Eek!

With the stock market tumbling more and more every day, I guess I'm lucky to have a motorcycle and that it's paid off. It's definitely going to take something like the lottery or a mega-jackpot in Vegas to get me on a Road King now. Time to start thinking about new farkles...

Lowering the seat height is going to be the next thing, then probably a luggage rack. Would like to put some Barkbusters on sometime, better mirrors and eventually some kind of windscreen. It will be nice to have two feet on the ground, the wind off my chest, a place to strap my lunchbox and a better view of what's behind me.

Lower rider

Think I'm finally going to have the dealership lower the seat height. My advice to anyone considering this bike that's challenged in the inseam department--like me--is to go ahead and have this done when you buy it. (Wish I had!)

2009 Bonneville, 883L

There are only two motorcycles that I would categorize as true standards, basic designs that have endured from the late 50's. Triumph has updated their Bonneville line across the board with fuel-injection this year (Harley-Davidson did the same with it's Sportsters in 2007). The base Bonneville (top) now has cast wheels and is joined by a new SE model that harkens back to the style of the late 70's when I fell in love with the look of the Yamaha Specials that emulated them. The Sportster 883 Low is now the base model and is comparably priced to the Bonneville when similarly equipped (passenger pillion and foot pegs).

Like hotcakes!

DR650 backstocks are depleted and the 08's are all gone, so Suzuki already has the 09's on their website (now in all-black and all-white with a MSRP $200 higher). Obviously a lot of people are coming to appreciate one of the best bang-for-the-buck bikes there is. I usually get 50+ mpg almost exclusively city riding on mine. Nothing handles quite like a dual-sport single on the street and it's always ready to explore an unpaved road. Still want to have the dealership lower the seat height, just haven't gotten around to it...

Powerball present

If I won the Powerball tonight I'd pick up one of these so my wife and I could go touring together on the open road. I like that it's liquid-cooled and shaft-drive (two things I didn't want on my dual-sport, but I find desirable in a touring cruiser). We might have to ship most of our clothes to our destination...say, Las Vegas!

Windscreens

Finally got a pretty decent day, weather-wise, yesterday and went for a little ride. Had the bike up to 70 MPH on a short stretch of highway and had to tuck in like I was on a crotch-rocket. Could use a little relief from the windblast on my upper body if I'm ever going to maintain that speed for any length of time.

I'm trying to justify the $100 price difference between an MRA Road Shield and the Turbo City Windscreen for the DR650. Does the Turbo City offer that much more protection? Is the quality of the product that much better? Do I like it that much more? (I probably do...)

Cigar run

Working a different shift with different days off for a few weeks. Consequently, I found myself home alone on a fairly nice day. Left to my own designs, I decided to take a little ride and pick up a cigar. Took the long way (of course) through the park. Rode around the dirt road that was underwater for most of last summer and saw a few bison in the back of our local zoo. Stopped and took a few pictures at an old train depot afterwards. Then it was off to a smoke shop to see what kind of cigars were in the humidor. Picked an impressively sized Acid Hawg and eventually took it home to enjoy in my back yard. It felt really good to get the bike out again. Here's hoping for more nice weather this year!

Brrrrr...

It's another freezing day outside (literally--it's 32° and falling). I've been thinking a lot about having the suspension lowered and I'm pretty sure I'm going to get it done. Bringing the seat height down about 1½" will make my bike a lot more enjoyable to ride. Think I might order a luggage rack and have them put it on while they're at it. Still undecided about a skid-plate. I don't think I do enough unpaved riding to justify one. I do kind of like this one by Turbo City that comes with case guards, but it's a little pricey at just under $200.

Can't believe it's February already...

Look's like I did a lot more riding than posting this first season back on a bike. With the weather, for the most part, not being very condusive to a lot of saddle time, I didn't take very many pictures or go on any long rides. Got out today, thanks to a brief respite of Indian summer. Can't remember the last time I rode before. I was a little surprised the Suzuki started up without any trouble. I know she's been under a motorcycle cover for a good three months.