Long May You Run

You all know about the 2011 Victory Vision, known as the Enterprise.  It was my wife's bike.  I got it because she wanted a nice pillion and comfort and amenities.  I was happy to give her what she wanted.  There's no question that the Vision is a nice bike, and it is very comfortable.  There's even a certain cool factor to it. 

I rode it a couple of times after my wife's passing, and, as much as I enjoyed being out on any bike, something was wrong.  I had talked about getting an SR400.  I looked at the Yamaha FZ-07, which is  a really nice little bike.  I considered adding an XT250 for running gravel roads and the like.  But the more I thought about it, the more I realized that, if I did that, the Enterprise would sit idle almost all the time. 

I have been a Yamaha guy for forty years, so I looked around at some more Yamahas.  They added the FZ-09 triple last year then created a "sport-touring" version of it called the FJ-09 that has ABS and traction control.  It has a more upright riding position than a typical sport bike, hand guards and a small wind deflector.  The more I pondered, the more it made sense to trade in the Vision on an FJ-09.  I ran it by my nephew who thinks the way I do about most stuff.  I also ran it by the kids and the older granddaughter.  It really wasn't a meaningful thing to them, but I wanted to make sure.

Despite the lingering effects of last week's virus, I took a demo ride on an FJ this past Saturday.  I was convinced. 

So, we say good-bye to the Enterprise with her mighty chrome heart.  Long may she run, indeed.

 

And we welcome our new steed:

About the same horsepower -- though less torque -- and half the weight. 

I bought a full-face helmet.  I may, at some point, add saddlebags, but, for now, I'm happy just to ride as is.

I was never a DC fan, but it could be the Batbike.