I'm sick of reading about cars.

[Greenman]

Cars are fine when it's raining, when the suns out you need two wheels instead of four. So who rides a bike and what is it, and how much do you love it?
I ride a V-Rod, and yes, I love it. I should also mention that I'm an old fart, and required by the good old boy code to buy a Harley.

 

[angry hampster]

I've always wanted to ride a V-Rod. I absolutely love the seating position on those suckers..

Here's the long story on my bike. It was my father's dream to own a Harley-Davidson. After years of saving, he finally got a new Roadster in 1983. He rode when he was healthy, but died from complications of lung cancer and leukemia in 1989; I was three years old. The bike sat in various barns for about 15 years, and when I was 16 years old, my mother let me take it out and try to get it going. Here's a pic of me riding it for the very first time..scared shitless and trying as hard as I can to keep the damn thing running on one cylinder:
http://img.photobucket.com/alb...r/bikes/XLS/harley.jpg

With hundreds of hours, too much money, and a lot of blood and sweat, I've got it in perfect running condition, and it looks pretty damn good too. I'm hopefully going to take it all apart in the next coupe years and respray the frame and all the metalwork.

Here's what it looks like today:
http://img.photobucket.com/alb...r/bikes/harley1503.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/alb...r/bikes/harley1502.jpg

Specs:
1000CC ironhead punched .010 over
S&S Super E carb & intake
Cycle Shack 1.75" slash-cut drag pipes

I also added a Mustang wide solo seat. It's a great ride for all-day cruises...a bit noisy though at 4000RPM @ 70mph. I wish I could put a 5-speed on it. Anyway, I'll ride this bike until the day I die. It's more important to me than anything else.

 

[Greenman]

That's a very clean bike! Probably worth more now than when it was brand new.
When you tear it down use powder coat instead of paint, lasts longer.

 

[alkemyst]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v...1ZqoWs&feature=related

 

[Greenman]

Originally posted by: alkemyst
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v...1ZqoWs&feature=related

I watched almost 30 seconds of that, was it in some way pertinent?

 

[Fenixgoon]

<---- 1983 suzuki GS650G. gotta fix her up a little before i actually start riding

 

[angry hampster]

Originally posted by: Greenman
That's a very clean bike! Probably worth more now than when it was brand new.
When you tear it down use powder coat instead of paint, lasts longer.

Yep definitely gonna powder coat the frame and brake calipers. Hoping to go Cobalt Blue and silver for the bodywork, with extra flake in the silver for a retro throwback. H-D still makes those old logo stickers, too. Gonna be a lot of fun when I get the money. Thanks for the comments.

 

[jagec]

2007 Suzuki DL650 for me, with a bigger screen, top case and side racks (Haven't finished mounting Pelicans on there), heated grips, handguards, and a power outlet. Great bike...a little heavy off-road, but absolutely reliable, comfy on the freeway, and a sweet engine.

A friend is picking up a Honda Shadow this weekend.

 

[Greenman]

Originally posted by: Fenixgoon
<---- 1983 suzuki GS650G. gotta fix her up a little before i actually start riding

Another vintage machine.
I owned a Yamaha 250 many years back, I think it was 67 R something. It's hard to remember that many years back.

 

[Greenman]

Originally posted by: jagec
2007 Suzuki DL650 for me, with a bigger screen, top case and side racks (Haven't finished mounting Pelicans on there), heated grips, handguards, and a power outlet. Great bike...a little heavy off-road, but absolutely reliable, comfy on the freeway, and a sweet engine.

A friend is picking up a Honda Shadow this weekend.

Is the Suzuki designed as a dual use bike? Does it work well enough in the dirt that's fun to go out and tear up some real estate?

 

[jagec]

Originally posted by: Greenman

Originally posted by: jagec
2007 Suzuki DL650 for me, with a bigger screen, top case and side racks (Haven't finished mounting Pelicans on there), heated grips, handguards, and a power outlet. Great bike...a little heavy off-road, but absolutely reliable, comfy on the freeway, and a sweet engine.

A friend is picking up a Honda Shadow this weekend.

Is the Suzuki designed as a dual use bike? Does it work well enough in the dirt that's fun to go out and tear up some real estate?

