Horsehead
Slow Pokin' the Southeast
Hi all, looking for some input from those with experience adding a second (or third, fourth, fifteenth) bike to the stable...
If you followed along my Maine trip report from a month ago (how has it already been that long?!), you may remember upon arriving home I thought that maybe the ST11 wouldn't be the bike for me after all, and that I might invest in something a bit different to get me more off the beaten path.
Well, long story short, I've looked at several GSs, and the ones in my price range either have really high miles, or they are screaming deals that get snatched up before I can even get home from work to take a look at them. I'm not totally closed off to the idea of getting a GS, but the process has got me thinking a bit about my options.
So, here's where I need some input from you all... Instead of getting a different bike and saying adios to the ST11, I'm seriously considering getting a second bike that is totally different than the ST11 so that I can do different riding when the mood / opportunity arises and keeping the ST11 as my long distance mile muncher. The reliability, smoothness, no-fuss performance of the ST11 has me seriously questioning the logic of getting a different bike of any make or model that may present unwanted difficulties down the road. When I think back to why I was originally drawn to the ST11 over other bikes, all those decision making considerations are valid reasons for keeping the ST11 instead of trying something different!
Anyways, enough rambling...
I am currently torn between 3 very different styles of motorcycle. If I had infinite funds, garage space, and grace from the Mrs., I'd just get 3 different bikes and call it a day. Alas, that is not an option.
Part of me really sees the appeal of a naked sport bike, like a Yamaha FZ09 or one of its iterations / competitors (Suzuki SV, Ducati Monster, etc.). Such a bike would be a blast during the hotter months when the ST's wind protection and engine heat are big draw backs. It would also be a ton of fun on shorter rides, and likely would make me appreciate the relative comfort of the ST when those longer trips present themselves.
Another part of me really loves the idea of something like a dual sport thumper (DR650, KLR, etc.). I love the outdoors. I love camping, fishing, hunting, etc. So the thought of a machine that could REALLY get me off the beaten path is very appealing. Perhaps my one looming concern with something like a dual sport is the idea of risk of injury. It seems inevitable that if you ride off road, sooner or later you will go down. It's not a matter of if but when and how often. That would seem to dramatically increase the risk of bodily harm. I know we are all exposing ourselves to injury every time we swing a leg over a motorcycle, but something about off road riding seems to just open that lid to pandora's box that much wider. There is also the fact that I have no idea of where I would ride or who I would ride with. Finding people interested in riding together isn't exactly my forte. I don't know that I would enjoy just plugging along dirt roads by myself all the time. But who knows.
Then a third option is something like an older Wee Strom. A bit of both worlds. Lighter and perhaps a bit peppier than the ST, but still with some off road / less than ideal black top road abilities. The DL650's reputation for reliability / endless possibilities for modification makes it an appealing contender as well. Perhaps my hesitation here is two-fold. First, I hate the way the old ones look. I mean really. They could not have designed an uglier front end if they had tried. Second, I worry it would be too much of a compromise from options 1 and 2 that I would end up regretting not getting something more purpose specific.
If you made it this far, thanks for putting up with this stream of consciousness dumpster fire!
In the end, I know there have probably been a lot of others in this position and would just enjoy hearing which direction you went / how you came to your decision.
Thanks!
If you followed along my Maine trip report from a month ago (how has it already been that long?!), you may remember upon arriving home I thought that maybe the ST11 wouldn't be the bike for me after all, and that I might invest in something a bit different to get me more off the beaten path.
Well, long story short, I've looked at several GSs, and the ones in my price range either have really high miles, or they are screaming deals that get snatched up before I can even get home from work to take a look at them. I'm not totally closed off to the idea of getting a GS, but the process has got me thinking a bit about my options.
So, here's where I need some input from you all... Instead of getting a different bike and saying adios to the ST11, I'm seriously considering getting a second bike that is totally different than the ST11 so that I can do different riding when the mood / opportunity arises and keeping the ST11 as my long distance mile muncher. The reliability, smoothness, no-fuss performance of the ST11 has me seriously questioning the logic of getting a different bike of any make or model that may present unwanted difficulties down the road. When I think back to why I was originally drawn to the ST11 over other bikes, all those decision making considerations are valid reasons for keeping the ST11 instead of trying something different!
Anyways, enough rambling...
I am currently torn between 3 very different styles of motorcycle. If I had infinite funds, garage space, and grace from the Mrs., I'd just get 3 different bikes and call it a day. Alas, that is not an option.
Part of me really sees the appeal of a naked sport bike, like a Yamaha FZ09 or one of its iterations / competitors (Suzuki SV, Ducati Monster, etc.). Such a bike would be a blast during the hotter months when the ST's wind protection and engine heat are big draw backs. It would also be a ton of fun on shorter rides, and likely would make me appreciate the relative comfort of the ST when those longer trips present themselves.
Another part of me really loves the idea of something like a dual sport thumper (DR650, KLR, etc.). I love the outdoors. I love camping, fishing, hunting, etc. So the thought of a machine that could REALLY get me off the beaten path is very appealing. Perhaps my one looming concern with something like a dual sport is the idea of risk of injury. It seems inevitable that if you ride off road, sooner or later you will go down. It's not a matter of if but when and how often. That would seem to dramatically increase the risk of bodily harm. I know we are all exposing ourselves to injury every time we swing a leg over a motorcycle, but something about off road riding seems to just open that lid to pandora's box that much wider. There is also the fact that I have no idea of where I would ride or who I would ride with. Finding people interested in riding together isn't exactly my forte. I don't know that I would enjoy just plugging along dirt roads by myself all the time. But who knows.
Then a third option is something like an older Wee Strom. A bit of both worlds. Lighter and perhaps a bit peppier than the ST, but still with some off road / less than ideal black top road abilities. The DL650's reputation for reliability / endless possibilities for modification makes it an appealing contender as well. Perhaps my hesitation here is two-fold. First, I hate the way the old ones look. I mean really. They could not have designed an uglier front end if they had tried. Second, I worry it would be too much of a compromise from options 1 and 2 that I would end up regretting not getting something more purpose specific.
If you made it this far, thanks for putting up with this stream of consciousness dumpster fire!
In the end, I know there have probably been a lot of others in this position and would just enjoy hearing which direction you went / how you came to your decision.
Thanks!