Author Topic: Getting close(r) to ride time and asking 'what is the right number?' (Read 3311 times)

ohiorider · « **on:** March 21, 2018, 06:09:37 PM »

The 1200 Sport has been sitting on her center stand since late November. I have plugged in the battery charger at least once, but that was earlier in the down time season. I must be getting inspired by the longer daylight hours, and the fact that, even when it's cold, it just doesn't feel as cold. So, she went on the charger again today.

Once the charger goes into 'fully charged' mode, I'll move it over to the CB1100, and then to the R100GS.

As I get older, I'm thinking it might be time to, once again, get back to two bikes, not three. Or maybe even one really nice bike, and that doesn't necessarily mean 'expensive bike.' Just one that does it all for me.

However, the thought of having 'only' one bike means that, if that one bike has a problem, I'm not riding for a while.

So, maybe two is the right number for me.

Bob

lucian · « **Reply #1 on:** March 21, 2018, 06:28:58 PM »

Funny, because I was just thinking, Since I'm getting older I better get another bike sooner than later.

I prefer odd numbers so 1,3,5 or 7, never 2.

Chuck in Indiana · « **Reply #2 on:** March 21, 2018, 07:17:50 PM »

I "got by" for years with one, the Centauro. I could still get by with any one of the three that I have now.. but fortunately don't have to.

Seriously, maintenance is so easy on a Guzzi, only one is enough. Blasphemy, I know.. but true. <shrug>

fotoguzzi · « **Reply #3 on:** March 21, 2018, 07:31:34 PM »

I’ve been eyeing a DL650ABS but then I’d have 2 Suzuki’s 😐

Chuck in Indiana · « **Reply #4 on:** March 21, 2018, 07:33:48 PM »

Heathen..

Guzzistajohn · « **Reply #5 on:** March 21, 2018, 07:48:01 PM »

To me it's a matter of the right tool for the job at hand, I need a hot rod, tourer and something for the woods.

pyoungbl · « **Reply #6 on:** March 21, 2018, 07:57:23 PM »

I'm down to two bikes now, a V7 and a 250 from China. I love each of them for different reasons. Last week I demoed a Ninja 400. That's a brand new twin from Kawasaki with 50 hp. Man, what a temptress. Devil, get thee behind me!! At 71 you would think I'm beyond the siren call of more power, quickness, nimble steering, great brakes, and good suspension.....you would be wrong. I did not buy one but the temptation is still lingering. Now, as for what is the perfect number of bikes, it seems to be just one more than you currently have.

Peter Y.

lucian · « **Reply #7 on:** March 21, 2018, 08:04:16 PM »

I kick myself every time I have to push three bikes out of my little garage to utilize the space for my work. Once done I push them all back in and shake my head in disgust. I then retire to the house , crack a beer and flick on craigs list to see if any mc deals showed up today. How messed up is that?

Carlo DeSantis · « **Reply #8 on:** March 21, 2018, 08:21:18 PM »

I started with one bike -- my first -- in 1986. Over the next 20 years the headcount had grown to 7. A couple of touring mounts, some standards, a sport bike, an adventure bike.

And then over the next 10 years I shed both numbers and weights of bikes. I'm down to two and they cover all my needs and most of my desires -- moto-speaking, of course.

The Guzzi T3 is my breakfast and lunch ride, along with morning or afternoon runs into the Wisconsin countryside. No bags or luggage of any kind. I keep a small GPS on it to compensate for the inaccurate speedo and lack of trip odo.

The R12R is the mule, carrying me and stuff for longer rides, rallies, night rides and get-togethers. And 110hp in a 500 pound bike works wonders when the right hand gets itchy :)

I still do the Guzzi maintenance, but stick to basic stuff on the Beemer. The dealer can handle the more complex stuff.

Good luck with your decision.

Best,

Carlo

Whatever works, I guess -- and this combo works for me at 71.

Rich A · « **Reply #9 on:** March 21, 2018, 08:50:10 PM »

I'll soon be 66. Three Guzzis now and am thinking hard about a V7 III.

What else am I going to with the fun funds?

Rich A

JohninVT · « **Reply #10 on:** March 22, 2018, 03:15:43 AM »

My ideal number is three.
-A larger bike for riding two up and trips. In the summer I will often get on my bike at 6am and not come home until 10 or 11pm after a 500 mile ride.
-A small runabout for in town. I like Honda Passports and CT90's. I also like that I can pick one up and put it in the back of my truck when I go camping.
-A small dualsport. 47% of the roads in the US aren't paved. Spending all day on logging roads, powerlines and getting lost in the middle of nowhere is one of my favorite things.

