Perfect bike:-Next best thing???

[mimico_polak]

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It should. Your situation was on my mind when I started this thread.

You don't limit this to bikes. You do this with cars & utility trailers.

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I like change, and you are correct it's one of those things I've always done. Thankfully not with my wife / house.

There's always something out there that's different / better / worse.

Same for the Maverick. Will I really need a truck? No. Do I want that Mav? Yes. Can I justify it to myself? Very easily. Did it on the way to work this morning.

Trailer...that's more of a 'is there a stupid deal to be had'.

Motorcycle...I think it's part of 'no time to ride' but 'love to ride' with a dash of guilt from being away from the kids when riding (or what happens IF...).

But you are correct...

Let's just say this...if I found an older (S10 / DAKOTA / RANGER) right now that I could trade for the motorcycle ... bike is gone, GTI stays, pickup needs are met all in a single swoop. Even the wife can drive the truck in a pinch. She won't with the GTI simply due to the manual (and I've tried since I bought it to teach her).

But yes. Some would call me a fool (my mother for instance) for doing such...but it bring me pleasure.

Hell I rarely keep a job for 5 years as I always like something new and fresh.

Reality is a Honda Civic would meet my needs...but I don't want a Honda Civic.

 

[matt365]

I like change, and you are correct it's one of those things I've always done. Thankfully not with my wife / house.

There's always something out there that's different / better / worse.

Same for the Maverick. Will I really need a truck? No. Do I want that Mav? Yes. Can I justify it to myself? Very easily. Did it on the way to work this morning.

Trailer...that's more of a 'is there a stupid deal to be had'.

Motorcycle...I think it's part of 'no time to ride' but 'love to ride' with a dash of guilt from being away from the kids when riding (or what happens IF...).

But you are correct...

Let's just say this...if I found an older (S10 / DAKOTA / RANGER) right now that I could trade for the motorcycle ... bike is gone, GTI stays, pickup needs are met all in a single swoop. Even the wife can drive the truck in a pinch. She won't with the GTI simply due to the manual (and I've tried since I bought it to teach her).

But yes. Some would call me a fool (my mother for instance) for doing such...but it bring me pleasure.

Hell I rarely keep a job for 5 years as I always like something new and fresh.

Reality is a Honda Civic would meet my needs...but I don't want a Honda Civic.

I get it.

I felt the same in my 20s.

Now? If what I have is 80% of what I want, I'll mod it to make it suit me better, and keep it long term.

Perhaps I should be more like Macdoc. List it and forget about the listing. If it sells for what I want, its gone. If not, I'm still enjoying it.


My truck is a fuel pig. Its three years old. It was a necessity for work, so im happy with it. Don't even think about something else.

Trailer is a few years old. Basically a rolling shed at this point. It owes me nothing.

Bikes are more capable than I am, and still look good.

I sometimes feel guilty with the kids, but I can spare a few hours here and there to go riding. Thursday nights in the summer. The occasional weekend ride. A trip to the Dragon, or the Corduroy Enduro every year.

My wife is understanding. I had bikes before I had her. She still worries every time I go out, but we make it work.

A friend is having a dirtbike Christmas party. He's been talking about having a beater car for us to try and ride over. Wife isn't happy about that... lol. "What if you fall and get hurt, you won't be able to work"... ladies and their "what-ifs".

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[mimico_polak]

I get it.

I felt the same in my 20s.

Now? If what I have is 80% of what I want, I'll mod it to make it suit me better, and keep it long term.

Perhaps I should be more like Macdoc. List it and forget about the listing. If it sells for what I want, its gone. If not, I'm still enjoying it.


My truck is a fuel pig. Its three years old. It was a necessity for work, so im happy with it. Don't even think about something else.

Trailer is a few years old. Basically a rolling shed at this point. It owes me nothing.

Bikes are more capable than I am, and still look good.

I sometimes feel guilty with the kids, but I can spare a few hours here and there to go riding. Thursday nights in the summer. The occasional weekend ride. A trip to the Dragon, or the Corduroy Enduro every year.

