Which bike do you want reviewed
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sapaul
- Legendary 2000
- Posts: 2387
- Joined: Wed Jul 20, 2005 3:45 am
- Sex: Male
- Years Riding: 90
- My Motorcycle: 2011 R1200R 07 BMW GS, Kymco 250 little
- Location: South Africa
Re: Which bike do you want reviewed
First I heard, then again, so few sold over here yet that I have yet to hear of when being dropped.
I spent my therapy money an a K1200S
The therapy worked, I got a GS now
A touch of insanity crept back in the shape of an R1200R
The therapy worked, I got a GS now
A touch of insanity crept back in the shape of an R1200R
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blues2cruise
- Moderator
- Posts: 10184
- Joined: Fri Apr 22, 2005 4:28 pm
- Sex: Female
- Years Riding: 16
- My Motorcycle: 2017 Africa Twin 1000cc
- Location: Vancouver, British Columbia
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sapaul
- Legendary 2000
- Posts: 2387
- Joined: Wed Jul 20, 2005 3:45 am
- Sex: Male
- Years Riding: 90
- My Motorcycle: 2011 R1200R 07 BMW GS, Kymco 250 little
- Location: South Africa
Re: Which bike do you want reviewed
Hi Blues
I have been a fan of the Boulevard 800 for a long time. I remember first riding it 3 years ago on the Kyalami track and getting into serious trouble when The Goose got on the back. I came out of the pit lane drifted wide right and then dropped into the left hander at the very last second. This of course was at a fair amount of lean and the pegs were scraping showering the riders behind me with sparks and making a fair amount of noise. The Goose was smacking my helmet and we slowed a bit on the straights, until we got to the next corner. The I did it all again. Just as well The Goose has a sense of humour.
Why tell you this. The 800 is not a powerhouse like your big Yank bikes. The power delivery is way different, less aggressive, smoother, better managed. The steering is light but very positive, there is no lag between input and action. Seating is comfortable and many owners here go for the foot down kits. The overall bike is much sportier than bigger CC machines due to it's lower weight and you can actually take it onto a track and have fun. It's one of those bikes where I have yet to see it ridden at it's full limit. I have not checked the figures but I suspect the tyre lean is far more than the footpeg lean.
Great bike to ride, lots of modern technology and inexpensive in comparison to the American models. Loads of bling to be had too, if you like to dress up a little.
I have been a fan of the Boulevard 800 for a long time. I remember first riding it 3 years ago on the Kyalami track and getting into serious trouble when The Goose got on the back. I came out of the pit lane drifted wide right and then dropped into the left hander at the very last second. This of course was at a fair amount of lean and the pegs were scraping showering the riders behind me with sparks and making a fair amount of noise. The Goose was smacking my helmet and we slowed a bit on the straights, until we got to the next corner. The I did it all again. Just as well The Goose has a sense of humour.
Why tell you this. The 800 is not a powerhouse like your big Yank bikes. The power delivery is way different, less aggressive, smoother, better managed. The steering is light but very positive, there is no lag between input and action. Seating is comfortable and many owners here go for the foot down kits. The overall bike is much sportier than bigger CC machines due to it's lower weight and you can actually take it onto a track and have fun. It's one of those bikes where I have yet to see it ridden at it's full limit. I have not checked the figures but I suspect the tyre lean is far more than the footpeg lean.
Great bike to ride, lots of modern technology and inexpensive in comparison to the American models. Loads of bling to be had too, if you like to dress up a little.
I spent my therapy money an a K1200S
The therapy worked, I got a GS now
A touch of insanity crept back in the shape of an R1200R
The therapy worked, I got a GS now
A touch of insanity crept back in the shape of an R1200R
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Wrider
- Site Supporter - Gold
- Posts: 5285
- Joined: Wed Aug 16, 2006 1:46 pm
- Real Name: Ryan
- Sex: Male
- Years Riding: 4
- My Motorcycle: 2005 Kawasaki Z750S
- Location: Colorado Springs, CO
Re: Which bike do you want reviewed
I can confirm that. My tires still had pretty decent chicken strips left when I had all but worn away the feeler bolts on my pegs... That thing moves for sure.sapaul wrote: I have not checked the figures but I suspect the tyre lean is far more than the footpeg lean.
