Agreed, I am not paying $30K for a motorcycle. Not sure I would even go $20K. $15K is probably my max.

 

That's where I'm at; no motorcycle is worth more than 15K to me, Harley or not.

 

Man can I ever relate to that!!! I was in the marina equipment business until 99 when I sold and quasy retired. During that time I had some 50 boats. From rowing skiffs, to Hobie Cats, to ski boats, offshore speed boats, flats boats, sport fishing to 40', then I started riding motorcycles. Discovered there actually was something I liked besides salt water, thought mountains and canyons were really cool, especially the ones west of the Mississippi! Finally in Hurricane Sandy made a mess of my home in NJ, mostly my decks, garage & my docks. My snowbird days were over, Sold the house, my beloved Grady 306 Bimini, gave away my 13 Whaler, and kept my bay boat (was in Florida anyway).. Never thought I'd ever be able to say, don't miss the waterfront home, don't miss the boats, but I don't...

I too have 4 bikes in the shed (see sig)... Maybe I'm getting old, but if could only have one, it'd be the RG. It's comfortable, all the bells and whistles, got enough attitude for me. After owning boats, a great comparison is motorcycles are chump change.

 

Everything is more expensive right now. Every time I go to Kroger for groceries, I'm shocked at my bill. It's not unusual for a new 4 WD pick up with all the bells and whistles to be over $65k. I decided a long time ago that I would never buy a new car/truck again. My vehicle is a 2006. I consider my bike payment to be an entertainment cost. Once my RGS is paid off, I will buy another bike, probably a Limited. I will keep the RGS.

 

I do not finance cars or motorcycles. I have five motorcycles, but the most I paid was $4,500. Cars are '08, '07, '03. Just in the process of replacing wife's '03 with a '15 paying 57% of cost new.


But if I can figure out the perfect bike for me, I could see myself buying a new motorcycle so I could take care of it just the way I want from the first mile.


Figuring out the perfect bike is a tall order so it may be used bikes forever for me.

 

My bike has a Mustang seat, a backrest, an upright seating position, a windshield, saddlebags, 12" progressive 412 shocks, Progressive front springs and it's still not comfortable.

I'd have to spend a couple of thousand to really improve the ride quality. I like everything else about the Sporty. It's just a rough rider and I do not want a heavier scoot.

I like the look of the R1200GS.

 

There is a '17 R1200GSA in my garage. It replaced my '05 R1200GS. It does everything well. And oozes high tech. 5 riding modes, 9 suspension adjustment that are all electronic and adjustable on the fly. Data computer that tells you twice as much as you really need to know. It is incredibly nimble for any bike let alone one it's size. It is comfortable standing and riding to air out the butt cheeks on a long ride. I do 600 to 800 miles a day on the GS's easily.

But I love the Harley too. Old school, wind in the face (no windshield, took it off the first day I bought it). Simple, low tech. And the sound!! Nothing compares to it for that experience.

Different tools in the tool box. But if you held a gun to my head and told me I could only have one it would be the GS.

 

Triumph Tiger 800XC is the "do it all" tool.
Trackdays? Yup.
Touring? Yup.
Light dirt work? Yup.
Sport riding? Yup.
Muddy riding? Sure, I guess.
Ride around the world bike? Yup.

 

I was one who said never again. Now I may have to reconsider. I've ridden a Victory Cross Country for 6 years and we all know what happened there. I'm 66 and I hope the XC lasts through my riding years.

 

9 suspension adjustments...At the push of a button. On the fly.

I would think if you can't find a comfortable setting, it probably doesn't exist on any motorcycle.

I'm looking at the standard GS over the GSA. It seems to be built better for urban riding while maintaining great touring credentials.