CP Bikers - In here please
 

I've been informed that for our 2 year wedding anniversary, the missus is going to buy me a motorcycle. :D GDI I love that woman.

I've owned several bikes in the past.... dirt, crotch rockets, and cruisers. In the past I would have always prefered the CR bike but I'm getting old and am more concerned with comfort than with speed.

I'm a big guy, so I am definately looking at a 850cc + (preferably 1000cc +) bike and am looking to spend about 6k. I have not owned a bike for 4 years now so I am not really up on what is available, new, or what I could even get for around 6k.

So.... I have a year's worth of research to do now before this happens for me and I want to be as knowledgable about this as possible.

Also, buying a junker and restoring it is not an option for me as I have ZERO mechanic skills.

So.... what am I looking for and what can I expect to get for around 6k?

Did some searching around eBay - seems like a 05 HD Sportster with under 2k miles could behad for around 6k.... thoughts?

If you're a big guy, you're not going to be happy with a Sportster.

Why?

http://a1276.g.akamai.net/7/1276/734.../gallery_1.jpg

2006 Sportster® 883 - XL883
$4,995
2,509 miles
BRILLIANT SILVER
Sportster 883

You might be fine on one, but it just felt too small when Bob Dole has ridden them(6'2", 230).

Do the rest of the world a favor and buy one that's cheap enough that you can also afford the exhaust. Simplex3 is f**king sick and tired of motorcycles so loud they shake the windows in his house.

For that ammount of money, find a nice used Import cruiser.

Yamaha, Suzuki, and Honda all have some real nice cruisers.

I have nothing against HD but for the money you have,buy an import and get the most bang for your buck.
They are also much cheaper to service.

I also find they're quieter when I'm on the roof of my house overlooking the street through my scope, contemplating if today's the day I'm going to start picking off the riders.

I've driven honda's and kawasaki's and this is a true statement. I would love to have a harley, but I wouldn't want a sportster, it's a girl bike - basically.

If your interested in Road tripping with MRS. maybe a Gold Wing....

I second the Honda Gold Wing.

I have had a couple of Kawasaki Vulcan 750 motorcycles. They are comfortable, quiet, super-reliable, have good balance and they are smooth (shaft driven).

I also like the Honda Shadow, although I have never owned one, myself. They do sit a little lower than the Vulcan, though.

Yeah, a girl's bike. Idiot.

do you own one, did I offend you?
I am only stating my opinion and repeating other opinions I have heard from Harley Owners. I never said it for you to take personally. I was only trying to sum up those opinions I have heard, "I'll get a Harley sportster for my wife if she wants to ride her own and not on my bike", is that better? Cause that's how its been explained to me from people I would believe sooner than your dumb ass.

?

My last bike was a VTR Interceptor 1000, the one before that was a CBR600. I've had a KZ1100 and a Special 500 but I did not keep those bikes for long. I really don't know the first thing about cruising bikes.

As for the Goldwing - that was nixed the first time I saw one. The ferring and the hard luggage cases on the side are not what I had in mind. lol.... I just don't like the way they look.

As for the Yamaha, Suzuki, and Hondas.... any particular models in mind? Again, I'm a big guy (6'1 - 320lb) so I dont believe that a 750 Shadow will quite fit the bill.

883 is a good entry level bike, but don't think for a second that a 1200 Sportster doesn't haul ass.

Look for a used VTX...at over 3bills...you're gonna need some power.

It's not the engine size to make it a girls bike, that's not what I meant, and saying "girls bike - basically" wasn't PR of me. For that I appologize, but truely if you want a Harley and buy a Sportster, the perception by other harley owners may not be as respectable as you think. it is on the small size for harley, both in engine size and the actual measurables, height etc, therefore this is the statement I was making my post based on....


"I love my Harley Fat Boy, and my wife is starting to really enjoy riding on it with me, that now she wants a bike of her own, I sure am not going to buy her a fatboy or some rice burning import, so I am getting her - her own Harely, a sportster."

