|
It is not yet official, the insurance person has not evaluated the damage and done his or her calculations but my gut feeling is that it will be a total loss. I will consider buying it back if the money is right, the damage is largely cosmetic with an emphasis on large damage.
It is a very sad. This was the first bike that I personally owned. I have kept it well for six years (I bought it as a leftover in 2000.) It has been on long adventures and been driven with spirit through many a twisty lane.
It was much more than a motorcycle to me. It has actually meant much more to me than any vehicle I've ever owned. At the time that I purchased this bike, I was in the middle of a nasty divorce. Buying and riding a motorcycle was a bit of my own declaration of independence from my ex-wife. It was something she never even knew that I wanted because it was a desire that she would not have allowed. I wouldn't have been allowed to access the money to buy it and she just wouldn't have allowed me to even consider riding (too dangerous in her opinion). In fact, when she did find out about the bike, her comment was "David, this just isn't you." In reality, it had always been a part of me longing to come out.
When I was a teen, I rode friends bikes and loved it. Mostly small dirtbikes on a limited basis but I rode any chance I got. I have been an avid bicycle rider since I was in college and the motorcycle has always seemed like just an extension of the same thing. Just faster and over greater distances. But the same feeling of adventure, exploration, discovery and freedom.
From the time when I bought this bike, I have felt that I would always keep it. I thought I might eventually buy other motorcycles but that this one would always be with me, sitting in a cherished corner of the garage after it became too outdated and old to ride on regular basis. But still brought out for special shared rides with the memories of adventures past.
It is with extreme sadness and regret at my mistake that caused its likely end that I consider my Sprint now. I am having difficulty contemplating something different or even just a newer version of my crashed motorcycle. I like riding something that is not what everyone else is riding. I have loved the look of the bike from when I first found out about them. Althought my skill progression and riding venues have at times tickled a desire for something a bit lighter and a wee more agile... I like the strength and relative comfort this bike provides with even two people aboard. I still grin and giggle at the sound of the engine revving. I am a Sport Tourer but with track tendencies of late. I perhaps really need two bikes now to fullfill my powered two wheel desires. This event will regretibly delay a chance at that possibility even more.
Perhaps I need to go to my local pub and raise a glass of a fine single malt in honor of the fallen. (or I could just nip a bit from that nice bottle I bought my brother)
|
