So you think you want a new bike!

[nick949]

8 minutes of scattered video rambling on why you should save your money and forget that new bike (that bit's GC).

Nick

https://youtu.be/2fATlzA0heg

[arveno]

 

You Nailed.

[Lannis]

Great video and commentary!

When you first mentioned "deer" and then 10 seconds later there they were on the side of the road, I was mentally accusing you of having a buddy with deer in a cage who was to drop the cage door as you approached .... then I realized that they're EVERYwhere along there.   I'd be nervous!

In Virginia, there'd never be a 60 MPH speed limit on that road.   55 at the most, and probably posted for 50.

I like your big Suzuki.   The only thing about it where I think my equivalent (at least in weight, capability, and power) Triumph would have it beat is in rear wheel changes.   I can have the rear wheel off the Triumph in 4 minutes from the time it goes up on the centerstand, luggage and all.   I'll bet that one's a bugger to change!

NONE of the bikes I dream about having are new ones.   My 2009 Stelvio and 2014 Triumph are the newest ones I'll ever have again.   There are SO many mint-condition, low-mileage bikes out there back to 40 years ago, that people have just never ridden seriously, that I don't need any more newness, complexity, and non-serviceability (if there is such a word).

Lannis

[nick949]

Great video and commentary!

When you first mentioned "deer" and then 10 seconds later there they were on the side of the road, I was mentally accusing you of having a buddy with deer in a cage who was to drop the cage door as you approached .... then I realized that they're EVERYwhere along there.   I'd be nervous!

In Virginia, there'd never be a 60 MPH speed limit on that road.   55 at the most, and probably posted for 50.

I like your big Suzuki.   The only thing about it where I think my equivalent (at least in weight, capability, and power) Triumph would have it beat is in rear wheel changes.   I can have the rear wheel off the Triumph in 4 minutes from the time it goes up on the centerstand, luggage and all.   I'll bet that one's a bugger to change!

NONE of the bikes I dream about having are new ones.   My 2009 Stelvio and 2014 Triumph are the newest ones I'll ever have again.   There are SO many mint-condition, low-mileage bikes out there back to 40 years ago, that people have just never ridden seriously, that I don't need any more newness, complexity, and non-serviceability (if there is such a word).

Lannis

In truth Lannis, I did condense the video with a bit of editing and the second trio of deer were the same ones I'd seen while riding in the other direction half an hour earlier. But....I often see up to ten in the 20kms between the start of the road and Chaffey's Locks, so there's not too much deception. BTW, the speed limit is 60kph. It can (and has) been ridden much faster - even by slow, old me - but the risks increase exponentially with speed.

Nick

[Lannis]

In truth Lannis, I did condense the video with a bit of editing and the second trio of deer were the same ones I'd seen while riding in the other direction half an hour earlier. But....I often see up to ten in the 20kms between the start of the road and Chaffey's Locks, so there's not too much deception. BTW, the speed limit is 60kph. It can (and has) been ridden much faster - even by slow, old me - but the risks increase exponentially with speed.

Nick

60 KPH ... sounds more like it!   I was riding right behind a guy who hit a deer this spring, it happens in less than the blink of an eye sometimes.

Be careful!   Even that monstrous Suzook won't stay up with a 100-pound doe cannoning into it ....

Lannis

[nick949]

60 KPH ... sounds more like it!   I was riding right behind a guy who hit a deer this spring, it happens in less than the blink of an eye sometimes.

Be careful!   Even that monstrous Suzook won't stay up with a 100-pound doe cannoning into it ....

Lannis

I will, thanks - you too.  Since 2017 I've been conscious that life is short and death is waiting for us whether we spend life on the couch with twinkies or playing dodgems with deer. We make our choices.
Stay well,

Nick

[TN Mark]

Another beautiful video with excellent narration and insight. You have the perfect communication skills for world class documentaries.

I feel much the same about my bike. If it were to be my last, I’d be perfectly content with that. To replace my 8 year bike that’s now worth south of $10K (on it’s best day) with something new and comparable would take well over $30K. Not only am I not interested in that, it would be financially stupid.

Being content with what I already have is one of the worst possible scenarios for companies wanting to sell me something.

[Chuck in Indiana]

I will, thanks - you too.  Since 2017 I've been conscious that life is short and death is waiting for us whether we spend life on the couch with twinkies or playing dodgems with deer. We make our choices.
Stay well,

Nick

That's a fact, Nick..

[Lannis]

That's a fact, Nick..

It's true, but a lot of folks sure have been spending a lot of time cooped up lately rather than living life, from what I can tell ...     Like everything else in life, it's the "perception" of risk, not the actual risk, that controls what it is that we choose to do, or not do.   

Lannis

[GeorgiaGuzzi]

Great video. Makes me miss my V4 Yamaha Venture Royale.

 

[JJ]

I don't want a new bike...I don't want a Suzuki Cavalcade...I don't want a jar of used pickles... ..I just want to ride my own whale...aka "Moby Dick - The Great White Whale!!!"

[LongRanger]

Great video and excellent perspective. There are so many good, low mileage bikes on the market that are completely serviceable and dirt cheap — GL1100’s and 1200’s, ZG1000 Concours, even nicely sorted R1100RT’s.

[Jim Rich]

JJ, may have to start calling you Captain Ahab.    Nice whale by way.

[JJ]

JJ, may have to start calling you Captain Ahab.    Nice whale by way.

I have certainly been called much worse...   Maybe I need to grow my beard out again!

[twowheeladdict]

Reminds me of the 2001 Kawasaki Voyager I owned.  Great bike once I redid the suspension.

[SIR REAL ED]

It's true, but a lot of folks sure have been spending a lot of time cooped up lately rather than living life, from what I can tell ...     Like everything else in life, it's the "perception" of risk, not the actual risk, that controls what it is that we choose to do, or not do.   

Lannis

Well said.  As someone once noted "People do not respond to reality, they respond to their perceptions of reality."

or as Viktor Frankyl noted "Between stimulus and response, man has the ability to choose!"

Also:  "I am the center of the universe."  and "Wherever I go, there I am."

Very Buddhist!

[twowheeladdict]

Great video and excellent perspective. There are so many good, low mileage bikes on the market that are completely serviceable and dirt cheap — GL1100’s and 1200’s, ZG1000 Concours, even nicely sorted R1100RT’s.

But when you ride them compared to what is out now, you will notice a difference in handling unless you are just a poke along casual rider.  There have been many bikes over the years that I thought I would enjoy until I actually rode them for more than 10 miles.  I loved the look of them which drew me in.  Fortunately, many I didn't buy after the test ride.

The 2010 V7 Cafe was one of those bikes.  Did not enjoy riding it at all, and didn't want to put the money into it to try and make it rideable after the rims got rusty within a year of ownership.  Kept it way too long, but really enjoyed looking at it up on the shop table.

[Perazzimx14]

If nobody bought new bikes there would not be any used bikes.

I'm not oposed to buying new its just there is no new bike from any manufacturere that even sparks remote interest. Nor has then been fo years.