Most Important Accessory

I've kept you all in suspense long enough. The most important accessory is probably not what you are thinking. It is simply: a bike for your significant other. That's right! A bike for them is the best accessory you can buy for you. I don't know of any better way to get a spouse interested in the sport of motorcycling than putting them on their own bike. It is quite hard to be critical when you can't wipe the grin off your own face.

I was lucky in that my own wife was due for one of those 'milestone' birthdays. She has the license already -- she has been riding a Vespa GTS-250 for about nine months now. I realized quickly that I had an opportunity to help her reach the next level. Diamonds might be forever, but picking out your own bike has got to be 100x more exciting than a trip to the jewelry store.

After a rather lengthy debate, she chose the Yamaha FZ6R. An 80HP, 600cc, relaxed sport bike (bars are upright, seat is lower). It had been very difficult to find a bike that she could fit well; she is after all only 5'2" tall. Most bikes with their 32"+ seat height and 500+ lbs can be rather intimidating. The FZ6R seems to be a perfect fit. The only other serious contender was a BMW F800ST -- and that was $4K more for not that much more bike.

So she gained a motorcycle, and I gained a riding partner. How's that for accessorizing?