Well, reading over that previous post it would seem that I would have those bikes forever. But dear readers, the fact is that there are a lot of great bikes out there for a good price on Craigslist.
As much as I liked that CB750 Nighthawk I decided to modernize my touring bike. I sold the Nighthawk and picked up a 2009 Kawasaki Versys 650 with only 8K miles for an excellent price. It came with the engine guards and side luggage (I purchased the rear luggage and the hand guards).
In three months I’ve already put over 2K miles on it. Unfortunately I’ve been so busy with work stuff I haven’t been able to get out for a longer trip, but I’ve got a big one planned for next summer. That bike is amazingly capable on any road. It slices up twisties with ease, but on the interstate it will cruise at 80 mph without breaking a sweat. It’s a beautiful bike.
I don’t need that much bike for running around town, though. The Suzuki TU250 was a fun little bike, but after a few months I decided I wanted something with more power, so I sold it and picked up this 2016 Yamaha YZF R3 for a very good price. It had 2,600 miles and not a scratch.
Wow, that little bike rips. Although it’s only 321cc with about 40 horsepower it’s more than enough for around town. Even on the interstate it will hit 80 without working too hard, though I definitely prefer the bigger bike for interstate trips.
I thought about getting an R6, but it’s just way too much power for public roads, plus the insurance is super expensive. It’s frustrating enough having to putt along at 40 mph on the R3. On the R6 it would be downright aggravating. Also, the ergonomics of the R3 make it much more suitable for daily commuting. I’ve already put over a thousand miles on it in just two months.
Are these the last motorcycles I will ever buy? I doubt it, but I’m very happy for now. I got both of these bikes for cheaper than a new one at the dealer and they’re basically in showroom condition. They’re reliable, fast, fun, and practical.
Payton MacDonald 