To Harley or not to Harley?

[jaskc78]

Triumph Thunderbird?

i'd already looked at Triumph, but this was the first i'd heard of the Thunderbird. checked it out, and just can't see me liking it, just doesn't do it for me.

comfortable and fits you then the larger engine is usually the way to go.

*snip*

several good ones and they aren't all Harleys.

*snip*

do some fairly intensive reasearch and decide what you want ahead of starting your search for a bike.

unfortunately, the specifics that i want in looks tend to not be readily available in the larger engine sizes in most cases. i don't much care for the look of a fully-dressed tourer/cruiser nor do i think i really want to ride one back and forth to work in traffic and while fuel economy isn't really a concern, i can't see the sense in getting a bike that has a bigger engine than the car i bought to keep some of the city miles off my truck.

yeah, i've found quite a few bikes that i like from several different manufacturers, but if i'm buying it then it needs to do more for me than just like.

i have it narrowed down to four specific models and trim levels. what more research do you suggest?

look for a little more HP than the V Star 1100.

yeah, ideally i'm looking for a nice blend of in-town maneuverability and highway comfort. i think the 1100 would be enough engine simply because the madura's a 1200 and it does just fine in town and i know it wouldn't have any problem carrying me and some dirty laundry on the highway.

==========================================

i've looked at Harley, Honda, Yamaha, Triumph, Ducati, Kawasaki, Suzuki, Swift, American Iron Horse, Big Dog, Boss Hoss, Buell, BMW, Aprilia, Husqvarna, Victory, Saxon, Kymco, Ural, United, Daelim, Hyosung, Moto Guzzi, Piaggio, Royal Enfield, some of the kit bike companies, and even quite a few of the custom shops...and i know i'm still forgetting some.

if i had a shop readily available i'd be tempted to just make my own bike because i have yet to see one that REALLY does it for me. i've googled every phrase you can think of that contains the word "motorcycle" hoping to find a company that i've never heard of and see a bike that i just can't live without.

i'd really like to get a bike that isn't very common, something that stands out from the crowd and makes people ask, "What kind of bike is that?" they just don't catch my eye and i'm not gonna spend thousands of dollars on something that doesn't make me smile when i walk outside in the morning and see it.

who knows, maybe i'll just spend the rest of my life holding onto the hope that someday i'll find a motorcycle that i really love and in the meantime i'll just get whatever bike makes me happiest. i have no desire to set speed records or get a million miles to the gallon, i just want a bike that i love the way it looks and i love the way it makes me feel when i sit on it and start the engine and still love the way it makes me feel after sitting on it for an hour or two at 80 mph.

on the other hand, though, i've only test-ridden one of the four, so maybe one of the others will be the bike that i test ride and immediately go talk to the finance manager. or maybe i'm just too damn picky and whatever i buy will end up in an almost unrecognizable state of modification before i'm done with it.

[Ryethil]

comfortable and fits you then the larger engine is usually the way to go.

*snip*

several good ones and they aren't all Harleys.

*snip*

do some fairly intensive reasearch and decide what you want ahead of starting your search for a bike.

unfortunately, the specifics that i want in looks tend to not be readily available in the larger engine sizes in most cases. i don't much care for the look of a fully-dressed tourer/cruiser nor do i think i really want to ride one back and forth to work in traffic and while fuel economy isn't really a concern, i can't see the sense in getting a bike that has a bigger engine than the car i bought to keep some of the city miles off my truck.

yeah, i've found quite a few bikes that i like from several different manufacturers, but if i'm buying it then it needs to do more for me than just like.

i have it narrowed down to four specific models and trim levels. what more research do you suggest?
.

Dude!

[koji52]

I would say one thing else. Don't listen to other people that "know" what you should have. Harley's are special but the Sportsters aren't "real" Harleys and the Big Twins are bulky and take forethought so you don't get caught in a place they aren't comfortable in. I get away with riding a Sportster because I'm a gurl and it doesn't take much to learn the specialness of a Harley Big Twin.

