Looks like I may age myself into another category too very soon and be one of the venerable oldies in the last category!
Since 1970 when I got my license to ride, I have had 9 different bikes but the love of my bike life is the R65LS. I knew I had to have one back in 1981 when I saw a brand new silver one at a motorcycle shop. It would have been a brand new model then as well! When I saw that there was a red one with white wheels, well whoa!!!! Now I really really HAD to have one!! Got a used one in 1984....Jim Rillie, our forum member from Nova Scotia, has it now.
Started out the usual way back then with the 175 Honda, 350 Honda scrambler, RT1 Yamaha, 175 Can Am TNT, Ducati scrambler made into a road racer, the 1982 R65LS in perfect condition and low miles, the present R65LS LRB, dabbled with an R1100RT for an instant of madness, the present F650GS for long trips and hold on people.....coming next spring either the F800GS or the twin 798cc new F650GS!!! I have a deposit down on either one at my dealers and I am first on the list!!!
So, why not wait until I can get a used F800GS or F650GS or at least not buy the first year's offering??? Because...I will be entering the last age category here and I figure I may not have the time to wait around. At least I don't want to chance it. All the 2005 F650GS needed was a boost in hp so it's getting an increase from 53 to 71 hp. The F800GS is rated like its brothers the ST and the S at 85 hp. Why the more road oriented F650GS with the 800cc engine gets softened down to 71 hp I don't really know as 85hp would be a blast and great on the interstates for passing power!!! The single engined F650GS also vibrates quite a bit so I figure the twin engine should be a bit smoother in the mirrors! More like LRB who is really very smooth...at least car lights behind me don't look like someone is back there waving sparklers!!
Off to MI this weekend and will be mailing LRB's cylinder heads to Ted Porter's BeemerShop from there to avoid any hangups at customs. Then next year LRB gets some miles!!!!