Motorcycle Advice

[RobertN]

As much as want to say "YES!", I think you may be off base.

My beloved Harley's have tons of off shore content. Forks, electronics, shocks. Take the foriegn content out and you will have a pile of parts on the floor.

The larger Metric bikes have been made here for years. There was a time when the Kawi Vulcans had more US content than Harleys. Not sure that is still the case, but guessing it is still close.

It is kind of like buying a John Deere or New Holland. Major Yanmar and Shibura content, although the JD compacts have more US content in the last few years.

Buy AMERICAN :thumbsup: We send far too much money off shore as it is..

 

[Dozernut]

Here is what you need Eddie STRANGE JOHN DEERE TRIKE / BIKE / MACHINE/ SOMETHING? W/ PRODUCT MODELS a real chick magnet and a John Deere to boot!

I will catch some gruff from this but it sounds like you could use a scooter. No not one of the little 50cc Chinese scooters but a touring scooter, a Honda Silverwing, Suzuki Burgman or a Yamaha Majesty. The Honda is a 600cc the Suzuki a 650 or a 400cc and the Yamaha at 400cc. They have a ton of under seat storage, add a top case and you can haul a lot of stuff. They are fairly fuel efficient, the 400's get about 70 mpg the 600 get about 50 mpg. All of them will handle two-up with no problem. They have fairings and windshields, are a comfortable ride and will handle the twisties pretty good. There are forums on all the makes listed just do a google search for them. If this is not your style and you crave power the others have listed some real good bikes.

None of them could hold a candle to my first bike, a used Benelli 175cc Enduro sold by Montgomery & Ward. I saved up my money and bought the beauty when I was 18. The beast had two sprockets, one for offroading and one for the street. The kick starter broke and I was unable to find another so you had to push it at a run then jump on and pop the clutch to get it started. The Beast also had a tendency to miss a gear once in a while, usually at the most inopportune times IE: taking a leisurely ride through the country when a Saint Bernard rushes out and decides you would make a nice chew toy, I finally got it in gear with a couple of inches to spare from his teeth in my leg. My method of starting the Beast did little to impress the girls so it was with great reluctance (not) that I swapped the Beast off for a 305 Honda Dream that was a basket case but that is another story, good luck with your decision.

 

[Reg]

Buy AMERICAN :thumbsup: We send far too much money off shore as it is..

Is there one ?

 

[charlz]

One thing that really has me baffled is how much power do I need? and why?

Bigger displacement generally = more drivability (faster acceleration, pulls hills better, generally heavier bike so the wind doesn't push you around as much etc.)

Dual-sport, what some are referring to as Enduro, might be good if you are thinking of riding it around on your place or on dirt roads/trails. These are going to be a lot cheaper than a Harley but can still run you into town etc. Basically a dirtbike with Highway Approved tires. You can also go SuperMoto which is dirtbike with actual street tires.... not so good in the dirt but supposed to be a lot of fun.

The motorcycle safety course that you can take here in lieu of the motorcycle driving exam has a couple of different types of bikes you can use. If you have something like that available locally it might be worth checking out.

 

[Jim2]

Hey Eddie, I love the motorcycles! Picking one out is pretty subjective, though. You can probably look at some and just not even imagine wanting to be around it. Maybe it's too sporty, too frumpy, too heavy--who knows, right? Also, depending on what your intentions are, one bike might work well or might really suck! People buy different bikes for different reasons. . . .

Anyway my advice is to try to avoid the trap where you think this bike is your last bike. Part of the fun of motorcycling is trying a few different ones out and enjoying each for what they have to offer. Buying something that is too big, too heavy, too powerful may intimidate somebody who doesn't have much recent experience. I would recommend a lighter weight bike, or maybe a lower seat height (cruiser) if not lighter weight. You're a fairly big guy, so you probably want something that is not going to be too small, though either. There are lots of nice mid-range size bikes like the Kawasaki 650r or Versys, the Suzuki SV650, Honda Shadows, Kawasaki Vulcan 900s that would probably work out real well.

Generally experienced people recommend *not* buying a new bike or a fully faired bike as your first bike. You will tip it over! Buy something that won't be expensive to repair, too heavy to lift back up, etc.

The bigger bikes aren't really necessary until you're spending hours on the interstate or hauling passengers, etc. Starting out a smaller bike is much easier to gain confidence and learn to ride.

Also, older bikes may be cheaper, or have some other classic allure, but may not be a good choice. Newer bikes generally are lighter, easier to maintain, easier to ride, more reliable, etc. Older bikes have lots of problems with electrics failing, adjusting cam chains, valves, etc. that you just don't have with the same regularity that you see on more modern offerings.

Jim

 

[turbo36]

Eddie, go get yourself a decent full suspension mountain bike, nothing like having the wind in your face due to your own efforts. Also the health benefits are enormous, better physically and mentally after a long ride.

 

[/pine]

I suggest buying a scrambler etc for riding around your place but for on the highway where you don't have omni-control, surround yourself with some armor...the odds are against you...

 

[Frosty2]

Is there one ?

Check this brand out. The Enduro can have lights put on. ATK American made dirtbike. $$$$
ATKUSA

 

[20 20]

Is there one ?

Victory is the only one I know of

 

[RobertN]

Is the Victory any different for % of US parts, besides assembly.

Curious what the figures are now; the info I saw was some years ago.

