Did it.

I traded in the RS for the Super Tenere, brought it home Thursday.  I got a decent trade-in and below MSRP price on the new bike.  It's a good thing, because I was getting almost zero response from the RS ads.

I alternate between elation and a semi-panicked "What have I done?" feeling.  Suffice to say that this new development comes with a fiscal impact that I'm not very used to.  And I'm ordering accessories like a drunken, late middle-aged motorcycle enthusiast.  Those are accurate descriptors except that I've been sober through the whole process.  Cases, crash bars, a wind screen.  Still to come: heated grips, a tank bag, and driving lights.

I've put 31 miles on it.  I love the way it rides.  And I love the upright, see-over-the-SUVs riding position.  It has a very different feel from the BMW.  I tried to articulate it the other night, but just blathered.  The Tenere feels less powerful, but it's not.  The engine sounds like a tweaked golf cart.  At least it does to me after five years of riding a boxer.

This is not my first Yamaha...  I owned a 50 cc beast similar to this one in the early 1980's.

Buy my motorcycle. Please.

Just for grins, or in the misguided hope that I can actually sell the RS, I put up a couple of ads.  One is craigslist and the other on a BMW site.  I had an almost immediate inquiry from a local guy.  He seemed very interested, but after a couple of days, decided to buy a new motorcycle.  Since then--nothing.
 
RS Ad

More decisions

The RS's final drive could fail at any time, one of the main factors of my mistrust of BMW shaft driven bikes. Taking a chance on being stranded in the middle of Nevada or some other desolate place will preoccupy me the entire trip. Even if nothing happens.

So it's time. Time to acquire a dependable, less expensive to maintain motorcycle. Last week I looked at three bikes, all new: a Yamaha Super Tenere and two Triumph Tigers, the 800 and the 1050. I like the Yamaha very much. It's the most expensive but the best value. The little Tiger would probably get uncomfortable on a long day's ride. The 1050 is very nice but the cases are small and would have to be replaced. Plus, I don't care for how high the topcase sits. And of course there's Triumph's smaller dealer network. The Ten gets great reviews, both from the motorcycle news media and owners.

I'll take a test ride this coming weekend, weather permitting. I don't have any illusions about selling the RS quickly or getting a decent trade-in price. But fortunately I'm in a position to hold both bikes--temporarily.

With gasoline prices expected to hit four dollars a gallon soon, I wonder why I own so many vehicles. The Yamaha, by the way, gets about 50 mpg. Last summer when my car was in the body shop for two weeks, I got along fine with public transport, my bicycle and motorcycle. I've thought about divesting myself of the car and using Zipcar, rentals, and Amtrak when I need them. If I sold the 328, I could pay cash for the Tenere.

I see Matt shaking his head.

Even though my car payment is low, there's insurance and about 18 mpg fuel efficiency. I love that car and would miss it. But I'd get over it. Besides, if being carless stinks, I could always buy another. Probably would eventually, for a variety of reasons.

Danger Danger Everywhere

Bad, bad kitty cat.

http://blogs.star-telegram.com/crime_time/2012/02/mountain-lion-attacks-6-year-old-in-texas.html

Revised Plan

After considering options that included going to Baja California and nowhere else in Mexico, I've decided to stick with the original plan -- except for Mexico.  This will shorten the trip to about four weeks and also give me a bit more time in places like Big Bend and northern New Mexico.

I've thought about a number of options, a guided MC tour in the Balkans, renting a motorcycle for a week in Spain, buying one in England, touring there and Spain.  I hope to do all of these some day, but for now I'll stick with the American West.

Another internal debate: whether or not to keep the RS or buy something new for the ride.  I really like the Triumph Tiger 800.  It will likely be more dependable and I could ride it on dirt roads.  But it's a big expense and I'm not confident that I could sell the RS, except at a giveaway price.  That option isn't off the table.

Then again, I'm now a AAA member and get 100 miles free towing.  So I can put my undeserved faith in the RS and ride.  The bike performs just fine.  If my two BMWs hadn't both stranded me with expensive breakdowns, I'd be much more confident.  I rode the RS 230 miles Sunday.  Not only did I have no problems, it was a joy to ride.  No doubt that it's more comfortable than the Tiger.