Quote:i did recently get up to 4 bikes due to  my laziness and a Triumph dealer making me an offer I couldn't refuse - but I've settled now on the TDM and a Tiger Sport. I tend to use the Tiger Sport for longer distance/holidays and the TDM was for commuting - although obviously that's changed recently and will do permanently as I''m retiring come the beginning of August. I'm thinking of a change but not sure what to.....if I had the room I'd keep the TDM especially as I don't believe it will be a sellers market for a while.

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There was a time when I had 4 bikes.  It felt great!!

 

There was my R1150GS bought in preparation for our South America trip.  There was my NC27 CB-1 (stiffer front fork springs, early Fireblade rear shock: straight swap with the original) that was my day to day bike.

 

Then there was an R1100GS that I bought via a mechanic friend: the customer had wanted to sell it and a very reasonable price, so I bought it, but only because I knew I could get more for it. I was tempted to keep it but sold it on. LAst but not least a Cagiva Planet 125.  I bought it leaner legal for my then girlfriend to learn on. She did her CBT, but never got into the riding thing and preferred pillion. 

 

Again, tempted to keep it and derestrict it, but money and frowns made me sell it on. Weird little bike and typically fickle.  Sometimes the starter button would not work and somehow I found that the only way to get it going was to push the starter button then dab the horn and it fired up. Nuts....

the magic that is italian electrics 

Quote:and an electrified FZ600 which I was going to pull apart, but rumour is Edinburgh silly Council are going to be seriously considering a low emissions zone just like Captain Khan made in London, so I'll hang on to that for now.

Quote:That sounds interesting. Any pics?

Quote:......Oh....that’s all so interesting.....the very idea of ‘more than one bike’.....

 

.....and what it says about how and why each of us (‘cept for the odd, hard nosed, ‘cheapest way to get to work‘ rationalist)

clings to our love affair with all-things ‘bikey’.....whether for the machine(s) themselves, or for what we feel it says about ourselves.

(that’s in addition to the joy of the ride, of course)

For me, the notion of a garage (or two) stacked with a multiplicity of machines, most of which never run /move, 

has no appeal at all -  not knocking it, just not my bag.....(**)

and for some, the stable is, from time to time, thinned out or added to....for whatever reason....loss of interest, cash for a new addition...whatever.

 

Alternatively, some (myself included) lavish all. our bikey emotions on the single two-wheeled love object (4TX)

fantasising about it’s perfectability, or the possibility of achieving it, and , if resources / skills allow, working in that direction.........or just dreaming on......

 

(**) in spite of which (see earlier post) in my garage sits a pristine 1979 GS750, 5k miles, maybe less, bought new by me, jota bars, engine protectors, 4 into one

.......only time it’s moved in the last 20 years, was when I had to swap garages, started easily, ran sweetly.....and then I pushed it the short distance

between the two......

Quote:If a modest lottery win were to come my way and I could stomach giving the same dealership yet more of my money after the CCT debacle, then I will say they have a very nice Versys 1000 in there and a Guzzi Bellagio. Typically customs are not my thing, but the Bellagio is understated, yet stylish enough to catch my eye and I think that the 70-odd BHP probably come with enough torque to make for a very relaxing ride.

 

Would make a nice tourer with a unassuming screen fitted.

 

The Versys appeals because of the sheer power in a nimble set-up that doesn't require that I sit in a position that puts my backside further off the ground than my chin....

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A friend of mine had a Bellagio until a couple of years ago.It was a nice looker but he found it a bit too heavy. Also the usual Italian gremlins of poor reliability and dodgy electrics were ever present. Eventually it got the better of him and he traded up to an MT07.

Quote:Got my well sorted 02 Niner and and 16 plate Royal Enfield Classic 500 chrome for Sunday back lane pottering.

The Niner was supposed to be going to the Picos de europa this year but that's out.

Quote:No holidays to pay for this year, not using the car, not going to the pub or cinema or theatre, and no interest from the bank all led to buying this beauty which was delivered on Sunday......

 

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Quote:Got my 09 9er and this little girl - a 500 Bullet. She loves back lane pottering at 50mph on a sunny day. She has no electric start, a flickering candle for a headlight, but does almost 80mpg and is sooo comfortable she's like your favourite arm chair! 

 

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Oh and a new Triumph Bonneville T100 should arrive today around tea time - piccies to follow. 

 

 

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That's a nice looking bike. I've heard stories about reliability issues, poor quality etc but having sold my Ducati and with some dosh in my pocket I quite like the idea of a Bullet. Any tips on what to look for?