Just watched you questions and answers video. Well done. I agree with what you said about downsizing . I sold my Moto Guzzi Griso 1200 ( to you actually) and I can't say I have no regrets. Every now and then when I'm out riding on my 2022 Suzuki Dr650 I say to myself , man I wish I had the Griso on this road . We make choices for a lot of reasons and I am glad I did what I did. I'm going on 73 now and slowing down a little . More careful riding , more concentrated on what I'm doing when on a bike. Still having fun. Keep up the good work Blue Marble Rider.
Glad to see you're following BMR and your Griso. I was thinking of you when BMR went down on the Griso wondering how that might tug on your heart strings. Take Care Rick.
Rollie Free and Burt Monroe inspired me to get into land speed racing. Unfortunately the on course safety officials don't allow the prone riding or much less a bathing suite and swimming cap. After riding 55+ years I'm still riding everything from a Monkey to a 260 rwhp Rocket 3. Generally riding bikes from 40 to 100 horsepower for street riding is great. However, when land speed racing or drag racing I'm still thrilled with speed.
Like so many others, as we age, I want smaller/lighter/simpler. I don't need/want all the weight, tech or power. I love my FJR1300 but honestly, it's overkill for most of my riding wants/needs/desires. It's a terrific, comfortable bike, great for 2-up riding but it weighs 680 lbs wet and can be a bear to move around the garage, parking lots, etc. So I think this is my last winter w/the FJR. I'm shopping lightweight ST's and UJMs (again.) My possible choices? A '20 Tracer 900 GT, a '20-24 Ninja 1000/'25 Ninja 1100, the new Triumph Tiger Sport 800 or another Z900RS. Haven't really made my mind up yet.
About power and speed. I started at 14 on a 1970 9hp Honda trail bike. When I went to university I commuted on a 1972 14hp Honda CB200 twin (I truly loved that bike). After graduate school, once I could afford it in 1988, I bought my touring dream bike a 980cc BMW R100RT. It ran smoothly, started easily, was super comfortable, could cruise the interstates at 80mph all day without effort, and I thought by comparison to my previous little commuter it was powerful as all hell at a whopping 60 brake horse power (at the crank) with about 55 hp at the rear wheel. I still have that bike. Now I also ride a 2017 BMW 1170 Boxer engined R9T which cranks out 110bhp and you can meet the posted speed limit of any secondary highway in North America in 1st gear. How much power does one really need? Some of the twisty local roads you and I have ridden with spirit are a lot of fun and you are never out of 2nd gear. I cannot justify a bike with 150+ hp; plus I would likely kill myself if I had one. And I know if I now had a 'big' bike from the early 1970's like the Honda CB450 twin, that I used to drool over, I would be having just as much fun on those same twisty roads.
Really like your Kawasaki, looks great. I also have a Goldtop bobber jacket and gloves but in brown, I couldn’t believe how soft and comfortable they’d be straight out of the box. Fantastic company. 👍🏼
Just watched you questions and answers video. Well done. I agree with what you said about downsizing . I sold my Moto Guzzi Griso 1200 ( to you actually) and I can't say I have no regrets. Every now and then when I'm out riding on my 2022 Suzuki Dr650 I say to myself , man I wish I had the Griso on this road . We make choices for a lot of reasons and I am glad I did what I did. I'm going on 73 now and slowing down a little . More careful riding , more concentrated on what I'm doing when on a bike. Still having fun. Keep up the good work Blue Marble Rider.
Glad to see you're following BMR and your Griso. I was thinking of you when BMR went down on the Griso wondering how that might tug on your heart strings. Take Care Rick.
@@lylemacdonald6672 Just glad you and the Griso are OK. Have a Merry Christmas.
Thanks, Rick - glad to hear you are still riding that DR. The Griso is back in great shape and I can't wait for the Spring. Cheers.
At 58 I'm a returning rider,z900rs. Totally agree about Time and the need slow down and enjoy the moment.
2 great looking bikes there, I’m a lefty looking at the screen…….
Rollie Free and Burt Monroe inspired me to get into land speed racing. Unfortunately the on course safety officials don't allow the prone riding or much less a bathing suite and swimming cap.
After riding 55+ years I'm still riding everything from a Monkey to a 260 rwhp Rocket 3. Generally riding bikes from 40 to 100 horsepower for street riding is great. However, when land speed racing or drag racing I'm still thrilled with speed.
I think the speed thing lurks in me too, but never done any land speed stuff...but enjoy watching it. Cheers.
Like so many others, as we age, I want smaller/lighter/simpler. I don't need/want all the weight, tech or power. I love my FJR1300 but honestly, it's overkill for most of my riding wants/needs/desires. It's a terrific, comfortable bike, great for 2-up riding but it weighs 680 lbs wet and can be a bear to move around the garage, parking lots, etc.
So I think this is my last winter w/the FJR. I'm shopping lightweight ST's and UJMs (again.) My possible choices? A '20 Tracer 900 GT, a '20-24 Ninja 1000/'25 Ninja 1100, the new Triumph Tiger Sport 800 or another Z900RS. Haven't really made my mind up yet.
Looking and trying those bikes out is half the fun. Cheers.
About power and speed. I started at 14 on a 1970 9hp Honda trail bike. When I went to university I commuted on a 1972 14hp Honda CB200 twin (I truly loved that bike). After graduate school, once I could afford it in 1988, I bought my touring dream bike a 980cc BMW R100RT. It ran smoothly, started easily, was super comfortable, could cruise the interstates at 80mph all day without effort, and I thought by comparison to my previous little commuter it was powerful as all hell at a whopping 60 brake horse power (at the crank) with about 55 hp at the rear wheel. I still have that bike. Now I also ride a 2017 BMW 1170 Boxer engined R9T which cranks out 110bhp and you can meet the posted speed limit of any secondary highway in North America in 1st gear. How much power does one really need? Some of the twisty local roads you and I have ridden with spirit are a lot of fun and you are never out of 2nd gear. I cannot justify a bike with 150+ hp; plus I would likely kill myself if I had one. And I know if I now had a 'big' bike from the early 1970's like the Honda CB450 twin, that I used to drool over, I would be having just as much fun on those same twisty roads.
Amazing to think that 60hp 1000cc from the 80s cranks out half as much hp as the same displacement today, yet the experience can be just as rewarding.
Really like your Kawasaki, looks great. I also have a Goldtop bobber jacket and gloves but in brown, I couldn’t believe how soft and comfortable they’d be straight out of the box. Fantastic company. 👍🏼
Agree - best kit I've ever had. Think I'm getting a bit of an addiction problem with Gold Top!