Attended the Bike show today. It was not nearly as good a show as
years past, primarily because it was held in the ice arena instead of
the old convention center, which is where it's always been in years
past. Don't know why they switched, but I'm wondering if the
convention centers operators didn't raise the rates now that we have a
new and larger second convention center to pay for.
On one plywood protected ice rink -
Harley, The Motorcycle Shop (Kawasaki, Triumph, Ducati, BMW), Yamaha,
Suzuki, Honda of Anchorage (Honda, Suzuki, Ducati, Vespa)
On the other plywood protected ice rink, both of which are separated
by the restrooms, admin, corridors, seating, and concession -
Victory, Can-Am, Personally owned bikes (POB) on display.
No scantily-clad girls, no live music, no pre-recorded music, even.
The usual assortment of new bikes were there. Noticeably absent were
the Multistrada, Ural, Honda's ST, the Concours, and Goldwing. The
Triumph Scrambler felt very comfortable when I sat on it. Nice
standard ergos with enough room for a full height adult. The Ducati
Hypermotard stunk for riding position, IMO. The seat was so tilted
toward the tank you kind of migrated right up to it. On top of it
even. The Monster was too sporty for me. No other Ducs in the place.
Looks like my favorite Duc will remain a Multistrada. The only other
mentionable was the Honda NT700. I'd never seen one in person till
then. With the engine totally hidden in plastic, it really seems to
be an updated replacement for the Pacific Coast. It also was super
comfy, with nice standard ergos. It would make a pretty nice all
around street motorcycle, I think.
Looking at the Harleys, the wife said, "Why don't we get a better
one?", referring to my old 1997 Electra Glide Classic. "What?", I
asked, not quite believing my good fortune. Even before she repeated
her suggestion, I immediately began thinking of a more powerfull bike
with matching sidecar. Not being accustomed to having such
opportunities, I declined the offer, reminding her that I intend to
pay off the house this summer (prepping for retirement). She repeated
her offer later though, when she spied the Can-Am Roadster, and again
when she saw the Victory Vision.
I felt like an old married guy out of town on business turning down an
offer from some sweet, young, hot looking thing. Almost. There were
quite a few bikes parked outside at the show today, as our spring is a
little early this year. The roads have ice in the morning, but
afternoons are pretty much ice free these days. We headed out to have
lunch at the Sushi Sushi, a Japanese sushi spot owned and run by
Koreans, which is the way it is up here, pretty much. We ran into a
Korean lady who knew us from the days when I used to frequent their
liquor store. Those were the days.
I popped up Craigslist when I got home and found an estate sale in
Fairbanks offering a 2004 Multistrada with 2200 miles on it for $5500.
Kelly's Retail, which is what most people up here ask for, is $6700.
That's the bike I've been telling myself I wanted as a retirement
present to myself, and there it is, staring me in the face 3 to 4
years early. 5 grand would be manageable, but my operating reserve
won't be as much as I like it to be anyway when I pay off the house
this summer, so I'm passing.
When it rains, it pours. Perhaps Satan is tempting me.
Robert
XML Sitemap