Today, I traded in my trusty Silver Wing; the second one in 3 years. I told myself I'd never sell this one. Maxi-scooters are so good at so many things, and are just PERFECT in the suburbs. They tour pretty well, do interstate pretty well, and handle small grocery runs and rush hour well too. They are a ton of fun in the twisties, as I can focus on the lines and having the perfect throttle input without any need to shift. They have a very low center of gravity, so they're quite easy to handle, despite their prodigious mass.
I test drove a Honda CBR250R yesterday. Great little bike, but it did get buzzy past 60 mph. I don't think the single cylinder was a wise design choice by Honda, but a cost-saving, margin-boosting one instead. It is amazingly powerful under 60 mph. Lots of fun to shift through the gears like a MotoGP hero, but then look down and see I'm only going 40 mph. Had I been on my old FJR, I'd have been going well over 100 mph with that much revving and shifting.
I skipped the latest generation of 300c single cylinder Hondas, as I hear they're just too buzzy, from being stroked out.
Then, I test-rode what I thought was a used CBR500R. Fell in love with it. It seemed like the perfect bike for me. Quick enough in acceleration to be really fun, but not so fast in speed that I'd have to be so darned careful, as I was on the FJR. Turns out it was a new, left-over 2017 and too rich for my blood.
That stealership wanted to rob me, so I said no thanks and made an 80 mile ride up to a dealer north of Milwaukee. They had a new, left-over 2015 CBR500R ABS for $1820 less than the 2017 at the local dealer. ABS is a feature I can really stand in support of, since my crash locking up the front brake of my Buddy 125 when I panic-braked for a deer caught in the headlight back in about 2011.
The ride up north of Milwaukee was over 90% interstate expressway, and in my neck of the woods, that means a lot of truck traffic. I was reminded of how badly maxi-scooters get buffeted by the turbulent air coming off the backs of the trucks. It seems to be the only chink in the armor. Oh, that and they CAN be a bit dull to ride sometimes, compared to a classical motorcycle. But that beauty had NO problem cruising at an indicated 85 mph at just over 6,000 RPM. (actual, probably 77 mph) I know I'm going to miss the huge locking storage, but then again, this is not really a "run to the grocery store" type of bike. Gonna have to do that on my bicycle, now.
They gave me a fair deal on the Silver Wing. $2500, in light of it having some paint issues from the previous owner dropping it, and needing new tires. (original ones were starting to show some age cracking)
The ride home... woo, I forgot how different a sporty motorcycle is than an upright scooter. Buffeting was not an issue at all. Hitting bad frost heaves on the freeway were jarring, as they always are, but since I then had my weight split between my wrists and back, it was overall easier on my body. I DO need to get a taller windshield for it, as my ears were ringing when I got off the bike, even though I wore ear plugs. The air coming off the windscreen of the CBR was cleaner and smoother than that of the Silver Wing. The Silver Wing's screen blocked almost all of the direct wind from the body and neck, by my helmet took some ferocious turbulent air of its top. I have a Givi Airflow windshield in the garage I meant to install, but never got around to. Shoulders took some air too, which I wasn't used to. Froze my butt off, as I was only wearing a long sleeve shirt and my mesh jacket with windproof liner. No insulation at all.
The CBR feels a lot quicker, despite being down about 110cc on the 'Wing. Must be those extra 128 pounds it was carrying around. That, or the 'Wing is quicker than I give it credit for, since one is ALWAYS in the right gear and there's no pauses for shifting.
Now to deal with plate transfer and insurance...
Here's the evidence:
Proud new owner
Looks fast just sitting still, doesn't it?
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