Its a big downer for me but when do you decide its time for a change ? In 2005 I walked into the dealer and Purchased brand new my Yamaha YZF R1. in 10 years I put 27,000 miles on it as I purchased more bikes. The R1 was my aftermarket money pit. Every piece of carbon fiber, every titanium piece, every electronic upgrade, the bike was only about 30% stock when I sold it recently.. I probably had over $20,000 in that Rocket.. It was the first and only auto/bike ive ever bought new. The R1 has been on dozens of trips to Deals Gap "tail of the dragon" The Cherohola Skyway, Devils triangle, and all around and over the Great Smokey mountain national park. Well in the 10 years I owned it, I got married and had two kids, and of course promoted in my field and became more dedicated to my family/job. In the past 24 months the R1 only came out of the garage a total of 7 times.. It was basically dry rotting in the back of the garage.. A hard pill to swallow for sure, but one I had to make, At 39 years old let it sit 4,5,6 years in the back of the garage until im in my mid 40's and have time to ride again or sell it off and put the $$ in the bank. Would I even want to throw a 45 year old leg over a torture rack ??? No, it was time to sell it.. Im already looking to the future, what will I want to buy down the road ? a standard ? a cruiser ? a sport touring rig ? Ive got time to chew on it as my boy is 5 and my daughters 2. I wont be buying anything until they are both in elementary and maybe even pushing middle school (5-6 years from now) so ive got time to think it over.. There is no question in my post, its just a vent/rant, get it off my chest kinda thing.. I will hold on to the memories my wife and I made on that motorcycle for years and years to come..
(Otis-Black-R1)
(Otis-Black-R1)