Joined: Nov 17, 2006
Location: Corpus Christi, TX
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I guess it started a long time ago with that Bultaco Lobito, when I could thrash that little 49 inch wheelbase demon and keep up with my buddies in the tight East Texas woods on their Kawasaki 175s and Yamaha DT250s. I became enamored of the concept of the light responsive bike. In recent years I have wrestled around an R1150 R, R 1150 RT, and now an R1200 GS. With my 29" inseam the weight and height have always called for forethought and caution, especially in the garage. Then came the Ducati 696, light, and with the Termi package and a change in gearing, quick, loud, and sassy. I find it falls under my hands for the spontaneous run to town so much quicker than rolling out the GS on it's centerstand roller, going thru the rituals to get it ready to roll at times is daunting. So today I went in to think about the unthinkable. I had sat on a couple of Japanese 250 play bkes, both under 300#, each of which will go fast enough to get me a speeding ticket anywhere in Texas. I figured with some soft bags, a few farkles, I could make a pocket adventure bike. I had ridden a KLR 650 and it had left me uninspired, but these little guys had promise. Today when I went out to the garage, the Beemer would not start. She just looked at me as if to say, "well what did you expect, you haven't turned me on in 3 weeks, been flirting with that little Italian tramp at night!" I shamefully put on the charger long enough to get the motor to turn over and catch. This in turn gave me the excuse to "put a few miles on the bike to charge the battery" before going to the Japanese emporium. So I did so, hoping when I got there the motor would restart. Well, this shop is weird. They sell bikes, watercraft and ATV (Mules). Some times you walk in and a salesman is right there to help. Today I walked in in mesh pants and jacket, riding boots and gloves, went over got on the bike I was most interested in, and 3 salesmen sitting and chatting just looked at me, then looked away. The guy I had spoken to on Thursday was busy with another family, which I understand, but these clods were something else. So this sorta shut the door, turned me off. On the way home I started noticing how easily I blew thru 85mph to get around blockers on the freeway, and how that torque just kept puling even if I got ham fisted at a stop sign with the clutch. And I remembered that funny lttle quirk of falling into a 90 degree turn at an intersection then catching it with he throttle as you straightened out. Soon I was making swooping turns on streets, my engine was magically running smoother, my drive train was quiet and steady. The truth dawned on me. Yes my bike is tall, and relatively heavy compared with the Monster, but if I were to just have one motorcycle, it will be the GS. I realized the problem is that when I start to ride the GS I want to explore. I want to see new roads, and places, and houses , and wildlife. I want to wake up in a strange bed and have the excitement of rimming the dew off my bikes seat in the early morning with my gloved hand, double clutching to get 1st to cooperate with that initial morning shift, then pulling out knowing I have a day of unknown roads ahead of me. I need to make a trip. How do I tell my kids I'm not going to be at the volleyball game or the cross country match, without feeling like a drunk who is sneaking out to the liquor store rather than buying little Timmy his medicine? I need to travel. The GS is the best bike to do it on. I'm very lucky to own one. Pat, I envy you your recent journey. And the sun rose today, and today I said to myself "never sell the GS." Two things that may never change. Bob
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"Go out, things happen. Stay at home, they don't" .....................Ted Simon
Posted on
08/31/2008 at 01:17
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Joined: May 22, 2007
Location: Cheyenne, WY
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"How do I tell my kids I'm not going to be at the volleyball game or the cross country match, without feeling like a drunk who is sneaking out to the liquor store rather than buying little Timmy his medicine?" Wyatt Earp: "Is that supposed to get me off the hook?" Doc Holiday: "There is no hook." The drunk's problem is that he can't control his drinking or the havoc it plays with his relationships. When is the last time you spent some time out on the bike? Getting out for a ride is likely to strengthen your relationships by keeping you sane, letting you breathe in a little life. Besides, you'll be teaching your kids that adventure is an important part of life. They will notice.
