Dougloid From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Posted (6 years 11 months 4 weeks 1 day 7 hours ago) and read 2099 times:
Folks, I just gotta tell you I am getting bored here.....I actually do not bother watching American Chopper anymore because I find their bikes...well, ludicrous horizontal jukeboxes from the design bureau at Dollywood...in fact the entire chopper syndrome is getting depressingly lame. I mean, who ever thought that a chopped Harley could be a fashion statement for suburbanites out for a cruise with the wedding ring in the pocket? It was a way of thelling everyone to go fuck themselves is what it was....gone are the days.
It must be pretty disheartening for the old school guys like Sonny to be approached in some bar or other by an overweight insurance adjuster from the burbs with a do-rag saying "Hey, Bro!"
So count me out.
At present the fleet consists of the 1982 KZ750 twin with 5,000 miles on it....but if I had my druthers-and who's to say I won't....here's what I'd be riding.
Andz From South Africa, joined Feb 2004, 8306 posts, RR: 11 Reply 2, posted (6 years 11 months 4 weeks 1 day 7 hours ago) and read 2089 times:
The whole Harley culture is for poseurs who try to be fashionable. Who actually wants to ride a "bike" that doesn't perform, doesn't handle, costs a fortune and sounds like it is about to fall apart? I saw a Harley rider nearly go into the weeds a couple of weeks ago when he passed my car (granted, I was driving up a hill pulling a trailer) then couldn't make the bend in the road!
Anyway, rant over, this is my toy at the local bike wash:
After Monday and Tuesday even the calendar says WTF...
Rolfen From Germany, joined Jan 2006, 1764 posts, RR: 2 Reply 7, posted (6 years 11 months 4 weeks 1 day 6 hours ago) and read 2055 times:
Quoting Andz (Reply 2): The whole Harley culture is for poseurs who try to be fashionable. Who actually wants to ride a "bike" that doesn't perform, doesn't handle, costs a fortune and sounds like it is about to fall apart?
SlamClick From United States of America, joined Nov 2003, 10062 posts, RR: 71 Reply 11, posted (6 years 11 months 4 weeks 1 day 4 hours ago) and read 2018 times:
Quoting Andz (Reply 2): and sounds like it is about to fall apart?
Actually 'potato potato' is one of the things I do like about a Harley. They sound like 2/9 of a radial engine.
That first video is absolutely shattering! Holy crap! Never thought I'd say this but that thing might just have too much performance for the street. Honestly, where could you ride it but the autobahn?
Happiness is not seeing another trite Ste. Maarten photo all week long.
SlamClick From United States of America, joined Nov 2003, 10062 posts, RR: 71 Reply 12, posted (6 years 11 months 4 weeks 1 day 4 hours ago) and read 2014 times:
Oh, and to answer the question, I'd have to say that '66 Beezer in the threadstarter would just about do it for me, but for nostalgia's sake, in RED. Maybe one of each of the great Limey twins: BSA, Triumph, Norton, Matchless, Enfield. Oh, while we're in the country and buying twins, maybe a Vincent.
I'll be the first to admit that today's bikes are superior to these in every possible way. The Brit twins just had a certain elàn you don't find anymore.
2H4 From United States of America, joined Oct 2004, 8950 posts, RR: 62 Reply 14, posted (6 years 11 months 4 weeks 1 day ago) and read 1975 times:
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Quoting Andz (Reply 2): The whole Harley culture is for poseurs who try to be fashionable. Who actually wants to ride a "bike" that doesn't perform, doesn't handle, costs a fortune and sounds like it is about to fall apart?
What I don't understand is how the old-school Harley guys who are actually somewhat tough and hardcore can stand to be directly associated with today's population of "Hell's Orthodontists"...
Quoting AC320 (Reply 3): I'll save my rant against crotch-rockets.
It's not the "crotch-rockets" that are the problem. It's the complete and total lack of discipline with which they are so commonly ridden that is the problem.
My first bike:
Honda CBR600 F1
My current bike:
Ducati Monster M900S
Bikes I want:
KTM RC8:
BMW 1200GS:
And, if I ever decide I need a cruiser, it will have to be the
BristolFlyer From United Kingdom, joined May 2004, 2143 posts, RR: 0 Reply 15, posted (6 years 11 months 4 weeks 23 hours ago) and read 1959 times:
Quoting Andz (Reply 2): The whole Harley culture is for poseurs who try to be fashionable. Who actually wants to ride a "bike" that doesn't perform, doesn't handle, costs a fortune and sounds like it is about to fall apart?
