Last Bike?
BryanUT
what would YOU choose?
I have conflicting "requirements". One is that I want something that
is pure sex, aka Ducati, and is yet easy to maintain (ie. none).
As much as I respect the comfortable easy to please pretty fat girl,
I
just don't see myself riding a Harley.
So what is left? FJR? ST1300, Concours 1400. Yeah they are
attractive (and cheap) enough, ain't really fat, but damn they are
tall. I don't know if I could handle a tall bitch as I age, I might
get too scared to mount her.
Now there are some older German girls out there, they catch my
eye...
But I've never ridden one. And sex before marriage is not a bad
thing.
For the time being, I'll keep ridin' the little bitch I got....
don (Calgary)
<nest...@comcast.net> wrote:
>What if you decided your next bike would be your last bike purchase,
>what would YOU choose?
Interesting question. My first thought was I'd want something I
haven't had before. I don't care about brand names. In my opinion they
all make good bikes, for the purpose they were intended.
Maybe a dual purpose or a sport bike. I haven't done a lot of off road
riding and that might be fun. Nor have I ridden a performance machine.
I think my riding skills are far better today than ever before and it
would be fun to step it up a notch.
Then I got to thinking, it is my last bike, what if I don't like it or
it is not a good fit for me. That would be a problem. A big problem.
So I am back to something I know, which would be a cruiser or a
touring model. What is there in that genre that would get my juices
flowing? The Victory Cross Country has recently caught my eye. Still
little Jetsony in the styling but a good looking bike. And I like what
I am hearing these days about the comfort and performance of the
Victory line.
Now if Yamaha would put that new V-Max engine in a better balanced
Venture frame, the decision would be simple. But they are not about to
do that.
Going back to something I know, I know my Road King and am very happy
with it. It fits me well and when I clean it up it looks like it is
right off the showroom floor. It is a little under powered but a 95
kit and a little head work will fix that.
At the end of the day, if the bike I have right now was also my last
bike, I wouldn't be disappointed. Given your hypothetical question
this might be the boring answer, but it is the truth.
So, if I can't have them all, I'll stick with what I have.
Martin Walker
> bike, I wouldn't be disappointed.
Feel the same about my ST1300. When I consider my age and state of
(deteriorating) health, it could very well be my last bike. If so, I won't
complain.
don (Calgary)
Well if that's the case I hope you ride it for a very long time.
The Older Gentleman
> What if you decided your next bike would be your last bike purchase,
> what would YOU choose?
>
> I have conflicting "requirements". One is that I want something that
> is pure sex, aka Ducati, and is yet easy to maintain (ie. none).
<Points at SS in sig>
The old ones are surprisingly easy to fettle, you know.
But overall, I suppose, an airhead BMW GS.
--
BMW K1100LT Ducati 750SS Honda CB400F Triumph Street Triple
Suzuki TS250ER (currently Beaving) Damn, back to five bikes!
Try Googling before asking a damn silly question.
chateau dot murray at idnet dot com
Twibil
>
>
> What if you decided your next bike would be your last bike purchase,
> what would YOU choose?
I'm looking at one of these right now. http://powersports.honda.com/2010/NT700V.aspx
Downsides are that it's somewhat heavy, mildly underpowered, and more
than somewhat expensive.
Upsides are that it's been out in Europe for quite a while now and has
done quite well there, it's dead-bang reliable, comfortable, easy to
maintain, doesn't hurt the eyes any, comes with 10 liters of built-in
cargo space plus whatever you might want to add, and at 31.7" the seat
height is circa 1" lower than your 600.
They're supposed to hit town any day now (according to Honda) and once
I've had a chance to sit on one and kick the tires I may well trade in
my aging VFR.
I always thought the VFR would be my "last bike", but I never figured
on lasting as long as I have either and now after three or four hours
on the VFR the relatively low bars are causing a back-ache right
between my shoulder blades.
TOG@Toil
> On Nov 2, 5:28 pm, BryanUT <nestl...@comcast.net> wrote:
>
>
>
> > What if you decided your next bike would be your last bike purchase,
> > what would YOU choose?
>
> I'm looking at one of these right now. http://powersports.honda.com/2010/NT700V.aspx
>
> Downsides are that it's somewhat heavy, mildly underpowered, and more
> than somewhat expensive.
