I Need Advice on a Major Life Change
Re: I Need Advice on a Major Life Change
One thing I've learned is it is always easier to get forgiveness than permission. As far as the bike, the biggest advantage to owning the airhead is easy user serviceability. If you do not do your own service, they are perhaps not the best option. There are an awful lot of very good motorcycles out there that can be had for great prices. For me though, the only machines that have had a lasting home in my garage have been airhead BMWs. I have owned dozens of street bikes over the last 40 years of all makes and types. I find the very late model airheads have the best brakes, handling and suspension and retain the simple pleasant engine, which for me has adequate performance. I paid around 5K for my almost mint Mystic, and around 4.5K for an R100R about 6 years ago. Good luck with your decision,
Re: I Need Advice on a Major Life Change
Thanks, all, for your insights/advice.
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Zombie Master
- Posts: 8828
- Joined: Sun Aug 22, 2010 12:21 am
- Location: Vancouver Island BC Canada
Re: I Need Advice on a Major Life Change
Just don't be livin' up in your head. What you think you want has nothing to with nothing if you haven't had some saddle time to see if the shoe fits. Obey no one. I suggest you buy the most reliable machine you can afford....so you can ride, rather than spending way to much time intimate with mess of petro-chemicals. It's a short life. Ride.
Any and all disclaimers may apply
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Major Softie
- Posts: 8900
- Joined: Tue Aug 03, 2010 1:46 pm
Re: I Need Advice on a Major Life Change
People get their joys from motorcycles in different ways. Don't pay any attention to ZM unless he's really expressing your own tastes. If you get your joy from putzing, then do that.Zombie Master wrote:Just don't be livin' up in your head. What you think you want has nothing to with nothing if you haven't had some saddle time to see if the shoe fits. Obey no one. I suggest you buy the most reliable machine you can afford....so you can ride, rather than spending way to much time intimate with mess of petro-chemicals. It's a short life. Ride.
It's a short life: too short to live it to satisfy someone else's tastes.
MS - out
Re: I Need Advice on a Major Life Change
I would say keep both. I can't imagine life without my R100RS. And good ones are getting harder to come by, so once it's gone its' gone.
But if you can't - don't have space, don't want the expense, don't have the time, whatever - then you should look at the F series.
I own a late model F800ST. It has belt drive, which is actually less hassle than a shaft believe it or not, it rides and steers beautifully, is miserly when it comes to fuel, and is incredibly light and feels it on the road.
The brakes are excellent, and give really good feel. The ride is both taut and yet comfortable at the time, it's better than any airhead I've ever owned or ridden at soaking up road irregularities.
Owning one is a bit strange at first. There is very little maintenance. Change the fluids, change the spark plugs once in a while, and look after your brakes.
Basically I still love it after over two years of ownership. These bikes are clocking up impressive miles as well with little maintenance (belts and steering head bearings being the main things). There are a number now that have gone round the clock and are keeping going.
Buy a late model ST or a GT.
Having said that I still love my RS and have just returned from a long from from Scotland to Normandy via London. But my relationship with the ST is different, not so emotional.
But if you can't - don't have space, don't want the expense, don't have the time, whatever - then you should look at the F series.
I own a late model F800ST. It has belt drive, which is actually less hassle than a shaft believe it or not, it rides and steers beautifully, is miserly when it comes to fuel, and is incredibly light and feels it on the road.
The brakes are excellent, and give really good feel. The ride is both taut and yet comfortable at the time, it's better than any airhead I've ever owned or ridden at soaking up road irregularities.
Owning one is a bit strange at first. There is very little maintenance. Change the fluids, change the spark plugs once in a while, and look after your brakes.
Basically I still love it after over two years of ownership. These bikes are clocking up impressive miles as well with little maintenance (belts and steering head bearings being the main things). There are a number now that have gone round the clock and are keeping going.
Buy a late model ST or a GT.
Having said that I still love my RS and have just returned from a long from from Scotland to Normandy via London. But my relationship with the ST is different, not so emotional.
1988 R100RS with Blue/Silver 1979 paint job
2018 F800GT in Black (these bikes are great you should give them a try)
2018 F800GT in Black (these bikes are great you should give them a try)
Re: I Need Advice on a Major Life Change
khittner,
You have a very common dilemma FWIW:
I was in a similar position.
I've owned my '74 R90s since 1980 and still have it (turned 136,000 miles just this Monday at the track in fact).
In the early 90's I wanted to get a new bike and settled on a '93 R100RT. Biggest mistake of my life.
I didn't realize the bike was 'detuned' and although it handled great (Monoloever) and had great braking (Brembo calipers), the anemic performance and ungodly heat had me constantly thinking of a different long distance mount.
In early 2002, I rode a R1150RT and was impressed. First thing, there was no heat issue whatsoever. That was the first test.
I loved the electric windshield, adjustable seat, impressive ergonomics and the power and torque.
What really impressed me was the Telelever suspension. Hit the brakes and there was almost no dive.
That year, I picked up the bike and sold the '93. In 2004, I hit a deer in Idaho but so loved the design, I picked up a 2004.
Today, that bike has 82,000 miles and is my daily commuter (120 miles back and forth to Lansing), Track bike and Rally bike.
It has all the modern technology I need right now.
Plenty of power
Incredible brakes and handling
Minimal maintenance
It still puts a smile on my face every day
Just my $.02.
jimmyg
You have a very common dilemma FWIW:
I was in a similar position.
I've owned my '74 R90s since 1980 and still have it (turned 136,000 miles just this Monday at the track in fact).
In the early 90's I wanted to get a new bike and settled on a '93 R100RT. Biggest mistake of my life.
I didn't realize the bike was 'detuned' and although it handled great (Monoloever) and had great braking (Brembo calipers), the anemic performance and ungodly heat had me constantly thinking of a different long distance mount.
In early 2002, I rode a R1150RT and was impressed. First thing, there was no heat issue whatsoever. That was the first test.
I loved the electric windshield, adjustable seat, impressive ergonomics and the power and torque.
What really impressed me was the Telelever suspension. Hit the brakes and there was almost no dive.
That year, I picked up the bike and sold the '93. In 2004, I hit a deer in Idaho but so loved the design, I picked up a 2004.
Today, that bike has 82,000 miles and is my daily commuter (120 miles back and forth to Lansing), Track bike and Rally bike.
It has all the modern technology I need right now.
Plenty of power
Incredible brakes and handling
Minimal maintenance
It still puts a smile on my face every day
Just my $.02.
jimmyg