Best motorcycle forum?

[3930dave]

"Tough bikes for Suburban Adventurers."
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/14/automobiles/tough-bikes-for-suburban-adventurers.html



Adventure tourers gained popularity because they're really capable: comfortable riding position, weather protection, passenger and luggage space, long range.

Personally I gave up riding them on anything worse than a gravel road and bought a WR250R that I can actually pick up when I drop it....

I expect good writing from the Times..... they covered the various mass-market aspects of these bikes well.

I'd argue that for most Western markets, bikes are a more competitive sector than autos. I'm sure bike manufacturers quickly noted the high margins that the auto guys were getting for big luxury SUVs and pickups...... they were quick to provide the equivalent products on 2 wheels....

Performance..... how you prioritize it depends on who you ask. Esp. on 2 wheels, small light vehicles have many advantages in hard going off-road - the heavier the bike is, the more time you should spend in the gym to safely handle the bike.

Going coast-to-coast, mostly on pavement or graded roads - big 800cc+ bikes have the advantages that a Suburban does, making the same trip.

Whatever you ride, wherever you go..... enjoy the trip...... :jump:

Rgds, D.

 

[Trials]

It was indeed an interesting article, but it kinda missed the point that the KTM that has won Dakar for the last six years straight is based on a single cylinder 450cc motocross engine.

 

[3930dave]

It was indeed an interesting article, but it kinda missed the point that the KTM that has won Dakar for the last six years straight is based on a single cylinder 450cc motocross engine.

I haven't followed the Dakar in a while...... great point..... most non-pro riders probably couldn't even use 1/2 of the power that engine makes, riding off-road....

In Can/USA, many people consider a 600cc machine small. The Times article covers the perception marketing aspect well..... for a lot of the intended market, it's more about what people think they need, and how they want to appear visually.

The practical aspect is that Big bikes and big SUVs can be comfortable to ride on a long run..... but you don't need either to drive down most dirt roads in Can/USA..... as several posters have commented, they've done fine with big cruisers on dirt roads.

Whatever you ride, wherever you go..... enjoy the trip...... that's all it should be about.....

Rgds, D.

 

[Garandman]

I tried a Suzuki DL1000 before I bought a DL650 V-Strom. The extra weight on the front wheel made it a lot mushier on sand and other soft surfaces. Most of them other than KTM lack crash protection and ground clearance. I know one BMW R1200GS rider who can handle it on gnarly trails, the rest are commuters or tourists.

The WR250R is around 300 lbs and that feels like a lot sometimes.

BTW I think we scared away the OP.

 

[3930dave]

BTW I think we scared away the OP.

I doesn't take much to get me banging on about bikes..... esp. this close to Spring...... apologies to OP for my contribution to drift.....

At least we got some input here from people who've taken cruisers on some epic rides to remote places :thumbsup:

Rgds, D.

 

[ddb123]

I asked this question over on the beginner bikers forum, but I'm not getting much action over there so I'll ask it here, too. I'm looking at a 2005 Yamaha Road Star with 40,000 miles on it. It has aftermarket exhaust pipes and the owner doesn't know if the carburetor has been rejetted. Is it likely to have some sort of engine damage if the carb has not been rejetted?

 

[Sawyer Rob]

Pull a spark plug and look at it... It will tell you if it's been running lean, but I doubt it has...

SR

 

[Zerk]

That may or may not work. Factory bikes can run a bit lean these days. Harley plugs are a bit white. Though I think they are to lean from the factory due to EPA. I don't know about Yamaha.

Lots of people just do pipes, but you really should do more. Some argue you are not letting more in, so it doesn't matter. I dunno. I bought a bike that was done that way with 7k, it was ok.

 

[Trials]

I asked this question over on the beginner bikers forum, but I'm not getting much action over there so I'll ask it here, too. I'm looking at a 2005 Yamaha Road Star with 40,000 miles on it. It has aftermarket exhaust pipes and the owner doesn't know if the carburetor has been rejetted. Is it likely to have some sort of engine damage if the carb has not been rejetted?

First off, if you are buying a motorcycle that has been modified always ask the original owner for the original parts. It's not just the best way to get a bike running like when it was new again, it also may become necessary if the motorcycle ever needs to pass emission standards testing or inspection. 2005 is a new enough model it actually comes under federal EPA vehicle laws that make it illegal to default pollution control devices on a motor vehicle intended for street use, the original exhaust may be considered part of that emission control equipment unless the aftermarket exhaust bears compliance markings.

