think, maybe one bike really is enough. Time to go ride. > Ride often, ride safe. >
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- Joined: Mon Jan 31, 2005 10:15 am
bikes to own, bikes to lust for, bikes to ride.
My (bike) lust is totally satisfied. I have an 05 KLR and an 08 Versys, they are both perfect for what they do.
I've had all sorts, the only other bike I've enjoyed as much was my 97 Valkyrie that I had for 10 years.
Machog
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- Posts: 125
- Joined: Mon Nov 05, 2007 12:13 pm
bikes to own, bikes to lust for, bikes to ride.
Ah yes, it may be satisfied, for now.
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- Joined: Thu Dec 06, 2001 7:20 am
a17 for sale
I know I'll miss her, but my wife wants to do some touring this
summer and there is a lightly used DL1000 for sale locally that is
calling my name.
Bike is in excellent condition, 32K miles, oil changed every 1500
miles, valve adjustments every 6K, swing arm, brakes, coolant
serviced every year.
Accessories:
Moose Skid Plate (original included)
KTM front fender (original included)
Radiator guard
Master cylinder guard
Heated grips
JC Whitney rear trunk
Answer bark buster hand guards (with original guards for wind
protection)
55/100 Silverstar headlight
Sagebrush Doo
~1000 miles on Avon Gripster tires
~3000 miles on chain and sprockets
Also will include service manual and a binder full of maintenance
procedures.
KBB lists it at $2950 retail with out accessories - asking $2900 for
everything. Bike is located outside of Rochester, NY.
Jon Hunter
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