Guilt is overrated. If you'd rather be at the volleyball game, well that's a different story. As long as you make a mindful choice there is no reason you can't or shouldn't recharge your own battery on the GS. Jack
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"There ain't no Devil, there's just God when he's drunk." -- T. Waits
Posted on
08/30/2008 at 19:01
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Joined: Nov 17, 2006
Location: Corpus Christi, TX
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You been talking to Terry?Bob
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"Go out, things happen. Stay at home, they don't" .....................Ted Simon
Posted on
08/30/2008 at 19:35
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Joined: May 03, 2007
Location: Longwood, FL
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 Dr B, I can relate to many things in your post. I have kept my "K" in the garage since January. My plan is to fix it (battery charged, change all fluids) and sell it without riding it again. It's a strange connection we make with these toys, especially when they have taken us to places far and beyond the security of our normal surroundings.
Like you I struggled with the weight issue, I can't deal with 600+ pounds day in day out. My Japanese pony gives me the exhilaration of the "k", plus some and is light as a feather. I guess I am lucky I stumbled on a substitute for the "K" and you are lucky your GS fills a void no other bike can.
I am itching for a 1000+ journey and like you I have to hold back. Barbers would have been a great substitute but my better half has been snake bitten with my incident in January, so I am staying put until next year. I plan to go on "Journey" I had to skip this year.
Thanks for your post, its brought some life back to the forum. We need to start a point/counter-point thread where we must disagree in order to add a posting. Maybe a good food fight might start-up on this forum.
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There's only one like you, no way they could have made two - BW
Posted on
08/30/2008 at 19:36
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Joined: May 22, 2007
Location: Cheyenne, WY
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 Rmcclung said:You been talking to Terry? Don't know about Terry's views here, but I do ride. 
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"There ain't no Devil, there's just God when he's drunk." -- T. Waits
Posted on
08/30/2008 at 20:26
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Joined: May 22, 2007
Location: Cheyenne, WY
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Roadrunner said:We need to start a point/counter-point thread where we must disagree in order to add a posting. Maybe a good food fight might start-up on this forum.
I disagree. And you should ride the K-bike too, that's what it's there for. Get that sucker out on the open road and it will feel like a dancer. Your wife married you, a guy who rides. Riding is part of who you are. Not that you can't change, but is that what you want?
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"There ain't no Devil, there's just God when he's drunk." -- T. Waits
Posted on
08/30/2008 at 20:32
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Joined: Aug 18, 2008
Location: Fresno, CA
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Madhatter said:quote user='Roadrunner' We need to start a point/counter-point thread where we must disagree in order to add a posting. Maybe a good food fight might start-up on this forum.
[/quote] I disagree. And you should ride the K-bike too, that's what it's there for. Get that sucker out on the open road and it will feel like a dancer. I hate to agree if we're going to do the "point/counter point" thing here, but I think you need to take the K for a ride before just dumping it.... Unless you don't want to.... But you'll be sorry... or not kip
Posted on
08/30/2008 at 21:16
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Joined: May 03, 2007
Location: Longwood, FL
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One issue at a time  First - I am lucky, I mean realy lucky. Not many wives (that I know) gives you two - three weeks a year to putz on a bike. She puts no restrictions (monetary or otherwise) on my excurtions so when the queen says lay low, I lay low. Come to think of it, this is the first time she has ever asked. With regards to the K, it is a wonderful bike, but I am a small man and I have dropped the SOB more times than I care to admit. Yes it is a great touring bike, but there is no reason the FZ can't also be one. A few minor adjustments (rizers) and it is road ready. The "K" has been fun, but it's time to move on. Finally, It's taken some time to name my bike, but I got it! FWF (Fuzzy Wally F*cker )
DR, B. I did not mean to hijack your thread
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There's only one like you, no way they could have made two - BW
Posted on
08/30/2008 at 23:29
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Joined: Dec 24, 2006
Location: Austin, TX
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B, In my mind, the 250 is a single-purpose machine. After that, it's possible that I'll leave it behind. Or maybe not. I'm really enjoying the jaunts to collect miles on the engine for break-in. The challenge is that I sure like having another gear (or two) to go to at 75. This bike's pretty much giving its all to climb past 85. I've been to 105 indicated, downhill. That sounded glorious. I think of it as a really, really fast and loud moped. Really loud. Frigging scare the old ladies, set off car alarms, echo between the storefronts, piss-off cagers, MotoGP rattle your fillings, panther-in-the-night, screaming loud. People in cars wind their windows up and ease out of the way. Of a moped. Which is cool, and I still grin the whole time I'm riding it. Life is contradiction, isn't it. http://s110.photobucket.com/albums/n110/paradisoverde/?action=view¤t=Ninja_250_Two_Brothers.flv C . 