I have heard this before, I also have heard "look at that idiot on a sportster, he couldn't afford a real harley, I'd rather drive a honda or nothing than drive a sportster, it's what my wife rides."

I personally don't care what other riders think...I'd love to find a HD1200 Cafe Sportster like Michael Douglas rode in Black Rain.

I'm looking at some on cycletrader.com

VERY nice looking bikes. Looks like a 2004-2005 1300cc is not out of the question in that price range either. :D

Thanks Stevie!

Anyone else?

320 lbs?!!!

Well, I know that they also make several larger Vtwin versions of the Vulcan (I've never ridden one) and Honda has an opposed 6 cylinder in the Valkyrie (again, I've never ridden one).

At least I didnt say 5'7 - 320lbs, eh?

I'm big but not HUGE. LMFAO

I'll check out the vulcans and valkrie, thanks!


*edit

Holy shit... the valkrie looks like a friggin train! I'm not sure that I need something quite THIS big. lol

http://i22.ebayimg.com/03/i/000/8e/eb/57ea_1.JPG

Harleys are cool,but I could'nt get comfortable on any of the models they offer.The street glide was the only one I felt evena little comfortable on.This is what I went with instead.06 Victory Jackpot.1634 cc belt drive,and 6 speed tranny with a 250mm rear tire.

You obviously hang around with some stupid ****ing people, which is not a surprise at all. Like I said, "Idiot". I do have a Sportster, and it will leave most heavy twins sucking my exhaust. No knowledgeable motorcyclist would knock a Sportster for being a Sportster.

Frankly the guys who say that kind of stuff are the pussies who might as well be riding a dressed out chrome couch down the road.

Have you considered a Sportster?
 

FWIW crazy' 35 years ago when I was riding my Sporty's, the Big Twin riders called it a "dirt bike". Since I was racing an XR750 at the time, I took it as a compliment. Times haven't changed much. The (noob) Big Twin guys (I now have an '03 Ultra with sidecar to go with my '82 25th anniversary Sportster, so I guess I'm one now) now call the Sporty a girls bike huh? Doesn't mean much, most of the female riders I know are riding Big Twins not Sportys. The Sporty is just an entry level Harley that still gets picked on like it did 40 years ago. They are a blast to ride, do decent wheelies (not good, decent) and will outrun a Big Twin on the twisties like it's standin' still.

I love my Sportster, 1- because she is such a special model, and 2- because she is just plain fun to ride. I've taken her to Colorado a couple times, Arizona once, and rode her to the 100th Anniversary party in Atlanta back in August of '02. She's 25 years old in May,(I bought her new) and I considered getting a 50th ANN' to keep her company, but the 50th just isn't as special or as pretty as my Anni. I would ride her any where in the country and not worry about finishing the trip, because I trust her so much, shes runs so strong and looks so good.

My Electra Glide is a great machine, and more comfortable on the long haul, (esp since I'm in my 50s now). I don't have a Super Glide model, or a Buell or V-Rod. Never owned any other brand either. But to tell you the truth, a girls bike is whatever a girl buys, which is pretty much everthing ever made. So the Big Twin stiffs have always, and will always make fun of the Sporty, it just goes with the territory.

For a big guy or gal, as Bob Dole says, the Sportster can look very small as you ride, so the import or other domestic idea may be a good one for someone on a limited budget. There has been good input here, and I would like to thank you Mr. crazycoffey for relating how you heard Sportys are now considered girls bikes. I hadn't heard that yet. Here all along I thought they were still "dirt bikes".

Later guys and gals,

cool, didn't mean to offend.

now the small sized harley everyone seems to want is the V-rod.
and again, I don't know everything, never claimed to, just gave out my two cents worth of information, take if for what it is, just two pennies.

again personal attacks from you, doesn't surprise me. this time I'll try not to answer them with more of my own.

You are an american and entitled to your opinion.


Do you wear a thong too?
oops, couldn't help it......

Don't misunderstand. (sp) You haven't offended. The dialogue is honest and informative, and most of all fun. Re-living lots of old memories of thousands of miles on the open road - just me and Anni. sigh!

