Topic: Just need some thoughts on this..

[SClay115]

In the for sale section of this forum, I have listed a XS650 I am thinking of selling/trading/what have you. Had a local guy contact me through CL and here is what he had offered to trade. It is a 2002 DR650 decked out with lots of goodies for adventure touring, minus the road tires. At first, I was really quite enthused, and I dig the DR, but now I am not so sure about getting rid of the XS. I suppose it comes down to me feeling like I am giving up something that has like a billion hours into, but then again, if I don't enjoy riding the XS, what is the point right? Here are some pictures of the two machines in question:

This:



For this:



What do you guys think? From a purely non-biased standpoint, shoot from the hip opinion. Keep in mind my CB350 Cafe bike is in pieces in the garage, but it is still there, and WILL be on the road again, hopefully, soon.

And I understand that it is up to me, and perhaps it is not the decision I need made, but I need to get it through my head that eventually, I will sell the projects I put so much time into. I have had a few cars in the past that I miss everyday, and it hangs with me when making decisions like this. But the way I see it, I can always build another machine like the XS again. Hopefully. So how do you guys deal with it? Giving up a project that you put so much sweat into, where you know every single piece was touched by your hands?

Steve

[Hasenkopf]

DR, for sure........but LOSE the luggage!

[BeSeeingYou]

From a purely aesthetic point of view that XS is a beauty and I am sorry to say the DR650 is just butt ugly.  On the other hand you have two bikes for two completely different purposes.  What do you want to do?  Is the reason you don't enjoy riding the XS because you want to do adventure touring?  It is obviously not the right bike for that while the DR650 would fit the bill.  I can understand your dilemma as I would have a hard time parting with something I put so much effort into.

[zoo mob]

Tough call, I really like the looks of the XS, but the DR would be a very functional bike as well. I think my vote is with the XS.

[yozzie]

I would stick with the XS too, it's a cool looking bike.  Depends what you want to do with the DR, I found that for longer highway trips dual purpose bikes are not great in the wind.  Side winds and passing big rigs tend to blow you around I guess because the bike is up so high.
I know what you mean about getting rid of a bike you put a lot of work into....I always look at it from the point of view if I am not in need of cash I just keep the bike and store it...it's not costing me anything to sit under a tarp in the corner of the garage.  And sure enough I end up wanting to take a spin on it again.

[SClay115]

Yah, the DR is much more of a purpose machine as opposed to the XS which simply oozes coolness. And in reality, I never even thought about doing any sort of adventure touring, but it truly does sound like fun after looking into it a bit. The draw of doing something different that I have never done is also appealing. I suppose the real draw I have is for some bit of adventure, and I think the DR could do that, but then again, I could do that on the XS as well.

I like these responses, and they seem to reflect the way I feel about the XS, being that the only real difficult part is truly letting go of something that I have so much energy into. I could always build another, but it will never be the same as THIS one...

Steve

[MötleyRöx]

Two completely different bikes! 
But, you know this.

I think both are really, really cool looking.
The blacked out DR is a great look, the luggage will come in very handy and doesn't detract from the good looks, IMO.
If you're into adventure riding, this is a good bike.
Not nearly a beemer or something of the like, but those are too heavy for really getting down and dirty anyway!   

[martin99]

The XS reminds me of an old Triumph, which of course is what it was based on. It is a good bike and sought after, and in my opinion deserves to be called a Japanese classic. The DR on the other hand, reminds me of Optimus Prime getting his head stuck in the railings as he was attempting to transform on somebody's driveway. I suspect the current owner has realised how ridiculous he looks, especially if he is wearing a flip-front helmet, and has seen the error of his ways. Personally I would hang on to the XS.

