My .02 cents: I'm 41 and have ridden since 12 on the farm starting on a Harley (Aermacchi (Italian) import) X-90.
College saw CL450 and GS550. Northern Calif. Grad school: '83 Nighthawk 650 and '81 GPZ550. Parental independence saw '86 gixxer 750 when they were first unleashed in the States (sold prematurely) and second '86 gix 750. Post- riding hiatus saw a Katana 750. Another hiatus, a Ducati 748 in 2001. (The latter two in N.Georgia Mountains, as in Suches, etc.)
Three weeks ago, along came the '02 gix G. At 5'6" and 170, the Big 'Un plain does it for me. Would never have bought one, but for lengthy ride with a bud who swapped his 1000 for my 748 with me. In the real world, the 1000 is plain sweet. Admittedly, I was intimidated by the magazines/internet. Thought the G would throw me like an irritated stallion. But, the beast can be user friendly, if treated with appropriate respect.
I am an incredible fan. Plan to make this my go-to bike for, hopefully, the next 10 years, even if I do pick up a Ducati 999 in a couple of years, "for fun." The G's engine, ergos (for me), suspension/handling, and . . . maintenance(!) add up to one sensible and way fun mount. Throw on the soft luggage and this honey is taking me to Maine, and hopefully, back to N.Calif. for some reacquaintin'!
I'm beyond trying to impress anyone with my scooter acquisition. I wasn't looking for "Biggest and Baddest." As Hackfu wrote, I chose this bike "for me."
BUT, after putting a few miles on her, I must admit that it's kind of fun having the biggest and baddest. Again, not for anyone else but for the laughter I hear inside my helmet when I'm on the Superslab or on Wolf Pen Gap Road (Suches) ;-) trolling or blasting along all by myself. Never felt this kind of power in 5th and 6th gears.
Try it yourself and make the best decision for you.
Millard Darden
Atlanta, GA
College saw CL450 and GS550. Northern Calif. Grad school: '83 Nighthawk 650 and '81 GPZ550. Parental independence saw '86 gixxer 750 when they were first unleashed in the States (sold prematurely) and second '86 gix 750. Post- riding hiatus saw a Katana 750. Another hiatus, a Ducati 748 in 2001. (The latter two in N.Georgia Mountains, as in Suches, etc.)
Three weeks ago, along came the '02 gix G. At 5'6" and 170, the Big 'Un plain does it for me. Would never have bought one, but for lengthy ride with a bud who swapped his 1000 for my 748 with me. In the real world, the 1000 is plain sweet. Admittedly, I was intimidated by the magazines/internet. Thought the G would throw me like an irritated stallion. But, the beast can be user friendly, if treated with appropriate respect.
I am an incredible fan. Plan to make this my go-to bike for, hopefully, the next 10 years, even if I do pick up a Ducati 999 in a couple of years, "for fun." The G's engine, ergos (for me), suspension/handling, and . . . maintenance(!) add up to one sensible and way fun mount. Throw on the soft luggage and this honey is taking me to Maine, and hopefully, back to N.Calif. for some reacquaintin'!
I'm beyond trying to impress anyone with my scooter acquisition. I wasn't looking for "Biggest and Baddest." As Hackfu wrote, I chose this bike "for me."
BUT, after putting a few miles on her, I must admit that it's kind of fun having the biggest and baddest. Again, not for anyone else but for the laughter I hear inside my helmet when I'm on the Superslab or on Wolf Pen Gap Road (Suches) ;-) trolling or blasting along all by myself. Never felt this kind of power in 5th and 6th gears.
Try it yourself and make the best decision for you.
Millard Darden
Atlanta, GA
