Miscellaneous Ramblings

[Gary in NJ]

I sold my red 2006 FZ6N that I bought from member Marc a few years back. I just couldn't justify keeping it. Since it was completed last summer I put 6 miles on it. It was just taking up space in my garage. I listed it at 9am, and it was in the back of someones truck at 1pm. I've never seen a bike sell so fast in my life. I had several dozen inquires within an hour and the guy that bought it committed to buying it at 10am. I told him about the forum so hopefully he joins (Cody). I'd like to see the bike stay in the family.

It's nice to have the extra space in the garage, and I'm making more. I listed my DRZ Street Tracker at the same time. Being a unique machine I'm asking top dollar for it...so it's gonna take the right buyer...but it too is getting decent traffic on Marketplace. In the coming weeks I'll also list my Ducati ST2 and maybe my 650 Cafe. That would leave the FZ6 and CB550F which is currently undergoing a restoration. I really love riding the ST2...but I hate owning it. It makes every right sound, rides and handles perfectly, is comfortable, it even smells good...but it's Italian...so it is always being fixed or repaired. I don't trust it beyond 20 miles from home.

I've been thinking for years that I want a new (as in zero miles new) motorcycle. Selling the above bikes allows me to buy almost any motorcycle I want. Problem is, I always have the same circular conversation with myself. It goes like this:

I'd like a new Triumph Tiger Sport 800 (using that as an example...there are others on the list...mostly sport/touring bikes to replace the ST2). It makes the right horsepower, is available with factory bags, has all the modern electronics and safety gear. But will I every really use a quick shifter? Do I really want a bike with an IMU and throttle-by-wire that will make decisions that I may not agree with. Ride modes are stupid...my throttle hand IS my ride mode. And a lot of people complain about the buffeting from the windscreen. Oh, and will I be able to service a modern bike beyond oil changes...probably not. I'll just keep my FZ6 and buy some bags (Amazon Spartan.ist Saddlebags) for the few times a year I may need them.

So I want a new bike...and I don't want a new bike. I want an IMU that can save my ass...but I dont want to be annoyed by a throttle that doesn't do what I ask.

Maybe the new bike I want is actually 10-15 years old. VFR800 Deluxe has factory bags, ABS, cruise, heated grips. FJ....so heavy. BMW RS...maybe.

Keeping my FZ6 is such the easy answer. And even if I were to buy a new/different bike...keeping my FZ6 is what I'm doing.

 

[Ben sIII]

I have a similar issue with the fz6 just being easy and competent. i have had it for 13 odd years now, put over 100,000kms on it and it has never skipped a beat. I have owned other bikes alongside it and last time i almost traded it, but the value of it is so low it wasn't worth, and the other bike was a 990SMT which i actually got rid of a few months later.

The triumph trident 800 looks pretty nice for me, but it to close the the fz6, so unless it dies somehow I just don't see me replacing it

 

[Gary in NJ]

Funny, the 990 SMT was also on my short list. KTM’s financial difficulties, and the stories of horrible warranty support, removed it from my list.

I think it may be possible that motorcycles peeked in the 2000-2015 period, and that manufacturers are just adding mostly useless electronics to new bikes to try to move hardware.

I need to go ride some new bikes to see what I think.

 

[Ben sIII]

On paper it is a great bike, and it isn't bad, but most of my riding is commuting, it is very top heavy and had a lot of heat coming off the engine. In the end it just didn't fit the bill. Also, i generally don't like twins, even though they make a lot of sense. Luckily in Australia they are in demand so it was easy to move on.

I have mixed feelings about the electronic add ons. I think the standard of ABS on bikes is great now, even though i dont have it on my S1, quick shifters and stuff i just dont get the need for, though i guess making riding more accessible for the general population is a good thing?