My wife is understanding. I had bikes before I had her. She still worries every time I go out, but we make it work.

A friend is having a dirtbike Christmas party. He's been talking about having a beater car for us to try and ride over. Wife isn't happy about that... lol. "What if you fall and get hurt, you won't be able to work"... ladies and their "what-ifs".

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Variety is the spice of life. In my 40s now (wtf) and while I've calmed down with change...it still drives me. I enjoy it.

The GTI is fantastic, and if it was auto then it would meet 80% of my needs. Since wife won't / can't drive it...we're very limited in when we both need the larger vehicle she's stuck. So next car must be auto.

Mav - I basically consider it a family car + a truck bed. Only downside to me is lack of secure 'trunk' storage...but I rarely keep anything in the trunk anyway. However, with the way the contracting has gone this year...I'm quite surprised how well it's gone with 4 clients to date (2 from GTAM + 2 through word of mouth), and I can't do much without my dad's van, and lack of space in the GTI for tools...so once again...there's the 20% made up.

Another minivan would meet 100% of my needs.

Trailer...if a stupid deal comes along...done deal. But I don't care either way.

Motorcycle... @MacDoc style...listed for sale. If it sells...it sells. If it doesn't sell...I'm looping Lake Ontario next season.

Add a trailer hitch to the GTI ($600) and all of a sudden the majority of my needs are met. Except the wife driving it.

 

[xrljoel]

I check Kijiji (all of Canada sometimes), CVMG classifieds, and now facebook marketplace daily. You never know.

I'm looking for the bike that makes THAT part of my brain go - THERE IT IS! I NEED IT!

I mull lots of things and usually talk myself out of it.

Upgrade the dirt bike from a 250 to 500? Yeah, but the 500 won't be that much fun in the single track.
Get a 300 two stroke again? Yeah, but the 250 is legit road legal.

Sell the KTM 1090 first then get something? Nah, they don't seem to be selling and it's comfy and suits my riding.

Get a vintage or near vintage bike that needs some work? NOT UNTIL THE NORTON IS DONE and ridden regularly. Then I might not sell it.

Now, I'm looking around at 20 year old or so BMW's, Moto Guzzi's etc. I'm pretty much certain that the next bike will not have ABS (apparently those older BMW systems were a weak point), and may or may not have fuel injection. It seems this age group can be had in good condition for surprisingly low prices making them a good 4th bike.

Or maybe a more recent FJR, though they're a bit heavy for my liking.

Maybe a trials bike.

Of course if Honda brings the NT1100 to NA then.........

It does get a bit exhausting, but it's a good exhausting I suppose.

 

[Wingboy]

There is no "perfect" bike imho. Because we change as we age. There are just bikes that fit into your life as you age. The Ural wasn't my idea. B had no intention of being a passenger, but the hack is good.
My 2022 Beta trialer is very close to perfect, but arthritis made it a pain. So it sits pristine with 10 hours on it. The Dragonfly is very close to perfect, if only the pilot would be able to tame it.
No idea how you break even buying toys. Closest I've come is the CRF250 Rally pos that i had.

 

[matt365]

No idea how you break even buying toys. Closest I've come is the CRF250 Rally pos that i had.

I don't often buy new. (Only had one brand new bike).

I search for neglected or forgotten bikes, fix, ride, sell, repeat.

Lost money on the brand new one. Sold it to GP Bikes during Covid. Did better than I expected.



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[matt365]

I mull lots of things and usually talk myself out of it.

Upgrade the dirt bike from a 250 to 500? Yeah, but the 500 won't be that much fun in the single track.
Get a 300 two stroke again? Yeah, but the 250 is legit road legal .

You and me both...

500 is a handful in single track, and a buzzy animal on the road.

350 exc-f is better.

N+1

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[timtune]

I have 6 runners (3 plated) in the garage and two ongoing projects.

I'm still looking for:
Another 2 up ride that will work with my wonked up hip knee action. Both the Squeeze and I still miss week+ long trips on the Wing.
A small old guy beginner track bike.
Something cool I don't even know about yet.....

