It was all summed up nicely by Hunter S Thompson in Song of the Sausage Creature.
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No Harley Bikes here ..?
- Thread starter Moto68
- Start date
I've never said never (anyone who's been here for a while will recall me saying such about HD's), but I'm far more likely to buy a metric again for my next bike. The Star Venture TC is almost certainly to be my next one...
Or one of these...
Money or brand isn't the object. I'll ride whatever I like, fits my needs, and puts a smile on my face. I couldn't give two ***** about a brand, an image, stereotypes, or a "need" to fit in with a certainly (sometimes particularly stuck up) crowd. I don't subscribe to the walking advertising billboard routine, either.
It's the same reason I've had GM's, Chryslers, a re-branded Daewoo, and now a Hyundai in my driveway - I've always just bought what fits our needs and makes me happy, not some overpowering need to adhere to someone else's opinions on what I should own because they think they're higher class and everyone else is to be looked down upon. That's the same reason you're unlikely to ever see any overpriced luxury "cachet" brand car in my driveway, either.
I have a riding buddy with one - he's put nearly 100,000KM on it in 3 years of ownership and says he still loves it. His only gripe is the fact he needs to go to Barrie for warranty work as it's the closest "certified" dealer - he did have a problem with his cruise control and it took 2 trips there and back to fix it - once for diagnosis, then back again when the parts came in.
In the grand scheme of a bike that seldom sits still and has really only had a single issue requiring said warranty, that's no biggie IMHO.
Mad Mike
Well-known member
An FJR isn't for the feint of heart
There are 2 or 3 HD's I would love to own right now they don't fit my needs so they would just be garage queens.
I'm with you - some folks buy stuff to make a statement or because it makes them fee part of something -- not me, I don't give a flying fart what others think about my cars or bikes -- I drive and ride what I like and decide based on my needs and desires.I've never said never (anyone who's been here for a while will recall me saying such about HD's), but I'm far more likely to buy a metric again for my next bike. The Star Venture TC is almost certainly to be my next one...
Or one of these...
Money or brand isn't the object. I'll ride whatever I like, fits my needs, and puts a smile on my face. I couldn't give two ***** about a brand, an image, stereotypes, or a "need" to fit in with a certainly (sometimes particularly stuck up) crowd. I don't subscribe to the walking advertising billboard routine, either.
It's the same reason I've had GM's, Chryslers, a re-branded Daewoo, and now a Hyundai in my driveway - I've always just bought what fits our needs and makes me happy, not some overpowering need to adhere to someone else's opinions on what I should own because they think they're higher class and everyone else is to be looked down upon. That's the same reason you're unlikely to ever see any overpriced luxury "cachet" brand car in my driveway, either.
There are 2 or 3 HD's I would love to own right now they don't fit my needs so they would just be garage queens.
kruzuki
Well-known member
I've owned a lot of bikes but I always wanted a Harley just to see what the hype is all about.
I've now put over 50,000k on my Super Glide. I've had it for more than 4 years, which is longer than any other bike I've owned. Other than regular maintenance, the only thing it's needed is a new stator, which was quick and easy to diagnose/repair.
I've now put over 50,000k on my Super Glide. I've had it for more than 4 years, which is longer than any other bike I've owned. Other than regular maintenance, the only thing it's needed is a new stator, which was quick and easy to diagnose/repair.
As far as the local Tim Hortons to pose all day with all the other HD's?
Yup.
The closest thing to a "Garage queen" I'd ever buy would be a Honda Rune. It's always intrigued me. And although it would be the last bike I'd hop onto for an iron butt or a trip across the continent or anything like that, I'd certainly ride the wheels off the thing for day trips....it most certainly wouldn't sit because I was scared to put mileage or wear and tear on it, that's for sure.
My VTX was a garage queen when I bought it. 12 years old and just over 10,000KM on the odometer. I fixed that right quick, it'll be rolling over 100,000KM early next season. And literally the only thing I've had to do to it is tires, a new set of plugs, a few new air filters, and a front master cylinder - was cheaper ($40 on eBay) to replace vs rebuild. Zero complaints.
Awesome. My only gripe with most tourers is that most of them put the footpegs too far forward and all your weight is on your spine.
BMW is the only manufacturer that gets it right. You can stand up without needing a death grip on the bars.
blackcamaro
Well-known member
You’re right @Wingboy forward controls kind of suck. Thankfully on the Harley touring bikes the floor boards are sort of in between where forward and mids are.
I do take off the heal shifter and generally have my feet on the back half of the floor board. I would love a set of mid controls but there’s only a couple options for baggers and I don’t want to pay $1000-$1500 to move my feet back 3 or so inches.
I do take off the heal shifter and generally have my feet on the back half of the floor board. I would love a set of mid controls but there’s only a couple options for baggers and I don’t want to pay $1000-$1500 to move my feet back 3 or so inches.
Some will remember my post a few months ago about my back issues - some suggested getting a bike with the pegs further back.
Subsequently test rode a Goldwing for an hour. The biggest surprise was the drastically more rearward (almost sportbike-like) placement of the pegs.
And you know what? I didn't really like it. At no point did it feel like I had any less weight on my spine as I don't ride with my legs taught enough to really carry any weight anyways. Yes, standing on the pegs to avoid shocking your spine over a large bump is a huge benefit, but that's seldom a need..and yes, as awkward as it is on my bike (and most other cruisers) I can and have raised myself up and out of the seat when I see a massive pot hole or whatnot. The rest of the time I thoroughly enjoy the forward-controls / chair seating position setup on my bike as well as the fact I can stretch my legs forward onto my highway pegs in a recliner position, much like I'm sitting in right now on my recliner in my living room. On the wing there was so much tupperware in the way that there was no way to do that....my legs felt a little "trapped" honestly.
I'm sure there's highway pegs available for those setups as well but given their overall width already I'm left guessing you're be riding in a spread eagle position which doesn't seem like it would be very comfortable either.
Mad Mike
Well-known member
I'd make space in my garage for a Rune.
The hard part about buying one would be watching my wife redline our credit cards after she Googled the price.
Mad Mike
Well-known member
I have an antique GL1500, its a GoldWing in a UJM package, not a cruiser. I had a 2000 GL1500 AE and a Suzuki M50 -- both were comfortable and a solid performers -- just nothing about them you could really fall in love with. I kinda feel like that about all cruisers -- except maybe a Diavel, Vmax or Vrod.Never liked the ergos on the wing. What saved the bike for me was the passenger seat (it was our bike) and the 125 ft/lb of torque.
Trials
Well-known member
Forward controls:
Not without using your arms to pull yourself up by the handlebars you can't, is physically impossible.
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