Have owned - 2001 Suzuki Volusia
Current bike - 2005 Kawasaki Z750S
MMI Graduation date January 9th, 2009. Factory Certifications in Suzuki and Yamaha
Current bike - 2005 Kawasaki Z750S
MMI Graduation date January 9th, 2009. Factory Certifications in Suzuki and Yamaha
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blues2cruise
- Moderator
- Posts: 10184
- Joined: Fri Apr 22, 2005 4:28 pm
- Sex: Female
- Years Riding: 16
- My Motorcycle: 2017 Africa Twin 1000cc
- Location: Vancouver, British Columbia
Re: Which bike do you want reviewed
Thank you. I am seriously considering it for my next bike. I went for a demo ride and really liked it. It would be a step up from 650 V-Star.
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sapaul
- Legendary 2000
- Posts: 2387
- Joined: Wed Jul 20, 2005 3:45 am
- Sex: Male
- Years Riding: 90
- My Motorcycle: 2011 R1200R 07 BMW GS, Kymco 250 little
- Location: South Africa
Re: Which bike do you want reviewed
can't see you being sorry, loads more power managed well from a competent trouble free electrical system. Typical japanese brakes and plenty of tyre choice. Good luck, hope you come right.blues2cruise wrote:Thank you. I am seriously considering it for my next bike. I went for a demo ride and really liked it. It would be a step up from 650 V-Star.
I spent my therapy money an a K1200S
The therapy worked, I got a GS now
A touch of insanity crept back in the shape of an R1200R
The therapy worked, I got a GS now
A touch of insanity crept back in the shape of an R1200R
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zeligman
- Site Supporter - Diamond
- Posts: 508
- Joined: Mon Jun 22, 2009 3:02 pm
- Real Name: Alex
- Sex: Male
- Years Riding: 2
- My Motorcycle: 02 Suzuki Volusia 800 (in salvage :( )
- Location: Boston, MA
Re: Which bike do you want reviewed
love mine - tho it's a bit rough when cold... and needs some choke to start in any weather below 70. (i'm perfectly aware that this may be true of ALL bikes and that i am an unmitigated noob... that being said, i still love my vl800)
still recovering - back to crutches, then walking with a stick, then running - then hopefully riding again!
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Wrider
- Site Supporter - Gold
- Posts: 5285
- Joined: Wed Aug 16, 2006 1:46 pm
- Real Name: Ryan
- Sex: Male
- Years Riding: 4
- My Motorcycle: 2005 Kawasaki Z750S
- Location: Colorado Springs, CO
Re: Which bike do you want reviewed
And don't forget, you're riding the version that still has a carb and footpegs versus the fuel injection and the floorboards she's looking at.
Have owned - 2001 Suzuki Volusia
Current bike - 2005 Kawasaki Z750S
MMI Graduation date January 9th, 2009. Factory Certifications in Suzuki and Yamaha
Current bike - 2005 Kawasaki Z750S
MMI Graduation date January 9th, 2009. Factory Certifications in Suzuki and Yamaha
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zeligman
- Site Supporter - Diamond
- Posts: 508
- Joined: Mon Jun 22, 2009 3:02 pm
- Real Name: Alex
- Sex: Male
- Years Riding: 2
- My Motorcycle: 02 Suzuki Volusia 800 (in salvage :( )
- Location: Boston, MA
Re: Which bike do you want reviewed
stop wrider - i'm having a hard enough time NOT LOOKING at newer versions of my 02.Wrider wrote:And don't forget, you're riding the version that still has a carb and footpegs versus the fuel injection and the floorboards she's looking at.
still recovering - back to crutches, then walking with a stick, then running - then hopefully riding again!
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blues2cruise
- Moderator
- Posts: 10184
- Joined: Fri Apr 22, 2005 4:28 pm
- Sex: Female
- Years Riding: 16
- My Motorcycle: 2017 Africa Twin 1000cc
- Location: Vancouver, British Columbia
Re: Which bike do you want reviewed
You can go look for something new after you put on as many miles on yours as I put on mine.zeligman wrote:stop wrider - i'm having a hard enough time NOT LOOKING at newer versions of my 02.Wrider wrote:And don't forget, you're riding the version that still has a carb and footpegs versus the fuel injection and the floorboards she's looking at.
