2018 st Patrick’s day parade

[madvlad]

As soon as I realized I am very close to being back on two wheels the first thing I thought of was how cool it would be to ride in the parade again,... 14 years after I rode in my first with the CSC if memory serves. Sadly, I then realized it isn't in the cards as even if I get a bike as soon as Friday or Saturday and have it shipped to me (currently I have no line on a local bike) the odds are against it being to me by the parade based on what all the shipping company's ETAs are (I still don't understand why it takes 20-25 days to ship a bike 500-800 miles when UPS can do a FREIGHT grade shipment in less than 10, anywhere).

Anyway... good luck with this year gentlemen. Hopefully I'll be able to join you all NEXT year for a 15 year round trip back into the parade!

What are you trying to get man?

[Vance]

What are you trying to get man?

Well basically I don't think my back can take a true supersport/hypersport anymore like the Aprilia was, or pretty much any are... so I'm looking to change things up a bit.

At the moment the #1 contender, and likely winner based on anticipated bonus coming on Friday, will be a Ducati ST4S. There are three I am considering and depending on the check size, it will determine which one I pull the trigger on. Erico has one, but for the price compared to it being a 4 not a 4s, inclusions on some of the others the Erico one doesn't have, I feel the out of state options are better. There's also one up in Ft. Collins at a dealer, but they're asking a premium even over what Erico is asking for theirs. Crazy. There is a private seller MAYBE that has an ST2 which I am told is easier to work on but the posting on CL was from a month ago so who knows if it is still available. Anyway... yeah, I test rode the Erico one and fell in love with everything about it, especially the dry clutch. Still a V-Twin. And, it would round out my Eurotrash Ownership tour with the last major brand I have never owned!

If the Duc falls through the top three considerations to go back to are (not in any particular order of preference):
1. The 2014 all blacked out CB1100
2. The Kawasaki early-to-mid '00's ZRX1200R
3. The late '00's-early '10's Triumph Speed Triple

The Triumph Bonnies are a consideration but a little more remotely
I looked at the (yes, I may choke on these words) new Harley Street Rod but nixed it based on horrible ergonomics alone.