I gotta new (to me) bike -will the Hippo be jealous?

[bazza950]

I have thought long and hard about the VFR1200X and decided to get a second bike for UK trips.Call it a winter hack, a short trip bike or a bit of fun but my reason boils down to hesitation with its weight and my 70 year old body not getting any stronger!
My recent tour around the Highlands was fine ,without incident and by travelling the wiggliest,single track roads I proved to myself that both the bike -and I- could still "cut it"  but the mental issue remained " Is this FUN?"

When I get on my bike I ride it for FUN -or I can use my van for taking cargo,or my Merc for comfort with normal clothing. I can't just get on the bike to pop to the shops ( 4 miles to the nearest one from the wilds of Shropshire) without it being an expedition-my brain says by the time it's out of the garage and I have all the gear on I could be back if I used the car!

So I thought i would get a smaller,lighter 2nd bike without spending a lot- I set a £3k limit.
The spec would have to meet these criteria

easy to move about without getting a hernia
a reliable model with good reputation
comfortable
enough power - at least 70hp
reasonable fit for my 6ft, 18stone or say a 200 mile ride in a day

I was going for a Fireblade that would be "fightered" ie flat bars and remove fairing.Then I considered the 900 /600  Hornet but mushy forks (and Maxton have already done 2 bikes for me,both Hondas)
The NC -too slow,been there -the Af twin too tall -and too expensive
Then I remembered the early Fazer. Its got a 600 4 cyl motor giving 90+ hp,a comfy seat,190 kilos (not 290!)
a good reputation for reliability and cheap spares
so I bought one for less than £1500 - 37K and completely original ,black (can't have everything) .
I will ride it and see if I want to "love it or list it"
what's next?
If I love it I may sell the Hippo - with all the Highland goodies and miss the features we all love!
i may get a new NT 1100 instead of both-still love the DCT
Or I might have a newer yam -
we shall see!
baz

[andyrob]

Nice one, that looks mint. God bless OCD owners.

[DE65Y]

Since I lowered mine, the weight issue isn't a problem, unless I'm not sat on the bike!
Moving it around, with a very awkward put away and park it up, is a completely different issue.

A few weeks ago I convinced myself that it was too much of a problem and arranged a test ride on an almost new Crossrunner.
It was 120 miles away, mainly motorway. As it would be a part exchange the Tourer was fully dressed for the trip.
All the way there the bike performed absolutely perfectly and I found myself thinking "Why am I doing this?"
The Crossrunner was a very nice bike and rode lovely, although as it was a compromise in order to lose some weight, there was deffinately
something missing!
We talked figures but I wasn't happy, so I walked away.
I found myself riding home and loving the bike even more!

Needless to say, it's still sits in the garage alongside the Blackbird and the plans to get rid have been screwed up and binned.

[bazza950]

yes I completely understand.THe CT is an amazing bike and perfect ONCE its moving under its own power.Its only manhandling /and stopping ,foot down when worrying.Plus the ego says "if I get rid of this" I am admitting its too much.
Fortunately,like you DE65Y , space and money isnt restricting my bikes.I intend to try the Yam for a while because lets face it it fulfils 90% of needs -only intercontinental trips would be less .At the price I paid i could bin it and not worry!
but if I enjoy it more - then a 18 reg DCT with great suspension will be in the for sale section!

[Max2007]

I have wife Yam Fazer 600 2006 S1, like new in the garage! A nice bike for its category but can not get even close to big liter bikes like my, black bird or crosstourer, from engine and overall feel point of view!!