>
> Upsides are that it's been out in Europe for quite a while now and has
> done quite well there, it's dead-bang reliable, comfortable, easy to
> maintain, doesn't hurt the eyes any, comes with 10 liters of built-in
> cargo space plus whatever you might want to add, and at 31.7" the seat
> height is circa 1" lower than your 600.
>
> They're supposed to hit town any day now (according to Honda) and once
> I've had a chance to sit on one and kick the tires I may well trade in
> my aging VFR.
>
some time, and the 700 does seem to have addressed some of the
criticisms levelled at the earlier 650cc bike. As you say, though,
it's still a bit big and bulky for the modest power, especially (and
this is crucial) if you carry a pillion. Think of it as a slightly
downsized Pacific Coast, without the fancy stash box at the back.
And nobody's every called it a bike that's fun to ride. Competent,
yes, and very reliable, as you say. In that respect, it's a bit like
my Yamaha XJ900S Diversion (don't think that model was ever sold in
North America) which was amazingly efficient at what it did, but about
as stimulating as a glass of distilled water. I sometimes forget I
ever owned it.
Trouble is, there are other more tempting machines out there in the
same price bracket[1] but if you just want a 'working' bike and regard
it as a consumer durable, then go for it.
[1] Kawasai ER6 and variants, that new Guzzi 750 retro, Suzuki 650 V-
Strom, Suzuki 650/1250 Bandit and variants, new Yamaha 600 Diversion,
Honda's own CB600F, even the BMW F800.
Shantideva Spirit
> what would YOU choose?
Hang onto to your cash.
Don't buy anything new.
Buy some old man's gently used toy.
The US $ will probably bottom out against other foreign currencies in
December, 2012.
It will be a buyer's market then.
If you don't believe me, ask Phil Scott.
TOG@Toil
> On Nov 2, 5:28 pm, BryanUT <nestl...@comcast.net> wrote:
>
> > What if you decided your next bike would be your last bike purchase,
> > what would YOU choose?
>
> Hang onto to your cash.
>
> Don't buy anything new.
>
> Buy some old man's gently used toy.
>
> The US $ will probably bottom out against other foreign currencies in
> December, 2012.
>
> It will be a buyer's market then.
How's that going to affect used prices?
The dollar is actually firming at the moment against the euro and is
stable against the yen, although it weakened against the yen earlier
this year. And the latest US economic figures mean that th dollar is
likely to strengthen. So I don't know where you get your figures from.
Shantideva Spirit
> The dollar is actually firming at the moment against the euro and is
> stable against the yen, although it weakened against the yen earlier
> this year. And the latest US economic figures mean that th dollar is
> likely to strengthen. So I don't know where you get your figures from.
From the gold bugs, of course. Their view is always bleak.
Gold will reach $5000 an ounce, according to them...
S'mee
Difficult question...not sure I could pick just one. Most for a last
bike I suppose the prime need is ease of repair and simplicity of
design. That leaves me chosing either a R80GS (1st gen) OR an old
enviro disatster the T-500 but you know that one was coming didn't
you?
TOG@Toil
And how will that affect the US dollar exchange rate?
TOG@Toil
Heh. I was waiting for it. Interested that, like me, you picked an
airhead BMW GS as well.
Doug Payne
> What if you decided your next bike would be your last bike purchase,
> what would YOU choose?
Heh. I've had at least a dozen 'last bikes'. Prolly have a few more
before I'm done.
TOG@Toil
<G>
Ain't that the truth. I pick up my latest purchase this weekend.
Rob Kleinschmidt
> What if you decided your next bike would be your last bike purchase,
> what would YOU choose?
> Now there are some older German girls out there, they catch my
> eye...
Absolute last bike might be a diesel sidehack with reverse,
mechanical FI, zero electronics and maybe some brake
upgrades. Figure the right one ought to last me into my 90s.
Promised myself I'll sign up for a sidecar class this coming
year.
Sean_Q_
> Absolute last bike might be a diesel sidehack with reverse,
> mechanical FI, zero electronics and maybe some brake
> upgrades. Figure the right one ought to last me into my 90s.
Better get electric start; mine's getting harder and harder
to kick into life as the weather gets colder.
