Made the move - Tiger to Dakar

[Schattenjager]

After a few miles on the Tiger, it was easy to quickly appreciate it's smoothness and power. Great bike overall, but I never really felt like I belonged on it - it's hard to describe, but something was just not right and it was there EVERY time I rode.

Then I sat on a Dakar that was for sale - fully kitted '06. It is not as smooth really, and down on the Tigers power, BUT, I felt right at home on it. It is a whisker tall, but the lower seat option with the storage bin will solve that right away.

I am really excited - Monday - delivery day - won't come soon enough!

 

[goodtimes]

There is something about that little BMW that is just......right.

$284 will get you the solo seat with the storage compartment.....

 

[Clutch]

That was quick! Didn't seem like you gave it a chance. I saw a yellow one the other day, and wondering how you liked yours...(I guess, I know now )

You'll enjoy the 650, not quite the beast as the Tiger.

Turn and Burn!

 

[805gregg]

Should have waited for the 800GS.

 

[Schattenjager]

That was quick! Didn't seem like you gave it a chance... Turn and Burn!

I was not aware I was uncomfortable until I got on the BMW. Only education can overcome ignorance, no? :friday:

It is a sad fact that my life is vacuous enough to allow movie lines to weave strings of influence in the tapestry of my existence - BUT - Robert DeNiro had a great line in Ronin: "When ever there is any doubt - there is no doubt." This axiom was on the front of my mind after riding the BMW then getting back on the Tiger. As goodtimes said - it was just "right" compared to the Triumph. For me anyway. At this stage of the game anyway. Well, anyway - it's done and I am happy about it.

Since I am a newbie rider, I did not want to wait until the more expensive 800Gs came out - I could care less about the Jones stuff anyway - and I think a less expensive bike is the way for me to start out.

Now, if there were only a way to carry a bike via trailer hitch so I did not need a trailer.... ala RV's

 

[7wt]

Be sure to put up some pics!

 

[LandCruiserPhil]

<snip> Now, if there were only a way to carry a bike via trailer hitch so I did not need a trailer.... ala RV's

They are several manufactures out there, here is just one:
http://www.prolineracks.com/VersaHaul-VH-55-motorcycle-dirt-bike-hitch-carriers.html

 

[goodtimes]

They are several manufactures out there, here is just one:
http://www.prolineracks.com/VersaHaul-VH-55-motorcycle-dirt-bike-hitch-carriers.html

Yup, just be sure to see what they are rated to carry. The BMW is a pig, so be sure to get one rated to carry it. (the model linked by LCP will hold it....).

 

[Clutch]

http://ultimatemxhauler.com/

http://www.bdiracks.com/

I personally don't care for those type of carriers (to each their own), but here ya go.

Bikes gets alot of filth, because of the eddy air current behind the vehicle, plus the fear of getting rear ended, bike feels safer my on a trailer.

 

[HiLift Jack]

Lbs.

The Dakar is sketchy on these type of carriers, just at or over the weight rating. Just ride the thing it will go way farther than you or I can.

 

[Schattenjager]

Arrrrgggg!!!!

Well, today was pickup the Dakar day! Was. The jacka$$ showed up at the bank for me to give him his $ and hand me the title then we were going to the storage unit to pickup the bike. At the bank, just as we were walking in the door, he told me that the bike was really worth $300.00 more than I was paying. I thought he was just trying to make small talk on the deal and make me feel good about it. Oh no. He wanted the extra $ or no deal.

He is going through a divorce and lives in a huge, empty house, smokes like a chimney - which I attribute to bad nerves - and I know he needs the money. The bike is clean, and low miles, but I am already paying him on the high side of book.

I called him Friday in the parking lot of the bike gear getting place :sombrero: just to confirm that we had a deal and what the terms were - before I spent almost $1K on gear. We had an understanding.

Now this. While $300.00 is trivial in the grand scheme of things, I have to stand on principal. I told him to enjoy his bike and walked away.

The 800GS is only a few months away... right?!?!

 

[bootzilla]

Wow - that sucks. I would have walked away, too - that is shady, and it makes you wonder if there might be stuff he's not telling you about the bike.

There is always another deal out there to be had, and in the meantime, you can confuse your neighbors by suiting up in full riding gear and driving your truck around the block with all of the windows down and "Born to be Wild" blasting on the stereo :rally_guys:

oh - anddoes that mean you will be offering up the Tiger in the classifieds?

 

[Schattenjager]

Tiger is GONE! A fellow I worked with back in the day bought it on the idea I would get a Dakar.

This deal makes me very angry. If you happened to follow my thread about FJ60's last month, you would see that something similar happened - my neighbor sold one I was checking out for a friend to someone else after telling me it was my first right of refusal.

I have bought and sold 28 cars in my life as a car nut. Some I only kept for short time, others I drove for years. Point is that car deals are not new to me - but this weirdness certainly is...

Took your advice and ran the neighbor hood with the windows down - helmet and jacket on - blasting Ride of the Valkyries! It was pretty dramatic.

 

[bootzilla]

Hahahaha! Classic! :truck:

 

[Clutch]

That is too bad, something else will come along, maybe even better. (maybe a KTM 640....)