Motorcycle - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

#1 10-24-2006, 08:39 PM

My first bike was a 1984 Kawasaki GPZ550, it was scary fast and everything, but a greybread told me that one day I would learn the error of my ways. I did:

Don't people remember the ad campaign of the mid '70s? "You meet the nicest people on a Honda?". Today, Honda does it's best to imitate Harleys, right down to the bar and shield emblem. They are now selling the Harley image that they once derided.

There was this bar/poolhall that I used to hang out at, they had a Honda hanging from the rafters, and every now and then they would let someone beat the cr@p out of it with a bat. They would lower it a few feet, and some drunk would stand on the pooltable and try to whack it. I liked it better when a couple of drunk girls would dance on the tables instead.

kbannister · #2 10-24-2006, 09:46 PM

Is it true the new Goldwings are coming with an airbag option

I think I read that somewhere.

#3 10-24-2006, 10:03 PM

I remember reading the same thing, somewhere.

catmandoo62 · #4 10-24-2006, 11:20 PM

re rider magazine"official honda riders magazine"had an article about 2 months ago on the airbag,but i don't recall seeing any mention of it is going to be on the new models,just that it was in the later stages of testing.

t walgamuth · #5 10-25-2006, 03:15 AM

speakiing of airbags reminds me of the hoover/ harley joke.

tom w

PC Dave · #6 10-25-2006, 05:13 AM

An airbag is available on the 2006 Gold Wing:

http://powersports.honda.com/motorcycles/touring_sport_touring/model.asp?ModelName=Gold+Wing+Airbag&ModelYear=2007&ModelId=GL18B7

Re the OP's question, the answer is definitely an Airhead BMW twin, the air-cooled models ending in 1995. Not fast, but reliable, relatively smooth, and rebuildable forever (not that they'll need it). There's a solid body of knowledge at the user level (start with the Airhead Beemers Club, www.airheads.org). Not much goes wrong, and everyone knows how to fix/prevent the things that do - they're simple bikes. Parts aren't particularly expensive, and they're readily available (to start, go to www.bobsbmw.com and request or download a catalog). The bikes are also easy to find around the country (www.ibmwr.org/market). Airheads are more refined than any Sportster made before 2004, and vastly more livable on any kind of a trip. They're the 123/126 diesels of motorcycling, and they'll be around forever.

dynalow · #7 10-25-2006, 08:53 AM

I always liked the aircooled BMW's of the 70's.
But I did wonder about the heat on the shins after a couple of hours in the saddle.

I don't think an old Sporty is what I'd recommend as a bike to be driven regularly. A late model Evo Sporty, maybe, depending ... Newer rubber mounted , yes. That's a nice bike.

But if it's to be part of a "collection" and rarely driven, heck anything that will go up in value will fit the bill.

I have a 1975 Kwasaki Z1B I'm looking to sell and expect to turn a profit on it for the 3 years I've owned it.

The OP never mentioned experience or intended use, so further input would help.

mikemover · #8 10-25-2006, 09:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kbannister

Is it true the new Goldwings are coming with an airbag?...

Yes. It rides on the seat, and steers the bike.

Mike

JWJ · #9 10-25-2006, 10:03 AM

Oh, the bike would be for fun around town riding. No long trips. I don't want a speed demon or an overly loud huge engine. It doesn't need to be a show piece but I'd like it to be clean. Fun and interesting are the optimal words.

Any opinions of the CJ750?

Its a chinese/russian reproduction of BMW's WWII era motorcycle. It can come with a side car.

JWJ · #10 10-25-2006, 10:07 AM

Also it seems Ural makes a similar bike to the CJ750.

PC Dave · #11 10-29-2006, 02:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JWJ

Also it seems Ural makes a similar bike to the CJ750.

If you're considering the ural, you might enjoy this write-up; quality may have improved since the 2000 that John Holmes III owned:

http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=174014

NoSpark · #12 10-25-2006, 10:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JWJ

Any opinions of the CJ750?

Its a chinese/russian reproduction of BMW's WWII era motorcycle. It can come with a side car.

I can't speak for that brand, but 6-7yrs ago I had my eye on the newly built Royal Enfield...i think they make 'em in India. I was not impressed by the build quality once I finally got close to one. They also make a green-pea military bike.

http://www.royalenfield.com/app/US/Products/BulletMilitary.asp

PC Dave · #13 10-25-2006, 11:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NoSpark

I can't speak for that brand, but 6-7yrs ago I had my eye on the newly built Royal Enfield...i think they make 'em in India. I was not impressed by the build quality once I finally got close to one.

I worry that the same would be true of the Ural and the Chinese copy - Russian and Chinese industrial quality aren't exactly legendary. I would be really concerned about parts and service availability for both of those - in the absence of a dealer network you'd probably end up doing most/all of your own work, but you'll still need parts. You'd spend about the same -$5k-ish - for one of those as for a perfect BMW airhead boxer; if you sold in 2-3 years, you'd get your money back from the BMW, I'd guess the other two would depreciate brutally, and I think the BMW would be a lot more fun to ride while you owned it.

kbannister · #14 10-27-2006, 10:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JWJ

Oh, the bike would be for fun around town riding. No long trips. I don't want a speed demon or an overly loud huge engine. It doesn't need to be a show piece but I'd like it to be clean. Fun and interesting are the optimal words.

Any opinions of the CJ750?

Its a chinese/russian reproduction of BMW's WWII era motorcycle. It can come with a side car.

You really want to stick to British, Jap, or USA. It will be a nightmare finding parts for the other ones. There are a couple of other USA makes to look at. Excelsior Henderson (now out of business) made a great bike. Victory is another one, made by Polaris, and of course Indian. All lot less money than the Harleys out there. If you REALLY want to get into a project, and I did this, there are two or three companies that make the "bike in a box" kits. A lot of fun building them, customize them anyway you want. I can give you the names of the companies if you want.

For me, although my wife totally disagrees, she says its the MB or nothing,

there is nothing better than hopping on the bike on a nice warm evening and cruise around.

kbannister · #15 10-25-2006, 11:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikemover

Yes. It rides on the seat, and steers the bike.

Mike

LMAO