SQ
Rob Kleinschmidt
Yep. No problem with electrics so long as it'll keep running
when you remove the key and throw it away.
sleazy
The same place he gets all his info? Out of his ass.
--
sleazy
2001 BMW R1150GS
1988 Honda XR600R
saddlebag
> What if you decided your next bike would be your last bike purchase,
> what would YOU choose?
Why the hell would anyone ever decide that? You been diagnosed with a
terminal disease er what?
saddlebag
I was just listening to a discussion with a guest on CNBC concerning
Mr Buffet's purchase of Burlington Northern Railway. Mr Buffet
claimed it was a bet on the future of America, our best days are
ahead. According to the guest his real motivation was the fact that
higher fuel prices due to a weakening dollar and increased world
demand will make trucking goods less cost effective. Trains are also
the preferred way of transporting resources like coal to the docks
where they can be shipped to China et al.
In an unrelated event, the country of India bought a shit pile of gold
at market price today.
According to the guest, America's productive economy will indeed again
prosper, but first our phony economy must die.
$5000/ounce may be a conservative estimate in the interim...
saddlebag
> what would YOU choose?
Tain't gonna happen, but anyway this one is currently peaking my
interest:
http://www.motorcycle.com/manufacturer/ducati/2010-ducati-multistrada-1200-preview-88888.html
S'mee
Yeah but you didn't grow up with kick start motorcycles...kick start
siblings maybe. ;^)
S'mee
Simple answer I'd rather not ride something I wouldn't take a T-500.
Those I've taken down miiles and miles and furlongs and km of dirt/mud/
gravel/sand/hard pan roads, not to mention all the ashphalt and
concrete. 8^)
S'mee
heh, I can remember when I knew electrics had been around for some
time but still didn't trust it and prefered kickstart...damn, don't
tell me that means I'm getting old.
BryanUT
Yep.
S'mee
S'mee
Which one...it's okay to lye and say it's the "er what" answer.
BryanUT
Terminally poor.
Twibil
>
>
> heh, I can remember when I knew electrics had been around for some
> time but still didn't trust it and prefered kickstart...damn, don't
> tell me that means I'm getting old.
I can remember the exact moment when I decided that electric start was
the way to go: I had just booted the starter-lever on my Norton 500
single, and had been launched over the bars for about the fifth time
that week.
The Older Gentleman
>
> Simple answer I'd rather not ride something I wouldn't take a T-500.
> Those I've taken down miiles and miles and furlongs and km of dirt/mud/
> gravel/sand/hard pan roads, not to mention all the ashphalt and
> concrete. 8^)
"I only trust a bike I've crashed many times" ;-)
--
BMW K1100LT Ducati 750SS Honda CB400F Triumph Street Triple
Suzuki TS250ER (currently Beaving) Damn, back to five bikes!
Try Googling before asking a damn silly question.
chateau dot murray at idnet dot com
S'mee
Gentleman) wrote:
> S'mee <stevenkei...@hotmail.com> wrote:
>
> > Simple answer I'd rather not ride something I wouldn't take a T-500.
> > Those I've taken down miiles and miles and furlongs and km of dirt/mud/
> > gravel/sand/hard pan roads, not to mention all the ashphalt and
> > concrete. 8^)
>
> "I only trust a bike I've crashed many times" ;-)
WTF? Musta been some idiot like S. Barger or a rocker (mods fear
clothing damage)
8^) I really, really ought to know who said that...mind, t'weren't me.
S'mee
poor never killed nobody....getting shot while robbing a liqour store
for the money, that's terminal. 8^)
Rob Kleinschmidt
I agree that starters are a good thing [tm], but
I very much like engines that don't require any
additional electrical deviltry once you've got them
running.
Twibil
>
>
> I agree that starters are a good thing [tm], but
> I very much like engines that don't require any
> additional electrical deviltry once you've got them
> running.
Agreed: les is mor.
turby
> What if you decided your next bike would be your last bike purchase,
> what would YOU choose?
>
If I knew it was going to be my last motorcycle, it'd probably be one
of these:
http://tinyurl.com/yel6u48
S'mee
No, less is not more. Nor is a starter on a motorcycle "more" except
in the sense of "more to go wrong".
