Posted by Rabbidgerbal on April 03, 2001 at 03:38:19:
The tale of two cities, it was the best of time and it was the worst of times. (read the whole message for a smile)
I bought a 2000 savage new, after saving for three years last year, I took the MSF riding course... I found last year the progressive company punched me for 500 a year for riding only six months, the bike shop guys charge like 55 and hour and if you don't get it serviced you like void the warrenty. a lube for my car is 20, yet the bike cost near fifty with less oil! Top it off after like 600 miles I had to have it serviced after the breaking in period... next I found out to get in line for service during peak times there is a month wait! Come last fall I was totally screwed finding storage for it, and begged and pleaded until I got some garage space for it, not Like I wanted that 60 bucks anyway. I needed stabilzer for the fuel tank and was "suppose to " charge the battery. The second I skipped. Now three days ago my bike runs out of juice grinding and grunting hard after a long winter nap. Now I go beg and borrow a friend mechanic and his cables. I got to take off not only a panel, but the tool box cover, tools, the plate behind them and fiddle with some rubber to get to the positive! I'm so freaking broke, the state charges me for jan-march on my plates even when I don't use them. The bike shop offers me 2500 for a bike I bought less than a year ago for 4500!
I actually thought about selling it, can all this be really worth it?
I finally got it going... and went for a ride today, almost freezing myself, watching for loose sand, frose heave pot holes, and killer cool puddles... but it brought me back- back to that big wheel freedom as a 4 year old. that feeling of flying (I'm not talking about speed, but floating like a bird) The wind in my face and the smells of life around me. Is this all worth it... yeah. No wonder people think bikers are nuts, but that feeling I get in the saddle is worth it.