Couldn't agree more. Unfortunately Phoenix/Scottsdale is full of these losers in spring and fall. Most of them have got pony tails and think of themselves as being badass. They're probably lawyers Mon-Fri.
I was in a bar recently and 2 guys turned up on choppers, they were so loud that everyone on the patio area had to stop talking. Then one of them decided to do some tweaking to his engine, cue more revving. They got so much grief from the bystanders who they were trying to be cool in front of. I would've loved to pull in next to them on a 50cc scooter and mimicked them.
If I was to have a bike it would be a tourer (with a quiet exhaust). i don't need to prove anything to anyone by riding a certain type of bike.
2H4 From United States of America, joined Oct 2004, 8950 posts, RR: 62 Reply 16, posted (6 years 11 months 4 weeks 23 hours ago) and read 1957 times:
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Quoting BristolFlyer (Reply 15): I would've loved to pull in next to them on a 50cc scooter and mimicked them.
The exhaust on my Ducati isn't nearly that loud, but it is louder than stock. I go to great efforts to avoid annoying people, however. I keep the revs really low when lots of people are around, and, when coming home late at night, I shut the engine down a block away from my apartment and roll home silently. My bike isn't nearly loud enough to necessitate such measures, but I like being respectful of others.
That said, it is very rewarding to make noise in certain situations.
For example, when I pull up to a red light, and some 17-year-old gangsta wannabe has his bass turned up to several hundred decibels, I really enjoy sitting next to his open window and letting her rip.
Itsjustme From United States of America, joined Apr 2004, 2765 posts, RR: 10 Reply 17, posted (6 years 11 months 4 weeks 22 hours ago) and read 1946 times:
AC320 From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 18, posted (6 years 11 months 4 weeks 14 hours ago) and read 1923 times:
Quoting 2H4 (Reply 14): It's not the "crotch-rockets" that are the problem. It's the complete and total lack of discipline with which they are so commonly ridden that is the problem.
Oh I'm sure that's a big part of why people might be apprehensive about sport bikes, considering one of the individuals I know had the brains to go out on his wearing a t-shirt, shorts, and flip-flops when he dumped it attempting a wheelie. His hands, arms, lgs, and body and been reduced to what looks like ground beef.
What a Moron.
However, by primary objection to sport bikes come from the fact that after taking my roommates '04 GSX-R600 out for a spin, that I found the riding position uncomfortable and the bike in general to be very well weird to ride for lack of a better term. To each his own, eh?
As for the Harley's, well. That's the most uncomfortable cruiser I've even been on. My Honda rides a hell of a lot smoother with a 100x more comfortable saddle than those. And at half the price to boot.
Quoting Itsjustme (Reply 17): One of the best bikes made, far as I'm concerned. I have a '99 Shadow, 1100.
Absolutely. I might step up to the 1100 at a later date but for my needs, I see the 750 lasting a long time. Just went through the first oil change and inspection, and as the mechanic told me, replacing the fluids is about all the maintenance she'll need for the next decade.
Itsjustme From United States of America, joined Apr 2004, 2765 posts, RR: 10 Reply 19, posted (6 years 11 months 4 weeks 13 hours ago) and read 1913 times:
Quoting AC320 (Reply 18): Just went through the first oil change and inspection, and as the mechanic told me, replacing the fluids is about all the maintenance she'll need for the next decade.
2H4 From United States of America, joined Oct 2004, 8950 posts, RR: 62 Reply 20, posted (6 years 11 months 4 weeks 13 hours ago) and read 1906 times:
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Quoting AC320 (Reply 18): I found the riding position uncomfortable and the bike in general to be very well weird to ride for lack of a better term. To each his own, eh?
I'd say you're right on the money regarding the uncomfortable riding position. Until you reach rather high speeds, a disproportionate amount of weight is placed on your hands and wrists, and it becomes rather painful.
The other area of discomfort on sport bikes is the legs. In most cases, the pegs are set rather high. Rides over an hour long tend to result in very cramped legs and very tight hamstrings.
Despite all of these comfort issues, the incredible precision with which you can maneuver through curves and turns can easily make it all worthwhile. When properly set up, a good street bike can maneuver with pinpoint accuracy, and become very addictive to ride as a result.
Quoting AC320 (Reply 18): As for the Harley's, well. That's the most uncomfortable cruiser I've even been on.
Again, I'd say you're right on the money. I took a Harley V-Rod for a ride last year, and boy was that riding position horrible. Have you ever leaned back in a chair, and leaned too far back for a split second? That's the sense of instability I felt while riding the V-Rod.
