Well now - while in the dealership today - ordering a new spring for my old girl's shifter drum indexer lever, I did the foolish and sat down on the only other bike there that "fits me" - a 2007 919 in red. Yes - 2007, brand spankin' new (indicating zero, as in 0, miles). Only one they had.
I said how much.
He said - make me an offer.
I said - hmmm $6K (really was all I can afford).
He said - list on that is nearly $9K
I said - ah well -I can't afford that - I'm just here to buy a part for my 400 anyway.
He said - go buy your part, I'll talk to the boss.
I went to the parts counter, ordered my $2.49 spring - he walked up and said $6100 - brand new - we'll waive the freight and setup - so it is $6100 + tax.
I said - gotta talk to the wife.
He said - I'm here till 5:30 but the price is only good today cause we are closed Monday and Tuesday is too late to get it on the books for this month - and it is only worth it if it is on our books this month.
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Hmmmm.
Went home.
Thought.
Check the bank account.
Checked insurance.
Read reviews.
Posted here.
Wife came home.
Said - Dear - see this motorcycle on my computer screen. What if I buy one - great deal.
My wife knows me pretty well. She said -
"Ya know - I was thinking yesterday - you are spending an awful lot of time out there working on that bike keeping it running - I was thinking maybe you needed something newer. You are riding a lot again and it is a shame for you to have to fix it alot and I know you get frustrated when it isn't running right. I think you should buy it."
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Picked my jaw up off the floor and picked up the phone.
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The amazing thing is she has never ridden with me - and has no desire to. But the bike was what brought us together because I rode into the Village Inn in town every Sunday for breakfast, and she was a waitress there. They called me Motorcycle Bob. If I hadn't ridden every Sunday - we probably would not have met/got married oh those 24 years ago (this monday).
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I'll upload a picture of the two girls together when I get the 400 back together...
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Meantime - ridin' a new one - not a big drift from the 400. Still a in-line 4-Honda - just not an SOHC.
It does ride a bit different. Not as nimble - though it is nice. Have to hold it in the corners a lot more - and I'm NOT pushing it at all. Ridden >100K mile but it has been quite a while since a bike this fast - and the stats are that new crashes are on new bikes, no matter what experience you have.
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Whooeee
Bob