I'm Not Sure How it Happened

I had been looking at a BMW f650 that is parked on the edge of town. Every day I drive by it on the way to work and each day (until Saturday) I wanted it more. In fact I even did some negotiating with the person who owns the bike, but she wouldn't budge much on the price.

Good thing.

On Saturday I went into town to get some oil for the old Suzuki. The motorcycle shop I frequent is owned by an older couple. They are very sweet people and I've always liked doing business with them. When I told them that I also needed a new battery Judy, the owner, asked me what bike I had. She found out I had a 2001 GS500 and stopped in her tracks. She told me they had been looking everywhere for a GS500 but couldn't find one locally. In fact, they were sending a friend to Ohio to look at one at a dealership.

Three hours later I sold my motorcycle and made a little money off the deal to boot.

Now I was prepared to give the person the extra money she demanded for her BMW. But before I went to make the deal I decided to check Craigslist.

That's where I found a 2000 Suzuki Bandit 1200S.

Allie and I met the college kid who owns the motorcycle on Sunday. I took it for a test drive. Honestly, the thing scared me. I would describe it as a muscle car. It's got a crap load of torque. They call it the "Wheelie Cycle" because a lot of wheelie schools buy this model for the high power, low price combo. That same combination has also left it with the reputation as being a thug bike.

Heh. . .

It's not perfect, it needs some cleaning up and I really wanted something fuel injected so I wouldn't have to warm it up on cold mornings. Plus, it's got a modified exhaust that adds horsepower (which I don't need) and engine noise (which I don't want). But oh my god does it fly.

I drove it home this evening. I thought I was going about 70 MPH. I looked down at the speedometer and it said I was doing a little more than 100.

Eeep.

So getting the new bike was a bit of a whirlwind and to tell you the truth I'm not sure how I wound up with a new bike so quickly. After all, the GS500 was a great bike. But my riding habits and girth truly cried out for something bigger.

Bigger, I got.