Sorely Tempted

Discussion in 'Lounge' started by Fork Lock, Oct 1, 2022.

  1. Fork Lock

    Fork Lock Crème de la Crème

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    #1 Fork Lock, Oct 1, 2022
    Last edited: Oct 1, 2022
    I heard that an old friend was working at a new shop not far from where I live (he has sold me four motorcycles). They sell only used bikes. I took a ride up there today to see if I might catch him in. He was there. We talked a bit and caught up. Then, he stopped and said, "Do you remember the Victory Vegas, I sold you?" Of course, I remember. It is the bike I most regret parting with. He said to come over to the other side of the shop. I followed him. There, amidst a sea of ho-hum bikes was an '06 Victory Vegas. It had the identical paint scheme of my '06. It had the side license plate mount, like mine. It had the wrap around rear turn signal, like mine. Just a freakin' beautiful machine. 100 cubic inches of "Better hang on tight!" A flood of memories washed over me. There were a lot of good times had on my '06! Then, I made the mistake of sitting on it. CRAP! I shouldn't have done that. It felt huge, compared to the Speedy. It was like meeting an old lover. I like my Speedmaster - a lot. But I LOVED that Victory!. Bad, bad thoughts raced through my head. I only have a few payments left on the Iron Lady. They only want $6k for the Vic. I could pay the Speedy off, sell her, buy the Vegas, and still have a wad of cash left over. There were a few other upgrades I would need to do to make it "mine" like my '06. I put an '07 headlight on mine. A lot sleeker than the '06 stock headlight. I'd have to get a windscreen for the cold weather, bags for gear AND, I'd have to have the recently sewn on "Triumph" patches replaced on my leather and denim. Then, rational thinking kicked in. I began to analyze this clearly, calmly. The Vic is an '06. That's 17 years old (the 2023 model bikes are coming out). It has a few little "imperfections," some nicks. The Iron Lady is in PERFECT condition. The Vic has 38k miles on it (Really though, for a Vic, that's just getting broken in). It had good rubber and, overall, appeared to be well kept. But the Speedy is still under warranty. I have no idea how the Vegas was maintained and how it was used or abused. Unlike mine, it has drag bars and aftermarket pipes (I just had a Stage 1 kit). Did the previous owner spank it hard? I could take it for a test ride, but a half hour ride won't reveal all. I remembered that one of the reasons I sold my last Vic was that they are dinosaurs, no longer being made. I have heard of Vic owners running into parts availability issues. It's not as though there are junkyards full of them, like Harleys. Reality slapped me in the face. I have a nice, fun, good running motorcycle in The Iron Lady. Don't tempt fate. Don't buy a pig in a poke. I'm going to be 70 y/o tomorrow. Fast, sleek and sexy are not as important to me as used to be the case.
    Enjoy the Speedmaster.
    Forgive me for the dalliance, M' Lady.

    My '06
    Vegas.jpg

    The Temptress
    Vic 1.PNG
    Vic 3.PNG
     
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  2. Eldon

    Eldon Elite Member

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    #2 Eldon, Oct 1, 2022
    Not my choice of bike but I like your write up and story ;)
     
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  3. Ducatitotriumph

    Ducatitotriumph Crème de la Crème

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    #3 Ducatitotriumph, Oct 1, 2022
    Always fond memories of early bikes but when you see one again at bike meets, it's always a "the forks and brakes are sooooo thin and small!" and "god, thats uncomfortable"!
    However, thats a FZ750 in 1987 so totally valid!
    Rose tinted spectacles against reality. No clear winner there!
     
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  4. Eldon

    Eldon Elite Member

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    #4 Eldon, Oct 1, 2022
    Last edited: Oct 1, 2022
    FZ750 lol now there's a bike.
    Isle of Man TT 1994, me, ex wife, and two mates went in her company van.
    I was supposed to be on a GPZ 1100 Harris which belonged to one of the friends of the mate going.
    A test ride told me it was a sack of 5hite. Back brake wooden/solid. It wasn't a triple but was on x3 cylinders for the 1st half of the ride.