That statement is a joke. If you weren't joking, then you're a joke.

[Ryethil]

I would say one thing else. Don't listen to other people that "know" what you should have. Harley's are special but the Sportsters aren't "real" Harleys and the Big Twins are bulky and take forethought so you don't get caught in a place they aren't comfortable in. I get away with riding a Sportster because I'm a gurl and it doesn't take much to learn the specialness of a Harley Big Twin.

That statement is a joke. If you weren't joking, then you're a joke.

I would be careful who you call a joke! You obviously aren't in my shoes and haven't had my experiences. That is what a forum is all about. Peaple talking about their experiences and opinions. There is very little "hard" truth because motorcycles are about freedom, not cold logic. The Japanese have learned about that finally and are building things like the Honda Fury.

You obviously know little about peer pressure and the power of people's opinions. Just how many people buy motorcycles with at least some thought given to other people's acceptance of their purchase. It works both ways towards Harleys. My partner owns a Porsche but it isn't a 911 it's a Cayman so the snobs of Porschedom sneer at her car a bit. It isn't a real Porsche. Even though in her hands, her Cayman out drives the much more expensive 911.

There are people that are envious of bikers that own Harleys and trash them when ever possible. There are those who think anything other than a Big Twin isn't a real motorcyle. There are BMW snobs and there are Ducati snobs too. All of this is @$&# because motorcycles are about freedom. And this isn't a joke.

[redbiker]

Having gone through lots of motorcycles over the years, I would definitely riding as many as you can. I had a 1978 BMW 100/7 and was old school. It fit ok but seat wasn't right. I tried 2 different seats and went with the Corbin. Corbins are not for everyone, the point here is bikes can be 'adusted' to your needs. With the Corbin and different BMW handlebars it fit like a glove. 600 mi days were still comfortable since I was no longer sitting on a vinyl covered brick.

Ride EVERYTHING before buying. Low mileage used is a good way to go for several reasons:
1. cost
2. warranty left over and transferable.
3. style/design/etc Is it what you want? don't compromise until checking everything.
4. New vs old technology. Did a 2year old model have the better sitting position than new? How about handlebars and foot pegs. Like cars, manufactures change design every couple years. This didn't happen some years back.
5. will it still fit and be comfortable 1/2 way through that long distance ride? Hard to predict but you should know if it is by performance/ride on a short ride.
6.appearance. How important is the status of a Harley a better pick than the riceburners performance?
6. parts price. H-D will cost more. I've heard the H-D means hundred dollars as repair and parts cost more because of the name.

For me, fit is number #1 and performance #2. I don't care about looks or style or name. Cost is definitely #1.5. I've bought 2 bikes that didn't fit right and sold them in a few months. My finances suck, so a loan to purchase a high $ bike is not readily available. You most defintley need to ride any purchase. Will you do any 2 person seats? The '"dog" pad' on many bikes are uncomfortable. Have someone as a passenger for part of the test ride. Will the bike pack your stuff for that week long ride? This can narrow down to places to attach straps? Don't use bungee cords except on a short ride since they are prone to failure. Straps are readily available. I've bought 5' ones at camping supply stores. Buckle on top means no rub on paint. Can't say same for bungees.

I guess that's enough of my rambling. Good luck, have fun and keep this rubber side down and chrome up.

1990 Suziki VX800
1972 Honda CL 450 needing engine rebuild.
From the land of dazed and confused,

Myles
*************************
Myles B. Lewis
Trudging the road of happy destiny in Florissant, Colorado, 8500 feet and 20 miles or so east of South Park, CO. (Yes, Virginia, there is a South Park)

[Ryethil]

Snip

For me, fit is number #1 and performance #2. I don't care about looks or style or name. Cost is definitely #1.5. I've bought 2 bikes that didn't fit right and sold them in a few months.