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Another sunrise, These bright and crystal moments, Crow flies overhead.
Posted on
08/30/2008 at 23:54
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Joined: Nov 17, 2006
Location: Corpus Christi, TX
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E: One of the sweetest rides of my life was my last ride on my CB 350. My parents had surprised me with the gold and white bike as a birthday gift (I had to pick up the payments with after school job), this after I had nearly been killed on my S 90, not my fault I might add. That acknowledgement of my passion was as great a gift as the bike itself. I was leaving for grad school and the fellow was picking up the bike the next morning. After closing the Pizza Inn at 1:00 AM I ran a route along a ridgetop road that I had ridden hundreds of times in the day, the night, the hot, the cold, sober, and yes (sigh) drunk. But this night, I was in percfect tune with the bike and that sweet cool blacktop snake, rising and falling, twisting and turning. I shut off the headlight, you could do that back then, and rode by moonlight. It was a magical good bye gift from my faithful ride to me. Emiliano, I don't know if you should take that last ride or just walk away, you'll know what to do. But that's one ride I'll never forget. Bob
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"Go out, things happen. Stay at home, they don't" .....................Ted Simon
Posted on
08/31/2008 at 01:28
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Joined: May 03, 2007
Location: Longwood, FL
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C, You sir are the only person I know that could "tweak" a scooter and make it track ready .
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There's only one like you, no way they could have made two - BW
Posted on
08/31/2008 at 10:46
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Joined: Nov 26, 2006
Location: Independence, MO
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Rmcclung said: Then came the Ducati 696, light, and with the Termi package and a change in gearing, quick, loud, and sassy. I find it falls under my hands for the spontaneous run to town so much quicker than rolling out the GS on it's centerstand roller, going thru the rituals to get it ready to roll at times is daunting..... I need to travel. The GS is the best bike to do it on. I'm very lucky to own one. Pat, I envy you your recent journey. And the sun rose today, and today I said to myself "never sell the GS." Two things that may never change. Hey Bob. I peaked at the ending.... and smiled. But, I sure love that "little" Duc you bought.... quick, loud and sassy.... sounds like a good jingle for a Duc commerical...
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******Mike****** "We choose our joys and our sorrows long before we experience them."
Posted on
08/31/2008 at 20:33
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Joined: May 03, 2007
Location: Longwood, FL
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Dr. B,
I don't know why this posting hit home with me. You got me thinking about a trip. Specifically a four day trip north to Alabama some time in October. After some husband and wife negotiation, she agreed my mental health was important and gave me the green light. The way I figuer I could be in Montogomery, Al in 8 -9 hours (700+ miles) and in Burmingham the next morning by 7 - 9 depending when I left. Any suggestions on what there is do up that way? IT'S A GO, 
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There's only one like you, no way they could have made two - BW
Posted on
08/31/2008 at 22:45
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Joined: Dec 24, 2006
Location: Austin, TX
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Most excellent E. It will be good to see your smiling, eyes shining, bearded face again (you did re-grow your beard didn't you?). And if you've never been to Barber, you're in for a special treat. Better arrange a hotel room without delay. They'll be plenty of rental cars floating around, but of course arriving at Barber by bike is a preference. C
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Another sunrise, These bright and crystal moments, Crow flies overhead.
Posted on
08/31/2008 at 23:28
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Joined: May 03, 2007
Location: Longwood, FL
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Csteinman said: you did re-grow your beard didn't you? YUP! I will call tomorrow to see what's avialble. I will try to stay as close to the track as possible!
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There's only one like you, no way they could have made two - BW
Posted on
09/01/2008 at 00:11
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