Im touched. Midlife? Doubtful, if you have been doing it almost all of your life. The only period of my life that I havent owned and rode motorcycles is the 13 year period between the birth of my son, and now.
Alexandra just passed her citizenship test, and, as I told her I one day would, I started looking for a bike. Not a new one. I had my sights on a GSXR 750, maybe a little newer than the one I sold when Chris was a baby, but, every one out there in the used category I saw needed rubber, chain and sprockets, fork seals (figures, anyone who has owned a GSXR of any displacement gets that) and a full tune. I owned a 1991 FJ 1200 I bought brand new that went when I bought the GSXR. I rode both bikes to both coasts.
Prior to that, there was a Honda 900F, a Honda 1000CB, some Enduros, a Seca 600, and some transportation implements (750 Maxim, 750 Norton) that were kinda forgettable.
Ive actually owned more sets of race leathers than bikes.
The new FJ is a 1989 with 18,000 miles on it. Just like Brents knee surgery, Ive been here before. The FJ put the Sport in Sport/Touring, competent, and capable either two up with soft luggage, or solo. The only other bike I considered was a Honda Blackbird, but, they are almost double what a nice FJ sells for.
A cult thing. A good cult thing, though.
Ill still ride my bicycles.
Best,
Ted
