Bike Sold - What next?

[YellowDog]

Well what a shock to the system it is when someone calls to look at the bike you would like to get sold by the end of feb, and rides it away!

What am I going to do?

I can get to work by car now, but that is 50 mins versus 15 mins. But I do feel quite sad an lost without it. I can't be on my own now when I want to.

I am having knee surgery at the end of Feb, so I expect to be out of action for a few weeks, but then I get to buy a new one.

In an ideal world, we would all have 3 bikes. The world is not ideal and nor is my budget. I had set my heart on a 2008 Tiger, but can't justify (or afford) the extra cost. I have spent ages looking at this and have decided (with the missus) that we need a commuter/tourer. Something not too big for weaving through traffic and something not too small for the odd Bay of Islands weekend.

After reading a lot of excellent KB debating about the best looks/performance/value bikes, I have come to the conclusion that the GSF1250SAT is the one for me. Without the need to commute, the GSX1400 did it for me. I know there is a lot of better bikes in this class around however the all round cababilities of this bike make it now my first choice.

Constructive criticism plus alternative suggestions will be appreciated.

[rainman]

Ah well mate, at least you didn't struggle to sell it! Let me know if you get really desperate for a ride, I'll let you run mine around the block... it's just around the corner. :laugh:

Wouldn't the Bandit be a bit big for a commuter?

[YellowDog]

I was amazed about how easy it was to sell and what a good price I got. In 4 years the price has none up from $3500 to $5500 (equivalent). I wouldn't have got $2000 for it in the UK. The guy flew up from Hawkes Bay (not a KBer). He sent me a txt at 10:00 to say he got down to Taupo before refuelling and had a good journey. I think this says something about the overly high prices of used bikes in NZ.

Thanks for the very kind offer (so you still have the GN then?). I have been struggling a little with my dodgy knee and want to see if not twisting it as I get on and off a bike makes a difference. I am going out today to look at bikes. As the missus has said “alright then so long as it has ABS” I would like her to be involved in the choice. She really likes the Boulevard M109 but I really don't think I would be able to commute on one of those. I would definitely buy a cruiser as a second bike, if I had the space/cash. The Bandit is surprisingly light (well balanced) for a 1250cc lump. I hope I am not kidding myself by saying it will be fine for commuting. Having ridden the bikes I like and made it down to the final 2-3, I think I need to ride them again and this time a little further. I am just worried that if I ride the Tiger again, I won’t want to get off!

As I have a bit of time, I’m not going to rush. We’ll see :confused: