As happens when I haven’t had seat time in a while, my attention drifts to purchasing another motorcycle. I started thinking about selling the Ural and buying 1-3 other bikes in its place. Then I rode my Ural again and remembered how much fun it was.

The Ural isn’t going anywhere (famous last words).

That didn’t stop me from casually visiting all the manufacturer websites, ogling all the new models (or bold new graphics). Facebook Marketplace and the dumpster fire of Craigslist also creeped in. I wasn’t looking for anything specific. I just haven’t bought a bike since Booger last May and it felt like I should start considering adding another set of wheels to the fleet. A few options were on my radar.

Dual Sports

Small displacement dual sports like the KLX300 and CRF300L have been on my mind for a while. I particularly like the Rally version of the Honda because of the extra fuel capacity but not the extra plastic that will get damaged when I drop it off-road. I used to have a KLR650 and love a big gas tank. The problem is that I am not a dirt-oriented rider. I didn’t even have a dirt-worthy helmet until I picked up a Bell MX9 Adventure on clearance from Revzilla. I am certainly not going to be riding anything or anywhere aggressively.

Then there’s the new Chinese adv releases from CFMoto and KOVE. They look amazing. A TW200 would be more my speed than any of those. Maybe even the CSC TT250. Buying a new TT250 would be the cheapest option, even over something used.

The other problem is that I already have a Trail 125 and a Ural. Both meet all of my offroad needs in different ways. Though storage capacity is quite good, the weight and unique characteristics limit how far off pavement I am going to take the Ural. It is more of a mall crawler than a true offroader.

Ever try to push out 800lbs of Russian steel stuck in deep sand? It isn’t particularly fun.

Booger (Trail 125) is laid back and relatively light compared to the Ural. It is not intimidating and can mostly go anywhere. It may need a sprocket swap if I gain any more weight but it does all the offroad work I could want right now.

Sportbikes

I’ve never actually owned a sportbike. I’ve owned naked bikes (Z1000, Z900) with inline-4s but never a fully faired sportbike. All the small displacement sportbikes are very interesting to me. I really like the idea of having a ZX4RR, CFMoto 450RR or even an old Ninja 250 to ride around the local twisties. I’ve always been a fan of how sportbikes look.

The problem with this idea is twofold. One is that I am fat, in my 40s, 6’2” with bad knees and folding myself up onto a sportbike for any length of time will be torture. If the bike isn’t comfortable, I will not ride it. The other problem is that I already own a Goldwing. It is comfortable, fast and more agile than my riding abilities can max out once moving.

Can I keep up with true sportbikes on my Goldwing? No. Could I keep up with those bikes if I also had a sportbike? Also no.

Retro/Standards

I don’t need to list all the potential retro bikes out there but Triumph makes most of them. I love the look of a Bonneville. Either the T100 or T120. Really anything in their modern classic line. It would be cool to have one of their new 400 bikes (Street 400 or Scrambler 400 X) even though those are arguably less retro than the others in their lineup.

The thing is, though, I already have a Ural. There is nothing out there more retro than that. It sounds like a tractor and, even though it is fuel injected, it still doesn’t like to start when it is cold outside.

What is left?

Well, scooters. While I don’t technically need a scooter, I have nothing quite like it in the fleet.

We already know how much San Francisco likes the PCX. I like them, too. I like the ADV160 more but dealers are still imposing ADM charges and I am not paying that again. Once was enough.

*The things you find (and want) on Facebook Marketplace*

Vespa is always a solid choice but expensive. A Kymco would probably scratch that itch for cheaper. If I’m going down that road, why not something from Genuine Scooter Co? That Royal Alloy sure looks purdy. Then there’s what is available on the used market. Some pretty funky options out there.

I don’t need a motorcycle

But will I buy one this year? It isn’t likely. Space in the garage is already pretty tight. My current bikes do most of the things I already want in one form or another. I don’t have a scooter, though. Maybe I do need one. We’ll see.

All bets are off if a good deal comes up.

Blasphemy?

The Road to IRONBEARD: Part 1

I’m Back…sort of