CP Bikers - In here please

[pr_capone]

I've been informed that for our 2 year wedding anniversary, the missus is going to buy me a motorcycle. 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?

[stevieray]

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

[stevieray]

Originally Posted by pr_capone

?

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.

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

[crazycoffey]

Originally Posted by stevieray

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

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."

[stevieray]

Originally Posted by crazycoffey

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.

[pr_capone]

Originally Posted by stevieray

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

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.

Thanks Stevie!

Anyone else?

[el borracho]

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).

[pr_capone]

Originally Posted by el borracho

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

[Bane]

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.

[Coach]

http://www.ccsaddlebags.com/FatboyMike5white.jpg

[Brock]

Originally Posted by crazycoffey

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.

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.

[el borracho]

[Hog Rider]

Originally Posted by crazycoffey

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."

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,

[crazycoffey]

Originally Posted by J P Hedden

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.

[crazycoffey]

Originally Posted by Brock

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.

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......

[Hog Rider]

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!