First post and already I'm taking a poll.

So after 48 years of motorcycles ranging from flat track to road racing to observed trials and motocross (along with a ton of street riding with current bikes being a 2004 Triumph Thunderbird Sport and a 2004 BMW R1150RT), I am considering selling the bikes (along with my Mercedes ML430) and buying an S2000.

One of the factors has to be that I am a bit tired of doing the driving both for me as well as the brain dead folks who pass as responsible license holders. My wife is my passenger on both bikes and I'm growing weary of the odds of late.

My reason for selling the ML430 is quite different in that I have had a "utility vehicle" for many years and now believe that we can get by nicely with my wife's VW Passat wagon and our 4X8 utility trailer.

So the reason for the poll is to drag out those who decided to give up road riding in favor of 4 wheels (specifically the S2000) and encourage comments about that choice one way or the other. Thanks.

...Bob

 

OK, forget the poll. I can't seem to get an individual radio button for each answer. You can still interpret each option by reading until you see a period and consider all the prior words as one possible answer.

I hate mindless automation.

...Bob

 

I've been riding/stunting streetbikes for a few years. It almost seems like whatever the reason was for riding everyday, just isn't there anymore. I really can't explain it. I've had friends go down numerous times, both there fault and not. I've seen what it can do to people. I bought the S for the same reason. It gives me a new project to work on. And I feel safer putting my fiance in the passenger seat. The last thing in the world that I would want is for something to happen to her. I still enjoy hitting the twistys from time to time, but I've sold all my bikes but one, and honestly I haven't been on it on about 2 months.

 

you gotta do both.

I enjoy riding with my friends. we have fun in the twisties, and we are also very safe. Most of us have road racing experience also, but mostly we ride THE PACE on the street.

Anyway, I think they are completly different experiences. I love my S, but I love motorcycles more. Definetly would go without a convertible vs living without a motorcycle.

 

I grew up in the Mojave in the heyday of Dist 37 desert racing. I was out racing around the desert almost every day for about seven years. Moved to LA, switched to street bikes and rode for many years. Then gave them up for all the reasons you've described and counted myself lucky to have never piled it up.

Went ten years or so without riding and then I decided I really missed it. Older and wiser, I bought the S2K thinking it was close to a motorcycle. Well, close as a car can get but it's no motorcycle. I've got my eye on a FJR1300 now.

It's nice to drive around with no helmet or too hot protective gear, but a car (cage) just isn't a bike.

 

The only thing I see myself "giving up" is "spirited" riding on the street. I still plan on comuting to work and the like, but no more "railing" on the streets. I save that for the track.

I feel pretty blessed to have the S2000 as well as my 600RRs.

 

For me: S2K is like a race bike on 4 wheels. I could do practically anything I'd like to do with a bike and more. The plus side is I don't have to put on protective gears and helmet, etc. When it rains or when the weather gets bad, I put up the top.

Then again, I do miss riding by bike sometimes. Keep your bike, just in case you have the urge to take it out for a spin.

Cheers,