I’m in a similar situation to you other than my machines differ a bit. But I am 100 percent aligned in regard to your comments about your GTS.

Now that I have four machines and it is winter I find myself cycling through them to keep each in shape during the winter. I don’t winterize. I just keep riding them.

You’re on to something with the comment about being “obligated” to make use of power. And by extension, that suggests that we’ll be pulled towards whatever capabilities and traits a machine we choose will have. And make use regardless of our skills and temperament in the application. A liter bike with over a hundred horsepower calls to go fast. A 4WD vehicles leads us to heavy snow, mud, or water crossings that neither driver or vehicle is prepared to negotiate.

So I wonder whether we find joy in the rides where the machine and our disposition are a close match? Something to think about.

The machines you’re currently considering are among those I look at as well. And I’ve heard the comments about dangerously slow. Seldom do I hear anything about dangerously fast.

If I want to test anything it’s my vision and appreciation. Not the limits of myself or what I’m riding. And I should narrow it to speed and power since I do foolishly venture out in the snow…

I completely understand the phenomenon.

Kawasaki does have a fine tone and feel. The first motorcycle I spent any significant time riding was back in 1970 on a Kawasaki 175cc dirt bike. I think it was an F7. Two-stroke engine and lots of high RPM power made it kind of fun trashing through the abandoned strip mines in Western Pennsylvania. One of them now is the site of IKEA and other meccas of commerce. I can still hear and feel that motorcycle.

It’s difficult to really quantify a motorcycle’s feel with any kind of specs. And even complete comfort with handling a motorcycle still doesn’t seem to mean it will provide the feel I’m after. Maybe it just can’t be reduced to a checklist.

I just know the right feel when I’m riding.

Wise words there I think👌

The Honda XR150L looks like a great small motorcycle. And with the rear rack it would be easy to strap down lunch and some gear and head off into the back country. And at under 300 pounds it should be easy to get it on a rack on the back of the RV. My friend Dom Chang hauls a Yamaha TW200 on a front rack of his RV. I think he has an inexpensive Harbor Freight hitch rack. You can see it on this post:

RV rack with motorcycle

I feel grateful when something takes me back in time to relive some feeling or memory. I’m glad you’re finding that yourself with the CT125. Seems like a great little machine.

You make an excellent point regarding a more powerful motorcycle is capable of getting you to some far flung location to then explore slowly. The challenge for a rider with a powerful motorcycle is whether they can tame the throttle to ride at 20 – 50kph.

Having multiple machines definitely has the downside of more care, maintenance and expense. I’m still willing to accept that but I do sometimes wonder about the sensibility of it all. But then, is riding itself a sensible activity……

It’s good to be the exception. To ride your own ride and not be dragged along under the influence of others.