11-22-2018, 05:54 AM
First of all, Happy Thanksgiving to anyone who participates in this annual Third Thursday Gluttony.
Today, I am thankful for many things, but being on the top of two wheeled conveyances, I am thankful that I finally feel well enough to take my new toy out for a ride. For those who don't know, I work at a dealership. So, I had to wait until the end of the work day Saturday to ride it home. Normally, I take the back roads, but sensing I was getting ill, opted for the straight freeway drone home. With 19 miles, it sat until today.
Also, in case you don't know, I am a bit of a head case when it comes to making decisions and committing myself to something...except for women. I married the first nice girl I wanted to call my girlfriend. Sure, there are always newer models out there, but I swear she get's prettier every day...and she tolerates my infidelity to my motorcycles, so she stays!
3 months ago, I sold my super modded Honda Grom and then traded my CB1100 in on a leftover new 2017 Yamaha FZ09. Always liked that little triple and figured I would have fun on a little naked sporty type bike. I did, but as soon as I bought it, I started second guessing my decision. You see, I kept looking at the new Yamaha Tracer GT which is the premium trim of the regular Tracer that replaced the well-regarded FJ-09 (a bike I had ridden and really liked). This bike checks all of the boxes for what I have been looking for in an all-arounder.
The only box it didn't check for me was the one that didn't really belong on my list of wants...off-road capability. ADV bikes have been my go-to since I sold my FJR1300 9 years ago. I'm nearly 6'2", so a bike with a tall seat, upright bars, and plenty of legroom is a must for my comfort. Along with that, unfortunately comes extra heft and bulk. The V-strom 650, of which I have owned 2, seemed to be the best option for somewhat light weight without excessive bulk. Having come off a 145 hp rocket, it never satisfied my desire for power and it is still somewhat of a bulky bike. The Versys 650 offered the smaller size, but similarly lacked power and didn't have the off-roadability I thought I needed.
Then, it hit me after owning one of the more off-road oriented ADV bikes, the Africa Twin, that I don't need any of that. Once I decided that I would need to spend $2000-3000 reworking the suspension and swapping to a 19"/17" tubeless wheelset, I realized how dumb that would be. I asked my general manager at the dealer to work me up a quote trading both the AT and FZ on the Tracer GT. While it wasn't a normal employee deal because these Tracer GTs are so hard to get right now, it was more than fair. I lost my butt on the FZ just owning it 3 months, but I still walked away with a new bike and $1500 in my pocket. Plus, most of the goodies I bought for the FZ were swapped over to the Tracer saving me a few bucks in farkles.
I just got back from a 60 mile ride and this thing is amazing. Other than the stock windscreen being too small (already have the larger Yamaha screen on order), it is perfect! It is 99% as fun to blast around on as the FZ, but with tons more comfort and luxury. This is my first bike with cruise, and what a revelation! I don't see how I could own another bike without it...thankfully my little SR400 isn't going to be my main ride. Hopefully, this one is a keeper.
Today, I am thankful for many things, but being on the top of two wheeled conveyances, I am thankful that I finally feel well enough to take my new toy out for a ride. For those who don't know, I work at a dealership. So, I had to wait until the end of the work day Saturday to ride it home. Normally, I take the back roads, but sensing I was getting ill, opted for the straight freeway drone home. With 19 miles, it sat until today.
Also, in case you don't know, I am a bit of a head case when it comes to making decisions and committing myself to something...except for women. I married the first nice girl I wanted to call my girlfriend. Sure, there are always newer models out there, but I swear she get's prettier every day...and she tolerates my infidelity to my motorcycles, so she stays!
3 months ago, I sold my super modded Honda Grom and then traded my CB1100 in on a leftover new 2017 Yamaha FZ09. Always liked that little triple and figured I would have fun on a little naked sporty type bike. I did, but as soon as I bought it, I started second guessing my decision. You see, I kept looking at the new Yamaha Tracer GT which is the premium trim of the regular Tracer that replaced the well-regarded FJ-09 (a bike I had ridden and really liked). This bike checks all of the boxes for what I have been looking for in an all-arounder.
The only box it didn't check for me was the one that didn't really belong on my list of wants...off-road capability. ADV bikes have been my go-to since I sold my FJR1300 9 years ago. I'm nearly 6'2", so a bike with a tall seat, upright bars, and plenty of legroom is a must for my comfort. Along with that, unfortunately comes extra heft and bulk. The V-strom 650, of which I have owned 2, seemed to be the best option for somewhat light weight without excessive bulk. Having come off a 145 hp rocket, it never satisfied my desire for power and it is still somewhat of a bulky bike. The Versys 650 offered the smaller size, but similarly lacked power and didn't have the off-roadability I thought I needed.
Then, it hit me after owning one of the more off-road oriented ADV bikes, the Africa Twin, that I don't need any of that. Once I decided that I would need to spend $2000-3000 reworking the suspension and swapping to a 19"/17" tubeless wheelset, I realized how dumb that would be. I asked my general manager at the dealer to work me up a quote trading both the AT and FZ on the Tracer GT. While it wasn't a normal employee deal because these Tracer GTs are so hard to get right now, it was more than fair. I lost my butt on the FZ just owning it 3 months, but I still walked away with a new bike and $1500 in my pocket. Plus, most of the goodies I bought for the FZ were swapped over to the Tracer saving me a few bucks in farkles.
I just got back from a 60 mile ride and this thing is amazing. Other than the stock windscreen being too small (already have the larger Yamaha screen on order), it is perfect! It is 99% as fun to blast around on as the FZ, but with tons more comfort and luxury. This is my first bike with cruise, and what a revelation! I don't see how I could own another bike without it...thankfully my little SR400 isn't going to be my main ride. Hopefully, this one is a keeper.
