Is she gonna start???

My worst mechanical fears were not realized (for once). Molly, on full choke, grumbled awake with only 3 tries at 40-something degrees. God bless the Japanese!

Molly (named by Kat)

This is my 1981 Suzuki GS850G purchased today in Pendelton, KY and ridden home to Louisville.  I gave Kat the honor of coming up with a name.  I really feel like I am a scooter kind of guy, but this is a nice little bike, well kept, and in very good shape.  I hope to ride it for a while until I find something that is perfect for me.  Who knows...if I get used to this bike, it may end up being with me a while.  I already like the way the large diameter wheels and big cushy seat gives a nice smooth ride.  I rode back KY-42 on the way home and got only got it up to 70mph for just a moment, but it seemed to have plenty of power.  Since I had never ridden a shifting vehicle before, it took some getting used to and I killed it a couple times at stops.  I am familiar with the concept of a clutch from automobiles which probably gave me a great advantage over someone who had never ridden before.

My biggest concern is starting an older carbureted vehicle (with a manual choke) during this colder weather.

Some other ideas

The thing is...there are just a LOT more motorcycles out there than scooters...

Some more examples:

1983 Honda VT500 Ascot - $1800

 

1999 kawasaki 500 vulcan - $1800

 

2001 suzuki sv 650 s - $1950

 

77 CB 750K Stretch cafe - $1200

 

1999 Yamaha V-Star 650 - $2200

 

If you're not too picky (which I can't afford to be at this point in time), then there might be some good bikes out there.  Some of you may be thinking a used bike would be trouble--especially an older one.  But I have found that parts are not usually an issue--somewhere in the world they can be had.  From there it is just finding someone who can work on the bike.  Dealers will not touch anything that is more than ten years old.  That is a statement of fact.  You have to find a trustworthy mom-n-pop place, but there are good ones out there that will service older bikes.  I have already covered the parts availability issue and finding a mechanic when I had the Roketa scooter.  I know this can be worked around.  

The stigma about a used vehicle never bothered me.  If it ain't used when I buy it--it sure as hell will be once I get ahold of it.  I don't purchase bikes to polish and let them sit.  If I had my druthers I would ride everywhere I go, year round.  Not everybody can say that and more than a couple who do might not be telling the whole truth.  

Bottom line:  Being without a bike is not mentally healthy for me.  I have figured this out in the last almost one hundred freakin' days.  Lets just say I don't look before crossing the street no more.

1986 YAMAHA RADIAN 600

1986 YAMAHA RADIAN 600

So, what do you think about this? It would need some saddlebags and a case immediately..

This would probably be my new dream bike.

http://kansascity.craigslist.org/mcy/2155921768.html

The touring package on this bike is pretty awesome.  Too bad it’s about $4K more than I can afford right now.  I have opened my list of possibilities up to include motorcycles.  I feel like I am not right since the demise of my Majesty and I really feel the need to be back on two wheels as soon as possible.  I would like to move up to a Honda Silverwing or a Suzuki Burgman 650, but those are a lot more expensive.  I know the 02 and 03 Silverwings came in a really nice red color…