Numbered days???
I rode my YZF today. After adjusting the chain, lubing it, and checking my tire pressures, I saddled up to burn some fuel. It felt so strange: the wrapped saddle position, all of the pressure on my wrists, the non-existent low end torque, and the high-end surge in horsepower. The bike feels alien to me until I have traveled about 50 miles, then it starts to feel OK. This is after only a month with my new DL. And to think I have already done about 18,000 miles on the YZF. How quickly I have adapted to the DL. I love cornering the YZF, but that was the pentacle of my riding experience today. I was mellow and reasonably close to the proscribed speed limits once I left the highway. I leaned through the corners, accelerating out of each one. Smoothness was my goal today. Light gentle flicks into each bend of the asphalt ribbon. It was nice. And I think the YZF’s days are numbered. It is still a great bike and I may keep it around for a while longer but… I don’t see myself riding any distance on it ever again. The DL is so much more comfortable. Maybe Laura will still ride it on our long distance trips. Then again, probably not. She has her KLR now and I haven’t even heard her mention wanting to ride another/different bike in weeks.
<shrug>
Know anyone that wants a black 2001 YZF?
Installed extras: power outlet; 2 temp heated grips; LED tail lights; flashing LED brake lights; Marsee tank bag; 2 different service manuals; front and rear steel braided brake lines & pads this past spring (May?); Vance and Hines SSR2 exhaust; raised bars; Garmin GPS mount; new fork seals & springs (July); new shorter rear dog bones; new battery (Aug); battery tender leads.
Extra Parts: OEM windscreen (scratched); interior front dash panel (still wrapped); assorted screws, bolts, and rubber grommets; dash light bulbs; alarm system (somewhere); etc.
It doesn’t ‘need’ anything beyond a new rear tire. It starts like a carb bike. Grumpy when cold, but it warms up quickly. I have been running Castrol synthetic oil in it since I bought it. I am getting about 200 miles before the idiot light comes on. 230 is not uncommon during a long freeway run. The tank holds 5 gallons. I rolled 24K miles today.
Asking: $3500 Kelley Blue Book: $4390.
It needs a new rear tire. I will probably take care of that in a week or two, while I am thinking about this idea. I am not 100% happy with this train of thought, but it is a reasonable idea. I don’t need the the YZF. I can’t see myself riding it much more. Unless Laura shows an interest in doing our 1000+ mile rides on it, I can’t think of too many reasons to keep it around. Good gas milage: 55-60. It’s black. It has served me very well, never breaking down or acting ‘funny.’ That’s not a reason to keep it, is it? And the other reasons are pretty lame, all things considered. Hmm…
