So Molly made it home, but sadly the whole ordeal left a bad taste in my mouth. We didn't let it hold us back and had a good time despite our aching arses from being two-up on a KTM board cleverly disguised as a posh seat.

While we were trying to fix Molly, Freewheeling Cycle had a 2008 Versys on the floor. I would wander over and throw my leg over it every now and again. I mentally calculated what I walk out of the place with that bike for. They were asking $4000. Molly wasn't running. What if I left them Molly and rode off on the Versys for say $2500 out the door. That was my magic number.

The salesman had been busy closing the deal on a used Fat Boy to a guy who'd never ridden before in his life. However, he did have a pudding bowl helmet and fingerless gloves. So he must have know a thing or two about Harleys.

Before I could talk to Mr. Sales, there was a guy who was working on closing the shop for Kawasaki. He rode in on a pristine yellow '98 R1100S that he bought and rode to Isle of Man then let it sit for 10 years. He had just re-discovered how great a bike it is. I asked how many bikes he had and he said, "Well over 100."

Anyway, he said that the Versys was there on consignment and the owner messed with the electronics and had been having some problems with the bike, so he wouldn't recommend it. The last thing I needed was a bike with electrical issues. :eek

Fast forward to after we get back home.

We fix Molly up with another new rectifier. Ohno starts looking around for a more reliable bike for me and/or a more comfortable tourer for him. Not exactly sure where his priorities were. Anyhow, he comes across the bike I fell in love with at IMS Chicago in 2006, the year I started riding. A Ninja 650r, silver with a red frame. A guy posted it on craigslist, without pics because he was on dial-up, for $2800. Ohno calls and the guy flat out says "I can't take any less than $2500 for it."

This was the bike I'd always wanted. $2500 was my magic number. Ohno nabs her.

She is in great shape, a few scratches, and a bit dirty. Only 2200 miles on her. She had been sitting at a small dealership forever, before the seller picked her up. The seller just wanted to make $100 on her.

So... I got a new girl now!

Uh, aliens again?

My first run on her.

The Ninja is incredibly easy to ride. Her power is so smooth. She's forgiving and very responsive. Nice clean air. I can't wait to get on the track. I'll have to do something about the suspension for touring though, it's quite stiff. Seems mostly a front fork issue. Seating needs a little work too. We've read that people scoop out the back of the seat so you can move around a bit. Right now I feel locked in. But all-in-all, thumbs up!

Uh-huh, my first "legal" ride on my new bike.

From Ohno: The two LEOs pulled us over for going 67 in a 55. They were walking up as Sas pulled off her helmet and her hair tumbled out. "You're a girl... on a crotch rocket. Thanks for pulling over." Two minutes later we were swapping motorcycle stories. 15 minutes later we knew what bikes they both had, how one had laid his down with his grand-daughter on back. How the other one traded his for a Mustang. I don't think we even got a warning just a "drive safe." Funny that's not how they usually treat me when I get pulled over by myself. Hmm ...

Well finding me a bike didn't thwart Ohno from still looking. As a matter of fact, he liked the Ninja so much he decided HE needed something a little sportier. He finds a pretty good deal on a '03 BMW r1150rs. A wife's bike. The wife drops her and is afraid of her. Ohno mentions Molly and the guy is thrilled. So we have a home for Molly. Here are my girls together on Molly's last ride. She was running so nice with the new rectifier too.

Goodbye Red Molly. I'll miss you.

And here's the Molly trade. Well, Molly and (get this) $2500. Life's funny.

Nice anniversary presents and a memorable anniversary.