End of an ERA

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Can't say I can argue with your choice at all Dale, they're a fun ride! Keep us up-to-date on your mods as you set-up the new scoot. 

~G

 
Can't say I can argue with your choice at all Dale, they're a fun ride! Keep us up-to-date on your mods as you set-up the new scoot. 

~G
Speaking of that.... 😃

I am guessing most of the forum isn't aware that I went insane 6 months into the pandemic, while the West was on fire and you couldn't see blue sky anywhere, and traded in my much beloved, 12 year old Hayabusa. I was convinced at the time (which proved incorrect) that Suzuki was never going to release a Gen 3 Hayabusa, and regardless, I was starting to see the beginnings of trouble handling it. Not anyway as bad as my FJR woes, only because the Busa is much lower to the ground and a bit more manageable.

So what did I trade it in for...? Steel yourselves, fellas

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I mean it... this is a serious ass departure from the Warchild norm....

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Not kidding.... here we go...

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 A 2020 BMW S1000XR... the 2nd generation, all new BMW, vastly different from the Gen I...

Day One, picking it up from Desert Valley Powersports in Prosser:

Day1.jpg

First major Road Trip was Gerlachfest... here is the the burned down highway south of Cedarville, CA

BEAST.jpg

 

Many will recognize the Playa just east of Gerlach:
 

Playa.jpg

 

///M Carbon Fiber looks just tits:

CarbonDawn.jpg

 

I tried to like the Ice Grey paint, but.... it was obvious after a few months I was never going to like it. So... I painted it. That will be the subject of another post... in the "Other Bike / Bike-related Discussions" forum.

I know it's sounds weird for me to own a BMW after all those years of bad-mouthing their final drives - still would never own a shaft-drive beemer.

But this thng is a Beast, lemme tell ya... 

DSC00118 (2).JPG

 
WC midlife crisis is supposed to hit in your 40s 🤣🤣.  Seriously, nice bike.  Can’t wait to see what customizations you do to both of them. 

 
There are some aftermarket exhaust canisters that are 'swept upward' a lot more severe angle than the factory can, those I would have concern about. But this one is fine with a passenger, the few times I have had her on the back.

Regardless, this is the Hayabusa replacement bike, primarily for my solo desert runnin'. The Tracer is what I will be carrying Annie on for any lengthy runs.

 
I'm confused. I thought that all the old guys moved to the big Hondapotamus.  🏍️

Anyway, that looks very nice. Personally, I still have my '05 FJR and don't think about trading it, but I do not ride very much these days.

 
Speaking of that.... 😃

I am guessing most of the forum isn't aware that I went insane 6 months into the pandemic, while the West was on fire and you couldn't see blue sky anywhere, and traded in my much beloved, 12 year old Hayabusa. I was convinced at the time (which proved incorrect) that Suzuki was never going to release a Gen 3 Hayabusa, and regardless, I was starting to see the beginnings of trouble handling it. Not anyway as bad as my FJR woes, only because the Busa is much lower to the ground and a bit more manageable.

So what did I trade it in for...? Steel yourselves, fellas

 A 2020 BMW S1000XR... the 2nd generation, all new BMW, vastly different from the Gen I...
I remember that. I figured it was a drunk ebay buy and that you had sobered up by now. :D

 
Warchild - I applaud (and envy) your decision to recognize that the cheese has been moved, and you either adapt or starve.  To deprive yourself of the motorcycling hobby that we all enjoy would be unthinkable, and in that light, you made the wise choice.

When I'm at that point, if the only think left for me to ride is a 125cc pussy pink Korean scooter with a milk crate on the pillion seat, the by golly, milk crate it is.

Ride on!

 
I'm confused. I thought that all the old guys moved to the big Hondapotamus.  🏍️

Anyway, that looks very nice. Personally, I still have my '05 FJR and don't think about trading it, but I do not ride very much these days.


Not this old guy... the ST1100 was the heaviest bike I ever wanted to have, and I only had it because in it's day ('90's, primarily), it was the premier LD machine used in our nutty Iron Butt rallies, etc.  Not the the FJR was a ton less weight, mind you.  But in my case, I don't rally anymore, and between the reconstructed knees, and general lost of muscle mass as one ages, the bike can be a problem in parking lot situations,  gas stops, etc.

 
I've ridden an XR, one of the best handling bikes in the twisties I had the pleasure of riding but that sweet 1000 is a bit buzy plus it's a TALL bike. Surprised that's isn't a problem for you.  

PS. The new gen Wing is only 830 lbs 😇 and one hell of a smooth riding machine. That new motor in sport mode it isn't your grandpa's hippo anymore.

If only Yamaha would hook up a shaft to the 900. Chains suck.

 
There are some aftermarket exhaust canisters that are 'swept upward' a lot more severe angle than the factory can, those I would have concern about. But this one is fine with a passenger, the few times I have had her on the back.

Regardless, this is the Hayabusa replacement bike, primarily for my solo desert runnin'. The Tracer is what I will be carrying Annie on for any lengthy runs.
I was referring to the placement of the exhaust on the Tracer. It comes out right below the pillion foot peg. 

 
Nice choice.  My thought was my '16ES would be the last bike I'd buy.  At 56, it should last a while, and I typically get ten years out of a bike.  But the Tracer looks nice and it will be tempting me as a potential replacement.

 
I love the Yamaha triples. I have not rode the touring version but I have an MT09. I love it as a day rider. 

I can certainly see myself switching over to the touring model one day to replace the FJR. The good thing for me is I don't ride two up and my legs are still good so maybe that will be a few years off. 

For now I like have an FJR and a MT09 in the garage. 

 
I can relate to the age progression as after 4 Fjr’s since 03 I just sold my last Fjr, it was really a strange feeling seeing the FJR ride away down the road, after having one for the last 18 years or so.  
I also went BMW but a sidecar unit so I can include off road adventures now ! Congratulations on the new bike.
 

 
The main thing is to keep riding as long as you can.  Some have to use three wheels, but it gets you out there 🙂

 
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