for stripped down, go fast motorcycles or simply, the naked bike.
Yes, I missed riding, but not enough to buy in to the overweight plastic laden "sport bikes" that screamed death defying 20 something rather than my I like riding but, don't want to break anything attitude.
Lacking that sense of lust, I had almost given up when Ducati introduced the Monster 796. Still a sport bike but only 400 pounds and you didn't have to lay across the gas tank to ride it.
I find a dealer, sit on the bike and think to myself, yeah this is cool, I can do this! Or, maybe not. While I am coaxing my courage to rise up, the sales manager begins to talk about other bikes I might try. I think he meant I was a little to old for what I had in mind.
Slightly annoyed, I crawl out of the show room, discouraged.
I make one last desperate effort via the BMW dealership about 20 minutes from my house. This time, I find solace for men of a certain age. I find the F800R. Europe had been riding this bike for 18 months and were either smitten or turned off.
I closed my eyes and order one of only four bikes that will make it to the dealership, with only 300 bikes to imported for 2011 to the good old U.S.A.
I took the motorcycle safety course, clumsily passed the riding test.
Now, as I wait for the northern hemisphere to defrost, I often wonder, have I done the right thing?
The bike is at the dealership, paid for, insured, and maybe ready to offer me what exactly I don't know. Should be interesting.
