(N/A) Motorcycle tale

[Keith Lane]

Three years ago, I sold my motorcycle (1980 Suzuki 1100) to a friend who has taken good care of it and has since bought another bike. I was talking to him last night and joked I'd love to have it back about now. He said "you've got first right of refusal on it". I had it for 18 years and it's a good bike. The bikes here that are affordable are likely to have ben run very hard and I don't need a project. I know this bike inside and out. I can get it back for $500, if I want (I do). The catch is I'm in ATL the bike's in Salt Lake City now, stored in his tool house. Hmmm, now I'm in a dilemma as to how to get it home without running the cost up 4X. Shipping it here is >$700. I can go get it towing a trailer with my diesel MB 300D (~25mpg). Or throw it in the back of my MUCH more comfy, and thirstier pickup (17 MPG) and pay more for unleaded. When gas was cheaper, my wife thought it was too dangerous to drive a bike here in Atlanta, now the prices have skyrocketed, it's safe enough to ride.

 

[Len Lanetti]

Why not just ride it home?

I'd use the Internet to find Suzuki dealers and other bike shops along the way and plan the route to match same.

Len

 

[Bill]

Why not just ride it home?

I'd use the Internet to find Suzuki dealers and other bike shops along the way and plan the route to match same.

Len

Exactly. Cost compare a one way ticket to driving, and choose the best method.

 

[Let'sgoflying!]

I would get an atl motorbike friend to drive me there and then go back together for the cheapest way!
Or hang at the airport on standby to SLC for a cheap one-way ticket?

 

[Anthony]

When gas was cheaper, my wife thought it was too dangerous to drive a bike here in Atlanta, now the prices have skyrocketed, it's safe enough to ride.

So I guess what your saying is that your wife values your life as the difference in gas price now versus then. Don't worry, I think my wife doesn't think as much of me.

 

[Len Lanetti]

So I guess what your saying is that your wife values your life as the difference in gas price now versus then. Don't worry, I think my wife doesn't think as much of me.

Anthony,

You forgot the life insurance component.

Len

 

[Dean]

Three years ago, I sold my motorcycle (1980 Suzuki 1100) to a friend who has taken good care of it and has since bought another bike. I was talking to him last night and joked I'd love to have it back about now. He said "you've got first right of refusal on it". I had it for 18 years and it's a good bike. The bikes here that are affordable are likely to have ben run very hard and I don't need a project. I know this bike inside and out. I can get it back for $500, if I want (I do). The catch is I'm in ATL the bike's in Salt Lake City now, stored in his tool house. Hmmm, now I'm in a dilemma as to how to get it home without running the cost up 4X. Shipping it here is >$700. I can go get it towing a trailer with my diesel MB 300D (~25mpg). Or throw it in the back of my MUCH more comfy, and thirstier pickup (17 MPG) and pay more for unleaded. When gas was cheaper, my wife thought it was too dangerous to drive a bike here in Atlanta, now the prices have skyrocketed, it's safe enough to ride.

If you have the time off, take a bus and ride it home.

 

[Dean]

Is this an E or L model? I had a 1979 1000-E and a buddy had a 1980 1100-L The 1100 was one bad a$$ bike in 1980 and will run with the best of them today (in a straight line).

 

[Keith Lane]

Is this an E or L model? I had a 1979 1000-E and a buddy had a 1980 1100-L The 1100 was one bad a$$ bike in 1980 and will run with the best of them today (in a straight line).

It's an "E". I bought it in 1982 from a dealer here in ATL after it had been totaled due to a bent frame. He had put a new frame and all the painted parts on it. I paid $2200, sold it to a lifelong friend in 02 for $1100. And, yes it was a very quick, very torquey bike. Just a blast to ride.

 

[flyingcheesehead]

If you have the time off, take a bus and ride it home.

Greyhound = Smelliest ride ever. And I don't mean the diesel fumes.

I think it would be WAY cooler to take a train.

 

[Lawreston]

Atlanta must have a lot of long-haul truckers. Find one going to Salt Lake City; one who doesn't want to come back empty(I've forgotten the truckers' term).

HR

 

[gkainz]

Atlanta must have a lot of long-haul truckers. Find one going to Salt Lake City; one who doesn't want to come back empty(I've forgotten the truckers' term)

That would be "dead-heading" (not to be confused with one who follows the Greatful Dead)