texscottyd

Nice @phpaul! Congratulations… that’s a solid transition plan away from the FJ.

There’s a lot of truth to that statement, which I’m only recently starting to appreciate. After decades of planning and saving, I’m closing in on 60, and realizing that NOW is the time to start enjoying the things that we’ve rightfully earned over the course of our careers. I’m not a proponent of generational wealth (presumably since my wife & I didn’t come from that background), and our kids have been given educations and every opportunity to be productive and self-sufficient. At this point, we’re selfishly (and unapologetically) living for ourselves… #DieWithZero

Congratulations @kyle J! I’m sure you’re going to really enjoy the new bike.

In my own defense, I was left unattended with internet access and a credit card… 🙄

While the V8 & manual pairing definitely limits your options, there are plenty of viable choices out there in the used market. As with anything, the challenge is finding the right combination of nice and affordable… Mustang GTs in particular seem to be either very nice or beat to death, with not much in the middle. Mustang GT, Camaro SS, Challenger R/T or ScatPack all fit the bill. If you want something a little more comfy, look for a Pontiac GTO (2006 model with the 6.0 motor), a Pontiac G8 GT (very hard to find with a 6-speed), a Chevrolet SS, or a Cadillac CTS-V. BMW did various V8 & manual combinations, but I haven’t really kept up with the viable import options. Good luck, and I hope you find what you’re looking for! Enjoy the ride.

It’s a new 2024 that I took delivery of at the end of December. I had a very specific set of options I was looking for, so I special ordered it back in October. More money than I probably should have spent on a car, but in this age of $80K pickup trucks, it almost seems like a bargain. It’s an incredibly engaging & entertaining car to drive, and I haven’t regretted a single minute of owning it.

Kindred spirits we must be… 😀 A recent search of new vehicles with my mandatory ‘V8-Manual-Sedan’ combo yielded exactly one option. So in a moment of incredibly irresponsible financial management, I spent my next decade’s worth of motorcycle money on a CT5-V Blackwing Cadillac. And I couldn’t be happier… Because honestly, who doesn’t need a 668 hp, 3 pedal, 200 mph Cadillac? 🤷‍♂️ Happy hunting for your next moto-toy!

Congratulations @motochick! Triumph twins & Yamaha triples make for a good pairing… 😀

Hey Bret @2and3cylinders - It was a really fun trip. My friend and I hauled the bikes up from Houston in the back of my truck on Friday, and stayed at one of my ‘redneck millionaire’ friend’s places in the hills southwest of Austin. We rode back & forth to the track Saturday & Sunday, which ended up being about an hour each way. A great way to take in the MotoGP spectacle, get in some riding, and visit with good friends all in the same trip. The races were amazing, and the facilities at COTA are top-shelf. By practically bathing in SPF70 sunscreen, I managed to get through two full days in the sun without burning to a crisp. All-in-all a great experience! They ran two MotoAmerica ‘King of the Bagger’ races in conjunction with the MotoGP series because, you know, this is America after all. 😀 And while I initially wanted to hate it, the racing was amazing… I’m a fan after watching it live. I hope you’re on the mend and getting out a bit for riding season. Take care!

It is a good friend’s bike, and I have ridden it several times. I personally really love the style, and it has the expected level of quality Honda fit & finish… On par with my Triumph Speed Twin, and candidly much nicer than my Gen-1 FJ (no surprise there). The ergonomics are typical sport-standard fare, although I agree it’s a bit compact for what otherwise feels like a big bike. I’m fine on it at 6’1” and 220 lbs, but feel like I’m right at the upper size limit. It works flawlessly, as you would expect. My only issue (and the owner Blake’s as well) is the relative lack of character: It’s that Honda trap of making something almost too perfect. Smooth, effortless, perfect, and… kinda boring. The FJ is crude by comparison, but it just oozes character from its pores.

I spent the weekend at the MotoGP races in Austin, yet somehow these are my favorite photos from the entire trip… 🤷‍♂️

@phpaul - All the best to you moving forward in the next chapter of your life’s journey. I quietly fear the day that will inevitably come when it’s time to stop riding, and commend you for making the decision on your own terms. To be able to walk away from this obsession unscathed after 55 years is quite an accomplishment. Take care, my friend!

May I ask where you’re located @ChickenIsMe? I’m wondering, as I’m genuinely not aware of any place in the U.S. where an annual state safety inspection would flag you for that. Regardless, if you’re not feeling that speed-dependent pulsing in the brakes while slowing down, I’m highly skeptical that you have a significant warp to a rotor. A small amount of runout is normal, but not enough to be noticeable at the lever.

Lots of big long roads with no traffic in this part of Texas…

Zombie thread resurrection alert! Kardesign at it again: How about an H2-motored Versys tall-rounder? 😀