Not sure what to do.

[Hedgetrimmer]

Been there, done all that, went back to a fazer every time!
First bike, boxeye (put 30k on it in just over a year)
Aprilia Futura.
R1 (ended up streetfightering it as I wanted a fazer thou, and kept it 7 years)
Gs500 for work (as well as the R1)
Sv650 for work (yawn)------"-------
Fazer 600.---------"----------
Sold the fazer and R1, then bought
Tiger 1050. Kept for 4-5 month and swapped it for my FZ1 which I still have.
Inherited my sons boxeye for work for 10 months and gave it back(when he got his licence back).
Bought a tdm(Zzzzzz). Swapped it after 3 months for a bandit 600(big yawn). Sold bandit after 2 months and got a thundercat which I like. Still crave a fazer foxeye though!

This doesn't include bikes I've borrowed, ridden, and given back in a hurry.

All this has taken 12 years, but the moral of the story is, I've always gone back to a fazer!!

Get out there and try other bikes by all means, but you'll still have that warm spot for probably the best do-it-all bike of the last decade and a half.

No doubt about it, there are very few bikes with the versatility of the Fazers. Personally, I still don't want to give up my gen 1 for any other bike. But like you Stevie, I went through many bikes before I discovered the one that I can live with and enjoy long term (and have I ever mentioned that I'm on my 4th one in a row?  ).
But also Stevie, I notice that many of your bikes were what might be considered as commuters. For me, biking is first and foremost about fun. You don't buy a GS500, ER5, CB500, GSF600, TDM etc for kicks (although each can probably supply a bit of that, simply from the "2-wheel innit bruv" point of view).
My list was always aimed at getting excitement out of bikes: 750 Turbo, GSXR750 & 1100, FZ750, RG500, Stephens stage 3 YPVS, Denco 750 H2C, FZR1000; although there have been one or two commuters as well, and a 3 bike passion for Z650s, plus a Z1 (had to have one, but didn't ride it much as by then I was used to much better bikes).
Go with your heart Noggy - commuting is what the car and those average 500s are for - you ride for the enjoyment, so make your next bike one that gives you a grin each time you go out on it. You can always trade it if the novelty wears off.

[noggythenog]

Thanks everyone for the replies......some wise words there.




So i've basically decided to aim for a new bike next year & with a bit of luck i can start looking next winter.


I'll keep the fazer for 1 year & see how i get on with using it for the days that are ok but still a bit of shit on the roads.....i wont abuse it by riding it through winter but i've got a feeling a new bike will make me a little ocd so it will be kept for the really nice days.....if the bike continues to be reliable then my dad can use it when he comes to visit as it would be nice for him to do some Wales rideouts......i can strip off parts at my leisure to overhaul such as the brakes without worrying that i dont have a bike to use...will keep me learning....that's half the trouble.....i wait a big chunk of the year to get on my bike & then something acts up & im spending valuable riding time trying to fix it because i'm always learning new stuff.


If it breaks down big time then i'll strip it & keep the parts safe.......because who knows like yous say i might end up buying a mint condition fazer again in future so then i'd have a steady parts supply too.






I think where i am it would be easy to just buy another mint fazer & use mine as a good spares bike for it.......but it just aint a spares bike yet.....& it would be a shame to never try anything else....if it were a rare bike like an old trx then theres no way id get rid but theres thousands of fazers out there & there still will be if i ever want one again.

[stevierst]

But also Stevie, I notice that many of your bikes were what might be considered as commuters. For me, biking is first and foremost about fun. 

I totally agree with you nick. Hence why I have the luxury of two bikes and have done for the last decade.  A commuter (t'cat/gs/sv/fazer) and a play bike (fz1/R1):P
I have to compromise though by not having a car.
If you 'need' anything quicker than a litre bike on the road, then you seriously need to get into racing!

[Hedgetrimmer]

Two bikes is definitely the way to go......or 3, or 4........no wait........

[JoeRock]

You'll have to start a new thread now Noggy on what you're wanting from a bike so people can recommend things!

[noggythenog]

You'll have to start a new thread now Noggy on what you're wanting from a bike so people can recommend things!

Good idea Joe ....i'm like the forum version of an oxygen thief......I'm a bandwidth abuser


Mind you it is a nice discussion & that's the good thing about bikers...yes we all love our fazers.....but dont shun other bikes.....well maybe bandits .......& that can be seen by all the other bike owners on here.


I'll start a thread in general.

[slimwilly]

Nowt wrong with your bike,,just ride around the problems,,,if there is any


In the winter bike prices will be all time low,,say December,,,just get the finance sorted and do it,,look at Deadeye,,no fooking about,,just do it.


Slim


And stop dithering you twat

[noggythenog]

Oi get on my other thread slim you nutter,


I do more typing than Christo & we both get to the same place.......nowhere

[stevierst]

Two bikes is definitely the way to go......or 3, or 4........no wait........

I'd have a garage full of the buggers if I could, I just need a huge garage! Lol

[Andy FZS]

I have a fairly large garage 45x13 feet but sadly struggle to mine and our eldest lads bikes in due to a caravan and 4x4 but if the van goes............I'd have space and cash, so I just need tomake a fuss of my mrs...lol

[Chris]

Get rid of the caravan! Problem solved 

Tell her it goes, if she disagrees she can take it with her and they can both go,

Chris

[stevierst]

+1 in bin the caravan! (hideous inventions)
Tell the missus your too old for that shenanigans, and a hotel would be better option when travelling. ;D

[Lez72]

I has the misfortune of having to tow a caravan about a week ago with a minibus. I only had to move it a couple of miles on somebody elses behalf, might I add, but it was a harrowing experience. How on earth anybody would want to drag one of those things for hundreds of miles is beyond me