I've tried to find one bike that will do it all for decades but never found one that performs well enough in each category. A TW200 comes closest to covering the last two and I've had 4 or 5 of them. However, bringing a folding ramp to get one on and off a truck is kind of a pain. A CT90 weighs about 160lbs and I can lift one in and out of the truck. When I turn the wheel it will fit across the bed. Not having to tie it down lengthwise makes packing and hauling gear a lot easier. The downside is that being 6' tall makes more than an hour on a CT90 or Passport intolerable. I can't ride one 200 miles on an all day gravel road excursion which keeps making that third bike a better option.

Whenever I get down to one or two of the three it makes me miss the second or third kind of riding I enjoy even more.

v7john · « **Reply #11 on:** March 22, 2018, 05:20:01 AM »

Three seems right for me;

Sedate tourer-

Hooligan days-

and nipping to the shops-

chuck peterson · « **Reply #12 on:** March 22, 2018, 05:52:46 AM »

I'm gathering projects for when I forget what I'm doing...

What were we talking about?

blackbuell · « **Reply #13 on:** March 22, 2018, 06:25:08 AM »

Bob,

I was having the same thoughts a few days ago as I was shuffling the three bikes around in the garage in order to give the Scout its turn on the road. It's been a long time since I only had one bike; always like to have a spare to cover maintenance and repair issues; also like variety of purpose. However, I am now thinking that two, rather than three, is a better number: cheaper, garage less cramped, less work cleaning and maintaining. Will likely end up with just two soon: a sport-tourer (Norge) and a cruiser (Scout).

Jon

Sheepdog · « **Reply #14 on:** March 22, 2018, 08:20:03 AM »

I try to keep at least two “ready to ride.” The Guzzi and the BMW are the runners today. The two Triumphs are in “restoration mode” and the Piaggio is getting prepped for sale. I promised myself: no more dirt bikes, but the ‘71 TR6R will be great for dirt roads when complete.

ChuckH · « **Reply #15 on:** March 22, 2018, 08:45:14 AM »

I've been up to three at one time but that was too many -- too much maintenance/repair to do. Now I'm back to just one -- the R1200R. It fits my needs very well. Without the rear cases it's a very nice day tripper, with the cases it's a great distance tourer. Maintenance is easy, about the same as a Guzzi.

Lannis · « **Reply #16 on:** March 22, 2018, 08:59:51 AM »

I've got eight, which is probably 3 more than I need but I haven't yet seen anyone (among all the other good reasons for owning different kinds of bikes, all of which I share) add the couple of additional reasons for owning an extra bike or two, which has helped populate my shop:

1) Bikes for riding to Club rallies. You sort of like to ride a Guzzi to a Guzzi rally, although it's not required. You want to show the flag, though, if you can. Since Guzzi makes nice tourers as well as runabouts, two Guzzis can fill those bills.

The BSAs are also in that class. For having a Vintage bimbler, as well as going to BSA rallies, that means a couple or three BSAs. At BSA International rallies, they're serious - you can't even bring a non-BSA onto the rally site, and if you can ride there and comply with that, it means YOU'RE serious!

2) Bikes for overseas or visiting friends to ride. Three of my bikes (one Guzzi and two BSAs) are for when friends come over from the UK or Europe and want to ride to a rally without paying $2500 to ship their bike over and back. They do the same for me when I'm over there, so it works out.

Absent those two requirements, I could do with four.

Lannis

Johncolleary · « **Reply #17 on:** March 22, 2018, 10:37:22 AM »

I just sold my second bike Aprilia Falco, was thinking the garage looks empty when my friend called, he just bought a Kawasaki Z900 and wants to store it in my garage for when he's in town. Funny that I happen to have a spot for it, should be fun when I don't want to take the Stelvio out.

normzone · « **Reply #18 on:** March 22, 2018, 01:45:35 PM »

What is the right number? More on this topic here

http://wildguzzi.com/forum/index.php?topic=75723.0;nowap

Guzzi Gal · « **Reply #19 on:** March 22, 2018, 02:08:11 PM »

Right now it's six, but that's because we have two of everything.

adventurelounger · « **Reply #20 on:** March 22, 2018, 04:52:29 PM »

I’m at four, as in The Four Horsemen.

Guzzi Stornello for green-laning. Yamaha Super Ténéré for comfort and distance. Vespa GT200 for around town and train parking. And a ‘74 BMW R75/6, because Airheads. And still...STILL...I have the itch. CBR1100 or Bonnie T120. Someone’s gonna have to go...

leroysch · « **Reply #21 on:** March 22, 2018, 09:01:47 PM »

The right number?
I haven't found it yet.....

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Author Topic: Getting close(r) to ride time and asking 'what is the right number?' (Read 3311 times)