I’ll never forget the thrill I felt after purchasing my first motorcycle!

I was just out of the motorcycle safety course, had a brand new, crisp license in my wallet and I needed a bike! I didn’t know much, but I did know that I wanted something small, used and practice worthy.  I did not want to make the mistake of many new riders, who purchase a brand new “big” bike and, many drops and near accidents later, either sell or leave it sitting there, rarely to be ridden.

Enter my sweet little Honda Rebel, 28 years old with a $1000 price tag.  The perfect starter bike for me!  Three months later, I had learned much and was ready to move on up to a bigger, more powerful bike.  I was a bit sad when I sold that purple rebel and hope it treated another newbie as well as it treated me. Read a bit more about that here: https://lifeonthebikeandotherfabthings.wordpress.com/2012/06/18/learning-to-ride-part-1/

A tinge of sadness was soon replaced with tremendous excitement after the purchase of my 2008  HD Sportster 883L.  It too came to me used, although I was only the second owner and the odometer read just 3oo miles.  The goal for this second bike was to grow in confidence, comfort, and skill.  I’ve put almost 15,000 miles on my Sportster, taken week long solo rides each August these past 3 years, and ridden many, many miles with friends.  What an amazing time I have had on this bike!

You can read more about that here: https://lifeonthebikeandotherfabthings.wordpress.com/2012/06/18/learning-to-ride-part-2/

Last week, my bike went into the shop for the annual oil change and check up in preparation for the riding season.  (It needs to be said that I’ll ride all year long despite colder temps, but the snow this year has kept me to only a few rides since November).  As is not uncommon with “adult toys”, there are things to be done to this bike … some tweaks and some upgrades …  and all of that costs MONEY!

What to do?

Spend a good chunk of change to get this lovely little bike ready for the year, and to upgrade it a bit?

OR

Trade it in and get the third and final bike?

If you’ve read Learning to Ride, Part 2, you’ll know that my goal all along has been to eventually sell the Sportster, the bike I have called my intermediate or “middle bike”, and to then purchase the bike of my dreams.  The biggest obstacle to that, of course is financial.  A new bike means a monthly payment … ugh!

But I can feel a new one calling my name.  Just the thought of it is seductive.  In fact, tomorrow I will pick up the Sportster from the shop and bring it home.  Next week, I’ll be visiting my friend Jay and start talking about a new bike.  I don’t know what that bike will be (and I may not be able to work out the financial side of things) but in the meantime …

Isn’t this one a beauty?

The 2013 Fat Boy Lo.

Just add some saddle bags and a windshield and I’ll be ready for the road.

I’ll keep you posted …