I have the two xs11s. One is a standard, all set up for touring with hard bags, music, CB, a comfy seat, extra lights, more wind protection, etc etc. And I have a couple of road trips coming up, so the standard is a natural choice.
I also have the factory Special, or just Special. It has really no weather protection, cumbersome music, no extra lights, a stiff suspension, and a tiny gas tank. Not really a design touring bike.
And yet I find myself thinking, on my upcoming road trips, I should be taking my Special, instead of the standard. I mean, I just got the standard last year, and before that I traveled with the special and had no problems. I rationalize, saying I can ride mostly during the day, so the lack of extra lights means less. I can pack less. The list goes on.
In the end, there is a simple truth. The standard is the bike I got for touring, and set up for touring, and should be touring on, regardless of my sentimental feelings towards the special. Yes, it used to be all I needed, but I used to pee in the bed too, until I discovered the bathroom was much better. The standard is better. Anything else on a long, long trip is like peeing in bed.
Monday, July 24, 2006
Tuesday, July 4, 2006
The Beemer
I have a 1985 k100RS. It was going to just be a temporary bike to get me through the winter, since both my XS11s were ill with mechanical or electrical problems. Obviously winter is over, and I still have the beemer.
I am really hot and cold towards it. Sometimes I think it is a great bike, and I think I would be able to get rid of the xs11s and just run the K. Then a few days later I hate it, and think I am going to stick it in the front yard with a for sale sign.
The last two days I have been riding it. No real reason, other than my Special has a dead battery, and I wanted the locking luggage. Locking luggage on a bike is a great thing, even more so when you are going to a lakefront where there will be several thousand drunk party goers.
Anyway, before these two days, I was very cold to it. To the point of mentally composing ebay ads. Now I like it again, and am glad of the money I spent on new tires. I want to figure out why the brake warning light flickers, and work on the intercom wiring.
The K bike. It is like a old girlfriend, who you hate, but every now and then find yourself in bed with. It is good, and you like it, but you always wonder when whatever happened that mad you hate her will resurface, and you have to change your phone number.
I am really hot and cold towards it. Sometimes I think it is a great bike, and I think I would be able to get rid of the xs11s and just run the K. Then a few days later I hate it, and think I am going to stick it in the front yard with a for sale sign.
The last two days I have been riding it. No real reason, other than my Special has a dead battery, and I wanted the locking luggage. Locking luggage on a bike is a great thing, even more so when you are going to a lakefront where there will be several thousand drunk party goers.
Anyway, before these two days, I was very cold to it. To the point of mentally composing ebay ads. Now I like it again, and am glad of the money I spent on new tires. I want to figure out why the brake warning light flickers, and work on the intercom wiring.
The K bike. It is like a old girlfriend, who you hate, but every now and then find yourself in bed with. It is good, and you like it, but you always wonder when whatever happened that mad you hate her will resurface, and you have to change your phone number.
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