Always wanted a motorbike. Since as long as I can remember, something that has always appealed to me but I’ve held off for this reason or that excuse. But no longer. I researched, considered, pondering and researched some more the various styles of bikes for me.
Harley cruiser? Several of my good friends ride Harleys but that isn’t where I wanted to me. To quote a good friend of mine, “Why pay 2012 prices for 1950’s technology. You’ll overpay like crazy for a Harley.” Noted and agreed to. Plus I’m not keen on the riding position or the associated attitude. Nah.
Sport bike? Never wanted to ride a torture wrack for a bike. Sure you can go fast, very fast with the flick of the wrist but that will only lead to trouble, death and dismemberment because I know me. Additionally the riding position, hunched over the tank with you legs tucked up behind isn’t the ideal setup. Finally, my penis isn’t short enough to justify riding around on a bike named, “Ninja” … uh, no.
So, I was left considering a “standard” bike, upright riding style in the 650cc range. Good starting bike, lots of learning to be done, and I’d be off and running pretty quickly. Once more the research began but after a couple of weeks, the decision was pretty clear: either a Kawasaki Versys or a Suzuki VStrom. After chatting with long-term riders, they all (in unison) preached the benefits of ABS which made the decision for me — the VStrom has ABS as standard while the Versys does not make an ABS version in the states (but they’ve been making them for years in England).
So I just pulled the trigger on the 2012 Suzuki VStrom 650. Though my start was shaky, so far, so good.