what did Gary Buy???

[GaryM]

I don't see a Snell sticker on that rig. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Gary_in_Indiana]

I don't know where I'm going to mount a lot of things already. Nowadays, you've got radar detectors, GPS systems, MP3 players, cell phones and they all take up a little space.

I never thought I'd live to see the day I'd be mounting satellite positioning electronics, a telephone and a third music source on a motorcycle on top of AM-FM, CD changer and CB radio. That doesn't even include XM satellite radio or the weather radio system. Motorcycling certainly has changed since I started riding.

I've got to admit that each and all of these things can be nice to have and many are really useful when you're touring. I don't want to start a debate on radar detectors (I own one but can't remember the last time I used it) but a lot of folks swear by them. The hands free phone is sure nice. The GPS is really nice on a trip to somewhere unfamiliar and the CB is nice to find out what's going on in the roadway up ahead of you. As to the different music sources, I generally listen to AM when I'm on the road so that's not a big deal to me.

Needless to say, after all of this gets wired up I'm not sure I'll have room for the coffee maker. The six disc CD changer and the CB radio are already in the trunk. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Gary_in_Indiana]

<font color="blue"> I don't believe I'd care to ride just for "endurance". ...I did enjoy riding the bikes instead of driving a car for transportation. </font>

I enjoy riding for tranportation as well. One difference I find when I'm running errands on my bike is I tend to use the 'star pattern' to add to my trips instead of saving miles as I would in my Tahoe. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

As to riding for "endurance," that's not what I'm into, either. I just wanted to do something different on my bike and thought this would be a good way to check out the work I did through the winter. The Saddlesore 1,000 shouln't be that difficult to get through unscathed.

I'm going to try to see about working out some kind of promotional deal to use the ride to raise some money for a local charity. We have a Midwest Baseball League team here and I thought if I could find a weekend when they play back to back home games maybe I could do my start/finish at the stadium here as a pre-game deal. I could do something like collect hats from some of the other minor league teams around here on the ride.

 

[Inspector507]

Gary,
Put some of the electronic gizmos in here

 

[Bird]

Gary, I assume they still have the auto volume on the radio/stereo and the tuner on the handlebar so you can change stations without taking a hand off the handlebar? The Aspencade had one of the best stereos I ever had on a motor vehicle, but I didn't have any of the other stuff you're talking about.

 

[Bird]

Jerry, those look about like the one I had. Mine was plain white in color, 48" x 36" inside the box, and had a bracket on the tongue to hold my 48 quart Igloo ice chest. So when I went to the FBI Academy, I loaded my computer, printer, monitor, and tennis rackets in it along with my clothes and toiletries, and filled the ice chest with cold drinks, snacks, and ice. Great way to travel!

 

[Gary_in_Indiana]

Bird,

I have an old GL1100 (1983) Goldwing I still ride on occasion and the stereo on it is very good. Heck, my 21 year old cassette player still works on that bike, too. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif I'm surprised you didn't have a CB on your bike. My '83 has a factory CB radio that still works fine, too. I still love that old bike. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

I never owned a GL1200 for myself but I do know they had good stereo systems, too. The GL1500's like I think you said you had were really strong on the audio side. I think that was the first one to have the volume automatically increase and decrease with engine rpm so you could set it at idle and still hear it with the same db increase over the engine noise at all rpm levels. That was quite a hot thing when it came out, too.

I guess about the only things that have changed are the cassette decks have been replaced by CD changers. The other stuff like the GPS systems, cell phone hook ups and even MP3 players and satellite radio are pretty much the result of technology that wasn't even around when the GL1500's were introduced.

As I said in an earlier post on this thread, I never would have believed all of the things that have changed on bikes and on motorcycling in general since I started riding at sixteen. It's even harder to imagine what might change in the next thirty-three years I hope to be riding. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Maybe if I get the Saddlesore 1,000 done for my fiftieth birthday I can get a Bun Burner 1,500 in for my sixtieth, the Great Lakes circuit for my seventieth and the Forty Eight plus One for eighty. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

 

[Gary_in_Indiana]

Jerry,

What brand are those? From what I understand the trailers by Bushtec are considered the Cadillacs of motorcycle trailers. I've never pulled a trailer behind a bike but with 1832cc's I don't think I'd have any trouble pulling one if I decide to.

Those look nice and would be really handy if I end up taking some long trips. If I end up taking the SO I'm not sure just one of those would be big enough, though. I wonder what the DOT says about pulling doubles or triples behind a bike? /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Bird]

Gary, my Aspencade was an '85 GL1200 and a lot of folks had the CBs on them, but I didn't. Of course it did have the cassette player and auto volume. It also came without cruise control, but the dealer installed a good cruise control on it. Another thing I really liked was the digital instrument panel. I think I heard that they had some problems with that and went back to analog, but I never had a problem with mine and liked it because it was the easiest to see and read no matter what the ambient light conditions were. Everything else I've ridden had instruments that were either sometimes hard to see clearly or you got a glare at night. The turn signal indicators on my 650 Silver Wing were particularly annoying at night; very bright flashing in your face.

