So there are a few things that I've wanted to do for a while, but which haven't worked out because of money or space constraints — flying isn't really in the budget now (and I'd hate to start and stop again, so I'm not going to start flying again until I'm sure I can commit for five years or more), and picking up a mid-70s sports car and restoring it is impractical without a garage.
On Friday, though, I realized that there was a third option that is affordable and accessible that I've always sort of had in the back of my mind but never really though about: a motorcycle! To my surprise 
nyxie was not completely horrified by the suggestion, and while I've always joked that my (car-)driving style would get me killed on a bike, I don't think that would be a problem when I'm vulnerable on a bike. I've also got a great commute along a parkway and country roads which would be a whole lot of fun on a bike (even without the speeds I go in the car).
So I found the folks who provide the local safety course and picked up the local Bike Trader to start looking for a starter bike. I figure I want a standard (not sportbike, not cruiser) bike somewhere around 400-500cc, because there's nothing available in the 250cc range here, and this week's Trader has (in Canadian dollars):
- 1983 Honda CX500, 30k km, $1500
- 1979 Kawasaki 400 LTD, 44k, $1500
- 1983 Yamaha Virago 500, 24k, $1600
- 1984 Honda CM450E, 31k, $1450
- 1979 Suzuki GS425E, 9k (!), $1700
- 1982 Yamaha Maxim 400, 86k, $1000
- 1979 CX500, 28k, $1500
Then again, I'm already a champion enduro rider, apparently...
