New Motorcycle
It's not exactly like I've been subtle about this, but I've been looking for a new ride for a while. Thursday I got this:
Did you notice that it's red? I seem to have a thing for red motorcycles.
I've been not riding for a while. Coincidently, I've been not writing for a while, either. Looking back, it might be the exact same time frame. I can't guarantee that I'll be writing more (it feels like I could be) but I'll damn sure promise that I'll be riding more.
There is a certain sadness here. I'm pretty sure that this is my LAST motorcycle. Sigh. Getting old has it's drawbacks. This feels like it's not a bad exit strategy.
Maybe I can hold out hope for one more bike-when my legs won't hold this one up a lighter bike for charging around might be there for me. Maybe an electric? That'd be fun.
It's got a LOT of stuff. Each thumb has 3 functions and a sound system and air adjustable suspension. A powered phone cradle and my trusty coffee cup holder (I actually installed that before I paid for the bike). Negotiations with the owner took about 2 minutes ONLY because he was English Second Language. When he started it I knew it was mine.
Great big trunk, huge saddlebags. It's a geezer-glide for sure. It also has incredible torque and power in a stunningly well mannered drive train set up. It's amazingly easy to ride with a monster windscreen, a really well positioned back rest and an ass swaddling seat :) I'm so excited to go that I can barely stand it.
I've been in the doldrums for months. Turning 70, not riding, people in my life dying. I don't know the excuse for it, but I'll promise it's been real. I honestly don't think this motorcycle is the answer, but I think the attitude change that allowed me to buy it IS the answer.
So. @galenkp asked me where I was headed. It's pretty much winter time everyplace but right around here. I think maybe next week I'll try to slip away to Death Valley NP (and Joshua Tree is on the way) to get a little riding and seeing in. Two of my favorite things.
Maybe I'll see you on the road. I hope so. This view is what you'll see when I go screaming past!
All words and photographs in this post are mine. For better or worse.
Welcome back.. been a minute since you've been posting. Nice bike. I'll recommend a day or two at Gila Hot Springs,NM as a destination
I'll take that under advisement. I've been known to wander off to New Mexico now and again. I'm going to let it warm up a bit before I head back to 4 corners. Chaco Canyon is calling me.
Well it's 7 hours south from Chaco canyon to the hot springs..
Oh boy Tom what a sweet set of wheels, now that really looks comfortable and able to hold a fair amount to take you comfortably from here to there...
Many happy rides on this gorgeous red bike, nice pillar box red too I might add! Yes this age thingy and all friends dropping like flies has become a little mental torment, life goes on.
Spoil yourself I really look forward to hearing about your trails and trips!
@tipu curate 2
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Ohhhh man, it's so comfortable. It was getting to be a lot of work to ride Connie. I'm just about out the door to put a couple hundred miles on it.
Thanks Joan. Always good to hear from you.
Enjoy she looks a good road cruiser, plenty place to stash what you need for taking breaks.
This red new companion of yours seems so comfortable. Negotiation only about two minutes means just one: love at first sight! Enjoy all the cool stuff it offers and ride with all the pleasure! Well, I am sure you will do that anyway :)
When he hit the starter button and it rumbled to life I was completely helpless. It's the first vehicle of any type that I've ever bought without negotiation.
I'm really looking forward to it!
That looks absolutely awesome. Nice ride! It's certainly no solution to getting old (I'm catching up to you, btw). I see many a good road trip in your future!
There is really only one solution for getting old, and I'm pretty darn sure this is going to be way better :)
I'm going to head out for a ride now. If I see a fire hydrant I'll take a picture of it!
Whoot! I'm hoping that the fire hydrants out west are different than those out east! 😂
Congratulations Tom. 👍🏿
Lookin good my dude.
Thanks man! I'm pretty excited to be back at it!
Nice to see you back and posting again. :)
Thank you! It's really nice to be back and always good to see you.
I don't know much about motorcycles, but that looks like a pretty sweet ride! Congratulations! We hope to see many stories and photos of your fun travels! 😃
Thanks. I'm going for a ride this morning, but I don't think there are any old barns on my route. Maybe one, there's an old homestead right where Yuma and Maricopa counties join. I am pretty sure the barn has fallen down, but I'll take a look...
Hey, any travel photos are cool! I love seeing parts of the world where I've never been! 😃
I was out and about yesterday in not the best of weather. I did spot a decrepit old service station (that I'd forgotten about) and the remains of a shed that will both wait for better weather (I also found a new road to explore-that'll work for both) and light.