And in '85, Kawasaki had a 1300cc and Suzuki has just come out with a 1400cc engine, and I was reading an article in a motorcycle magazine about the increasing engine sizes, and the author said a Honda representative told him they had no intention of going beyond the 1200cc engine; that their surveys had indicated owners didn't want anything bigger. /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif I guess we all miss our guess at times. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[Inspector507]

Gary,
Try Cycle-Mate .
Here's another brand on the back of a GL1800 Kruzer Trailers .

 

[Henro]

Man! After reading all this about what bikes have today I feel like I should crawl back under a rock or somethin' /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

When I rode...

I didn't have a windshield...

or a radio...

or a face shield for my helmet...

or even a rainsuit!

But I did have my grandpa's old police motorcycle jacket...

My bike sat outside year 'round...

I rode it in the snow and rain...

In winter the seat got hard because the moisture in it froze...

I leared to shake for a while till I got cold thru and thru, then I could stear easily again...after the young body settled down...

I became good at the "rag doll" method of crashing and bouncing along the road without breaking any bones...

I will confess that once I tried using a transistor radio and earphone...but the ignition noise trashed the signal so bad it was useless... /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

I didn't have a car at all...not until I was married and turned 25...

Man I gotta thank you guys for bringing back all these fond memories!

 

[Gary_in_Indiana]

Bird,

I had to smile about the increasing engine sizes line. Here Honda's current big bike is 1832cc's and I think Yamaha (maybe Kawasaki) has something around 2000cc's for their 2004 bike. In the spring Triumph will begin shipping their new cruiser (not even a touring bike) powered by a 2296cc three cylinder power plant. At this rate I wouldn't be surpised if my GL1800 was replaced by a GL2500 in '05 or '06. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

I remember thinking years back that 1000cc's was a HUGE bike. Now I wouldn't even want to tour on a bike that small. To be fair, I'm a little bigger than I was when the 1000's were the big bikes, but I'm NOT 80% bigger. And I'm absolutely not triple the size I was when I had a Triumph Bonneville 750, either. /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

There are so many things like the increasing power on bikes, though. I actually remember standing in the computer store when I bought my first PC and uttering the words, "Why would anyone ever need a hard drive?" and that was a lot more recent than when I had the Triumphs or my first Goldwing. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

The nice thing with the bikes is that while they've certainly gotten bigger and more powerful, they've actually gotten a lot better, too. I'm not talking about just things like on board global positioning systems and MP3 players, either. The handling on the new Goldwing is very much akin to a sport bike. The balance is phenominal. Not only can a professional ride actually scrape an engine guard in a high speed turn, but an old guy like me can drag his pegs or floorboards at a very moderate speed and be in full control all the way through.

While I'll freely admit I have no intention of testing the top end on my 1800 (variously reported as in the 130's stock and the low 140's with different exhaust and a couple other minor changes), I do like the idea of being able to have all the power I'll ever want when I need to get around someone on a two lane road.

The "go" is only one part of the equation. I've always wanted a good "whoa" on a bike, too. The Goldwing now actually has an automated braking system (ABS) on the 1800's. The ability to brake and steer effectively at the same time is a huge improvement in motorcycling. I think it's probably even more of a plus here than with cars and trucks, though I like it with those, too. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Golfgar4]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( I remember thinking years back that 1000cc's was a HUGE bike. )</font>

Gary,

I couldn't resist finally making a reply to all this talk about motorcycles.

You see, I rode a bike in high school and college, until one day a fellow in a nice new shiny car decided to turn directly in front of me. No details - let's just say that I've never had the urge to ride since then. /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

Anyway, here's my comment.

You mention that you remember when 1000 cc's were considered a HUGE bike? Well, I remember standing in the parking lot of our high school when I was a senior and I was talking with the other guys that rode "bikes". Our bikes at that time (late 60's) consisted of Honda 50's, 65's, and my really big 90! /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

Anyway, we were standing there when this guy rides in on a Honda 300 Dream - remember those?? /forums/images/graemlins/ooo.gif Our commnets were something along the lines of..."Why would anyone need a bike that large?" And..."Only a hoodlum (for you younger fellows, that means a gang banger!!) would ride that kind of bike!"

