Re: Motorcycles
 

Pete, Just picked up a 2007 Vulcan 900. Love it. It's replaced my old, trusted '86 Yamaha Maxim.
the Suzuki C50, which I think is the 800 you're talking about, is it's main competition, they are both great bikes but in the end I preferred the Vulcan.

If you have any questions about the Vulcan let me know and I'll try to help

Re: Motorcycles
 

Stay safe , we are going on a run today!

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Ditto, should be 40 - 50 of us on a memorial ride today. Clear and warm weather, should be good as long as I don't get re-ended again.

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If I didn't have a Fatboy, it would be a Suzuki Boulevard in that size.

Nice cruiser in that range and lots of used ones on the market hardley ridden.

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In that size/style I am a big fan of the Honda VTX.

But for now I will stick to supersport bikes.

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Supposedly the VTX 1800 is done for. No more. Honda killed the Valk and the VTX 1800, nothing is allowed to dare impact the sales of the holy grail Goldwing. Problem is, as supior to all other motorcycles as it is, not all want to ride a tupperware motorcycle. I had a VTX 1300, outstanding motorcycle.

Re: Motorcycles
 

I'm in that club.

Been a week since I've ridden my Harley as it's in for one of those $500 services they recommend every 10k miles.

Also getting all 3 fluids changed that they need opposed to the 1 a metric needs.

Gotten tighten a bunch of stuff as well that rattles loose on those damn hogs.

What was it called agin? A Valk?

Re: Motorcycles
 

Austrian bikes aren't much better. My KTM supermoto has 3 oil filters and you have to 'burp' the frame as well since it carries oil in the head tube. Getting the lower filter cover off the bike is a major p.i.t.a. and can take me 5 minutes or 25 minutes depending how how much of a pest it wants to be. It's a big single cylinder and vibrates like crazy. Emergency zip tie repairs have been knows to happen on several occasions when things vibrate off the bike in the middle on nowhere. :r

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But the best part is, if you lay it down chances are as long as your still in good enough shape to get back on it, she'll be A-OK to hop on and continue your ride. Not too many bikes that have that perk.

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I have crash bars to rest my feet on as well as keep my 850 pound bike off my scrawny frame if I lay it down.

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A Valkyrie - Cruiser look with the older 1400 cc Goldwing engine. Verra fast.

No need to pay to change oils, stupid simple even for a nerd like me. I run synth Amsoil - $$ but good stuff.

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I also swear by Amsoil 20/50 in the engine and primary and Redline Heavy shockproof in the tranny. Harleys are famous from rough shifting and being a little tricky to find neutral sometimes and the Redline solved both of those problems.

It probably could go longer, but mine gets drained every 5,000 miles. I consider it cheap insurance.

I take it in because I obsess over stuff that I could probably do myself but like them to do.

Also, I have a HD credit card and get HD dollars back for purchases so don't actually pay, I suppose.

Re: Motorcycles
 

I run the 20/50 in all 3 fluids. No issues. I am on my last oil change for the winter. The book allows for 50 for the summer higher temps. Last year the oil pressure was dropping too much for my liking as it thinned out in the 90/100 degree heat. Low oil = many expensive problems.

Re: Motorcycles
 

Yeah, a lot of people use 20/50 in all 3 holes, but in Central Florida's heat, I feel better with the heavy stuff in the tranny.

Then again, you won't find may dead motorcycles that died from the oil their owner used. Just ones that the owner didn't change the oil.

I will say that since switching to Amsoil, my bike runs about 30 degrees cooler.

I love the oil, just not many of the independent dealers who sell it like it's holy water.

