Frustrating motorcycle upgade

[i386]

I've been thinking about upgrading to a larger motorcycle. My 750 Honda has been reliable and performs fine but I am 6'1" and would like something more comfortable and with a little more room.

I don't really like anything Honda offers right now, though Yamaha and Kawasaki have a couple I like.

Now what I really like is the Harley-Davidson Heritage Softail. I like the classic looks and sound of that model. HD's paint and chrome are also unmatched in quality IMO. However, I am not in need of a new image or lifestyle. I am a guy that likes to ride motorcycles. I am not a biker. I'm trying really hard to justify paying double the price of a Japanese cruiser to join the HD club.

I've also looked at offerings from European bikes and while I know the engineering is pretty impressive, the riding position is less than cruiser-like.

Pease don't start a HD vs Jap / American vs Foreign war as that is not my intention here.

 

[Tarpon828]

Re: Frustrating motorcycle upgade

Not sure what you are looking for but I ride a Kawasaki Vulcan 900LT. Which is just a slight step up from the 750. I am 6'3" and it fits me fine. I have sat on my friends 750 Shadow and the 900 definitely has more room than the shadow for me. I also ride in the mountians and the 900 has plenty of power to move me up the hills. I have had mine for about 2 years now (Around 4,000 miles) and not had to do anything to it but oil changes.

Have fun shopping

 

[stevenw00]

Re: Frustrating motorcycle upgade

Although I certainly don't care about the "image", I wouldn't trade my HD for anything! I have an '05 Sportster 1200. It has plenty of power, and I have okay room. I have long legs (36" inseam) and although I want some sort of highway pegs, the forward controls work fine for me. I've sat on a Heritage and it definitely has a different feel to it than my Sportster though. I'd love to have both!!!
I've got 23,000 miles on mine since Sept. '05 and haven't had a single problem other than one caused by poor dealer assembly (broke an exhaust bolt because it was over torqued) and wouldn't trade it for anything. The 49 mpg sure makes me happier at the gas pump too!

I've ridden some of the Japanese bikes, including my fiance's 750 Shadow, and don't have a thing bad to say about them. I like the feel of my HD, but that is strictly personal preference.

 

[ilmostro99]

Re: Frustrating motorcycle upgade

First you need to tell us what type of riding you usually do. That would really narrow down your selection. Motorcycles are quite a bit like boats - match the bike (boat) to the type of riding, then narrow down from there.
In my experience:
Sportbike - only if you like short, quick trips and have the roads and nerve to push it.
Harleys & Cruisers - Best suited for short trips and cruising from bar to bar while trying to uphold your image. Small lean angle - you will be scraping hard parts way too soon. Usually pretty heavy, so will not accelerate quite as well, more fuel, and much increased braking distance.
Touring - Long distance comfort riding - mainly freeway, when you want to put on over 500 miles per day in comfort.
Sport touring - IMO, the best of all worlds. May not be the best at any 1 type of riding, but will be good at all. Sporty enough to be able to have fun on, comfortable to do some serious distance.

In a perfect world, I would have at least one of each, because I do quite a bit of different types of riding. I ride a Ducati 996S and LOVE the bike - I never want to get rid of it, but most of the riding I do is sporty with some distance. Mine is much too focused for what I want. I've pretty much decided that my next bike will be a Sport Touring Ducati ST3, but some of the sport touring BMWs are really tempting me.
*** There's a lot of passion in motorcycling, and I'm sure we will hear some strong opinions, but I'm not interested in hearing, "Oh yeah, well, my Harley will out accelerate your Ducati". First, unless you have it set up as a drag bike, no it won't, Second, I don't care what you ride. If you love it and it does what you want it to do, then it is the perfect bike for you, and I'm happy for you. My only advice is to first figure out what you want out of a motorcycle and go from there.
Erik

 

[mickarch]

Re: Frustrating motorcycle upgade

My first big bike was a Buell Cyclone M2. Boy that was fun, unfortunatly, it proved to be too expensive for me at that time so I had to sell it. I once rode straight thru from Detroit to Boston through Canada in one night. That was some ride, 12 hours straight... I had an aftermarket seat and a throttlemeister cruise control that helped alot on that one.

I then got a little cheap old yamaha yx600 just to get back into riding. Fun, but no good on rides longer than 50 miles, plenty of power, just small size-wise. Did a 650 mile 3-day weekend and my arse was killing me.