8^) Oh and it's my humble opinion you had something set wrong or over
primed on that bike. 8^)
S'mee
You are one sick puppy.
Rob Kleinschmidt
> On Nov 4, 10:51 am, Twibil <nowayjo...@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> > On Nov 4, 8:04 am, Rob Kleinschmidt <Rkleinsch1216...@aol.com> wrote:
>
> > > I agree that starters are a good thing [tm], but
> > > I very much like engines that don't require any
> > > additional electrical deviltry once you've got them
> > > running.
>
> > Agreed: les is mor.
>
> No, less is not more. Nor is a starter on a motorcycle "more" except
> in the sense of "more to go wrong".
Trying to kick start a cold diesel without glow plugs
doesn't sound like a lot of fun. I think I'd settle for one
that ran without electrics once you got it going.
Particularly if this was a bike intended to last into my
old age.
S'mee
sheesh, you leave it running overnight...leave the pitbull in the side
car for a security system. 8^)
> Particularly if this was a bike intended to last into my
> old age.
Old Honda's and Older 2 strokes are proven tech and do last. 8^)
Thomas
Look, I expect to live for a few more years. I might buy a half dozen
bikes in that time. The question is silly. I'm looking to expand my
opportunities, not limit them. I'm looking at a bunch of bikes to buy,
not one that will last forever and only satisfy my desires for today.
If you live for another 20 years, would you want to be stuck with a
lame decision from today? The very last bike I ride should be a
hearse.
S'mee
It's just a mental exercise, sheesh. I am likely to live another 50+
years. I'll likely still have my GL1000 or maybe a Ural patrol.
turby
A mental exercise, eh? OK, the bike has to be comfortable enough for
multiple 1000 mile days, have hard luggage to carry all my crap, be
ultra reliable, easy to maintain, sporty enough to get the adrenalin
going in the twisties, fun in the dirt, not ridiculously expensive,
and ecologically benevolent. Ya think there's any bike that fits those
requirements? I figure I need at least _two_ bikes to satisfy my
needs.
I was talking to a lady friend about cages... she has a girlfriend who
was taken to the theater by a guy in a pickup truck. This woman said
the deal breaker was the pickup. She thought a p/u is just too
declasse' to drive to the theater. Harumph. The only cage I own is a
pickup. I have no use for sedans. Style and image don't enter the
picture. (If my friend & I go somewhere, we flip a coin to decide if
it's by bike, the truck, or her Mercedes.)
S'mee
Luggage? WTF want samsonite or similar? F that. Some large (hold a
case of beer plus ice) soft, insulated, water proof saddlebags is ALL
you ever need. Maybe a tank bag for the trendy set that can't live
without a fucking cell phone or damned GPS...that shit BREAKS and
breaks easy.
Fashion is for shallow people and those who have an inordinate desire
to be noticed...fruit cakes the lot of them. For that matter you can
keep those damn sails (also known as fairings or windshields) They are
a hazard when it's windy...but that's just my experienced opinion.
It's not like I've ever been on the road with 70mph gusts and
stronger, never been in a thunderstorm spawning tornados. Not me oh
no, I've never btdt...twice in the same day.
turby
Hard bags are for peace of mind. I will park my bike almost anywhere
and leave it for the day knowing whatever is in my bags are 99.9%
safe. I don't know anyone who's had their hard bags rifled, but I do
know people who's soft bags were burgled.
As for size, my bags hold my XXL helmet and my leather jacket, or a
week's groceries, or everything else I need for a month on the road
except for the tent and sleeping bag. It seems a nonissue to me. If I
get a bike and have to add bags, (for example, the KLR,) I'll put hard
bags on it. I see zero advantage to soft bags.
S'mee
See that's your thinking in the box again. You just pickup your saddle
bags and take them with you, thus 100% safe. Not many hard bags are
removable AND usable after being removed. I know the soft bags I have
are usable even for airline <turns and spits> compatable. No problems
that folks with hard bags have.
and to those who think you need your helmet in the bags...what's the
matter, can't carry the helmet in your hand? sheesh, ruck up and suck
it up ladies.
Mark Olson
> See that's your thinking in the box again. You just pickup your saddle
> bags and take them with you, thus 100% safe. Not many hard bags are
> removable AND usable after being removed. I know the soft bags I have
> are usable even for airline <turns and spits> compatable. No problems
> that folks with hard bags have.