The carburetor on that bike is a CV (constant vacuum) type carburetor which is the most complex form of carburetor ever devised, it contains as many as 5 fuel circuits including the mechanical fuel pump that is on there to stop it from back-firing on deceleration. CV carburetors found application on street motorcycles strictly for the purpose of meeting the emission requirements of the time, not because of performance or cost considerations. CV carburetors are also all but extinct on current motorcycles and that technology is being eclipsed by fuel injection, which better meets todays even higher pollution control requirements as well as performing much better, particularly if the motorcycle is used seasonally and stored for periods of time long enough to have old fuel evaporating inside the carburetor float bowl chambers, which fuel injection systems do not have.

The CV carburetor attempts to make the motor run as lean as possible in order to reduce fuel consumption and the additional resulting emissions associated with unburnt fuel. Putting a 'performance' or freer breathing exhaust on the motorcycle makes the already lean operating condition even more lean, so the bike probably will run poorly or not at all if the carburation was not altered at that same time as the exhaust. On a great many CV carburetors the low speed jet will be sealed to prevent adjusting which is considered tampering with the emission compliance. That seal is often removed on bikes that have been fitted with modified exhausts and that would be your first indication that the jetting has been altered.

To the question: "Is it likely to have some sort of engine damage if the carb has not been rejetted?" It is likely to run extremely lean or not at all if the carb was not adjusted to compensate for a change in the exhaust system. Extremely lean operating conditions will make an engine run very hot which can potentially be harmful to the exhaust valves, piston and spark plug, which is why previous posters suggested you should read the plugs. That is a good place to start and a compression test will tell you even more.

Good luck with your motorcycle
and make sure your next motorcycle purchase comes equipped with a computer controlled fuel injection system.

 

[ddb123]

Wow, that's a lot of good information!

My state does not test vehicle emissions, so no sweat there.

My last bike was FI and it was great, but I don't want to spend more than about $3,500 on a bike this time and I haven't found anything I like with FI. And I really like Road Stars.

This bike is a one-owner bike and he actually does still own every original part and it is all listed together with the bike.

And finally, he went through his records (the exhaust was done by the dealer), and it was in fact rejetted!

 

[Trials]

Wow, that's a lot of good information!

My state does not test vehicle emissions, so no sweat there.

My last bike was FI and it was great, but I don't want to spend more than about $3,500 on a bike this time and I haven't found anything I like with FI. And I really like Road Stars.

This bike is a one-owner bike and he actually does still own every original part and it is all listed together with the bike.

And finally, he went through his records (the exhaust was done by the dealer), and it was in fact rejetted!

:thumbsup: get him to throw in the original parts, "My state does not test vehicle emissions" <- yet.
Times change and if your exhaust is not emissions compliant a federal law has already been broken. Far better if the original parts are hanging on your garage wall instead of his. If the bike is to ever be restored to original by your grandchildren, they will appreciate having those bits.

An OEM CB750 four pipe exhaust system currently sells for more money then the bike originally list priced for. If you can find one.

 

[ddb123]

I didn't word it clearly, but the bike is for sale with all the original parts included and a few helmets to boot.

 

[Trials]

No, my mistake, you worded it correctly I read more into it, sounds like a good deal and a reasonable seller. Hope it works out well for you, motorcycles are great fun.

 

[Garandman]

I didn't word it clearly, but the bike is for sale with all the original parts included and a few helmets to boot.

That can be a good sign. I bought a two year old V-Strom with 93 miles on it. The guy dropped it one of the first times he rode it, then put it in his garage. His price was kind of high because he'd financed it to the hilt, so he threw in a barely worn Shoei full face and some parts and accessories.

 

[Zerk]

His price was kind of high because he'd financed it to the hilt,.

Should not have anything to do with what the bike is worth. If he has to come with cash it is his problem.

Personally I would not buy a 2 year old vehicles with 93 miles on it, unless you got a warranty.

 

[Garandman]

Should not have anything to do with what the bike is worth. If he has to come with cash it is his problem.

Personally I would not buy a 2 year old vehicles with 93 miles on it, unless you got a warranty.

There wasn't a new one available at a dealer within 200 miles.

I bought it for $5,000 with $500 worth of riding gear that fit my wife. I sold it two years later for $4,500 with 20,000 miles on it. It was replaced with a 2009 that had ABS brakes and I put 20,000 miles on that one as well. Terrific all-around bike.

 

[arrow]

Models have changed very little??? I think that would be big news to Harley!

Maybe the "names" are the same, but that's it...

There has been a pile of changes in the last 10 15 years to the big twins......in the motors, trannys and electronics! They may look the same, but they aren't.

Personally I think 25K is quite a few miles on a big twin, but that doesn't mean one won't go a lot longer...

SR

This is true about longevity. I have a buddy with a Yamaha V-Star 1100 who has 135,000 miles on this shaft drive bike. Has been cross country over a dozen times with it and no, he isn't married. Went with him twice and that was enough.