I was a motor cop for four years, majority of the time was working off a kawasaki, but one year we went to harleys, I loved riding and when we were testing for new bikes we tried honda, yamaha, and BMW too, all cool for different reasons. I haven't riden for almost two years now, I've been looking at getting my own.

I thought I was offending more because of Brock anyway, but thanks for the information and sharing your memories.

Bottom line I wouldn't personally wish to make any rider feel bad for their choice, not really. You gotta do what you gotta do, you too brock (even though you're quick to personal attacks and that eerks me)


Keep the wheels spinning and the beavers grinning, brothers.

I have two uncles that were motorcycle cops in Kansas City. They are in their 80s now. They have some wonderful tales to tell, but can get a little colorful for todays culture. One quit early (1960s) to sell Oldsmobles and the other kept going and retired from the force. He used to work Arrowhead all the time, and he got to do escort duty for a ton of Hollywood types and presidents. Nixon and Ford come to mind.

He has a vast quantity of autographed photos, two of which are with the presidents.

The uncle that sold cars had the blue Peace Officer Ultra but sold it a couple years ago as it was getting harder for hime to ride, and a very dear ex-cop friend of his was killed by a lady running a stop sign as he was riding to one of their weekly ex-cop breakfast gatherings.

I wish I knew a good writer who could interview them and write about their exploits, maybe for Harley or the AMA to do a story.

I wish I could call myself a better writer so I could take you up on that offer, sounds very interesting. I know a few stories, but they wouldn't stand up to all the ones they have. Sorry to hear about your Uncle's buddy, that sucks.

I was on the force in a Dallas area department, we moved to MO in the middle of last year for the wife's job, just started looking around here but I don't know for sure if I want to start all over again and be in a car. It was so much fun working off the Bike, I'm spoiled now. Of course on the other hand what else am I going to do, not a good salesman, tried that already, and I hated working in a cubicle, tried that too.

So I judge from some earlier comments that you stopped riding too? You're in your early 50's you can still ride, or is there more to that story?

sorry PR, back on topic real quick;


You're a lucky SOB to have a woman in strong support of your riding and owning a bike, be careful, take some extra training and whatever choice you make, I'm sure you'll enjoy yourself.

LOL... all good CC

And yes, I am VERY lucky... I know this. She loves to ride, I'll be looking to get her started on her own bike in a few years. A little 250 Rebel ought to get her started right off. :D

I think I found what I will be looking at tho... courtesy of Stevieray.

http://i21.ebayimg.com/07/i/000/8d/57/6b01_12.JPG

Seems like a 2004 VTX with under 2k miles and in great shape can be had from a dealer for right around 6k.

1300cc ought to be enough to haul my fat ass around without looking like I'm riding a friggin train (Valkrye).

Pretty sharp bike there.

I've also seen a few 1200cc sportsters in the wheelhouse but I've rather fallen in love with the looks of the VTX.

Off to read reviews and such. :)

No I didn't quit.

Still have my Anniversary Sportster and the 100th Anniversary Ultra with sidecar. Thinking of selling it (the Ultra)to get a Screamin' Eagle Ultra next year. My best friend owns the HD shop in the Quad Cities, and I worked with him at the Peoria shop back in 1973. That sidecar is a pain when you are used to going fast around corners, but the daughter talked me into it when we were planning the purchase. The '03s just aren't that special to me though, since they made so many silver and black 100th models Now that my daughter is a tall eleven year old and hardly fits in the side hack, I'd like to get back to ridin' an Electr Glide solo.

I've had five Sportsters, starting with the '73, which I rode to Colorado a couple times. A 1974 XLCH which I rode to Florida via Colorado and New Mexico. That was a great trip. I got a used '73 at one time, which a fellow flat-tracker promptly wrecked. And I had a 1979 that my 1st wife and I rode to Colorado. The only redeeming quality she had (the wife) was she is the one that got me to buy the 1982 anniversary which I now still have. I made the afforementioned trips on the '82.

