Thanks all for taking the time to reply. You’ve all given me some good things to think about and starting points for conversations. Here are a few answers to help keep the conversation going:
- I am debating right now whether I want to go with a Sport touring setup vs. a full-on “touring” Wing. My last bike was a 1200 Bandit with full hard cases that I would load up. The CBF1000 is a bike I also like, bit not as abundant. For now this conversation here is just about Wings only.
- Possible substitutes: see above and below.
> In terms of touring will only look at Wing for many of the reasons already listed here such as working on it myself, proven longevity, plentiful supply of parts and replacement bikes, etc.
> Re: adv, already considered, researched, sat on many of those options and the class in general but am passing. Personal preferences include not liking the high centre of gravity, being short and struggling with height (no, I don’t want to lower the bike or use a paper thin seat or “just get used to it” - too set in my ways to revamp and adapt my riding to something I’m inherently not comfortable on). So that eliminates much of the dual purpose and super pro categories as well).
- Time spent touring - on bikes a week at a time; on foot, canoes, and sailboats up to a month at a time; travelling overseas up to a year at a time. Now? I dunno? I’ve lived and travelled all over Canada so good chance I eventually hop a ship or plane to connect with another country (not USA).
- How long gone? I’m not really planning on coming back to this region, and if I end up leaving Canada, I may not return (another reason for considering Wing; it’s international ubiquity, maintenance in countries where hammer and string are your repair options, etc.)
- No trailer. If it doesn’t fit on the bike it doesn’t go.
- No kids. Family mostly dead. No pets. Nobody to account for, ask permission from, or give inheritance too.
- Sleeping rough. Part of this is the desire to not use hotels etc. I’m a lifetime backcountry guy, so I’m geared up and used to living outside in all conditions (even -30 like today). Plus I was lucky enough to have had a career that involved a lot of travel and paid expenses, so I don’t need tp do the hotels/restaurants thing again because that’s not new ground.
- By mature I mean not just my age, but my riding maturity. Always liked Wings, even when younger, but always also thought “that’s for later.” Well, it’s later now…
- Ive heard similar things that it has performance and isn’t stodgy. That just reinforces its spot on the Top 3 List for me.
- Back roads or Highways? Both, but I’m not in a hurry and want to see everything I missed all the times I was driving in a hurry to get there. Have driven across the country 4x and not once exited to see the bush plane museum, so this time I have nothing but time.
And so hope that helps and keeps the conversation going.
This has been a useful exercise. In writing this response I’ve already pulled a lot closer to a decision…
Hope to hear more!
” time. Always wanted to try being a bike tramp so no better time to scratch that itch.
