Sense and Sensibility-ness-ing-ly

...which doesn't bode well for my then expected end-result age, considering I am only 33.

Went shopping on the weekend with a mate of mine (Warwick), looking for a motorcycle. We checked out all the bike shops along Moss St in Slacks Creek, and found... not much, really. Some OK bikes, but nothing that grabbed the attention of either of us. As we were walking around Warwick asked me what sort of thing was I looking for (NOTE: conversation repeated as best I can from memory)...

Me: "Dude, I dunno, this is all new to me."

Waz: "Yeah, but you need to have some sort of opinion."

Me: "True... I guess I am just after something that doesn't make me look too much like a fat guy on a moped."

Waz: "Absolutely."

(Pause)

Me: "You know, I think the image I have in mind is something that looks cool, may not get me there at the speed of light, but will make me look cool getting there. I'd really love a Harley, but that'd be way out of my price range, wouldn't it?"

Waz: "I wouldn't say that. You could get a decent Sportster like I had as my first bike for not much more than your allowed budget."

Me: "Really?"

Waz: "Yeah - let me call my mate and Morgan and Wacker and see what they have."

(Phone call)

Waz: "We have to get up to Newstead ASAP - they have something that just might suit. The only problem will be that if I go there, I'm gonna get in trouble as I'll end up buying a bike as well!"

So, we went up there. We saw the bike. We heard the bike. Warwick saw and heard another bike too. We were both in trouble.

Over lunch at the Breakfast Creek Hotel we decided we'd have a competition - we'd both SMs our respective partners telling them we had found bikes and see who got the fastest "no". To both of our surprise, neither of us did. Michelle replied, and when we got home Warwick reported as to the benefits of this bike, and Michelle and I discussed the requirements on me for owning the bike (and Michelle's ground rules for me riding the bike). The negotiations continued in earnest, and this morning I got the offical go ahead from the minister of finance and motor vehicles (Michelle, of course).

This, pending licensing next week, will be (is) my new beauty:

1995 Harley Davidson XL1200 Sportster. Mmm... Harley... urrggggghgggghhhhh...

All going well, I pick her up on Wednesday 02/05/07 and ride her home (with Warwick on his new bike too - all going well for him). I have my QRide course booked for Tuesday 01/05/07, and providing I pass that a new era of me on a bike begins... and I cannot wait.

Of course there are rules:

1. No speeding - 1st offence/speeding fine sees a Michelle-imposed 3 month riding ban. 2nd offence sees the bike for sale.
2. No being an idiot (yeah, like I'd do that!).
3. No speeding.
4. Be careful at all times... if Michelle hears any report back I wasn't being careful, I'm a dead man.
5. No speeding.

So we have an understanding. Michelle is the boss, I do as I am told, and I ride my bike carefully and responsibly.

Anybody wanna join my motorcycle club (themolks MC)?  ;)  Nominations for membership are now being taken. All interested parties should add a comment to this blog entry. Motorcycle not a requirement, but beneficial.