Trade?

Pardon the long post, but read on if you may be looking to make a trade...

I’m buying a new bike in 2013, most likely a ’13 Multistrada 1200 with an outside chance that I will end up on a ’13 Hyperstrada. The plan is to buy around April and sell my current bike, a 2004 Multistrada 1000DS, shortly thereafter.

Of course plans can change. Not long ago on multistrada.net there was a thread where a member was seeking to trade a 1986 Yamaha SRX-6, plus cash, for a used MTS 620 or 1000. That caught my attention. I didn’t have my driver’s license when the SRX-6 came out, but I remember seeing it in the magazines when it was on the market. It remains a very handsome bike. Also, the thought of owning a 600cc kickstart-only single has a perverse appeal. Unfortunately, the SRX-6 is across the country in CA with a deal pending, so it’s not happening. Nonetheless, this has me thinking…..

I’ve become a bit enamored with the idea of trading my bike for another bike, possibly plus cash. I see this as my opportunity to dabble with a bike that I might not otherwise own and possibly experience something different for the next few months. So what am I looking for? I’m not looking to come out of pocket with any cash for this transaction. I either want to make a straight up trade or get a bike plus cash. I would need it to be something reliable and sound as it sits. I’m not looking for a project. I’m looking for something that’s a daily rider, as-is. I can deal with some minor cosmetic issues, but I wouldn’t pull the trigger for something ugly. The plan is to sell this bike after a few months, so it needs to be something usable and sellable.

My riding range in the winter is relatively limited; I rarely ride more than 100 miles in a day from December through March. This means I don’t need anything with major range or comfort. I have just switched jobs and for the first time in my life have an actual commute (9 miles), so I might throw myself into the commuting grinder. That means something maneuverable and nimble would be nice. Bikes that catch my fancy are an older (pre-FI) 900 Supersport, a street legal supermoto, a Guzzi, etc. Anything interesting might catch my eye. I am essentially looking for a bike that I would be unlikely to otherwise own as an “only bike” but that would be fun to sample for a few months.

I’ll be honest and say that this is a bit of whim and I am not sure how serious I am about this idea. Still, I know CAM members both have a variety of other bikes and have a network of friends who have an even larger variety, so I figured I’d throw it out there and see what happens. Most likely I’ll hear crickets, maybe I’ll be offered every POS in the region or maybe the perfect bike and deal will happen along.

If you are interested and have a candidate bike, post here or send me a PM and I’ll send along more info on my bike.