Toss Out Some Recommendations?

[JackoftheGreen]

With the season coming to a close, Carrie and I have been turning our eye to next summer and the possibility of upgrading our bikes. We're fairly flexible with manufacturers, but budget is, as always, as issue, and I wanted to hand this over to our community and get some recommendations from all of you. I know that at some point someone out there made the exact bikes we want, but I don't know what it is yet.

So, we both like twin headlamps, like on the Triumph Thunderbird Storm, the Rocket III and the Dyna FatBob.




I like a bobbed back fender like on the M50 or the Thunderbird pictured above, and I'm fond of small front fenders, while Carrie likes them tubbed -- the more the better. Even the Chieftan isn't too tubbed for her tastes.

We'd like something with a modest liter+, something in the 1100cc to 1400cc range, no preference on engine architecture (V2, V4, etc), I sorta like the pipes that go down both sides of the bike, like the Triumph or a V65, but that's not a deal-breaker one way or the other. And we'd like something with at least a 200 mile range and preferably better than 50mpg highway.

Finally, we'd like to stay under about $5,000.00, obviously buying used.

So, that's what we're looking for. Suggestions?

[Gummiente]

I think your budget is a bit low for any of these rides. Bump it up to the $8k range and you might be able to score a TBird, but the Rocket and Dyna are still out of reach. Mind you, I've only looked at bikes up here in Canada so down in the US the pricing could be lower.

If its the dual headlight look you're after, I think J&P Cycles sell a twin headlight kit for cruisers. It could be installed on just about any cruiser style bike that catches your eye for other aesthetic reasons.

[JackoftheGreen]

Yeah, the TBird, Rocket and Dyna aren't practical for us, it's just styling cues as represented on those bikes that have caught our eye. Truth told, I've been pouring over multiple bikes from the early 2000's and it's tough piecing it all together. The only cruiser I've found with a tank larger than 4 gallons is the GV650, a bike I still want very much to test out, but so much else about that bike gives me pause. And it's not Carrie's cup'a at all.

So, the search continues.

[totalmotorcycle]

I've considered the Thunderbird and the Thunderbird Storm while I was in the UK and seriously considered the Fat Bob while in the USA, I even put an offer on both a brand new and used Fat Bob when we first moved here. You'll not likely find a Fat Bob under $10k (at least in Texas they all start at $10k for a 2008).

The Rocket III is an amazing engine with a bike wrapped around it, just make sure it "fits" you - it's a big bike. But out of the 3, I'd myself go for the Harley Fab Bob hands down.

I know this isn't the style of bike you are looking for, but the Speed Triple has a pair of lights as well, in fact, I would say it's the model that started the twin headlight thing (which I also think is awesome BTW).

http://www.totalmotorcycle.com/photos/2 ... Triple.htm

Mike

[JackoftheGreen]

She's a beauty Mike, don't know where the bed roll would go but I'd tear it UP just the same on that ride. (-:

If I could fit the Thunderbird Storm into my budget, I'd go for that without a moments hesitation. It's a bit larger a powerplant than I'm interested in, but I think I could be persuaded if the $$$ was right. I suppose what I'll have to do is what Gummi suggested, just slap a twin headlamp conversion on something else.

I love the Shadow 1100 Spirit, Carrie too, but with a 3.5 gallon tank that's still not much of an improvement over our current touring setup. More horse, less range. )-: I briefly (very briefly) starting pulling up that stats on some sport-touring models, ST1300's and the like, and although I sigh wistfully at their 7+ gallons of petro and acres of luggage, nothing else about those bikes so much as raises an eyebrow. All purpose, zero passion. I think I may just end up with those awful 'auxiliary fuel tank' flasks in my saddlebags. $40.00 and PowerSlave's onboard fuel goes from 3.9 gallon to 5.9 gallons.

[JackoftheGreen]

So after a little more searching I think I'm getting close...

I know it doesn't have the twin headlight, but the Yamaha V-Star 1100 Custom is ticking a lot of my boxes. 1100cc, small front and bobbed back fender, it's even got the monoshock which I like for it's clean presentation and, lo a behold, a 4.5 gallon tank and reported 49 mpg. That puts it's range squarely over 200 miles, and I can pick up a 2000-2005 for under 5k. A search on my local buy-and-sell forum yielded a 2002 with 17k miles for $3,400. Slap in a twin headlamp conversion (and might as well do the HID while I'm at it) and I've got something very close to perfect.

I'm a bit leery to move to an air-cooled machine, given the extreme temperatures to be found in my region during the summers. Anyone have any experience taking an 1100cc Yamaha 500 miles at 75+mph in 100+ temperatures?

[BobK]

Check out a Moto Guzzi. Used ones go cheap, and I can attest (having owned one for six years) that they are reliable.

[BRUMBEAR]

and an SCG for the Misses

[JackoftheGreen]

Check out a Moto Guzzi. Used ones go cheap, and I can attest (having owned one for six years) that they are reliable.

2005-MotoGuzzi-CaliforniaAluminiumb-small.jpg (19.47 KiB) Viewed 8570 times

Gotta admit Bob, hard to pass this up. Thanx for the suggestion...

1060cc, Cruiser profile, skinny fenders, and HOLY SH*T a 6.6 gallons total under the cap.

Only problem, I can't find any used. The 2005 Cali EV Tourer is going on CycleTrader for between $2500 and $4000, and that had a higher MSRP than this. Anyone know why they're so hard to find?

[Gummiente]

Anyone know why they're so hard to find?

Moto Guzzi has never been a strong seller, it's always been more of a niche market bike and one with a limited dealer presence. I've long been a fan of the California, but every time I've been in a position to buy one the dealer network up here has collapsed.