I did make one photo stop, Monday or Tuesday for that.
Absolutely beautiful!
"but I think the attitude change that allowed me to buy it IS the answer." - it's almost impossible to have a bad day when your face (and sometimes unexpected parts as well, hehe) is in the wind.
Congrats on the purchase and getting back to riding. I've been tempted myself, especially when I get a chance to borrow the daughter-in-law's bike, because if it's in your blood, you never get over it.
Looking forward to reading about your adventures and seeing the pictures!
You well know about never getting over it. I've been riding about 55 years. I am so glad that I'm back in the wind.
Thank you. I really appreciate it!
Wow 55 years of riding. Amazing! Which was your first bike?
1964 Yamaha YG1KT. 80cc of pure excitement, :) For the record, it was RED.
I googled it, what a cool bike! Do you still have it? Many people always have an attachment for their "firsts"
It carried me quite a ways for a small two stroke. I learned a lot about wrenching from it and had a LOT of fun with it. It started my love of two wheels.
I finally wore it completely out, wasn't worth fixing any more. So I used the wheels to build a welding cart and it stuck with me for another 20 years. I'm sitting here smiling just thinking about it...
Oh how beautiful! We can always keep small parts of old stuff, just to remind us from where we have started. I also tend to do that, use the old and incorporate it into something new.
What a beauty😍😍 May you enjoy plenty of good trips with this one!
Thanks Mary. I didn't 'fall out of love' with riding, but this beast is so comfortable that I'm really thinking of rides both short and long. I'm sure I'll enjoy it to the max.
Awesome looking bike. Congrats man.
Thanks man. I'm pretty excited. Maybe I will wander up toward that SLC area when it warms up a bit...
I was in a friends grow room yesterday. Made me think of you :)
What a bike. I think you are right, it might not be the answer but getting out and wanting b to be buying it isb the start of it for sure!
If it's possible, I felt an attitude change. I don't even know it that can happen or if it's just a huge shot of euphoria. Either way I'm taking it :)
Take it!! Grab it and hold onto it!!
Aye aye sir. I hear and will comply!
That’s a real nice ride and hopefully it’s just what you need
I can relate to feeling better ones age when you hear of many close friends passing the last few months it seems every week I have heard of someone passing and I’m only 61 slip that on since it goes up in hours lol
Take care my friend
There is no doubt this will fill a need. I have two places to park at my place. The porch (verandah) right outside my front door or the little garage/shed about 30 feet away. The shed is more protected and a better option but on the porch I can just look out my front window and smile.
So my car lives in the garage.
People dying seems to come in waves for me. Don't know how that relates to actual fact...
I can understand having it on the porch so you can see it and feel good
And yes it seems to me the same hearing of deaths seems to come in waves i
Looks comfy!!
Well, as far as bikes are comfy.
Looking forward to some road trip posts and something to explain why Joshua Tree is a place worth visiting.
It IS comfy. The bike was designed and built with customer comfort in mind. It's plenty fast, but unlike most motorcycles I've owned, that's not the primary objective with the Goldwing.
Seating is absolutely neutral with an included back rest. Seat is thick and comfy. Radio is ok :) I have a bluetooth dongle on order so I can play my playlists off the phone. Then it will be good, too.
Joshua Tree is a place of very interesting botany. And it is a haven for rock climbers. There are at least two schools that operate there that I know of. But it probably isn't a place that will casually impress a visitor. It sorta has to grow on you...
Looks like you are in for a pretty long summer road trip ahead - does it fit a tent in the back?
Yeah, I'm sure I can get it loaded. I'm also considering a trailer :)
Wow man this looks super indeed. What's its name and model? Is it custom made? The engine says honda otherwise. It looks so pretty sir. You're lucky 🤩
It's a completely stock Honda Goldwing. Except for the backrest, the most chosen option. There are literally thousands of them on the roads here, but that particular red was only available in 2004.
I talked to a really good friend in Washington state last night and he's going to go look at an '08 this week. It's Canary yellow, also a flashy and fairly rare color.
Amazing, I didn't know honda also manufactures such kinda rides. I just checked its latest model price and it isn't nearby affordable lol. Bug yea the power it packs justifies the price tag. I can only imagine what it would feel like to accelerate this beauty. Evem a lot of cars found at roads here don't have that much bps and torque.