    I declined the loan despite only having two weeks to blast off.

    A quick purchase of a GPZ 305 added a touch of reality to the current funds available at the time :blush:
    A bargain due to a slipping clutch so all stripped out saturday night on the day of purchase and presented on the counter sunday morning at Chesterfield Kawasaki with a digital caliper for comparison to begin. Rebuilt that day, tested and ready for the following Friday ferry.

    Once at the IOM one of the other lads declared he was a bit out faced by the FZ ( his future son inlaw to be's bike) and so would I like to swap for the week :joy:

    I remember overtaking someone just after Kates cottage and pulling a nice power wheelie off the hump approaching the Creg at 140+ with the ex wife on the back :p

    The 16 inch front wheel made for interesting manoeuvres o_O:rolleyes:

    Happy days.
     
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  5. Ducatitotriumph

    Ducatitotriumph Crème de la Crème

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    #5 Ducatitotriumph, Oct 2, 2022
    Somewhere out there, there's a guy saying "I got overtaken just after kates cottage once and then the nutter did a bloody wheelie with his missus on the back. He was doing at least 135+!. I bet they split up shortly after.....!" :):)
     
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  6. Eldon

    Eldon Elite Member

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    #6 Eldon, Oct 2, 2022
    Can you really " spank it hard" when you have a 100 cubic inch motor?
    Isn't it all about torque not revs and so it has a relatively easy life compared to a two stroke for example.
     
  7. Fork Lock

    Fork Lock Crème de la Crème

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    #7 Fork Lock, Oct 2, 2022
    Don't encourage me!
     
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  8. Eldon

    Eldon Elite Member

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    #8 Eldon, Oct 2, 2022
    Why don't you buy the Temptress now at a going into "winter discount price" ;)
    ​
    Then if you really have to make your mind up, wait until spring for a summer sale ....... or just keep both :p I would.
     
  9. Fork Lock

    Fork Lock Crème de la Crème

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    #9 Fork Lock, Oct 2, 2022
    Ummmmmmmmmmmm...

    No. No, NO!

    Besides, although I did do some touring in the Vegas, it's not made for that and why I moved up to a big Vic Touring Cruiser. It's a bar hopper. I'm done with that.

    Pretty sure...
     
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  10. Eldon

    Eldon Elite Member

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    #10 Eldon, Oct 2, 2022
    Your pretty sure ......
    Really sure.....
    Or definitely tempted :joy:

    You're fooling no one just buy it :yum
     
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  11. Sandi T

    Sandi T It's ride o'clock somewhere!

    Dec 3, 2018
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    #11 Sandi T, Oct 3, 2022
    Never say never, @Fork Lock. ;) That is a darn good looking bike. :heart_eyes:But it is probably good that your logic, not to mention reality, kicked in. I have a friend who has a 2006 Victory Hammer and that parts issue is no small problem. But I do definitely understand seeing a bike like you used to own and love and being sorely tempted. That has happened to me on a couple of occasions with a Thruxton R. Old loves never die. Well, of course unless we're talking about my ex-husband. :scream:

    BTW, happy birthday! (Now a day late) :party::party::party::heart:
     
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  12. Fork Lock

    Fork Lock Crème de la Crème

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    #12 Fork Lock, Oct 3, 2022
    Thanks! If I'd known I was going to live this long I'd have taken better care of myself.
     
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  13. triumph900

    triumph900 Active Member

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    #13 triumph900, Oct 3, 2022
    I get it. Victorys are great bikes. I owned a few over the years. I worked weekends at a shop that sold them. They are virtually bullet-proof and fun to ride. They require little maintenance and are simple to maintain. I miss the Victory line a lot. Indian is ok, but I'll admit I like Victory more than Indian.
     
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