Selling is dumb or just part of the addiction?

[greg the pole]

I've come to my senses a bit, and I'm definitely not getting rid of the Tenere. Washed it yesterday and rode in to work this morning, and selling it just makes no sense.

Now, I have spotted a pre-fuel injection SV650S for cheap that might be no loss if I don't want it later on. Not sure if I'll do that though since the S10 is probably faster anyway (it's the weight that I don't like obviously).

I've got TKC70 tires on it now, and didn't really care for them as soon as I put them on. Maybe a switch back to Continental Trail Attack 2's in the spring will rejuvenate the feel of the bike.

I have not tried the TKC70s. I have an TKC80 on the front, and a E07 on the rear. They are fit for purpose, but are not great road tires.
If you're going pure street, there's tons of choices, and the ST can be a very willing pure tourer with the right rubber.

 

[Ron_Luning]

True about it doing very well as a paved road bike. I do feel that I'm shifting it like it is a diesel truck sometimes because the revs run out very quickly. Like others have written though, nothing is perfect.

 

[Sierra1]

Before coming here, we at least thought we could afford a huge house for little $. We were wrong.

Nope, that's Texas. ;D

 

[Checkswrecks]

Before coming here, we at least thought we could afford a huge house for little $. We were wrong. Also, I didn't think that anywhere would have more laws than CA, but sure enough, MD has them beat. I have thought about a faster car, but with bringing a Mazda 5 across country that lived its whole life in salt-free SoCal, I can't justify it.

If you don't need to commute into DC, the cost of living is what's driven a lot of people to buy just over the State line in PA. Hanover has massively grown thanks to the MD legislature.

 

[markjenn]

I sorta like the advice that if today you wouldn't buy a bike for what you could get for it, then you should sell it. For most, motorcycles are emotional purchases and they are satisfying if you are emotionally involved in "loving" the ride. If the love is not there, sell the thing, no one is keeping score.

Conversely, I don't believe in buying a motorcycle unless I really lust for it and I never buy on impulse. Right now, I'm lusting for the Z900RS which is about to break cover but I won't buy one for at least a year or so.... if I'm still lusting then, then I know it is a long-term relationship.

Finally thought: The more motorcycles you own, the less each means to you. And the more you spend time/money just holding the bike rather than enjoying the ride. If ownership alone is the pleasure, then fine, but I get the most enjoyment out of riding a bike I really like, not viewing it in the garage. So while I've owned 15 bikes at one time, I currently own one and I doubt I'll ever own more than one.

Re-reading this, I sound like I'm getting old. Guilty as charged.

- Mark

 

[EricV]

Re-reading this, I sound like I'm getting old. Guilty as charged.

- Mark

I think I've know you for around 15 years now and only ridden with you a couple of times, if that. You've come a long way from that guy that down shifted and punched it when that WA LEO did a U-turn on that group FJR ride.

Still, if getting old means you enjoy the ride more and don't need 15 bikes in the garage, that's ok too. I'm having fun on the silly 150cc scooter when I'm not riding across several states on the Super Ten.

 

[markjenn]

I think I've know you for around 15 years now and only ridden with you a couple of times, if that. You've come a long way from that guy that down shifted and punched it when that WA LEO did a U-turn on that group FJR ride.

I think you may be confusing me with someone else, but it sounds like a great story, so I'll wear the hat if it is offered.

- Mark

 

[Ron_Luning]

I took a test ride today on this FJ-09: http://www.bobsbmw.com/new-motorcycles/store/?slug=product_info.php&cPath=27&products_id=1385

I really wanted to love it. I figured I could get it for $7k otd.
Didn't really like it. It was heavier than it should have been thanks to the copious additions from the original owner, but it wasn't an amazing handler, suspension kinda just ok, motor not torquey it seemed. Definitely had hp to spare.

Oh well.

 

[airmed]

Nice looking FJ09

 

[jmz]

After riding my Tenere I don't see not having one to ride. If I wanted another streetbike I believe I would look for a first generation FZ 1 to to zip around locally on .

Signatures ??? we don't need no stinking signatures !!!

 

[Dirt_Dad]

... I believe I would look for a first generation FZ 1 to to zip around locally on .

