I’ve always loved the design and look of Yamaha motorcycles, I’ve always wanted an FJR1300 for touring purposes but now at 66, I think if I get one now I might have issues with their weight however all is not lost, my 2nd favourite bike is totally different but similar in a way, both built and designed for touring yet one is not too afraid of verging off the beaten track so this is the 2nd model of Suzuki 650 V-Stroms I’ve had, the first I bought in 2012, a slightly used 2007 model,it was a great bike untill I was destined for a hip replacement back in very early 2020 just before the pandemic hit.
After 3 years without a motorcycle, I thought before my hip replacement that I’d probably never ride again but a later move to Albury NSW, just besides the awesome playground of the Snowy Mountains, the urge returned…so…I bought my 2nd V-strom to see how I’d go riding again and last May it took me 3200kms without even leaving NSW on a 2 week trip from Albury, Parkes, Inverell, grafton, Gunnedah, Gulgong, Newcastle and back to Albury…the bike loved it, I loved it and at no time in the trip that I wished for a bigger more powerful motorcycle, the only thing that would top off the V-strom would be a Cruise Control but not a biggie…I’ve done 7-9hour trips before without my hand dropping off lol.
My motorcycles went when my partner was pregnant with our first who is now 26. About 27 years ago.
Occasionally I miss them but pretty infrequently. I am happier riding bicycles now.
RG250, 1100 wire wheeled katana (the one I miss the most), RZ350, GSXR750, DR500, GSX1100, postie bikes x2, YZ250, CBR900 was the last. 100kmh in first and on the back wheel just on the power. Probably a good thing they are gone.
Down the straight and into turn 1 at Eastern Creek was probably the fastest and most scared ive been, mind boggling to know the pros do that throttle wide open!
Looks like youve had a good mix of bikes there warty! 2 strokers, singles, crotch rockets!
Ive been looking at building something a little slower pace, specifically an older 600 shadow, im thinking rigid frame, suicide shift, mini apes!
