To bike or not to bike, this is the question

[captain jack]

I need help in making a decision. Some time ago I had the notion that a second bike for winter use would be a good idea.Of course this progressed to looking at high quality bikes that I cannot justify, eventually settling on three bikes. I decided that I would have a bike that was totally different to the Rocket & would be fully faired & in more of a sports mode, the three that I decided on to chose from are the Triumph Sprint ST, Suzuki Heyabusa, Kawasaki ZZR1400. Now I would have had an out & out sports bike but at my age and with poor shoulders I find that I cannot take the weight on my arms, hence the aforesaid machines which I find to have a reasonably comfortable riding position. All of these bikes are beautiful to behold & carry super performance, merits vary, the 2 Japanese machines having unbridled power in abundance, the Sprint having enough performance to keep me happy anyway, & the big advantage to me that it says Triumph on the tank,3 cylinders & single swinging arm. As I sit typing this I have just returned from my garage where again I have a huge grin on my face just being with my my Rocket, as good as these other bikes are, even they do not give me that feeling of passion that the big boy generates in me. I am now thinking that if I had a second bike then each time I opened the garage door I would still choose to take out the Rocket, therefore another bike would be useless to me. Help me decide what to do, a lot of you guys have many bikes, what do you do? Of course the other main barriers to bike No.2 is the wife & the bank manager.

 

[CanberraR3]

If I had a second bike I think I'd go for something completely different ie not a speed machine. A Bonnie or even a Royal Enfield would be on my list - so I could go my own way, only more sedately. If I was getting another beast it would have to be something like the Diavel or V-Max, but no way I'd have the money for that.

 

[stuvin]

I keep saying i'm selling the Harley, just need to get round to it. When i do its either an old carb model Hinkly Bonnie to play with and make sound nice, and get rid of everything off it thats surplus to requirements. Just something light and nippy for a change and as you said still got a Triumph badge on. Or, an old BSA B33, had loads of these in the past and love em. Not really light or nippy but a nice looking old single that put together properly will go forever. Think it will be the Bonnie though, been scourering You Tube and theres some really good ideas . Food for thought maybe?

 

[AJS2300]

Alright Jack,
Hope the shoulders don't give you to much trouble this winter.
My Touring has been in for a while and we both miss her like hell
I have a 2006 Suzuki C800 Intruder, my first bike after 20 years
She has been off & on the market for a while now, but boy are we happy she has not sold yet
We would be lost without some sort of machine whether old or new big or small just to be able to get out on those very few sunny days we get.
So I can see that another bike to keep in reserve can be a good thing
But I am afraid I know what you mean.
I walked straight past the Suzuki when the big girl was there
I've probably been no help at all, just my two cents worth
What ever decision you make will be the right one for you.
Just keep on enjoying

:bch:
Jim

 

[HellFire]

My next bike will be one of those Kawasaki enduro things, go anywhere and over anything in all weather. Park it outside in the rain, on the front of a motorhome to catch bugs ... a really ugly do-it-all-bike.
Does Triumph make one of those? lol

 

[Evil Mitch]

what does one of those diavels retail for in australia?
i had never heard of it before and just had a look on the ducati sight
i think i like it alot
not that i could afford one but ill add it to the dream lol

 

[CanberraR3]

I sat on one a while ago, Mitch. They really are nice. 240 rear, set up/riding position sort of like a Roadster ie classic naked. Couldn't believe the price - around $25K ride away for the basic one; low $30s for the carbon. And for you guys overseas, that puts it roughly equal to a T'bird or Roadster, $5 -$10K less than most HDs.

 

[rocket3jjd]

Well i have five bikes now just inherited a 650 yamaha classic full dress its an 03 with 4217 miles
I have a honda 1100 shadow tourer its a 98 with 12000 miles also a honda xl250r its a 86 with 10ooo miles
And a 02 kawi klr650 with 12000 miles and my 08 rocket std
They are all different rides for all different moods and terrain but most miles are split between my rocket and my klr .
I figure when i get old i can just work my way back down thrue my collection
The wife doesnt mind either thats the great thing

 

[Evil Mitch]

I sat on one a while ago, Mitch. They really are nice. 240 rear, set up/riding position sort of like a Roadster ie classic naked. Couldn't believe the price - around $25K ride away for the basic one; low $30s for the carbon. And for you guys overseas, that puts it roughly equal to a T'bird or Roadster, $5 -$10K less than most HDs.

I havent checked my lotto ticket yet cos i dont want to kill the dream but if ive won im getting one

 

[dracul]

Italian Stallion

I sat on one a while ago, Mitch. They really are nice. 240 rear, set up/riding position sort of like a Roadster ie classic naked. Couldn't believe the price - around $25K ride away for the basic one; low $30s for the carbon. And for you guys overseas, that puts it roughly equal to a T'bird or Roadster, $5 -$10K less than most HDs.

Love the Diavel Carbon Fiber Edition. Probably my current favorite bike. Costly but awesome is not adequate enough a word to describe this wonderful example of Italian rolling art! Total class coupled with near superbike performance. One of the fastest 0-60mph times ever recorded by Cycle World Magazine. If you have the well nourished wallet for one go for it!