I have ridden two types of bikes, almost literally all my life. Got my first "bike" a week after I learned to ride a bicycle. It was one of those Sears pull start jobs, but a motorcycle none the less.

Moved into motorcross till I left for the Army. Got into crotch rockets in the Army in 90. Had a crotch rocket ever since.

So now I've been thinking about shifting style of bikes radically. I have to admit that I was thinking Streetfighter or Tuono, but yesterday I got to ride back to back two bikes that were amazing.

I'm thinking of going from this:


to this


or this



The beemer is like a tank on two wheels, and surprisingly flickable.
The Ducati is damn flickable! I'd wager that I could keep up with most of the guys that I know, who ride crotch rockets, in the twisties.

Never in my wildest dreams would I imagine such bikes for personal ownership. Hmmm.... Gonna wait till spring and see how I feel then... Maybe its a phase and I'll fall back upon a Streetfighter or Tuono...

 

Don't forget this puppy ...

 

You sir, are getting old.

I think you'll have an awakening when you go out to the garage to ride one day and the mere aesthetics of something like the aforementioned bikes just doesn't do it for you.

The magical part about some bikes is that they have the ability to move you standing still. That 999 makes me feel fast just sitting here in the middle of a New England snow storm. The BMW makes me think about Han Solo, the Millennium Falcon, and Ewoks.

All in and all, there';s nothing wrong with transitioning away from the Full-Tuck-Break-Your-Wrists-I-think-I'm-Rossi-On-The-Street sportbike, however I think a street fighter or a motard bike would suite you better.

Then again, it's all about what makes you happy and makes you want to go riding.


Just saying...

 

More? Ok

 

Love the stuff from Exile!!!

 

LOL!
Old? Yes!

We shall see what 2009 brings...
I still have Ducati gear...

If I was thinking rationally about the bike decision, instead of allowing a bike to stir my soul, as one should; it would be straight to a "streetfighter" style bike. Good transition bike...

We shall see... Love the dilemma!

 

+1 on the KTM. Hypermotard might be up your alley too. Not a real off-roader at all, but it has the qualities that make offroad bikes good on the road; wide bars, upright seating, torque, etc.