I had a 2001 ZX6R that had an untimely death in 2003 where I had a little 50MPH lowside. Bike down the reveen on Blue River road. I was wearing full gear (pants, boots, jacket, gloves, helmet) and only suffered a broken hand and a bruised rib.

I then took a hiatus from sport bikes and grabbed a Vstar 650 Custom for $3k. Rode it for a few years and sold it for….$3k! woot!

The sport bike bug bit me again and I picked up a Honda 600RR in 2008; sold her in 2011 after a lot of love and fun, and one track day.

Now the bike itch has come back. I’m nearly certain I’m finally going to stay focused and buy a Ducati. 90% a Monster. I’ve always been a fan; from the 620 to now. I test road the newer 1100 and 696 monsters about 2 years ago – wow. So much fun. 1100 has a LOT of torque. Probably more than I need on the street. Love that they came out with a 796 model, and they decided to go with the single sided swing arm.


I’m hopeful to pick one up either this year or next. My price range, and fun factor has me pointed primarily at the S2R800. And most 2V Ducs for that matter.



Though my heart still loves the 620/690s.
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2010 Streetglide. I have had a few Nightrains and a Big Dog Mastiff.
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Streetglide would be the HD I'd get if I ever got a HD.
They have the pefect blend of style. The hardbags and fairing on the tree do it for me.
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My next bike will be an Ultra Classic that I can strip down to look like a Streetglide, but still have the tour pak to put on for long trips.
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Behold - the desmodromic valve actuation.
One of the Ducati myths of constant 'valve adjustments'. After broken in, and assuming not full on racing the bike, the valves should remain in tolerance.
Another reason for my opting for a 2V instead of a 4V. 2V would be easier to do the valve checks, and rather than buying a set of shims, I'd just buy the ones I needed. Saves $$$ from taking it to the dealer. Tons.

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I have a 425 horse Turbo 2011 Hayabusa.



This year I've added Ohlins front and back and Brembo's.


I've had her to multiple track days, but not at this high of HP. I was slow as could be at 325. I did buy and restore a nice zx9r (first true 10 second bike) for my track callings:


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Just got my M endorsement last fall with plans to get a motorcycle, and then went and knocked up the wife and had to put those plans on hold to try to get a new house for an extra bedroom.

I was looking a lot at bikes to figure out what I wanted, and always loved the looks of the nightrod, but really don't know that much about them. A guy at work that knows bikes well told me that if I got a HD...even if I wanted to don't get a sportster. Said they are too light and I'd just want something else right away.

Since HD was likely out of the budget I also thought about buying a buddies Boulevard for 3k after he upgraded to a new Victory, but didn't pull the trigger at the time and found out we were having the kid a short time later. Regrets :-)
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I'm thinking of getting one of these, so I can do the hand wavy thing with other motorcycle owners:

http://powersports.honda.com/2014/forza.aspx
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Crash - I take it you're familiar with Smither's :-)
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As long as it's 2 wheels you're good. :-)
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05 fatboy
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All just depends on what kind of riding you want to do. Long hauls? City/cruise?, Ride Two Up? etc. Personally, I love the Sporters Bobbed out. I think PR_Capone has one that is basically exctly what I'd like.

My $.02 is to get a metric as your first. Hate to drop coin on a HD only to drop it in a parking lot, or crash it. You can get a great metric in the 650-750cc range that will do everything you'd want for very cheap. That Boulvard sounds like a good option (C50?). Learn on it, put some serious miles on it, then turn around and sell it. I rode all over with my wife two-up on my 650 just fine. Only wished it had a taller 5th gear or 6th, but other than that, did everything I wanted.

Metrics sell very well too because of the price point. There will be people like yourself looking to get into motorcycling. My Vstar 650 is a good example. paid 3k for it, rode it for about 2.5-3 years and sold it for right at $3k. Didn't have to do a single thing to it.

Huge aftermarket; good costs; cheap maintenance etc.
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God, I feel like such a newb sometimes. One sec while I do some reading.

http://www.ask.com/question/what-is-a-metric-motorcycle
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Disclaimer,
None of these photos are actually of my bikes in the garage

I own multiple bikes, and am always on the lookout for more.
Picked this 2011 Triumph Tiger 800XC up last year. I live in the Northeastern Part of Iowa and do a lot of Trout fishing. So this thing is perfect to hit gravel roads and grind about.
About 94 HP and very elastic. I put Jesse Bags on, Engine gaurds, Safari Lights.
Great Dirt Rocket indeed.



I restored this on last year with my son. Its a 1973 Yamaha 100 LT2, my bar bike and let me tell you it attracts chicks. Has less then 500 Miles on it.



We barn finded a 1977 Maico early this spring. It has the Radial head on it. It is pretty complete with decent plastic, coffin tank and hope to complete it this spring.

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