Re: Motorcycles
 

For all you riders, be safe. I used to owned a 1996 HD. I bought it because most of my friends had bikes an used to go for Sunday rides.
One of my buddies (Mike) bugged his wife and she finally gave in and bought one. Then one Sunday afternoon on the way up to Mont-Tremblant(North on Montreal), we were 7 couples riding, and I was the third bike and Mike was riding 7th, and a drunk driver came from behind with his pickup truck and ran right into them killing his wife instantly and almost taking another bike out also. After that dark Sunday, I parked my bike and eventually sold it in 1998 with only 346 KMS on it. I would love to get another one, but I seen a bad accident last summer and that reminded me of that dark Sunday in 1996 and decided not get another one.

Re: Motorcycles
 

Pay your dealer teh $20 for the Amsoil dealer card. Between what I use and the oil I buy for my friends I easily make that money back in 6 months. Last case I bought was $30 off with my card.

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If your not comfortable on one, then you have made the correct choice. On 2 whheels is not the time to be second guessing. I'm one of the types that thinks when the lord calls me, what I am doing will not matter. Besides, going out on my scoot beats being 80, spit dribbling down my chin, and not knowing my name.

Re: Motorcycles
 

Have heard similar stories and know friends who have been killed on motorcycles and it's always a sad thing. I refuse to live in fear of things that can happen in life. I also know people who were killed in automobiles...killed riding their bicycles...walking down the road and hit by another car. I also know people who died when they drank too much and then choked on their own vomit. There are no guarantees in life whatsoever and living in fear as I said has got to be the most paralyzing feeling I've ever experienced. I am as careful as I can be and use common sense when I ride...I can't imagine being a slave to your fears and feeling that is some kind of life. Been there done that before. Life is for the living.

Re: Motorcycles
 

Amen Gary.

Not the length of one's life, it's the experiences.

Probably a few here would agree.

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Drive like you're invisible, be ever vigilant, and get the heck out of potential danger proactively.

It also helps to have one of these visible and easy to grab if needed.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi...her-Flegel.jpg

Painting the ball red & green would provide a festive appearance.

An upgraded horn makes a lot of sense too .. a friend of mine put something on his Yamaha that sounded like an 18 wheeler. Sure as heck got people's attention fast.

Re: Motorcycles
 

Though we can't really afford it, we're planning on buying 2 (probably sport) bikes in the summer after we get married. Any tips on what the timeline should look like for getting permits/licenses/training? We're a little lost on where to start, and don't actually know much about motorcycles other than we want to ride them. ;)

Re: Motorcycles
 

My .02 and all that it might be worth:

1. If you have never ridden before the MSF is a decent place to learn. But understand that when done your qualified to ride a 250 cc motorcycle on a closed course with instructors. Yes it may go towards teh state license, but it does not make you experienced.

2. Sport bikes "can" be very difficult as a first bike. Basically they are de-tuned race bikes. 300 lbs nothing and a huge power plant, ride them with respect, if not, well parts are easily replaced but body parts not so much.

3. I normally do not buy used vechicles but motorcycles are my exception. Short of being in a wreck, most people baby them so much. you can find good deals.

4. Protective gear, the more you wear, the less it hurts when you put it done. Not an isse with most sport bike types. They tend to like matching bike, jackets, helmets, etc.

5. It's not if you will put it down, but when. Just a fact of life. I have dropped 2 of mine and dumped a trird when I grabbed too much front brake in a turn. Dumb **** mistakes can make you a better rider even if they are a bit embarissing.

As to you time line question, all depends on how backed up the class sched is. Good luck, it can be a great hobby/life style if done right.

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Great post and I'm glad you brought up gear. I'm an all gear all the time kinda guy and have been saved the trouble of skin grafts on more than one occasion.

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2. The scary thing about the 600cc bikes is they only put on race tires and exhaust. They are not detuned....from factory they are meant to be on the track.

3. I have to disagree....I would never buy a used motorcycle. You never know if it's been dumped and someone simply changed fairings or if the tool was a wheelie junkie (my view is based on street bikes).

4. I couldn't agree with you more.

:2

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Don't agree with 5, and hope I don't jinx myself.

I've had motorcycles since 1981 and never dropped one. Came close, but never dropped one.