I agree except for one thing. Looks and style have some importance in that like a partner, how she looks and how she moves is what draws your eyes to her in the first place. Once you've bought the package, then little things that would normally annoy you become instead little beauty marks that make her special. Sometimes the mojo works and sometimes it doesn't. No one's fault. But when it works then a whole bunch of stuff doesn't matter anymore.

I still don't suggest Cushmans though.

[HYPERR]

There is very little "hard" truth because motorcycles are about freedom, not cold logic. The Japanese have learned about that finally and are building things like the Honda Fury.

Building a niche bike like the Fury that has very high appeal to a very tiny minority and a little or no appeal to the majority of riders is what you call Honda "finally learning"??

Motorcycles are many different things to many different people. It depends on the individual. To many, it is their transportation. To some it is their livelihood. And to some as you put it it's about a sense of freedom. To me and probably to many others, it is fun. I ride because I enjoy it immensely and to me it is one of the "funnest" things you can do.

Honda understands this more than any other bike manufacturer. That is why they spank every other manufacturer beyond belief in sales every year. They have topped 8 figures in units sold annually many times Even in this recessionary times, they sold over 9 million units last year.

Honda understands and caters to just about every type of motorcyclist on the planet, not just a tiny niche market.

[Ryethil]

There is very little "hard" truth because motorcycles are about freedom, not cold logic. The Japanese have learned about that finally and are building things like the Honda Fury.

Building a niche bike like the Fury that has very high appeal to a very tiny minority and a little or no appeal to the majority of riders is what you call Honda "finally learning"??

Motorcycles are many different things to many different people. It depends on the individual. To many, it is their transportation. To some it is their livelihood. And to some as you put it it's about a sense of freedom. To me and probably to many others, it is fun. I ride because I enjoy it immensely and to me it is one of the "funnest" things you can do.

Honda understands this more than any other bike manufacturer. That is why they spank every other manufacturer beyond belief in sales every year. They have topped 8 figures in units sold annually many times Even in this recessionary times, they sold over 9 million units last year.

Honda understands and caters to just about every type of motorcyclist on the planet, not just a tiny niche market.

For the second time today I shake my head in disbelief...

I've had Hondas before, in fact my first motorcycle I bought for myself was a Night Hawk 750. Still had it till a couple of years ago. I rebuilt it and gave it away to my brother who was just starting.

Yes, Honda has made the most different types of motorcycles than any other marque. However, does it understand the soul of every motorcyclist that rides a bike. I think not. The fact is, time after time, they built a bike that lacked adjustable suspensions, so-so brakes and while it looked good, it was souless. I recomend the VTX1300 to many people because it is reliable and has no bad traits that could affect the beginning rider. It's water cooled and has a shaft drive. Therefore it is pretty reliable. But does it do anything for the soul, IMHO, not really.

It's like buying a car. America made famous the big comfortable cruiseship on wheels and sold so many of them it was once said that "What was good for General Motors, was good for the rest of the country". But there were a lot of people that bought sportscars. So many in fact even GM built the Corvette. But even there, the Corvette was a pale imitation of existing sportscars.

I buy and ride motorcycles that become soulmates. I'm not looking for an appliance. And I don't just buy Harleys or Buells. I rebuild Triumphs. I've owned BMWs (aircooled) and Ducaties. None of these bikes were without warts. But they wanted to be loved so bad that I overlooked their little faults and accepted their greater pluses. I've been called a stone cold biker b*tch before. I live to ride and ride to live. I know it's passe to make this claim but I ride everywhere while my cage sits and gathers dust.

Honda didn't cater to riders, it told motorcyclists what to ride. It actually shouted instead of listening. This worked to create a initial group of motorcyclists at first. It actually helped to kill the British motorcycle companies. But it didn't kill everything. Harleys, BMWs and others lived and people kept other bikes from going to the graveyard because their soul spoke to the rider.

