I figured since my garage is in a constant state of change, it would be fun to do an update on where things stand, what’s new, and what’s left over the last year. I did a similar post in 2018
Vehicles that made it through the year.
The Fancy Supermoto
It’s not very often that an overhyped platform actually lives up to the hype, but I’m happy to report that the 701 does. It’s everything I wanted a street bike to be.
Outlook: Very likely to stay through 2020
The $200 Miata.
Over this year I’ve done a fair bit of improvements to the $200 Miata. New rear subframe to replace the bent one the car came with, a real LSD instead of the broken VLSD I swapped in last year, coilovers. She’s begun burning quite a bit of oil so I’ll probably swap in the new motor in if it continues to get worse.
Outlook: Very likely to stay through 2020, likely with 1.8L swap.
The Ruckus
Not much has changed on the ruck in 2019, went back to a stock exhaust because the aftermarket one was pretty obnoxious. Lost a MPH or so, but gained headache free riding. Gave the CVT a complete refresh over the summer and got the top speed back with slightly less acceleration. It’s still my city vehicle of choice in most cases.
Outlook: Likely to stay though 2020
The Grom
The Grom still gets ridden a ton. Was my primary commuter all last winter during the wet season. Will probably be limited to warmer months going forward, I noticed that it tended to overcool when ridden in the wet. The front tire sprays water onto the cylinder head and stops the engine from getting to temp.
Outlook: Very likely to stay through 2020
The Stella
I’d be lying if I claimed I had spent much time on the Stella in 2019. I got the new motor in and got it running, but it’s been fouling plugs quickly and I need to troubleshoot why the new motor doesn’t seem to like the same setup as the old.
Outlook: Likely to stay through 2020, but may be on the chopping block if I find myself needing space.
Fleet Additions
ADVENTURE BIKE
Finally happened, I said in last year’s post that I was shopping for used tigers and such. Well, A local dealer had brand new 2017 Africa Twins for a pretty insane price. It’s everything I wanted it to be and more. What surprised me most was how well it takes corners, that’s the primary reason the triple may be on the chopping block.
Outlook: Very likely to stay through 2020
The JDM Camry
Picked up the Mark ii in March to work as a comfortable cruiser. Not much to complain about, it’s the perfect sleeper. Under the white camry exterior is a 1jz turbo rwd platform that weighs 500lb less than a supra, and has 4 doors. I love it. Had to do a clutch on it right off the boat, but aside from that I haven’t had any issues.
Outlook: Very likely to stay though 2020
Decay finally got a decent Miata
Impulse bought this a few months back. Wasn’t seriously shopping for another miata due to current market prices, but this one popped up in my favorite color, with a hardtop for a price I couldn’t turn down. I brought it to Laguna Seca for a track day and fell in love with the platform all over again. There aren’t many other cars I would trust to do a 2000 mile roadtrip with a track day in the middle.
Outlook: Very likely to stay through 2020
Fleet Reductions
The salvage(ish) title FR-S
After seeing just how good the Miata was on track, I put the FR-S up for sale. Guy came out pretty quick and we arrived at a deal for the car minus a few of the aftermarket parts. His plan is to use it as a track car, which is probably the best use for a car with no airbags or AC and with it’s... unique aesthetics. Sad to see this one go, it’s the longest I ever owned a vehicle (6 years), but I only put 2000 mils on it in 2019 and it was time for it to go.
The non-fancy supermoto
Wasn’t planning to get rid of this one so soon, but a friend of a friend offered me what I wanted for it, so I sold it to free up some space in the garage. Probably for the best, it’s role was taken over entirely by the 701, and I needed the space.
The Wrecked Ninja
Was fun to rip around on for a bit, but this was never going to last long in the garage. Sold it cheap to a new rider to learn on. Never really felt any emotions about it, honestly one of the least inspiring power plants I’ve ever experienced in a motorcycle.
Honda Aero
This thing was a trip. 15hp in a bike that made 3 stock feels downright scary. It was fun briefly, but was too loud and high strung to get used frequently without really pissing off my neighbors. Thought really hard about keeping, but realistically it wasn’t going to get ridden too much.
The Triple
The Triple really put me on the fence. It did the “one bike to rule them all” thing better than just about anything else out there, and I was able to do some fairly long touring on it this year. However, the 701 does aggressive riding better and one of the Africa does long distance better. Wasn’t planning on getting rid of it so soon, but a friend expressed interest in buying it and I know he’ll get more use out of it than I will.
What’s coming in 2020?
Unsure, no real plans to add anything, but will probably downsize the bike collection by a bit. anything else interesting that pops up (that I think I can flip) will probably get added briefly, but I think I have just about all my bases covered. I think I’m going to focus on sharpening the stuff I already have in the garage. Blue miata needs good wheels and coilovers. Mark ii needs wheels and a boost controller, and the $200 miata needs the 1.8 swapped in. I’ll also pick up an Ural if one pops up cheap enough.
