Motorcycle advice? - Page 2 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

#16 05-16-2005, 09:06 PM

Well, I'm into the big tourers, and have an '04 Honda Goldwing. I also have an 83 Yamaha Virago 920 that was what I bought as my first motorcycle.

As for conservative riders having too much power, this is no big deal. My Goldwing has far more power than I'll ever use. It is nice to know it's on tap though, if I need it to get out of any bad situations. As with anything, it requires common sense to be safe on a big bike.

If you're wanting to get more into highway cruising without the big bike, the Honda ST1300 may be worth a look. Their only caveat is that they are not as common. The ST1300 has an electrically adjustable windshield, so you can set the height up right where you want it. The 1300 engine is solid, and has plenty of zip. It's alot lighter than my wing, although it will weigh more than a naked 650. However, it'll be better balanced, which has alot more to do with how light the bike feels on the road. When I first hopped on my old 84 GL1200 Aspencade, it felt like it weighed half what the Virago did, yet it weighed nearly double. IIRC, the luggage is removable on the ST, so you don't always have to tote it around. Handling is excellent, as it does lean more towards the sporting side of motorcycles. I haven't owned one personally, but have heard nothing but positive.

If you are looking for inexpensive and used, the Kawasaki Concourse would also be worth a look. I'd like to add one of these to my garage as well. They've been around a long time, are nearly bulletproof, and are a good mix of sport and touring.

jcyuhn · #17 05-16-2005, 10:14 PM

You didn't specify new vs. used, or a price range. That leaves the field wide open.

For a UJM, a Honda 750 Nighthawk is a nice bike. About 65HP - the 650 Virago has 35, if I recall. Low maintenance - it has hydraulic lifters and shaft drive. Not very fast for a 750, but sure fast enough.

The SV650 comes in two flavors - plain old naked SV650 and quasi-sportbike SV650S. The latter has lower clipon handlebars and a half fairing. The former has higher bars and no wind protection.

If you want a sport-tourer, consider Kawasaki's ZX-6E/ZZR-600. It was made from 1993-2004. (The current ZZR-600 is a different bike.) It's large for a 600, comfortable, smooth, has good power, and a reasonable 30" seat height.

That's all thats coming to mind at the moment.

- JimY

benzene · #18 05-17-2005, 11:01 AM

Thanks all. I will be looking at several of these bikes this weekend, then I will narrow the field to a couple of favorite models, then begin shopping in interest.

Quote:

Originally Posted by boneheaddoctor

Buy a real bike.....a Harley Davidson.......not the ones the Japs try to make look like one.

None hold their value longer.

No offense, but I'm over the chrome fixation after the last bike, which is a bit of a chrome-covered pig.

Quote:

Originally Posted by jcyuhn

You didn't specify new vs. used, or a price range. That leaves the field wide open.

I prefer used for value, but have nothing against a new bike if it's inexpensive. I expect to get $4000 and something for mine, so would like to stay around $5000 for the next one, which relegates me to used, but I'd go new/higher for something that really excited me. This is why I'm considering the V-Strom as an option, although as a new bike it will certainly be over what I prefer to spend.

aharley1 · #19 05-17-2005, 11:37 AM

I have nearly 70,000 on my 99 Harley Heritage Softail. Wouldn't have anything else.

jcyuhn · #20 05-17-2005, 11:45 AM

I think seat height on the V-strom bikes (both 650 & 1000) is extremely high - even moreso than modern sport bikes. Be certain you are comfortable with it before taking the plunge. Both get rave reviews from owners; I wouldn't hesitate to recommend one if it appeals to you. As much as I like torque, I can't take the vibration that comes with a V-twin, so I'm sticking to inline fours for the time being.

- JimY

Angel · #21 05-17-2005, 06:16 PM

Suzuki Bandit, available in 600 or 1200cc versions- neither will leave you wanting for power nor do they have fairings that would invite "biker bozy" to race you at the stoplight. Google up "maximum suzuki" (maximumsuzuki.com ?) good forums for B6 and B12 owners.

I have a Katana 750, and love it, but anything with fairings means $$$ if you drop it.

