My New Toy, Yamaha MT-07

Hello my name is Old Al, and I’m a bike-aholic. Seriously I don’t think I’m psychic but as I was writing the last column I got an eerie feeling while I was writing about the new bikes, especially when it became about the “hot rod”. Well low and behold it came a reality and I fell victim to my own story. Apparently the power of suggestion is more powerful than I imagined.

It all started innocently enough. I was out riding around with no particular place to go and no self control. I was just looking after all. I guess I looked too long. The next thing I know I’m on the web researching and looking at what’s available for the bike. I tried to fight the desire to purchase, but lost. Back to the dealer I went, test drive and making an offer. Now it’s the last day of the month and year so I’m thinking it’s bargain time, it was. The sales man was going to make an easy sale. In all reality the dealer treated my quite well and got me the bike in the color I wanted. So with a smile on my face and a little lighter in the wallet I had bike #116. The addiction is real. It’s amazing how many different motorcycles you can go through in 55 years of riding.

So true to form the process began. There I was sitting in the garage in a lawn chair listening to the pop, crackle, and snap of the hot motor cooling down. As I sat there thinking and making mental notes while researching on my iPad, I found another way to spend some more money. First up was a center stand, although there is a perfectly good track stand hanging on the wall, nothing can beat the convenience of a center stand. I found a good deal in one from our neighbors to the north.

Now with the common sense accessory done it’s time to squander some cash. Next up was a tidy tail to clean up the rear fender and license plate mount. Installation was pretty straight forward, although tedious.

Next up was the Bark Busters, and while I was there I figured the bike needed different mirrors as well. Like I said in the last article, there is always a way to spend and improve something that was perfectly fine to start with. Following that, a small cowl cover was installed to cover up the headlight and gauge area. Bonus here, it gives me a place to put the all important stickers.

So with the addition of a battery tender plug and a tank bag I should be done for a while. I don’t know what and if any more will be added but I still have a couple dollars left in my budget.  And that my friends is how you squander all of your hard earned cash on not just toys, but also the accessories to go along. 

Thanks for tuning into another episode of Writing Under the Influence, I’m your host, Old Al!