>
> and to those who think you need your helmet in the bags...what's the
> matter, can't carry the helmet in your hand? sheesh, ruck up and suck
> it up ladies.
My FJR comes with durable nylon side bag liners. The hard bags stay on
the bike, the bag liners are lightweight and tough and look good. I
don't know about you but I really prefer to leave my helmet with the
bike rather than carry it around with me when I go into a store.
I'm with turby, for just plain utility I have to have bags on my main
bike. On any of my "play" bikes I don't go anywhere without a magnetic
tank bag. The Mrs has a tail pack for trips on her EX250 and she spends
a lot of time futzing with it that she wouldn't have to if she wised up
and got a set of side bags.
S'mee
> S'mee wrote:
> > See that's your thinking in the box again. You just pickup your saddle
> > bags and take them with you, thus 100% safe. Not many hard bags are
> > removable AND usable after being removed. I know the soft bags I have
> > are usable even for airline <turns and spits> compatable. No problems
> > that folks with hard bags have.
>
> > and to those who think you need your helmet in the bags...what's the
> > matter, can't carry the helmet in your hand? sheesh, ruck up and suck
> > it up ladies.
>
> My FJR comes with durable nylon side bag liners. The hard bags stay on
> the bike, the bag liners are lightweight and tough and look good. I
> don't know about you but I really prefer to leave my helmet with the
> bike rather than carry it around with me when I go into a store.
I prefer mine with me...hard bags and trunks/tail bags are NOT secure
imo.
> I'm with turby, for just plain utility I have to have bags on my main
> bike. On any of my "play" bikes I don't go anywhere without a magnetic
> tank bag. The Mrs has a tail pack for trips on her EX250 and she spends
> a lot of time futzing with it that she wouldn't have to if she wised up
> and got a set of side bags.
Gee proper soft bags throw on and lift off quiet easy. Kind of like
saddle bags on a horse. But hey use what you want and I'll do the
same. Granted my bags might hold more beer. ;^) I know they hold
enough tools to compleatly tear down any motorcycle that needs it.
mayner
<nest...@comcast.net> wrote:
>What if you decided your next bike would be your last bike purchase,
>what would YOU choose?
The new Honda VFR. It's the tits.
S'mee
> On Mon, 2 Nov 2009 17:28:10 -0800 (PST), BryanUT
>
> >What if you decided your next bike would be your last bike purchase,
> >what would YOU choose?
>
> The new Honda VFR. It's the tits.
Fine, fix the damn thing on the road side. 8^) Oh, your widdle black
box done did let all the magic smoke out...guess you need a tow. Or
how about that nice FI system going down? I'm just teasing you becuase
I find the VFR bloated, ugly and as uninspiring as teh Dullsville.
feh...you kids get off my lawn and pull your damned pants up before
they fall off!
The Older Gentleman
> My FJR comes with durable nylon side bag liners.
Got these on the K. Excellent they are.
The Older Gentleman
> Not many hard bags are
> removable AND usable after being removed.
BMW, Triumph, Givi and a host of other marques and luggage manufacturers
would disagree. So would I.
turby
I'm out and about most days. I'll ride to the beach, where I may spend
a few hours in the water. There's no way I'll leave my helmet and
jacket lying on the beach, unattended. Nor would I haul my saddlebags
down there if I could leave them locked on the bike. Same if I go to a
cafe' or shopping, or to do business in an office, or visiting
friends. Carrying bags around would be a huge PITA.
Doug Payne
> (If my friend & I go somewhere, we flip a coin to decide if
> it's by bike, the truck, or her Mercedes.)
3-headed coin??
BrianNZ
Who's wearing pants!?
S'mee
My point exactly...it's not sporting to put a load of rock salt in
your ass if you can't run. You kids are sure stupid these days... 8^)
Twibil
>
>
> 3-headed coin??
Sure!
http://www.slice-o-life.com/creepbox/media/1/20081022-Gibraltar-Herc-Cerberus.gif
S'mee
poor artistry on the engravers part...cerebus was a three headed dog.
So arugably that's a 4 headed coin. But having checked my reeky basic
math book it says that you are indeed correct.