Lots good things I've heard about the Suzi SV650, definitely sit on one, not sure how high or how forward the postion is.
I also hear a lot of good stories about the Kawasaki Concours, (www.concours.org), and its owners group (COG).

I would like an old BMW bike, old airheads are the bike equivalent of a W123 diesel, but resale is good on them, so I wont be buying one soon.

Correction on the Honda Nighthawk 750, for the last few years they have been chain drive

Honda changed that mid-production...I think they wanted to get more people into the dealerships for maintenance.

Lotsa good bikes out there, tough to go wrong.

-John

TwitchKitty · #22 05-18-2005, 08:41 AM

Lighter is better. If you can't drag it out of a mudhole by yourself you may as well drive a car.

More suspension is better. The biggest advance with bikes is the suspension.

Keep it out of traffic and off of slippery surfaces. Seriously, look at the contact patch on a bike, ain't much.

I am resurrecting my dirtbike to see if I still have it in me. Some of the rubber? parts disintegrated while in storage.

boneheaddoctor · #23 05-18-2005, 08:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by benzene

Thanks all. I will be looking at several of these bikes this weekend, then I will narrow the field to a couple of favorite models, then begin shopping in interest.

No offense, but I'm over the chrome fixation after the last bike, which is a bit of a chrome-covered pig.

I prefer used for value, but have nothing against a new bike if it's inexpensive. I expect to get $4000 and something for mine, so would like to stay around $5000 for the next one, which relegates me to used, but I'd go new/higher for something that really excited me. This is why I'm considering the V-Strom as an option, although as a new bike it will certainly be over what I prefer to spend.

Not all harleys are chrome laden. as built...when was the last time you were at a shop....many jap bikes have far more chrome....you can buy a jap bike and have fun getting parts for it in a few years.....I mean why do you drive a Benz and not a toyota?

Gilly · #24 05-18-2005, 09:46 AM

I'd recommend the K75 also. The K100? A "little" more vibration? HA! That thing will put every extremity of your body to sleep! To Avoid. I have an 87 K75S I bought new, still lovin' it. Just recently BMW came out with a bike that may some day replace it, the K1200GT.
I agree the standard K75 line may be a bit tall, I am at 5'9" and still seems a bit tall, but if you brake properly and NOT let both of your feet pop off the rests when stopping (use right foot to brake to a stop), you will find it is easy to get used to (put down left foot only). This should hold true for any tall bike, within reason.
Problem with the "low seat" K75 is the seat is also rather thin, kind of wraps around the frame tubes, you'd probably be happier with the standard flat seat. I have a Corbin, which is actually a bit taller than the stock seat.
I really love the looks and handling of the S, but if you think dual-sport is appealling, you'd want to remove the chin spoiler. If you remove the bracket they look OK without it.
It doesn't seem like the Milwaukee Iron is holding it's value more than anything else these days, market is getting saturated with them. Used to be, here in WI you hardly ever saw an HD for sale in the papers, now it seems 3/4 of the bikes for sale are HD. It will be interesting to see what the future holds for HD. After the old school loyalists die off, can they really compete? The only thing really different they've done is the V-Rod, which I kind of like, even road-tested one, but it doesn't give me the old HD feeling, I've ridden plenty of them, never would own one though. Just not a V Twin fan. Damn Milwaukee County Vibratory Ailments....... I agree not all of them are all chromed up, just MOST of them. Probably about the only HD I'd really like was that Cafe Racer, a neighbor had one back when they were new, what was that the XL1200CR? Somethin like that. A friend also has an "original" Sturgis, the first HD with belt drive, I think it was just the secondary though.
By bro's both have Electraglides.......
Gilly

boneheaddoctor · #25 05-18-2005, 10:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gilly