Even among japanese bikes, in so many cases, Honda got it wrong and others got it right only to find they couldn't shout above the substancial advertising budget of Honda.

However, all this moot. I brought up the Fury because even Honda now realises there are people out there that aren't interested in another inline 4 std motorcycle. The cruisers the Japanese companies first built were poor examples at first but now they have come quite a distance. The Fury is sort of the pinnacle of what the Japanese can produce but I don't think it will be the last or best.

In spite of this rant, I usually try to get learners to look at other bikes than Harleys, BMWs and others. They need bikes that aren't soulful, they need great bikes that will let them learn the leasons that are needed to survive in this world of SUVs and truckers. Yes, every once in a while I suggest a Sportster or a BMW. But that depends on the experience of the beginer and their comitment to motorcycling.

I'm still shaking my head. It's not up to me to decide for anyone what motorcycle to buy or ride. I wish at times I was some great B*tch Goddess but most times I'm so glad that I don't have that responcibility. I'm just another Gurl that loves motorcycles and when I am ASKED, I will sometimes give my IMPRESSION of what motorcycles are best for which riders.

In the end, everyone should ride what they want for the reasons they want to ride them. That is freedom and makes us different then cage drivers. And for that I feel blessed.

[Gummiente]

*boggle*

[jaskc78]

I buy and ride motorcycles that become soulmates. I'm not looking for an appliance.
*SNIP*
kept other bikes from going to the graveyard because their soul spoke to the rider.
*SNIP*
In the end, everyone should ride what they want for the reasons they want to ride them. That is freedom and makes us different then cage drivers. And for that I feel blessed.

in spite of my desire to not take this thread further off course, i disagree with your statements and am compelled to reply.

if you knock either of my bikes over, i'll beat you to a bloody pulp simply on the principle that it's mine and i'm the only one that's allowed to knock it over.

if you even so much as look at my truck with malice in your heart, God have mercy on you because i sure as all hell won't. i love my truck. it is mine and mine alone. when it breathes, i breathe. when that turbo diesel starts spooling up, i can't help but smile out of pride, love, and adoration. i don't consider it exactly the same pride as a parent would feel watching their child succeed at a difficult task, but they're neighbors. i bought my truck when diesel was near $5 a gallon here, not because i *like* it or because i *needed* it, but because i knew the moment i sat in it and started the engine, that it was mine--and i still feel that same way every time i sit in it and start the engine. she isn't the fastest, she isn't the sleekest, and she sure as "poo poo" ain't the prettiest, but she's mine. she can "pee" me off like no other and some days she's a downright intolerable "dog", but i can't imagine having it any other way.

she'll do 1200 miles between fill-ups on the freeway, sit idling for hours on end while i sleep just so that i can be in a climate controlled comfort zone, go through all manner of mud, snow, rain, or loose gravel, she'll climb any mountain you put in front of her and tow anything you can attach to her--all without complaining. and for that i love her.

call me a cager if you want, that's fine. call me a redneck, i'm proud of my heritage. call me a back-woods country bumpkin farmboy and it don't bother me none. but you touch my truck in anger and we will come to an understanding.

now, i don't expect everyone to understand that or agree with it, but you can't deny the fact that you don't need to be on a motorcycle to love what you drive or ride. i feel just as free in my truck as i'm sure any of you do on a motorcycle. this being a motorcycle forum, though, i prefer to talk motorcycles here. i apologize for the lengthy post about my truck.

===========================

now, back to the original topic: i still have 3 more test-rides to do before i make a decision. however, i'm sure all 3 of those rides will be on stock bikes whereas whichever bike i buy will be fitted with bags and a windshield. i don't expect it would, but will that change how it rides enough to notice? most of the time the bags will be empty, and i would imagine they'd even be detachable so may not even be on for daily riding. every other weekend they'll be on for the 200 miles out to grandma's house, though, and that'll be majority freeway riding so i probably won't even notice the weight of the bags because i won't be turning much, if at all.

what do you guys think?