It was really good while it lasted. REALLY GOOD. I know it's absolutely ridiculous to go ga-ga for what's essentially an internal combustion engine with two wheels, but my Aprilia really was a dream. I swear to god, before I even saw the bike in person or even rode it, I immediately fell in love with it (thank Torque). How lucky was I when I finally got my hands on one, then find out that it rode every bit like the dream that I dreamt of?
Either the bike fell on my lap,
or I on it.
Then the suit, and then the track fairings, all used and bought from private parties, yet they all managed to fit perfectly, like it was meant to be. How the heck would I top that?
Truthfully, there's just no way. Without even counting every kismet-like story behind everything involving the Aprilia, there was just no way I was going to find another RSV Mille that was as pristine (the bike defined the word when I got it, I swear) and at a ridiculously steal of a price that I did (let's just say I paid $1500 below it's market value when I found it, at least). Even IF I could, I've made a decision/realization that I don't want another one so immediately (definitely not yet). Don't get me wrong, there was absolutely nothing wrong with the bike. It never failed me, and in the 6 months that I owned it and rode everyday of I never had to bring it to a shop. The first and only time I ever did was after the accident.
I absolutely loved that bike, which is actually a good reason why I won't have another one so soon. I remember random times during the day when I would come out to my garage to do nothing but simply look at it. Really. I couldn't get enough of that bike, whether on it or off it. It was borderline unhealthy (though harmless), and while I'm not exactly complaining, I've realized that I'm ultimately better off moving into another machine that doesn't evoke such zaniness from me.
Used Bike Buying 101:
When buying a used bike, it's never
a bad idea to buy new tires for it.
Which is why I decided to come back to what I was familiar with. Perhaps not in love with, but comfortable with. To replace the Aprilia I decided to pick up a Yamaha R1, a Japanese literbike with an Inline-4 engine. Against the Aprilia's Italian V-twin set-up, I felt the R1 was the best bike to "settle" with. I enjoyed the exclusiveness of the Aprilia and the experience of an Italian V-twin machine, but now that I've decided to simply enjoy riding like I've always had without lusting after the machine, there was no better way to do that than to come back to a landscape I was all too familiar with.
This bike will take me back
to my roots.
I'm not saying I don't like the R1 or think it's a fantastic machine, all I'm saying is that I don't think I'll be running to the garage at random times of the day just to ogle at it anymore, or perhaps sit by the window when dining in so I can stare at it as I enjoy a meal. In some ways, it will be liberating to just ride the machine and enjoy it, nothing more.
This won't really be a whole new era of riding for me. More appropriately, I think it's just a return to what riding is essentially to me: to ride. I've got a long riding life ahead of me, and looking back at the number of motorcycles that have come and gone from my garage, I think I'll be alright to just stick with what I have now, enjoy it, and ride until it can't be ridden anymore.
Nothing more involved other than swinging my leg over the machine, ride, and come back home to park it.
Out with the old, in with the new,
with what's always been.
