The affair ...

[The Gecko_imp]

True long lasting love affairs - and I know what I am talking about -do always start in revers. Not hot shot, bang they start, they start cool and slow. And a little while later the heat comes from the inside. Like Lithium, once the flames are showing it’s too late to put a lid on it. So Corm’s answer doesn’t work for me, unless he’s never been in love

[Cormanus]

It is true that I don’t find myself “… buying, or thinking of buying a bike that really does not make any sense for them and/or is comparatively impractical to what they know better?

I have a CB1100. I don’t want another bike. Why would I? So I don’t lust after or blow any of my hard-earned on bikes that make no sense to me.

In spite of that, Gecko, your description of the evolution of a love affair will smoulder in the back of my mind.

[Gone in 60]

Interesting subject! For me, any bike that can be used on the highway is practical, as it allows me the luxury to skirt traffic.

Looking at my CB300R, it could arguably be deemed impractical as it is a third bike bought almost on a whim. But, I just ran a bunch of errands on it today, using streets and freeways, so it serves a practical purpose.

[GoldOxide_imp]

It is true that I don’t find myself “… buying, or thinking of buying a bike that really does not make any sense for them and/or is comparatively impractical to what they know better?

I have a CB1100. I don’t want another bike. Why would I? So I don’t lust after or blow any of my hard-earned on bikes that make no sense to me.

In spite of that, Gecko, your description of the evolution of a love affair will smoulder in the back of my mind.

Lusting after (say slowly with tip of tongue planted firmly on ceiling of mouth, ... luh, ... luh, ... luh-sss, ... luh-ssst ... that's right ... luh-sting, .. you got it Cormanus, ... good.)

... is for many a part of the pursuit. This thread is not about practicality. It is about an affair, another passion.

[misterprofessionality]

My CT125 started out fitting this category. Because like....what am i gonna use such a tiny bike for? It felt completely superfluous. Even having a third bike at all feels completely superfluous to me. I know a lot of people think of motorcycles as inherently superfluous but thats not my take at all. I see them as (potentially) completely practical transportation devices. Thats mostly what i use them for, even if i do tend to cut up at times. But theres a limit. A 125cc underbone bike that can barely reach 60mph on level ground....that is not what i would think of as practical. Its was a passion item for me, because i just love that mini bike energy.

And then i bought one.

I have to say, i was 1000% wrong. This thing may well be the most practical bike i own. The simplicity. The onboard storage capacity. The fuel economy. The cheap insurance. And the fact that it goes juuuuust fast enough to get me anywhere i need to go locally. All of this adds up to a perfect get-around machine. Im beginning to wonder if i even need my versys anymore with this little bike in my stable...

[GoldOxide_imp]

My CT125 started out fitting this category. Because like....what am i gonna use such a tiny bike for? It felt completely superfluous. Even having a third bike at all feels completely superfluous to me. I know a lot of people think of motorcycles as inherently superfluous but thats not my take at all. I see them as (potentially) completely practical transportation devices. Thats mostly what i use them for, even if i do tend to cut up at times. But theres a limit. A 125cc underbone bike that can barely reach 60mph on level ground....that is not what i would think of as practical. Its was a passion item for me, because i just love that mini bike energy.

And then i bought one.

I have to say, i was 1000% wrong. This thing may well be the most practical bike i own. The simplicity. The onboard storage capacity. The fuel economy. The cheap insurance. And the fact that it goes juuuuust fast enough to get me anywhere i need to go locally. All of this adds up to a perfect get-around machine. Im beginning to wonder if i even need my versys anymore with this little bike in my stable...

Amen Mr. P.

[Ollie]

Question:

Any Forum folks find themselves buying, or thinking of buying a bike that really does not make any sense for them and/or is comparatively impractical to what they know better?

So what are you contemplating, Gold?

[GoldOxide_imp]

Question:

Any Forum folks find themselves buying, or thinking of buying a bike that really does not make any sense for them and/or is comparatively impractical to what they know better?

So what are you contemplating, Gold?

The octane hungry (especially during hot, humid, stuck in summer traffic congestion), engine-pinging Moto Guzzi V85TT has been haunting, ... err, uh, ... ... I mean - I have been "luh-sting" over lately.

Sadly, when compared to the Honda Africa Twin, a lot has to be given up. But, that is what most affairs are about, eh?

I suppose if I lived in Utah, I could keep both.

[Ollie]

OK. Not sure if I mentioned it here but I replaced a 2020 1100 Africa Twin with a V85. I would suggest a 2021+ which will come with tubeless wheels. Mine has never detonated but I do use at least 89 octane.

[GoldOxide_imp]

OK. Not sure if I mentioned it here but I replaced a 2020 1100 Africa Twin with a V85. I would suggest a 2021+ which will come with tubeless wheels. Mine has never detonated but I do use at least 89 octane.

Roger that Ollie.

Yeah, it would be at least a 2022 model.

Have you been stuck idling in hot, stuffy, summer traffic with it? If so, any other grumbles other than heat wafting up from the cylinders? (All motorcycles give off the same amount of heat whether air or water cooled, respectively of course. Heat is heat - just a matter of cooling the cylinders well enough.)

What has been the coldest temperature you have successfully ridden the V85TT?

Will it run well and reliably at -4F without complaining too much - you think?