In that position, your legs are absolutely useless. All of your weight is planted down on your butt, and you're completely unable to lift yourself up and shift your weight to aid in maneuvering. You might as well ride a motorcycle while laying on your back.
53Sqdn From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 21, posted (6 years 11 months 4 weeks 13 hours ago) and read 1902 times:
My mate has got himself a new Triumph (made (so he says)) for the American market. It looks impressive! According to him it has a 2.3 litre engine. Ferk!
It does like a 'modern' dinosaur. Will try and get a photo
DesertJets From United States of America, joined Feb 2000, 7677 posts, RR: 18 Reply 22, posted (6 years 11 months 4 weeks 13 hours ago) and read 1896 times:
Quoting AC320 (Reply 18): Absolutely. I might step up to the 1100 at a later date but for my needs, I see the 750 lasting a long time. Just went through the first oil change and inspection, and as the mechanic told me, replacing the fluids is about all the maintenance she'll need for the next decade.
One of my folks neighbors rides and I was talking w/ him @ length a year or so back. And he couldn't say enough good things about a Honda Shadow 750 as a starter bike. Reliable and it has enough power that you can grow with it. He currently has a 99 or so Kawasaki Vulcan 1500, nicely kitted up if I may add.
what I always liked, too bad they don't make it anymore, was the Honda Nighthawk 750.
Stop drop and roll will not save you in hell. --- seen on a church marque in rural Virginia
Sorry, but what BSA really means is 'Bastard Stopped Again!' I know, I had a couple of them.
Jeez.....I had five of six of them when they could be dragged out of people's back yards for a couple hundred bucks.
I had one back in 76, it was an A65FS, I dragged it out of a guy's yard, no instruments so there was no idea how many miles were on it. I had the wheels relaced, changed the oil, put a new battery in it and rode it from New Jersey to Nova Scotia, all around the peninsula, down to Massachusetts and then back to Jersey. Used one pint of oil, two spark plugs, and I had to have the battery charged because I'd accidentally left the lights on.
See, the key to keeping a Besa running well was in today's parlance "systems management". That meant you didn't jump on the seat hard, as you would prang the diode pack. It also meant that you took the time to make sure the ignition system was working properly, points properly gapped, and the Amals properly set up. The one weakness of the Besa was that they tended to overheat in traffic and then they'd vaporlock. You just had to keep moving.
Oh....and knowing where you could get Sunoco 260 always helped.
It was really no different than keeping a big Healey running right.
I've had a few others-a Royal Enfield 750 Interceptor II, an old Matchless, and a Triumph 500cc Trophy which I bought new in 1970. The Triumph was the best handling of the lot, although the Besa was pretty good after I put a Ceriani front end on it.
The Kaw is a 750cc vertical twin, and I can see no reason why Kawasaki built such a thing unless it was to say to the world "This is how it's done." It is as reliable and oil tight as a Buick sedan, the systems are all dead reliable, and if the Brits had built stuff like that back in the day they'd still be selling more bikes than anyone else.
2H4 From United States of America, joined Oct 2004, 8950 posts, RR: 62 Reply 24, posted (6 years 11 months 4 weeks 12 hours ago) and read 1884 times:
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Quoting 53Sqdn (Reply 21): My mate has got himself a new Triumph (made (so he says)) for the American market. It looks impressive! According to him it has a 2.3 litre engine. Ferk!
It does like a 'modern' dinosaur. Will try and get a photo
Ah, that would be the Rocket III:
It sounds like a Ford Festiva with straight pipes.
2H4
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25 SlamClick: Couple of years ago on an SFO layover, I saw an old (1964 or so) Honda 250 Scrambler in original condition parked at the curb. A friend had owned one
27 CO7e7: Harleys and Choppers SUCK! My new ride is a 2006 Gixxer 600 (Suzuki): The bike i had before this one was a 2004 YZF R6 (yamaha) -Zaki
28 Dougloid: One of my pals back in the day had a collection of 305 Scramblers and ultimately he made a chopper out of one, I will see if I can find the pics of i
29 2H4: Have you guys seen the new Triumph Scrambler? I came soooooo close to buying one of those. To this day, I kick myself for passing on it. The thing ha
30 SlamClick: That is good looking, at least to my retro taste. When I had my first couple of bikes I rode either on the narrow, twisting two lane blacktop highway
32 KFLLCFII: The latter part of the second video looks like U.S. Hwy. 27 in western Broward / Palm Beach Counties here in South Florida. It's nothing but a 30 mil
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