Yeah. There is a reason why I bought a 2004 :)
My car is 1.4l Toyota. This is significantly larger. But I don't care if my car isn't fast :)
What a machine!.... Bravo!
Thanks! I'm really happy!
Ohhhhh!! I remember in one of our exchanges of comments you mentioned about getting a motorcycle, and YOU DID IT!!!!!!! Awesome I'm so happy for you and yes you have something about the red 😆😆
Yep. This is what I've been looking for awhile. I told my buddy in Washington last night "I can't believe I've waited this long to buy a Goldwing".
Congrats! Don't kill yourself on it.
I'll take that under advisement. It is a risk. I used to make my mother cringe by saying "I know that somewhere there is a Buick with my name on the bumper." She drove Buicks :)
Now that machine is a thing of beauty Tom! Here’s me and my yamaha xj 700 maxim back in my air force days in New Mexico. Found this pic yesterday
What a beauty! Yamaha was just the king of engineering in those days. I bought an XS 1100 special after it scared the shit out of me on the test ride. It was a gorgeous bike, too.
My brother had a Virago that I put more miles on than him. I didn't have a road bike for a while and he wasn't much of a rider so I'd keep it exercised in payment for keeping it serviced :)
Literally has a trunk? That's epic.
Literally a trunk. It's pretty darn cool. Right now I have a complete riding suit, my Nikon and camera bag, glasses and a hat in it. When the weather warms a bit the suit will come out. It's foul weather gear, I wore the pants starting out yesterday...
There is this wild demeanor the red color exudes. If i get to see you ride or drive by I’ll holla.. Dope Bike!!
I know there is something about red for me. I've owned quite a few of them. I have a picture on my wall with 4 red bikes that I owned at one time. :)
Red, sturdy, new and a spacious trunk for a bike. All I can I say is BEAUTIFUL!
Congratulations on your new motorcycle. You have some adventures ahead of you on this beauty. 😃
Thank you. I know it's really about the ride, but I am anxious to begin the adventures-again.
Congratulations Tom😍
Thank you!
Omg! @bigtom13 I love motorcycles so much! This post just put a smile on my face. I wish I was living close to you, I would literally beg to let me ride all the time!.. Lol.
Thanks so much for sharing. I'm definitely reblogging this.
That would be a cool deal. Obviously this one has a great passenger seat. It's higher than the driver's seat so the passenger so can see!
That's really great!.. Does it come with a helmet?
I have several helmets. A couple that fit my big melon and 4 that are more appropriately sized to riders.
My mom was a big supporter of my riding. She had one rule the first day and it carried on until she died. "Always wear a helmet". I bought a Ducati (RED) a few years before she died and I took it to her place to show it off. Arizona doesn't require a helmet, it was only a few residential blocks so I rode there bare headed. She wouldn't even come outside to look until I went home and got a helmet. It's a good rule :)
Lol... It's a really good rule. When I eventually buy my bike, I would definitely get a helmet.
Absolutely beautiful!
Thank you!
tks for share
Thanks for reading.
Congrats, that is quite a cool bike! Really enjoyed reading your story and seeing these awesome pictures.
Keep up the great work!
Cheers,
@andy-plays
I promise to get more pictures (and more posts) out soon. I took some pictures at the Gila River yesterday that should show up Monday (unless I'm riding :))
I am looking forward to see more of it!
Cheers,
@andy-plays
!gif amazing
Via Tenor
What a beast!
It really is a beast. Well mannered and controllable but a serious beast.
Love it! I bought a bright red car, so welcome to the red club! Hope you have many safe miles!
I've owned at least 6 red motorcycles and a couple of red cars over the years. I remember every one of the red ones...
That is awesome! I am really glad that you were able to find something new to help you with what you are going through. Plus it is just functional and makes a lot of sense too. It's almost like the Knight Rider car with all of the switches and buttons!
Hello, buddy. I'm also a big fan of motorcycles.
Very beautiful your new bike. It's hard to find one like this one around here.
I hope you're still having good years with her.
Nice to meet your hobby. I'll read you your old adventures.
Friend a hug from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Good luck on the road! Have a good time!
Damn. I knew a long rider from Brazil-or more correctly I knew of him. A doctor that was riding a Honda ST when I got to talk to him. It'll take me some time to remember his name. I'm old.
hahaha very cool man, i love the road