It's not a true dual sport, so really it's more about fire roads and rocky, rutted dirt roads than true off-roading. Not to say that some people don't, but it's really more designed for 90/10 usage on the pavement and this kinda stuff.

If you want something a good bit better off-road that's still decent on the highway, the DR650 or KLR650 is a better bet. Those bikes go around the world. But the DL is a good deal more comfortable and the engine is nicer to live with.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Originally posted by: angry hampsterhttp://img.photobucket.com/alb...r/bikes/harley1502.jpg

FYI-I think your chain needs to be adjusted.

 

[JulesMaximus]

I bought this back in April of this year. I have 3500 miles on it already.

It's my second bike and I love riding it. Great fun in the twisties and plenty fast in a straight line. Fast enough to outrun nearly any 4 wheeled vehicle anyway.

Me riding on Palomar Mountain

Palomar Mountain

View from top of Palomar Mountain

 

[Arkaign]

AND THEN YOU ARE KILLED!!!

HAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!

 

[alkemyst]

Originally posted by: Greenman

Originally posted by: alkemyst
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v...1ZqoWs&feature=related

I watched almost 30 seconds of that, was it in some way pertinent?

You exited to soon.

 

[punjabiplaya]

http://www.topgear.com/us/blog...-gets-his-just-reward/

 

[JDub02]

06 V-Star 1100 Custom (aka Poor Man's Harley)
73 Honda CB-350 Four (first bike I bought for $100)

I plan on getting a Harley some day. They keep getting better and better every year, so I'll wait a few more years and pick up a used one. I definitely want the 96" engine and 6 speed.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Originally posted by: JDub02
06 V-Star 1100 Custom (aka Poor Man's Harley)
73 Honda CB-350 Four (first bike I bought for $100)

I plan on getting a Harley some day. They keep getting better and better every year, so I'll wait a few more years and pick up a used one. I definitely want the 96" engine and 6 speed.

Pretty soon they'll be up to the standards of 1970s era Hondas.

 

[mooseracing]

I want a new V-Max, pushing 200hp and over 100ft/tq....

I'll stick with my 100hp 79 Yammy XS, hopefully rebuild the tranny, change the final drive, and maybe get a turbo on it this winter.

 

[joesmoke]

Been wanting a street bike, but for now its dirt only. 07 yamaha yz450f... unfortunately my fork seals went out last sunday. time to start saving!

 

[MiataNC]

Own:
2005 Suzuki DL650 V-Strom: screen, Givi top case, Givi side cases, handguards, engine guards, center stand, and a GPS mount.

On Order:
2009 Triumph Street Triple 675-R: Special edition with Daytona 675 suspension and brakes. Will add Arrow 3-1 exhaust, flyscreen, and seat cowl.

 

[JDub02]

Originally posted by: mooseracing
I want a new V-Max, pushing 200hp and over 100ft/tq....

I'll stick with my 100hp 79 Yammy XS, hopefully rebuild the tranny, change the final drive, and maybe get a turbo on it this winter.

200hp?? :Q I didn't realize they had that much power. Sweet bikes except for the stupid fake air scoops.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Originally posted by: MiataNC
Own:
2005 Suzuki DL650 V-Strom: screen, Givi top case, Givi side cases, handguards, engine guards, center stand, and a GPS mount.

On Order:
2009 Triumph Street Triple 675-R: Special edition with Daytona 675 suspension and brakes. Will add Arrow 3-1 exhaust, flyscreen, and seat cowl.

I love that bike. Post pics when you get it. :thumbsup:

 

[zylander]

My 2007 Suzuki SV1000s.

 

[Greenman]

Originally posted by: JulesMaximus

Originally posted by: JDub02
06 V-Star 1100 Custom (aka Poor Man's Harley)
73 Honda CB-350 Four (first bike I bought for $100)

I plan on getting a Harley some day. They keep getting better and better every year, so I'll wait a few more years and pick up a used one. I definitely want the 96" engine and 6 speed.

Pretty soon they'll be up to the standards of 1970s era Hondas.

From a reliability point of view, Harley is as good as any, and better than most. But if your looking for horse power and handling, then no, you don't want anything to do with a Harley. Harley's are for touring and cursing, they were never designed for high performance, and the people that buy them aren't looking for a high performance machine. I redlined mine once in first gear, that was enough to scare the shit out of me, I'll never do it again.