I've read this statement on a few motorcycle forums and think it's BS, but also read that once you say never, a spill is around the corner.

Re: Motorcycles
 

There's no problem with buying a used bike, particularly if you're buying a cruiser/tourer. Pretty easy to be able to tell if the bike has been taken care of or not.

I would, however, never buy a used sport bike. I've got eyes, I'm on the road all the time and I see the way people ride and abuse them. No thanks.

And I completely disagree with the notion that crashes are a "not if, when" scenario. I've been riding a long time and have never been down.

Ride with awareness, within your skill set, not like an asshat, expect the unexpected and you should be fine.:)

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I've only bought one new bike and I thought it was a big waste of money. Much better values buying used if you are careful.

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I wouldn't buy a new one either.;) Looks like you're humping a dog bent over taking a dump.

The "not if, when" statement sorta makes me think that if you smoke cigars, it's not a question of "if" but "when" you'll develop mouth cancer, or "if you fly in an airplane".... (you get the idea)

Just a very general statement with absolutely nothing to back it up with as far as facts or statistics. Also puts unnecessary fear into cautious but superstitious bikers.

Re: Motorcycles
 

Meh- they are just tools and you gotta have the right tool for the task at hand. I wouldn't want to do a bunch of trackdays on a Fatboy, would you? :r

http://ericloranger.com/IMG_8546-400.jpg

Re: Motorcycles
 

Yikes!! trackdays on a Fatboy?? I scrape floorboards on a u-turn.

Just the thought of it makes me cringe; almost as badly of the thought of arriving to bike night on rice wearing a matching helmet and padded pants.:r

Re: Motorcycles
 

Feel free to disagree, I have no problems and wish you the best of luck. But in the past 2 years I know a MSF instructor (one of the safest riders I know) and a rider of over 35 years had a car pull out in front of him a 2 years ago and a school bus pulled out in front of him a year ago. Not a damn thing he could do in either case. Less than 30 feet to react in both instances.

Tbone on here who has been riding 25 years plus had a deer jump out in front of him this year. While we hope to never go down, to expect a accident free or even a dumb **** free life riding is a bit of living in a dream world. I'll stand by, you may have not gone done yet, I hope you never go down, but I know where I would put my money. A lot of situations happen we have no control over.

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80+ posts and the motorcycle haters haven't come out yet. I must say I am pleasantly suprised. :)

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Nothing annoys me more, when I'm out riding my tricycle, than a motorcycle driver roaring by waving at me like they're my mom.

Yeah I know I look cool on my sweet ride ... but come on, what's up with that?

http://blogs.bellinghamherald.com/me...workday011.jpg

Re: Motorcycles
 

:r


Ok I must admit.....every once in a while when driving home (I live at the top of a hill) if I saw someone struggling to get up the hill I would pretend to be "pedaling" up the hill on my motorcycle.

Note: I only did this if I recognized the person.

Re: Motorcycles
 

Funny you mention the wave.

For all the toughness so many bikers try to portray, I never saw anything mentioned more than the wave,who to wave to, how to wave, blah blah blah when I was reading a popular biker forum.

Is it two fingers straight down? Do you wave to Japanese bikes? Do you wave when your hand is on the clutch? Do you stop waving at bike rallies or wave at 400,000 fellow bikers?

Totally lame and although I love my HD, I will wave to, talk to, help and try to respect ANYONE out riding and enjoying the lifestyle.

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I give a few fingers to anyone regardless of what they ride but some on cruisers don't wave back (I'm on a sportbike).

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I think that this article says it best

http://www.ekho.com/elton/PC800/The%20Wave.htm

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Nice pic. Dragging some knee. What track is that?

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I give the low wave to everyone, HD or Honda, Cruiser or Crotch Rocket, American, Japanese, German, whatever. I liked the link, Mark. :tu

Re: Motorcycles
 

Sears Point, now they call it Infinion. I refuse to call it that though. :D

fwiw I wave to everyone.