Victory is the only one I know of

 

[Frosty2]

Last I heard HD's are about 16% non USA made parts. Front end, speedometer, and switches Japan, laced rims Italy. Wiring harness Mexico. I'm sure some of the bolts and fasteners are foriegn also. Assembled in America by union labor. You can say what you'd like but they still hold value years later. Google what George Carlin has to say about Harley Davidson (not for the sensitive or those w/ no sense of humor). Still a great bike but there are many choices out there. Pick wisely.

 

[mustangsallysdad]

I'm sure it's not what you're looking for...but I just had to chime in with my "big old" pride and joy...1992 Springer Softail...bought it new and never looked back.

 

[DK35vince]

The most fun to ride bikes are the do it all machines like the Kawasaki Versys.
You can ride the highways and interstate all day with the cruisers. Great handling, light weight and strong enough to run with the sport bikes in the twisties.
Good suspension so you can also jump on the dirt roads and go.

 

[EddieWalker]

I like the idea of a bike that I can put both feet on the ground, so maybe a cruiser is what I need to look for.

I don't have any brand loyalty, but at this time, there is not a Honda dealer in my area. The closest one that I know of is an hour away.

Buying used and learning how to ride makes sence, and ties into my low investment objective. I'm thinking 2005 model year or newer.

There isn't any desire to go off roading with it. Just drive the streets.

Right now I need a quart of stain. Since I'm cheap, I'm not going to run the 11 miles each way to Lowes to buy it right now, but will wait until tomorrow when I'll be working within a mile of Home Depot. If I had a bike, I just mike go get that quart of stain right now.

Thank you,
Eddie

 

[Dmace]

Here is a real nice looking 2006 Suzuki C50 Boulevard with 10k miles for $4995 right near you. It's a great example of a foreign cruiser. It even has saddle bags which you will learn to LOVE. I once had a small Igloo cooler, leather jacket, a full-face helmet and some gloves all in a pair of soft leather saddle bags on the back of my Harley. They are priceless, especially for those quick trips to the hardware store for a quart of stain. :thumbsup:

Scroll down about 5 bikes after clicking the link.
Select Power Sport - Bikes & Scooters

 

[RobertN]

I wouldn't trade my FXRS... It's 26 years old now and runs/rides great.

You can say what you'd like but they still hold value years later.

 

[EddieWalker]

Here is a real nice looking 2006 Suzuki C50 Boulevard with 10k miles for $4995 right near you. It's a great example of a foreign cruiser. It even has saddle bags which you will learn to LOVE. I once had a small Igloo cooler, leather jacket, a full-face helmet and some gloves all in a pair of soft leather saddle bags on the back of my Harley. They are priceless, especially for those quick trips to the hardware store for a quart of stain. :thumbsup:

Scroll down about 5 bikes after clicking the link.
Select Power Sport - Bikes & Scooters

Thank you. They are right up the street from Lowes in Lindale, and where I'm thinking of going to look at bikes. They seem to be the only used bike dealer in the area that's not a new bike dealer.

Eddie

 

[Reg]

I like the idea of a bike that I can put both feet on the ground, so maybe a cruiser is what I need to look for.

I don't have any brand loyalty, but at this time, there is not a Honda dealer in my area. The closest one that I know of is an hour away.

Buying used and learning how to ride makes sence, and ties into my low investment objective. I'm thinking 2005 model year or newer.

There isn't any desire to go off roading with it. Just drive the streets.

Right now I need a quart of stain. Since I'm cheap, I'm not going to run the 11 miles each way to Lowes to buy it right now, but will wait until tomorrow when I'll be working within a mile of Home Depot. If I had a bike, I just mike go get that quart of stain right now.

Thank you,
Eddie

Funny thing about putting both feet down flat.
After a couple of hours you realize that you don't need to, but by then you also figure out that you are on something that is hopelessly low to the ground, so there is no lean-over clearance and/or your knees are up under your chin.
I think that is why there are so many people riding around on their backs with their feet out in front of them - best explanation I can come up with (-:

Yes to the training course, I would rate handling on dirt as important as the road and traffic instruction.
You WILL drop it, you will skid and slide.
I wish I had started out in the dirt, where bumps and bruises are just part of the fun.
Not saying you can't get seriously hurt in the dirt, but at least there aren't the followup bumps from following Buicks.
B'leeve it or not, there really IS payoff from learning to ride in sand with the front brake locked (-:

 

[arrow]

Funny thing about putting both feet down flat.
After a couple of hours you realize that you don't need to, but by then you also figure out that you are on something that is hopelessly low to the ground, so there is no lean-over clearance and/or your knees are up under your chin.
I think that is why there are so many people riding around on their backs with their feet out in front of them - best explanation I can come up with (-:

QUOTE]

I ride a cruiser with a 26" seat height. There isn't much more twistier a road than the hills of West Virginia. Skyline Drive is another fun spot. Did not scrape the pegs once doing 65mph in the above mentioned area. Guys writing in cycle magazines about low clearance when riding cruisers ride all kinds of bikes and what they just got off of in terms of a race rocket and jump onto a cruiser and try to lean one as they did the sport bike and then complain about the lack of turning ability is meaningless in this context. Drive a cruiser as a cruiser and the low seat height becomes advantageous especially for someone just getting on a bike

 

[EddieWalker]

I was looking at those bikes from the link provided and saw one with 22,000 miles on it. Is that allot for a bike? How many miles is allot?

Thanks,
Eddie