I'd recommend the K75 also. The K100? A "little" more vibration? HA! That thing will put every extremity of your body to sleep! To Avoid. I have an 87 K75S I bought new, still lovin' it. Just recently BMW came out with a bike that may some day replace it, the K1200GT.
I agree the standard K75 line may be a bit tall, I am at 5'9" and still seems a bit tall, but if you brake properly and NOT let both of your feet pop off the rests when stopping (use right foot to brake to a stop), you will find it is easy to get used to (put down left foot only). This should hold true for any tall bike, within reason.
Problem with the "low seat" K75 is the seat is also rather thin, kind of wraps around the frame tubes, you'd probably be happier with the standard flat seat. I have a Corbin, which is actually a bit taller than the stock seat.
I really love the looks and handling of the S, but if you think dual-sport is appealling, you'd want to remove the chin spoiler. If you remove the bracket they look OK without it.
It doesn't seem like the Milwaukee Iron is holding it's value more than anything else these days, market is getting saturated with them. Used to be, here in WI you hardly ever saw an HD for sale in the papers, now it seems 3/4 of the bikes for sale are HD. It will be interesting to see what the future holds for HD. After the old school loyalists die off, can they really compete? The only thing really different they've done is the V-Rod, which I kind of like, even road-tested one, but it doesn't give me the old HD feeling, I've ridden plenty of them, never would own one though. Just not a V Twin fan. Damn Milwaukee County Vibratory Ailments....... I agree not all of them are all chromed up, just MOST of them. Probably about the only HD I'd really like was that Cafe Racer, a neighbor had one back when they were new, what was that the XL1200CR? Somethin like that. A friend also has an "original" Sturgis, the first HD with belt drive, I think it was just the secondary though.
By bro's both have Electraglides.......
Gilly

Lot of the chrome on hHarleys is aftermarket....put there becasue the owner likes it....THe only chrome on m bike that was factory original as the fork tubes...gas cap, oil tank cap...and the fender struts....and a few tiney pieces.

I've ridden my Harley for up to 18 hours straight stoping only for gas and to drain the weasle. And never once had anything vibrated till it was numb. And my bike is a ridgid frame with a solid mounted engine and aluminum blocks replacing the rubber handlebar isolators.

The Harley vibration is a vibration that is not numbing unlike every other bike out there. Its due to its odd fire and not even fire buzz you get to various degrees from every other bike...some pretty bad.

THe Yamaha 650 special twin the worst I ever rode....

vwbuge · #26 05-18-2005, 11:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by boneheaddoctor

Buy a real bike.....a Harley Davidson.......not the ones the Japs try to make look like one.

None hold their value longer.

Please! don't get me started on the H-D thing.

This is funny.....

boneheaddoctor · #27 05-18-2005, 11:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vwbuge

Please! don't get me started on the H-D thing.

This is funny.....

oh...you are one of those who don't like Real bikes..................

Gilly · #28 05-18-2005, 11:28 AM

That whole Hardley "REAL" bike thing, that's just such BS. Don't know how many HD guys I know, and most of them have this " Oh, as long as you ride, it's OK". Like, WHAT's OK, you allow my existance on the road, even though I don't have a "real" bike? Well, thanks so much, "weasel", I wouldn't ride one of them heaps if'n you gave it to me. If you did I'd sell it and buy something useful, like a Beemer,a new tent, some gasoline or a few tires, not one of them 2 wheeled circus wagons.
Little sensitive about the whole "chrome" thing? Who cares, it's still an HD, A bike I would admire only if they redesigned the engine, frame, and replaced the styling dept starting with W.G.

Gilly

boneheaddoctor · #29 05-18-2005, 11:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gilly

That whole Hardley "REAL" bike thing, that's just such BS. Don't know how many HD guys I know, and most of them have this " Oh, as long as you ride, it's OK". Like, WHAT's OK, you allow my existance on the road, even though I don't have a "real" bike? Well, thanks so much, "weasel", I wouldn't ride one of them heaps if'n you gave it to me. If you did I'd sell it and buy something useful, like a Beemer,a new tent, some gasoline or a few tires, not one of them 2 wheeled circus wagons.
Little sensitive about the whole "chrome" thing? Who cares, it's still an HD, A bike I would admire only if they redesigned the engine, frame, and replaced the styling dept starting with W.G.

Gilly

There are two types of riders Gilly...

THose who own and ride a Harley....and those who wish they could.

The ones who wish they could delude themselves into believeing they really like what they have settled for.

One day you wil understand this also.....I wasn't always a Harley rider.

H2O2 · #30 05-18-2005, 12:33 PM

Hardly Ableson--no thanks man.

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