[BeSeeingYou]

The XS reminds me of an old Triumph, which of course is what it was based on. It is a good bike and sought after, and in my opinion deserves to be called a Japanese classic. The DR on the other hand, reminds me of Optimus Prime getting his head stuck in the railings as he was attempting to transform on somebody's driveway. I suspect the current owner has realised how ridiculous he looks, especially if he is wearing a flip-front helmet, and has seen the error of his ways. Personally I would hang on to the XS.

I was thinking along these lines too but tried to be diplomatic.   I suppose to the younger crowd having grown up with Transformers that the DR might look pretty cool but to my geezer eyes the XS oozes coolness and the DR just screams......dork.   What is with that ugly headlight on the DR?  Looks like something out of Zena Warrior Princess.

In the interest of full disclosure I should add that I have always been partial to the XS650 and think it is the best looking Japanese bike of the 70's and maybe ever.

[BobbyR]

I would keep your current bike, it is far better looking. The other one looks like a Mosquito going on vacation. If you are going to be on the road, use a road bike. If you go on the dirt now and then find a beater and run that thru the woods.

[ofreen]

It is like the old question of which would you prefer - Ginger or Mary Ann.  The answer is the same as it always has been.  Have both.

[Uncle Ernie]

I think I know how you're feeling, but I also like to shuffle the deck.  Since I don't have much money, or much space- if I want a different bike, one has to go.   My BMW /2 conversion took 4 years to build (pre-computer days), and will be with me always.  (so far  )  My 1952 R67/2 took over a year to get right, looked better than any bike I've had in a very long time, and by the time it was finished- for some reason I just hated it and sold it.  Stupid stupid stupid.  

So;  a lot of blood sweat and tears in the XS650.  It looks tits and you learned a lot.  But- you feel like you SHOULD love it but for whatever reason you don't and aren't really interested in riding it.  If it was a woman you're married to, I'd say something different.  In this instance;  SELL IT.  Don't trade it for another bike you don't really want.  If you wanted that DR, you wouldn't be here.  Get the money and decide what you want next -or when a bike grabs you by the collar and kisses you in a way you lose sleep over.  
That will be the next one.

[BobbyR]

It is like the old question of which would you prefer - Ginger or Mary Ann.  The answer is the same as it always has been.  Have both.

I worked on a film 5 years ago with Ginger, I will take Mary Ann.

[ofreen]

It is like the old question of which would you prefer - Ginger or Mary Ann.  The answer is the same as it always has been.  Have both.

I worked on a film 5 years ago with Ginger, I will take Mary Ann.

Talking about back in the day as in 40 years ago, of course.  They are both old blisters now.

Anyway, it was just a comment on two-valued, either-or thinking.  Gotta think outside the box.

[BobbyR]

It is like the old question of which would you prefer - Ginger or Mary Ann.  The answer is the same as it always has been.  Have both.

I worked on a film 5 years ago with Ginger, I will take Mary Ann.

Talking about back in the day as in 40 years ago, of course.  They are both old blisters now.

Anyway, it was just a comment on two-valued, either-or thinking.  Gotta think outside the box.

Have both is right.   

[SClay115]

I think I know how you're feeling, but I also like to shuffle the deck.  Since I don't have much money, or much space- if I want a different bike, one has to go.   My BMW /2 conversion took 4 years to build (pre-computer days), and will be with me always.  (so far  )  My 1952 R67/2 took over a year to get right, looked better than any bike I've had in a very long time, and by the time it was finished- for some reason I just hated it and sold it.  Stupid stupid stupid.  

So;  a lot of blood sweat and tears in the XS650.  It looks tits and you learned a lot.  But- you feel like you SHOULD love it but for whatever reason you don't and aren't really interested in riding it.  If it was a woman you're married to, I'd say something different.  In this instance;  SELL IT.  Don't trade it for another bike you don't really want.  If you wanted that DR, you wouldn't be here.  Get the money and decide what you want next -or when a bike grabs you by the collar and kisses you in a way you lose sleep over.  
That will be the next one.

