I put a mid-height windshield on it to make it more tour-worthy. My fuel economy went from mid-40s to mid-50s immediately, but if I didn’t pay attention, I found myself going 15-20 mph faster at any given time.

I see that you also tried a new KLR. I can’t recommend them enough. I just traded in my sport-touring motorcycle, a 2005 Yamaha FJR1300 for a 2009 KLR650. Although I took a hit in power, braking, wind protection, fuel delivery technology, and maybe even a bit in quality, I don’t regret it. The riding position is nearly perfect. Anyway, I won’t babble more about it here; I’ll just update my blog and you can read it if you’re interested. (pullings.blogspot.com)

Butter pecan cruisers. I like that. Kissell Motorsports has a lot of Kawasaki and Triumph cruisers in stock and I suppose at some point I will take one out. And I will probably respond the same way as I have with other bikes— wow. This is pretty nice…

The Triumph Speedmaster looks pretty nice.

Really liked the one with the sunlight streamer hitting the road in the background.

Isn’t it interesting that the different personality within each bike brings out a little different personality in the rider. Sometimes being something the rider may not have even realized they had within themselves!

So now that you’ve ventured outside of your “chocolate comfort zone” and survived…maybe a little smooth riding, “butter pecan cruiser” is next on your list? Goldwing would count for that.. but it’s a class, or two, above plain ol’ butter pecan!

I think a ride on the Street Triple might be enjoyable for you.

Keep that in mind when I talk about motorcycles. I know what they look like, sound like, if they start when I press the starter button, and how they ride. I’m not oblivious to mechanical issues merely indifferent or disinterested. Maybe when I retire that will change. But it’s much the same with cameras and photographic tools. I want to use them and I want them to work.

Anyways, I’m rambling. The Ducati’s look like engineering marvels. When I hear one start it sounds like perfection and makes a mechanical noise like nothing I have heard.

At some point I will ride a Ducati. But there is a 50cc scooter I have my eye on. Fun before terror.

an outstanding report, you sure you weren’t a producer of what my wife calls “shiny paper”? You know, the slick marketing ads at dealerships that try and convince you to buy their bikes…..

like you, I would have bypassed the street triple solely on the riding position….I can see I must “broaden my mind”.

thanks for the report…..

Actually, I am looking forward to your Ducati adventures. I only know enough about them to be dangerous, but I think I’ve zeroed in on the Ducati 696 Monster as the one for my wishlist.

Back in the long-ago my soon-to-be wife had a tiny Ducati that was later replaced by a couple of Bultacos (hers and mine) for the dirt. Those bikes were equal-opportunity machines: for every hour spent riding there was an hour of fixing.

But I understand the Ducati’s are more reliable now. ;o)

Michael

Sojurner rides: My brain just gets me in trouble, or at least limits me. Need to figure out how to get past it!