I was determined not to buy the '15. I was very attached to my SERG 3 and invested recently in bars and a tank console to keep that determination. But as I've told my niece and nephews, "Your life can change in the blink of an eye!"
Early January 3, after a very cold night, I was leading a group over Old Topanga Canyon heading north. About 11:00 a.m., we crested and headed down into the San Fernando Valley. The road was partially shaded and the shaded portions were very slippery. Near the bottom of the winding grade, there is a descending right-hand hair-pin which appeared damp but not wet. Nevertheless, I kept my speed at 15 mph (or less). Turns out the "damp" was dry ice and the front tire lost all traction. I landed unscathed as the bike gently went down on its right side. I let go thinking, "that right bag is going to be expensive ($1,450)." Then the bike hit a raised crack in the asphalt and high-sided. I watched in horror as the bike flipped 450 degrees damaging all of the body work. Insurance estimate $14,750! All cosmetic! The company and I are discussing whether the incident was due to an "unforeseeable and unavoidable road condition" so I might not be charged at fault. One of our group happens to be an accident reconstruction expert and former motor cop so I have a good chance here.
I began researching what I could do with that budget and planned to install stereo upgrades, Rushmore style extended bags from Top Shop, the HD Rushmore king tour pak and an RWD front fender. I consulted with Joe Z about painting all to match the SERG 3 and was excited about the possiblities. Yesterday, I was at my usual dealer to investigate how to best mate the Rushmore bags to the frame. Most have just modified the front bracket but you can install the new Rushmore bracket system. That is cost prohibitive, though. While there, one of the owners says hello and tells me they just traded for a CVO Ultra they did not know was a RG until it had arrived the day before. He then offers to take the SERG in trade "as is." We both took the night to think about numbers and got to hagglin' today. So, ladies and gentlemen, as of today, I'm blue!