Total Motorcycle Community Forums

HELLO!
I rode several bikes back in the mid 60's(Cushmans and a Honda 90 or two), had a Honda 160 Scrambler in college, then just kinda got away from bikes...I've had a half dozen or so junker trail bikes over the years-just weekend flings to try to dislocate or break something-but nothing serious street wise.
Last spring a buddy of mine talked of going on a "bike trip"- trailering the mc's and going to Panama City for Thunder beach...staying in a campground- light crusing day trips...- come on and go with us- but I don't have a bike.
Decided I might be able to use a street/trail bike here on the farm, wanted a Honda 650 XR- but I can't touch the ground on that thing- bought a used DR400S Suzuki, in great shape-like new!...guys still bugging me to go to Thunder Beach..so OK, I'll go....bad expensive mistake.
They come to get me and they all got Harleys- BIG Harleys...I bet there was over 100K worth of bikes on that trailer! I rolled the old Dual Sport right on up and strapped her down...
Got to Fla and had an absolute BLAST! Rode all over town in big packs- took short day runs by myself- saw about a zillion motorcycles- maybe you saw me - I was on the only dual sport in town...Man I had a ball!
Anyway, came back home, rode out the rest of the summer on the 400,and kept looking for my "next bike"...did a couple rides with the Harley boys(and girls), but I just couldn't get hot for a Harley...I've heard to many horror stories about high maintence costs;plus my buddie's needed rebuilt and it was 2800 bucks...another guy lost a "lifter"...1300 after all was said and done...I needed something bulletproof.
Settled on a 2003 Candy Orange Honda American Classic Edition 750cc.
Kept the Dual Sport-and am enjoying the heck out of the Honda.
I'm not sure what I've got in the Honda- I guess it's got 2 carbs? I like the way it "pulls"-seems to have a lot of torque, and I've had it out to 75 mph on the interstate and it's got enuff gearing to want to cruise there...
So I'm happy and glad to be here! HOWDY!

Sounds like you did have a blast and welome to the site.

Patrick

Good choice of bikes. I find that Hondas are generally low maintenance and when you do need a repair it's minor and low cost. Now, I have nothing against Harleys as bikes go. I just feel that too many people feel they are the holy grail of bikes.

Axman wrote:Good choice of bikes. I find that Hondas are generally low maintenance and when you do need a repair it's minor and low cost. Now, I have nothing against Harleys as bikes go. I just feel that too many people feel they are the holy grail of bikes.

I agree! Harlies do have a cool sounding cam and they hold their value but they need repair too often and you pay a lot just for the name. I believe Honda and Kawashi rate the best for value and maintence cost.

Patrick

Orange Crate,

Welcome aboard!

While I've own both types of bikes I ultimately prefer HD's and find that the newer HD's go further between top and bottom ends and are much more reliable technology today. While I have nothing against Metric Bikes I have always always been able to get my bikes (HD) home under there own power regardless of the malfunctions and found HD's easier to work on then Metric Bikes. For instances...the adjusting of the push rods.

Either way this site seems to be enthusiastically accomadating to 2 and 3 wheeled motorcycles of all types.

badinfluence63 wrote:Orange Crate,

Welcome aboard!

While I've own both types of bikes I ultimately prefer HD's and find that the newer HD's go further between top and bottom ends and are much more reliable technology today. While I have nothing against Metric Bikes I have always always been able to get my bikes (HD) home under there own power regardless of the malfunctions and found HD's easier to work on then Metric Bikes. For instances...the adjusting of the push rods.

Either way this site seems to be enthusiastically accomadating to 2 and 3 wheeled motorcycles of all types.

When you say the newer HD's what year range are you talking about because like I said I like the sound of their CAM's and someday would like one, but I sure want one that is reliable. Right now brand new ones are just out of the budget. They are 5-6K more in the bracket that I am looking for compared to metric's.

Patrick

I don't think it's the cam that gives the HD the sound. It's the firing position of the cylinders in proportion to the degree of the crankshaft. Or something like that. I actually find that my Hondas are easier to work on than many of the HD's. I guess it just depends on the person working on them at the time. I have in the past owned a 1949 Panhead and I spent more time wrenching than riding. Would I own another HD if I had an extra $14k to spend? Yeah, probably I would. To me it's not about the value that the bike holds either. I bought a bike to ride, not as an investment. I do like any and all 2 wheelers no matter where it's build. I just want to spend my time riding!

Sorry, Guys...didn't mean to resurrect the old Harleys vs the"others" thing.
I DID go to a H-D dealer, and was nosing about an "entry level" 883.
But, the salesman(Southside H-D of Indy) flat out told me he wasn't interested in selling me that small of a bike.
I explained that it might just be a "transition" bike, that I would maybe ride a year and then onto bigger things, but, his mind was made up.
So I bought the 750 Honda...
One of the H-Ds in Panama City got hot in traffic;had to find another route and get some air over it. My Liquid Cooled DR400 didn't have that problem and I'm guessing my ACE won't either.
I LIKE LC...it makes a world of difference in engine life and performance in our snowmobiles.
One of the key factors in what I bought was the LCing...

I'm waiting for a Cruiser version of the 990 Superduke, or a production of the Rooke. (any colour but Orange)

It's pretty much a given thing that the salesman will want to sell you the more pricey models. They work on commission!