I found my first generation FZ1 to be the most boring bike I ever owned. Oh sure, it would do 0-90 MPH (indicated) in 1st gear in about 3 seconds. It was so fast it was confusing. But I have to keep my license, and most of the time I ride at near legal speeds. Riding a bike that doesn't need a second gear...riding any fast bike slowly is not satisfying to me. It's a personal preference thing.

 

[jmz]

I can understand that. Ive never ridden one but I have rode a bandit 1200. Ive just I always wanted a first gen fz1. One reason is that I seen them sell for around 2500.

 

[Dirt_Dad]

hard to make a mistake at $2500. You have nothing to lose by trying it.

 

[jmz]

I don't have the urge for an fz anymore. I use my Tenere to commute (4 miles) lol, and long distance also. Bad thing is ,I haven't ridden my XR but one time since I've had my Tenere.

Signatures ??? we don't need no stinking signatures !!!

 

[Ron_Luning]

I had a 2002 FZ1 purchased new in 03, and put just short of 50k miles on it. Boring perhaps, but it was my only transportation for 3 years (in San Diego where weather is more or less the same as inside your house). Super smooth and power to spare in any situation. One morning commuting in lower temps, perhaps upper 40s, I locked the front on the highway going 70+ due to a shithead driver. No crash as it was only part of a second, but I was henceforth inspired to value bikes with ABS more than those without.

 

[EricV]

To each his own. Dirt Dad, I know why you found the FZ-1 boring, but it wasn't the bike. It was what you did with it that was boring.

It's and easy bike to ride well. Great ergos right out of the box and plenty of everything except weather protection.

Didn't matter, I bought a left over '02 in early '03. Got a surprised week off work in late March, so took it to Alaska with nothing more than minimal gear, a two man tent and a pair of boat bags I hand stitched the handles together for home made panniers. Rode North out of Portland to Anacortes, WA and camped in a RV park for $3. Hopped the Black Ball to Vancover Island the next morning and rode North to the ferry terminal at Port Hardy, Vancouver Island, B.C. Camped near by that night, got a squeeze on ferry ride the next morning with no cabin for the 14 hour daylight ferry to Prince Rupert, B.C. via the inland passage. Got off the ferry right and end of nautical twilight, rode up the ferry ramp to an RV park at the top of the hill and paid for a tent pallet for ~$10 CAD, set up the tent and got a shower and some food just before it started raining.

Rode the next day mostly in the rain up to Hyder, AK, then back down to Prince George, B.C. Got a hotel, (Sandman with Dennys attached!), and dried out. P.G. to Cashe Creek the next day over great roads. Scored a free camp spot on the grass at the side of a hotel. Had a great ride the next day over to Whistler/
Black Colmbe found some combat camping spot then rode back to Portland the last day.

I took several trips of a few days to a couple of weeks on that FZ and it never let me down. Chain maintenance, oil and tires.

Any bike is as fun as you make it.

 

[Donk]

I had both a Gen1 and Gen2 FZ1. Good bikes but fall into the "just another bike" catagory. They were both second bikes to my S10 and the S10 seems to be the go to bike no matter what else is in the garage.

 

[VRODE]

Had my Gen1 FZ1 for many years. I went all over and toured with it. Lots of fun, but not the same as the S10. As I got older, the little things that provide more comfort mean a lot. There are times I still wish I had it to bop around on, but the truth is it would sit unridden mostly. The next bike I get will surely be smaller and lighter, but that's a few years away. Loving my S10.

 

[Checkswrecks]

I took a test ride today on this FJ-09: http://www.bobsbmw.com/new-motorcycles/store/?slug=product_info.php&cPath=27&products_id=1385

I really wanted to love it. I figured I could get it for $7k otd.
Didn't really like it. It was heavier than it should have been thanks to the copious additions from the original owner, but it wasn't an amazing handler, suspension kinda just ok, motor not torquey it seemed. Definitely had hp to spare.

Oh well.

Dirt Dad and I had the same experience on the FJ09 at Romney last Spring. The numbers for weight, power, etc all seemed so "right" but once on the bike for 10 minutes it was already clear that it didn't click with us.

 

[Dirt_Dad]

Yep, I also really wanted to like the FJ-09. Just didn't work for me.

It's almost always the rider and not the bike. Snake loves his SCR950. I did a test ride of that one and was very happy to get off it. Every bike out there can be the absolute perfect bike to someone. A bike that speaks to you is a very personal thing. That's why we all need to try so many of them. ;D