I test rode one of the new BMW sport tourers last year, wasn't a fan. Riding position was uncomfortable, and the top of the windshield stopped right in my line of sight. I either had to sit up high, or crouch down for a good view.

I've ridden my buddies Shadow 1100, it was a nice ride. He neglects it like crazy and thing always starts right up. The riding position just wasn't my cup of tea.

Now I have a '93 Yamaha FJ1200 sport-touring. Like mentioned above, it is the best of all worlds. Comfort, affordability and fun. I was able to find mine for less than I paid for the yx600 and it runs like a top. I really wanted a Buell Thunderbolt, but they are still too expensive. Nothing Buell makes now interests me in the least.

It took me a few tries to find just the right combination, I wish you luck in your search!

Mick

 

[i386]

Re: Frustrating motorcycle upgade

I ride 6 miles to work on a 2 lane road. I like to ride (usually alone) on the country back roads through farm country and sometimes in nearby mountains. I cruise at about 60-65mph. I rarely ride on the Interstate. I enjoy the laid back cruiser riding position. I like to twist the throttle on the curvy roads just like anyone does but I am far from a performance rider. I've never rode my Honda more than 300 miles in one day and it's rare that I would go that far. Maybe I would ride further if the bike were more comfortable.

I like the Heritage Softail because it's like buying a brand new antique tractor with a lot of chrome on it. It sounds good, looks good, and has that clunky American feel to it when you change gears. I have no problem paying more, but paying double is hard to justify. They're good from a resale standpoint but I don't know if that's good enough.

I rode my friend's VStar 1100 Tourer yesterday. It rides like a Cadillac compared to mine, but it just doesn't have that antique look and feel. My Shadow ACE does have that antique look from a distance but upon closer inspection one can tell that it doesn't have the fit and finish of the HD.

 

[JB]

Re: Frustrating motorcycle upgade

Several years ago I was passing through CO and stopped at a motel outside Gunnison that had about 50 Bimmers and a couple of Gold Wings and Valkyries (sp?) lined up in front.

Several of the riders joined me for breakfast. I asked about the Bimmers, because I had seen many Harleys on the road headed for Sturgis. Turns out that several of these guys were regular Harley riders who had rented the Bimmers because they preferred them for long range cruising.

My 70 year old half brother was a dealer and his choice is a big Yammy.

I always preferred lighter bikes. The best I ever did a trip on was a Bimmer 600, but that was quite a few years ago. My personal favorite was a Honda Super Hawk 305.

Just a thought.

 

[i386]

Re: Frustrating motorcycle upgade

Yessir, I've been looking at them online...

This is the R 1200R "cruiser" though it has a more upright riding position and tiny footpegs. I've heard that BMW will let you test drive them. I like to stretch out my legs and be able to change foot positions. With this bike, you have those tiny pegs and nowhere else to put your feet when you tire of that position. I would definately try one out to give it a fair shake though. I don't care for the looks of it honestly.

 

[xxxflhrci]

Re: Frustrating motorcycle upgade

The Harley market is saturated, plus the economy is bad. There are tons of late model HD's to be had now for thousands less than what they cost new. If you want a Harley, get a Harley. The great thing about them is that they never die. They are made to be rebuilt. You will never find a junkyard full of Harleys piled up. You can still get parts for decades old bikes either from the MoCo or the aftermarket, unlike most foreign bikes.

I have a 2000 Road King Classic with 71k miles on it that has been bullet proof. My 1977 Sportster with 53k miles is as reliable as the day is long. I can ride it anywhere anytime with no worries.

 

[Coors]

Re: Frustrating motorcycle upgade

I used to have a Yam Virago; most comfort I had cruising.

 

[SpinnerBait_Nut]

Re: Frustrating motorcycle upgade

Just sold a 2000 Yamaha 1100 Custom.
Great riding bike. Plenty of power and had a good ride/feel to it.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Frustrating motorcycle upgade

Honestly it all depends on your budget.

There are alot of motorcycles that I would not mind owning.

I have ridden cruisers, sportbikes, dual purpose and motocross. The decision would be tough for me. I am partial to Suzuki and I have ridden the M109 (WOW!!) and the Bandit 1200..... both are favorites to me.

Honda and Yamaha are next......

Even a Harley but I am not too fond of the new ones............

I basically have not had good luck with the Kawi's.

