Sucks to be bikeless

[sunshine229]

Spring has arrived and I'm missing my two wheels. Went for a double ride with hubby on Saturday and really enjoyed being out there again, it's been far too long! But I started wishing that I had my own again...

We stopped at a Triumph dealership where I saw a beautiful 2008 Aprilia Shiver 750 that only has 2000 miles on it. Hmmmm...

Got me thinking if it would be worth having a bike over here even though the riding is craap around London. At least we could get out into the countryside on the weekends. The trouble is, you just can't get away from people in this part of the country so it seems useless to have a bike.

Can't wait to be back in Canada. Sigh.

[RhadamYgg]

I think Brackstone had problems with getting support with his Aprilia Shiver 750. How long are you in London? With the way some bikes hold their value it might be more like renting a bike than buying it - assuming you can resell it - get a popular model and stuff like that. I've visited London a couple of times and every time have been very glad that I didn't have to drive there, though.

I don't know - I think London is one of those cities where once you ride the 30 or so miles from the city - it is open country roads. Like NYC - go up the Henry Hudson and then on to the Sawmill and it is amazing how quickly you run out of city and are on rolling hills and country roads/highway.

[RhadamYgg]

Wait, you are ok with riding on the 'wrong' side of the road?

[fireguzzi]

Yes it does suck. I see all the people getting out there on their bike and I just think to myself.....YOU SUCK!
Then i get depressed.
But I can be spiteful.

[High_Side]

Don't worry Sunshade when you come home for a visit there'll be a nice comfy plush seat on the back of the Superduke waiting for you

But I'm not taking Mike - I wouldn't want to put him through that kind of torture

[HYPERR]

We stopped at a Triumph dealership where I saw a beautiful 2008 Aprilia Shiver 750 that only has 2000 miles on it. Hmmmm...

How about a roulette green street triple?

[Wrider]

I know the feeling! Hold strong and you'll be ok!

[Brackstone]

My Shiver gave me tons of problems. It would have been a lot easier to handle if I had a competent dealer network though. I, personally, will never buy another Aprilia problem again. Esp after learning all the problems most dealerships have with them and why the dealership I currently used doesn't use Aprilia.

[sunshine229]

Hey guys, thanks for the great responses. I'll try to respond to each of you here...

I drooled over the Aprilia but I'm not desperate to own it. I'm thinking it's too much money to spend on a bike that won't get a lot of miles. Thanks for all the insight into the quality of them though. It's hard to say if the whole bunch have troubles or if (unfortunately) Brackstone ended up with a lemon. Any thoughts?

Yes I am okay to drive on the "wrong" side... or was I on the wrong side in Canada? When we first moved here we took a driving lesson. For about 3 weeks I was freaked right out about driving, but I'm good now.

You are right, if I buy the right bike it wouldn't cost much to keep it. And yes, once you get out of London the roads do get nicer, but you end up either on a freeway or a secondary road that weaves through every little town you could imagine (traffic can be horrendous on those routes, but they are much nicer to drive).

High_Side - that's fantastic, thanks for the offer! I look forward to the double but I'll have to work on you to let me actually take it for a spin...