My Favorite Kind of Shopping – Originally Posted February 11, 2007

Picture this: browsing in a store, looking at everything, thinking “will this look good on me?”, “maybe I’ll buy something, maybe I won’t”, just wandering around, not in any hurry, without purpose or direction.

BLEEEAAAAGH!!!!!

Like most guys, I really dislike shopping without knowing ahead of time exactly what I’m going to buy. Clothes shopping with the wife? Thanks, but I’ll volunteer for unnecessary dental work first. I don’t mind briefly comparing prices on similar items, but I want to get in and get out. Enter the store with purpose, direction and complete the task.

There are two exceptions:

#1 Shopping for anything electronic, gadgety or techy related. I have spent countless hours comparing which MP3 player was the best deal (I bought a 30GB Creative Zen Vision:M), I joyfully agonized over which earphones to wear with it (Bose earbuds – worth every penny), and I meticulously researched for my radar detector (Escort Passport).

#2 The other exception is motorcycles. I am anticipating an upcoming purchase, and I will gleefully neglect important obligations just to root out any nuggets of useful information.

I am also asking for your help! Any ideas, recommendations, 2nd hand opinions or links to useful info will all be appreciated.

Here’s my basic requirements:

500 mile days don’t cause permanent disfigurement

able to store a few days worth of gear

passenger seat that is actually usable by a passenger for more than 10 minutes.

minimum 800cc, at least 120 hp and close to 100 ft/lb torque – in other words, something that will get from 30-60 mph and 80-100 mph in the time it takes me to think about it and will giddyup to at least 140.

New vs. Used:

Cons for New: New bikes usually have new (unproven) technologies and that’s an unknown I’d rather not deal with a thousand miles from home. Additional maintenance costs and hassles during the breaking-in period. Cons for Used: I don’t know the service history and it may have been harshly treated. ‘Nuff said.

Pro for New: It’s mine and it’s only ever been mine. Pro for Used: its broken in, the bugs are worked out and all ya gotta do is regular maintenance and buy tires.

Price: While I’m still wishing and dreaming, I’m going to ignore price – just for now. Price is something that will factor heavily in my decision eventually, but I don’t believe a brand name is worth thousands of dollars; for example if I can can buy a new Honda for the same price as a 5 year old BMW, then I’ll take the one with the fewest miles on it.

So far I’m considering: Honda ST1300, Yamaha FJR1300, BMW R12 RT, BMW K12 GT. and Kawasaki Concours (including the new GT1400). These are all Sport/Touring bikes.

*My Note: Chris considered the following bikes, in order: The Honda ST1300, The Yamaha FJR 1300, The Beemer R12 RT, The Beemer K12 GT, The Kawi Concourse, The Kawi 1400, and The Kawi KLR 650. He also listed his 1996 ST1100 for comparison.