Whatever you can afford. Get a HD and stop shaving on Wed so you have the scruffy look by Saturday night.

 

[thefairlaneman]

Re: Frustrating motorcycle upgade

easy on geeese,but hard on the ease

 

[waterinthefuel]

Re: Frustrating motorcycle upgade

Ever consider a large scooter? Yes, a scooter. Suzuki has a 650 that can do about 115mph and has enough room for a second rider and gobs of underseat storage. Not to mention no shifting. The 650 Burgman can run circles around the 750 Honda.

 

[i386]

Re: Frustrating motorcycle upgade

The Harley market is saturated, plus the economy is bad. There are tons of late model HD's to be had now for thousands less than what they cost new. If you want a Harley, get a Harley. The great thing about them is that they never die. They are made to be rebuilt. You will never find a junkyard full of Harleys piled up. You can still get parts for decades old bikes either from the MoCo or the aftermarket, unlike most foreign bikes.

I have a 2000 Road King Classic with 71k miles on it that has been bullet proof. My 1977 Sportster with 53k miles is as reliable as the day is long. I can ride it anywhere anytime with no worries.

Beautiful bikes! I love the sound of a sporty when it's just idling. I've never ridden one but I have ridden a Road King once.

My stepdad had a Heritage and then a Road King. He never had any trouble out of either but probably rode less than 5K miles on both total. My FIL sold his 1100 Shadow and bought a used Ultra Classic. It's left him stranded twice due to electrical problems (stator?). But to be fair, he's ridden it all over the country and put thousands of miles on it. He loves the bike but told me it's more work to keep it maintained than his Honda. He bought every piece of chrome and trim he could find to put on that Shadow and it never did turn into a Harley, so I'm glad he finally got one before he was too old to enjoy it. They're usually gone all day Sunday on it and take at least one cross country trip on it pulling a trailer behind it.

You know, I haven't thought much about the economy in respect to Harleys. I guess I just accepted that they would always hold their value. It may prove to be an anomaly that lasted for a long time. We're not there yet though.

 

[i386]

Re: Frustrating motorcycle upgade

Ever consider a large scooter? Yes, a scooter. Suzuki has a 650 that can do about 115mph and has enough room for a second rider and gobs of underseat storage. Not to mention no shifting. The 650 Burgman can run circles around the 750 Honda.

Yea I've seen the new big scooters. I'm sure they're fun to ride but I'd rather have a motorcycle.

 

[FLATHEAD]

Re: Frustrating motorcycle upgade

Lots of choices out there. If your looking for super reliability I would look at the jap cruisers. They are nice bikes and most are bullet proof. I am an HD guy myself and have owned and ridden one since I was 18 years old, over 30 years. Made quite a few coast to coast trips with HD. I used to trade my electraglides in about every 4 or five years for a new one. The last one I got was a 2002. It is probably the worst running bike I have ever owned, Harley Had had some serious issues with these year make and fails to address the problems. I am lucky enough to be able to remedy the problems myself, others are not as lucky and pay big$$ for repairs. I had to sink a few bucks into performance parts and such to make the bike run as it should. There is now an issue with the 2003 and newer models with the crank bending and breaking due to poor flywheel design. HD also wants to turn a blind eye. A new HD is not worth the sticker price. You will get so much more for your money with a jap bike. As a life long devoted HD guy I can tell ya I will never buy another new one. I would not recomend a new HD to anyone.

That said I guess they are not all bad. If you can find a used one in nice shape with the 80 inch evolution motor, (Pre Twincam) you will be better off than a new one.

 

[rwise]

Re: Frustrating motorcycle upgade

For many years I wanted a Sportster, playing on ebay I bought one put in a bid that was less than the reserve and got it! Its black and low miles gets 58 MPG, 2004 883 with after market pipes (which I changed for better sound a performance) bags etc. (I took the bags off). I love it, I would ride it to work cept they supply the ride, so I just go cruise! Oh ya I did the stage 1 mods also,,,

 

[FLATHEAD]

Re: Frustrating motorcycle upgade

I never liked the feel of a sportster. center of gravity seems to high for me. Also short on comfort.

 

[mainexile]

Re: Frustrating motorcycle upgade

Ten years ago, I would have looked at a Sportster (or similar). Now, I'm leaning more toward a "Barco-lounger on wheels" - a Goldwing.