 

[matt365]

I have 6 runners (3 plated) in the garage and two ongoing projects.

I'm still looking for:
Another 2 up ride that will work with my wonked up hip knee action. Both the Squeeze and I still miss week+ long trips on the Wing.
A small old guy beginner track bike.
Something cool I don't even know about yet.....

Klr650
Klx250
Cb750f


And? What else?


For me, trackbike would be a nice addition, but would mostly sit unused.

I might just track the street triple, and maybe my wr250x on a short track/go-kart track.



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[timtune]

Klr650
Klx250
Cb750f


And? What else?


For me, trackbike would be a nice addition, but would mostly sit unused.

I might just track the street triple, and maybe my wr250x on a short track/go-kart track.



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Since you asked,

A 71-2 CB350 stripped and studded for ice
A 68 Honda CD125. Makes a cool pit bike and display companion for the SuperSport
A 81 Suzuki TS125. $200. Motor was stuck - turned out it was just a loose nut jamming things up. Almost never gets run but it's soooo cute.....
Does a moped count?

 

[matt365]

Since you asked,

A 71-2 CB350 stripped and studded for ice
A 68 Honda CD125. Makes a cool pit bike and display companion for the SuperSport
A 81 Suzuki TS125. $200. Motor was stuck - turned out it was just a loose nut jamming things up. Almost never gets run but it's soooo cute.....
Does a moped count?

It all counts, If its got an engine.


Surprised you'd stud up a cb350. A set of studded tires on the klx would be fun.

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[Priller]

There is no "perfect" bike imho. Because we change as we age. There are just bikes that fit into your life as you age.

This describes me, for the most part. For my street bikes, I've largely been happy with my choices for a few years, then either I or my circumstances change, and I change bike accordingly.

Hawk GT was perfect as a new rider, and I also learned alot about both the perks and pitfalls of modifying bikes. ZX-14 was what I thought I wanted until I got it, then promptly sold when it turned out to be a bad fit. No regrets, though, it showed me unlimited power doesn't equal unlimited fun, an important lesson. ZX-10R was a perfect fit for me for years, and I rode it happily for a decade. Sold because I was aging out of a full-on sport bike. Tuono was even better, a sport bike for the real world, as long as that real world was BC. When the real world became southern Ontario, it didn't fit anymore. So far, the Griso has been a much better fit for both my age and riding environs, time will tell whether I hang onto it for a decade plus like the Kawi 10 or move on faster.

In the meantime, while I admire other bikes, unless what I have is actively not a fit, I rarely covet other rides. Even having had two dedicated tracks bikes in that time, I've largely been quite happy with each and don't wonder 'what if' at all...

 

[timtune]

Surprised you'd stud up a cb350. A set of studded tires on the klx would be fun.

A few of us set up the challenge to build an ice bike for under $100. I was recycling old studded tires until I said eff that and blew the budget on new studs.

 

[KLR Junkie]

No manufacturer is making the bike that you want. You have to make your own. Just get a KLR (or similar) and mod the heck out of it to make it what you want. Touring: hard luggage + windscreen + seat cushion = all day comfort. ADV and mild off road: soft bags + smaller windscreen + knobbies = go anywhere. Takes like 45 minutes to completely change the character of the bike (OK, longer if I'm also changing tires). Also, shopping for farkles is a lot easier on the bank account than shopping for bikes.

 

[timtune]

No manufacturer is making the bike that you want. You have to make your own. Just get a KLR (or similar) and mod the heck out of it to make it what you want. Touring: hard luggage + windscreen + seat cushion = all day comfort. ADV and mild off road: soft bags + smaller windscreen + knobbies = go anywhere. Takes like 45 minutes to completely change the character of the bike (OK, longer if I'm also changing tires). Also, shopping for farkles is a lot easier on the bank account than shopping for bikes.

Would love a second set of tires for the KLR. I've run nothing but Kenda 270s on it because gravel. On a long road trip real road tires would be cool.

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