Motorcycle dilemma. Should I stay or should I go now.

[Tinybear]

Currently have a two bike garage (down from 4 in the past).

I have a 2022 Honda CRF300L. It’s a lot of fun and makes a great trail toy that is equally good at being a CHEAP commuter. It’s the only true off roader I own now as I sold off the ATVs (to get a camper) and prefer now to use my Toyota Tacoma pickup purely as the tow rig for said camper.

My other bike serves as my all rounder. It is a 2017 Vstrom 650. It is setup perfectly for long haul tours to anywhere there’s something one could consider a road. Been a great machine and has only 30,000kms on it. It’s taken me on many trips and done a few 1000km+ days. Absolutely the best travel bike I have owned in the 20or so bikes I have had. But for commuting and general around home riding it’s a tad bland and dare I say a bit boring.

these days the time I have for long tours is non existent with two kids. (6 and 3). So I’m entertaining the thought of selling and getting something a bit more sporty (love the look of the CB650R and do love a screaming 4cyl. The risk going that route is sporty limits my riding to 2-3 hr trips due to previous injuries to my legs. But that’s the only riding I do these days a few hours here and there.

I stuck and can’t decide to eithe opt for the sexy fling of a bike that’s just simple quick fun and something I enjoy looking at even if it tends to hurt me in the long run. or stick to the slightly mundane marriage style bike that has served me well for the past 6 years and will continue to do so for as long as I wish. She may never knock my socks off but leaves me happy and comfy every time I out there. Sure ain’t a looker but always gets the job done.

brains says stick with what I got. Heart pounds for more excitement.

And before some one says, a third bikes outa question as the funds just aren’t there right now.

[Grendel]

A bike ridden is better then a bike sitting. If you have limited time to ride but still want to ride get/keep the best bike that makes you happy.

[Tinybear]

The bikes I have.

[Tinybear]

A bit about my riding history. Been riding street bikes over 20 years now. Dipped my toes into pretty much every motorcycle genre with the exception I suppose of a full on super sport or a hyper bike. I have had big cruisers naked sport bikes tourers many duel sports a super moto and even an old classic UJM. I love bikes don’t seem to matter what type. Hell I’d try riding the wheels off a pink Vespa if I was tossed the keys lol (Probly would take long I’m fat). My favorite riding has always been travel hence purchasing and owning two V Stroms over the years. They make for great travel bikes on anything you can classify as a road. I have ridden across Canada ridden nearly as far north in Qubece as I believe you can in summer. All on the backs of bikes strapped down with all I need to survive for a few weeks.

I also used to own a Honda CBF600 (that’s bike I crossed Canada on) which was kinda a semi naked bike with the predecessor engine to the new CB650. Loved the bike but sold it after I got injured because the knee angle made longer rides very painful. Ideally if I do switch the bikes the use would be commuting on nice days (take the duelsport on the nasty days) and 200-300km weekend twisty road blasts and maybe a track day if I ever work up nerve to try it. This is essentially what I presently using the Strom for. The bike functions just fine in that regard and is a fantastically competent machine for most anything you throw at it. Just doesn’t entice excitement or passion if you will.

My CRF300L is not going anywhere. I enjoy trail riding too much to quite. It’s works great for commuting but on weekends when I can escape or on the odd family camping trip in the bush I always like explore trails I can find.

I suppose deep down I just miss having something faster and exciting, a machine you always turn back to look at after parking etc. But then I also know the smart choice is obvious and I should stick with the two bikes that have proven to work for my needs and limitations.

[Chuck E Ducky]

Check out the Honda CB1000R and Keep the trail toy. This is what I would buy if I was to get something new today.

https://powersports.honda.com/motorcycle/standard/cb1000r

[Tinybear]

Love these as the big brother to the 650 I want. But also not looking to increase my insurance costs.

[Chuck E Ducky]

Is motorcycle insurance that much more expensive in Canada? It’s pretty cheap comparatively in the US. It’s been a while since I sold my GSXR1000. But that new Honda has me written all over it.

[Tinybear]

Generally yes insurance is far more costly here. That being said been many years since I had a big bike. I’m 40 with clean record and 20years of riding with no breaks. So insurance for me is pretty decent I pay ruffly $300/month for three cars and two motorcycles.

[glaman5266]

I don’t own a bike, but with other things I ask myself if I’m going to be comfortable with it in a few years. I don’t like buying stuff I’m not going to have for at least a few years, factoring in previous body issues/injuries and estimating my general wanting further down the line. I try to look ahead.