So I had to laugh when you said you remember thinking 1000 cc's were big! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Bird]

Gary, I didn't even know they were coming out with engines of the sizes you mentioned. I bought one of my daughters a 50cc scooter when she was 15, and for myself, I've had 250cc, 305cc, 400cc, 650cc, 800cc, and 1200cc. But I guess in addition to engine size, I'd be concerned about the weight. A big, heavy bike like that 1200cc was definitely the best ride, and I never crashed it, but did let it lay over on its side 3 times, and it was just about all I could do to lift it back onto its wheels; figured about another 5 pounds and I'd have needed help. /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif So when Honda first came out with one bigger than 1200 (1500cc, wasn't it, with electric reverse?), I think it was 100 pounds heavier than my Aspencade.

Incidentally, when I was a young cop on the streets, and the police department was using Harleys, more than once I've heard a motor jockey call another jockey on the radio to come help him set his bike back up. /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif At one time, I had a partner who was 6' 5" and a former motorcycle officer and he told me when you let it fall over in the garage, you had to have help to set it up, but when you let it fall on the street, you're so embarrassed you can grab it, jerk it upright, and take off. /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

And of course, I've seen the method done where you get the engine running, put it in gear laying on its side, then rock it up onto the wheels with the front wheel turned left (if it's on its left side), and when the spinning rear wheel hits the ground, it'll jump right up; don't think I'd ever have the nerve to do it myself though.

 

[MossRoad]

Bird,
My rule for bikes was I'd never ride one that I couldn't pick up if it fell over. /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

How many folks remember when the tax on imported bikes over 700CCs went into effect. Wasn't this some sort of measure to help save Harley Davidson? Is that true? Is it still in effect?

 

[Bird]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( How many folks remember when the tax on imported bikes over 700CCs went into effect.)</font>

I sure do remember because it cost me when I bought the Aspencade.

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Wasn't this some sort of measure to help save Harley Davidson? Is that true?)</font>

Yes, it was, just one of several reasons I would never buy a Harley product.

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Is it still in effect?)</font>

It's my understanding (can't say for sure) that it is not; that it was repealed after Harley got back on their feet and bought the Holiday Rambler Corporation.

 

[Gary_in_Indiana]

Bird,

You were right about the GL 1500 with reverse following the GL1200 in the line. My GL1800 totally stock weighs 880 lbs. 'wet' and ready to ride. It doesn't take a whole lot of accessories to get that up to half a ton, really. Admittedly, quite a lot of bike to handle.

I had to laugh out loud when I read about the difference in the methods for righting a bike in the garage and on the street. I can relate to that adrenaline rush that allows you to pick on up to avoid embarrassment. I only had that experience once and it worked just that way. Other times I had to use the proper method for lifting a downed Wing. It's not nearly as macho but one heck of a lot easier and it doesn't involve starting the bike, either. I've seen gals barely over 5' tall in their sixties do it with a loaded wing, full trunk and saddlebags. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[Gary_in_Indiana]

Golfgar,

The first bikes I saw up close and personal were Honda Trail 50's and one guy in the neighborhood had a Honda Trail 90. Then I think someone broke the 100cc barrier with maybe a 110 (I don't think it was anything so large as a 150). /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

This was all before I was old enough to ride a bike, though. By the time that happened (and probably for a while before that) something like a 50cc or 100cc bike wasn't a viable option. At sixteen years old I was 6'-6 or 6'-7 and probably 235 lb. so I needed a bigger bike. I went with a Triumph Bonneville 650 (later went to the Bonneville 750). I think it was leftover from that 'British Invasion' thing. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

I'd always like the Honda product from seeing the early 50's, etc., but the Triumph was here first so I grabbed one. When I got my first look at the 1000cc Goldwing (no fairing, no windshield, no trunk, no saddlebags), I was sold. I've been a fan of them ever since. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

And, BTW, all it took to be called a 'hoodlum' around here was a leather jacket and a pack of cigarettes. The gang bangers of today are a whole different breed. /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

 

[Golfgar4]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( And, BTW, all it took to be called a 'hoodlum' around here was a leather jacket and a pack of cigarettes. The gang bangers of today are a whole different breed. )</font>

I hear that! /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

I rode a Triumph 250 when I was in college until I had my 'encounter". That was really fun, considering that it was my only transportation and I was going to school in Madison, WISCONSIN!! /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Gary_in_Indiana]

Moss,

You probably already read this, but if you do it the right way, you'd have no problem picking up a downed GL1800 Goldwing. I've seen people do it you'd never believe would stand a chance of pulling one up. The correct method is to turn your back to it, squat down with your lower back against the seat, grab hold of the bars, lean back, push with your legs and she'll come right up for you.

If you're down on the right side it's easier because you lower your kickstand before you start and can take the bike right over to the stand. If it's on the left side you need to get it almost straight, lower the kickstand and then let it back on that. Either way, it's doable so now all you need to do is go get yourself one. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif