Before I get to the name, I want to spell out my thinking. The Connie was only 14 years old, but based on 28 year old technology. Kawasaki sold the Concours essentially with no changes from 1986 through 2006. That's an impressive run for any motor vehicle. They did it because the Concours just plain worked and it gained a loyal following of riders willing to solve the few design flaws on their own. Mine had bar risers and peg lowers among other things. What made it hard to part with the red rocket was what it did best. Just go. On this years tour through Nevada, Washington, Idaho, Montana, and Utah that's exactly what I needed. My route included some beautiful mildly twisty and mountainous roads where I hoped to enjoy the scenery while throwing the Connie through the curves which is what the Connie does second best. Unfortunately, Mother Nature was having no part of that and I was forced to slow down on rain slicked roads and actually came to a stop on top of a mountain along the Montana/Idaho border. So, by the middle of the trip I had lost so much time I had to find a way to make some up. The only way to do that was to stay in the saddle. I was once again thrilled at how easy it is to lay down 250 miles in one sitting on the Concours. Most stock bikes can't hold that much fuel and just aren't comfortable enough for that. I was not comfortable, but I could make it happen. When I passed a sign near the end of my trip that said, "Next Gas 103 Miles" I just grinned and kept going.
But, I was very uncomfortable. If I have to take prescription pain meds to take the edge off, it probably isn't ideal. And, there is a second issue with the Concours that I am very aware of. Not only is there little hope of a significant improvement (we're working on that) with the knees, the what if scenarios are a little troubling. In Death Valley on a very steep climb, I opted to turn around and check on a woman standing in the road. I just simply dropped the bike right on the centerline. Then a year later I was stopping for a picture along a curb in Emery, Utah and washed out the front tire in gravel, dropping it there. There are two problems with the most innocent drop of a Concours. First, things break off. That can make it hard to get home. Secondly, as my body is continuing to fade and falter, I worry about being stranded just because I can't stand the bike up.
The Magna is a little lighter, quite nimble and not as fragile. The pegs are in a better position and I have highway pegs too. With only a small expense, I can get the Magna to approach the luggage capacity of the Concours. And, even after 29 years, it's in great condition. I have a little work I want to do, but it's very close. I am looking forward to putting her in a condition worthy of a Historic Vehicle tag.
So, the daughter insists that I always name my vehicles which I don't think I do. But, in response to her nagging, I decided to find a name. Since the Magna birthed a new sub-class of motorcycle, the power cruiser, it seemed fitting that her name fit that category. So, I am considering "Hogan" for the Destroyer, "USS Hogan" which was named for Seaman Daniel Hogan. In the war of 1812, he climbed the rigging of the Constitution to reattach the flag to the masthead after it was shot off during battle. Without his action, the enemy might have believed the ship had struck her colors which would indicate surrender. The USS Hogan fought in World War II largely as a mine sweeper. She provided cover fire in several significant battles, including in Iwo Jima, the Solomons, Marianas, and the Leyte Gulf.
The other option for the name is that of a light cruiser which also took part in World War II, the Boise. She fought in the Atlantic and the Pacific providing cover fire for significant engagements including the invasion of Sicily and Leyte. She also carried General MacArthur in June of 1944 and launched a solo raid on Japanese waters to help distract Japanese attention from Allied preparations for the battle of Guadalcanal. She was also the ship of Captain "Mike" Moran who was awarded the Navy Cross and quoted in propaganda for saying, "Pick out the biggest one and fire!" during a battle in the Solomons.