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January 24, 2015

Whenever I visit motorcycle dealerships...

... the following tune starts playing in my mind:

there's things I want 
there's things I think I want 
there's things I've had 
there's things I wanna have 
...
I'm just looking I'm not buying 
I'm just looking keeps me smiling
...
(Lyrics taken from "Just Looking" from STEREOPHONICS)

Since weather is still winter, and traveling on two wheels still a no-go, we ventured out to visit a handful dealerships in order browse for a newer maxi-scooter for Roland.

Yamaha T-Max 500: Not enough bang for the buck.
Honda Silverwing FJS600: Been there, done that.
BMW C600 Sport: Love on second sight?

The verdict is still out on the last one. The obvious disadvantage seems to be a very limited selection of after-market parts in order to prepare the scooter for long distance riding. Also, Roland still wants to test-ride a 400cc Silverwing before his final decision, that is if he can get a hand on one, because they seem to be gone right away when they pop up for sale.

I found myself in biker's heaven today when I made first contact with that one here:

The all new Ducati Scrambler

What a great little bike, and pretty, too (of course it is, it's Italian after all). It had arrived and was unpacked only the day before, and I was one of the privileged clients to get a close look and feel of the Scrambler. And to quote cookie monster: Me want it!

And then there was this... American iron. An iconic brand and model in contemporary dress-up: The all new Indian Scout. This bike fits me like a glove. I already picture myself taking this model down North American highways. My verdict: Me want this even more!

All in all a morning well spent... surrounded by motorcycles... while the world outside was getting covered by a white blanket once again. We were just looking, not buying and it kept us smiling.


***

Immer, wenn ich in Motorrad-Läden bin...
... geht mir das Lied "Just Looking" von STEREOPHONICS nicht mehr aus dem Kopf. "Es gibt Sachen, die ich will, und Sachen, von denen ich denke, dass ich sie will. Ich habe Dinge besessen und es gibt Dinge, die ich besitzen will. Ich schaue nur und kaufe nicht, das Schauen zaubert bereits ein Lächeln auf meine Lippen."

Wir haben immer noch Winter und die Zweiräder müssen leider im Stall bleiben. Daher gingen wir mal wieder auf Schaufenster-Tour bei ein paar Motorradhändlern, um nach einem Maxi-Roller für Roland zu schauen. Die Yamaha T-Max 500 war ihm zu teuer, die Honda FJS600 zu mächtig, damit wurde er schon in der Vergangenheit nicht glücklich, aber bei der BMW C600S schien es Liebe auf den zweiten Blick zu sein. Allerdings hat dieser Roller das Handicap, dass nur wenig Nachrüstmöglichkeiten zur Verbesserung der Reisetauglichkeit angeboten werden. Naja, Roland möchte sowieso erst noch eine Honda Silverwing 400 testen, bevor er sich zum Kauf entscheidet... wenn er denn mal an eine dran kommt. Denn diese Modelle scheinen weg zu gehen "wie warme Semmeln". 

Ich selbst befand mich heute im Motorradhimmel, da ich endlich mal physischen Kontakt mit einer Ducati Scrambler machen durfte. Frisch geliefert und ausgepackt, war ich eine der ersten Kundinnen, die auf diesem Mopped Platz nehmen durften. Ein tolles, kleines Bike. Und um es mit Krümelmonster zu sagen: Haben will!

Und dann war da noch dieser amerikanische Eisenhaufen. Eine Ikone im neuen Gewand: Die neue Indian Scout. Das Motorrad passt mir wie angegossen. Ich kann mir bereis bildlich vorstellen, wie ich dieses Teil die nordamerikanischen Highways herunter fahre. Mein Urteil: Auch haben will.

Im Großen und Ganzen hatten wir einen perfekten Morgen, umringt von Motorrädern, während sich draußen erneut ein weißes Tuch über die Landschaft legte. Wir haben nur geschaut und nicht gekauft, und es hat uns zum Lächeln gebracht.

20 comments:

  1. Wow, what a great, old-school, flat-track racer vibe that Scrambler has... Sure, it might be Italian, but it wears well a vintage American style. Thanks for sharing the pic.

    Regards,
    Raindog

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    Replies
    1. Hi Ryan, that's exactly what I thought, I'd love to own a vintage Scrambler but I certainly like today's technology. Ducati seemed to have done a great job on this one.

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  2. I vote for the Ducati. Very sweet...

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    1. Martha, that would make two of us ;-)

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  3. That Ducati Scrambler is molto bella! As to that BMW Scooter.....pricy?

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    Replies
    1. Dom, the used BMW scooters certainly are in a higher price category. But you can usually shave of 1-2k € on the Sport version.

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  4. I think that visiting dealers may not be a good idea. Or at least is unhealthy for your wallet…

    Anything that says Ducati sounds like something I don't need. But the Scout looks good. I haven't seen one yet except on the Internet..

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    Replies
    1. Richard, I managed to leave without buying but temptation was big. For me the Scambler does make sense as I could take it places where the Sportster can't go.
      As for the Scout, this is serious competition for the Sportster 1200, and I can see this model becoming a hit, at least in Europe.

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  5. Scrambler und Frisur stehen dir ausgezeichnet.

    Ich finde den Honda Integra gut und hatte kurzzeitig mal überlegt ... Aber wir haben gar keinen Platz mehr in der Garage :-)

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    Replies
    1. Vielen Dank, Funny. Sollte Roland sich nun doch wieder einen Großroller zulegen, werden wir auch ein Platzproblem bekommen...

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  6. I have to say I really like the looks of the Indian Scout, even though I don't like their full size dressers. With no Indian dealers in the area it may be a while before I see one up close and personal though.

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    1. Me too, Canajun but this model only. I am not into full dressers. But it felt awesome, like my Sporty ;-)

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  7. Sounds like another fun day ... but I've decided I hate buying things that move!

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    Replies
    1. Oh, don't day that. Some times it's tough love... but you would going to miss your bike very soon...

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  8. Oh ja... Wenn man könnte, wie man wollte. Oder noch schlimmer - wie man mögen würde...
    Hach ja...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Träumen ist doch erlaubt, oder...

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  9. Go for the Scrambler! Love those machines. You look good on it too. Then you can take all those gravel roads.

    Curious to see what Roland decides to buy too.

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    1. Oh, I'd love to, Brandy. I was always a fan of a nimble scrambler bike but Roland's two-wheeler has higher priority right now and space in limited in our garage...

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  10. Some sweet bikes! I too like the Scrambler. Great way to spend a winter day, checking out some rides.

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  11. That Scout would have about double the HP of your Sporty at the top end, but softer down low.

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