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.
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