Beyond the Sportys, I had 10 or twelve Italian lightweight Harleys. Raced a 350 Sprint, Changed over to a HD 250cc 2-stroke flat-tracker, then upgraded that 2-stroke to HDs latest 250cc racing engine. Raced novice for a year on it, got my points to go Junior, then bought an XR750. Raced it two and a half years then quit as I just couldn't go WFO anymore, and that's not good for flat-trackers.

So yeah, I still ride, just not as much as 25 years ago. Family commitments, activities, lack of spare time, etc., etc.

cool stuff, I know it's bad to assume, but you said "Re-living lots of old memories of thousands of miles on the open road - just me and Anni. sigh!"

So that's what I keyed on. Racing huh, that takes balls.... and I've never riden with a side car how does that affect the lean in curves? Is there some kind of spring or joint that the car stays level while the bike tilts?

I just bought a Cannondale six-13 carbon fiber/aluminum combo with Ultegra/Dura-Ace, carbon cranks and seatpost and mavic Ksyrium Elite wheels with bladed spokes, Orig $3500 for $2400.

Suhweet on climbs, like 18 lbs.

oh, motorcycles? Nevermind.

My advice is no matter how experienced you think you are take a safety course. Its a good refresher and you'll probably learn something.

As far as the type of bike goes. Think about what kind of riding you want to do. Are you looking to just run around town? Or hit the open road and ride for hours on end? Are you going to need to haul stuff with you when you go? Me personally I like to travel on my bike as well as commute to work damn near every day. I am on my second Electra Glide. I have 85,000 miles on a 2000 Electra Glide Classic and just recently bought the 07 Ultra Classic. I used to own a full blown custom softail that had about 50k on it when I sold it. It was fun for around town but I really wanted to travel.

Just my 2 cents. Everybody is different in their likes and dislikes. Get the bike that makes the most sense for you.

Wasn’t that a Buell?

I’m a performance oriented rider so for me the choice would be a simple one. Kawasaki ZX-14.

But they’ve only been out for a couple years and I doubt you’d find one in your stated price range.
If you were interested in a “crotch rocket” though, I’d say Suzuki Hayabusa. They’ve been ‘round since ’98 so there are good used models in your price range. They’re big, comfortable, as far as sport bikes go anyway, and have more than enough performance to keep you happy for a long time.

To me, and I know that my opinion seems to be counting less and less these days..... But that ZX is also a crotch rocket.

I say, unless you are in your late teens or early 20's and half brain dead (or a professional racer) than there is no need for that thing. If it goes over 65 in second gear, than you'd be wasting the rest of it.

But I'm more of a practical oriented rider. I want performance also, but if I'm picking one over the other, it's practicality.

Bob Dole has been nothing but pleased with his 1300R, which has about 9k miles on it now. It's got the right geometry for Bob Dole's 6'2" frame and it's got plenty of poop carrying Bob Dole and a passenger (roughly 360 pounds) and the bags loaded for a weekend away from home.

:shrug: You’ve always been nice to me.

Yes, it is a “crotch rocket”. But it’s on the bigger side with a little weight so it’s a comparatively comfortable ride. I say comparative ‘cause it’s miles ahead in comfort when compared to any of the new liter bikes, the GSXR 1000, ZX-10, YZF R-1 or CBR1000RR. Those bikes are as much race’n homologation as street bike.
I’m 40 and still ride my ’95 ZX-9R whenever weather permits. I love it and won’t get rid of it ‘till I can afford something newer, bigger, fuel injected.
Oh and just FYI but with stock gear’n that ZX-14 will do 90 MPH in first gear. My ZX-9 is a little older and smaller so it’ll “only” do 70 in first. ;)

Too each their own. I’ve been ride’n sport bikes so long I get cramps and muscle aches try’n to ride a lead sled, “cruiser”.
‘Course, I’m not look’n to tour the Ozarks on my scoot or anything, so I’m fine with sacrifice’n a little comfort for performance.