Ernie, always a wealth of information. It never ceases to amaze me what someone with true wisdom can say in so few words. My mind/hear/gut is still milling over this decision, and thinking of all the possibilities of the DR, but everything comes back to the, "I am trading this machine with XXXXX amount of hours into it for what?!"

Steve

[Stev-o]

Easy decision - the XS!

[MötleyRöx]

Forgot to tell you which one I'd want out of a trade.



                            The XS!

[Don R]

Thats why I still have a firebird I bought in 70, a 40 chevy coupe I got in 73, and recently bought couple 750's, I always missed my bike that I sold 20 years ago. I just get too attached to them. It would be scary what I would own if I had money, like Leno's garage.

[KB02]

I suppose it comes down to me feeling like I am giving up something that has like a billion hours into, but then again, if I don't enjoy riding the XS, what is the point right?

I think there is a very important statement right there. While I will agree with everyone else that your XS is an awesome looking bike (well done on the build!!), if you don't enjoy riding it, then why ride it? If you aren't going to ride it, then why hold onto it? (unless you're a collector - personally, I like to ride my bikes.) The DR is nicely set up for a completely different kind of riding. Why not take the trade and check out another side to the biking world?

I have had a few cars in the past that I miss everyday, and it hangs with me when making decisions like this. But the way I see it, I can always build another machine like the XS again. Hopefully. So how do you guys deal with it? Giving up a project that you put so much sweat into, where you know every single piece was touched by your hands?

When my wife and I were trying to buy our house, I had some debts that needed to be paid off. I had just recently "finished" my CB750 F1 cafe bike. The debt thing came up quick and I had to do something about it quick. The first thought that came into m head was selling the F1. I listed it here, ebay and locally. Within two weeks it was sold and the new owner was very happy. Do I miss it? yes. Much like the old cars that you had that you miss. Was it the right choice to make at that time? Yes. Is this the right choice for you? Only you can tell.

Just think of this, though - You've listed the XS for sale for a reason. What was it?

[SClay115]

KB02, like Ernie, another very good bit of information. And that seems to be the common theme here, with the big question hinging on the "Why," the why of me putting it up for sale. The why was because I don't simply like lounging back and riding the throttle on a long, flat, straight road. Simply put, I'm just not a "cruiser" type of guy. I think some of you on here can relate to this. While the whole bike is cool, and I have been told it looks amazing on the road, what is it worth to me in the saddle?

So I suppose the question now comes down to the trade, "Why the hell not?!" I can always build another, as someone on another forum mentioned, it is not as if any piece on this bike is wildly valuable on its own, it is simply reworked stock items with a few custom bits, and I can always buy another machine in the condition this one was in when I got it(not running), and have at it.

Steve

[andy750]

Try the DR and if you dont like it sell it. The luggage will come in handy as well. I have been riding only CB750s for 16 yrs and this year I decided to try the VStrom even though I have thought it was an incredibly ugly bike (and didnt think it rode that well either)...but i decided to try it (for future 2-up riding, touring and some light off-road) and so far after 2 months I like it. If I didnt Id sell it in the Spring for what I paid for it if not more. Bottom line -it dosent hurt to try something different 

Good luck with the choice and the XS is a nice looking bike (but like any bike - it needs to be ridden!!)

cheers
Andy

[Old Scrambler]

You could build another XS........

[Really?]

I would keep your current bike, it is far better looking. The other one looks like a Mosquito going on vacation. If you are going to be on the road, use a road bike. If you go on the dirt now and then find a beater and run that thru the woods.

I am with BobbyR on this one.  There are other bikes that you can play and use as a road bike at the same time. 

Tiz why I still have my XVZ, she moves fairly quick, handles fairly well and is awesome on the road.  I have had her since '94 and have no plans on giving her up either.

[Retro Rocket]

Set the XS up to be a cafe bike of similar is you like going round corners, i have seen some pretty good handling XS's in my time and they can be very good in the tight stuff.....Keep the XS..

Mick