Motorcycles

[herbicide]

Here's my ideal motorcycle:

Both are 500 cc bikes and will do everything the other bikes will, with judicious riding. Unfortunately, the American wannabe alpha male need umpteen bajillion horsepower to drive our 200 miles a year at 35 mph. Hopefully late at night with straight pipes so the a-hole effect is compleat.

Except go on a cross country trip via interstate travel, give a comfortable ride on bumpy highway and city streets, or not struggle on mountainous roads.

I wouldn't take a 500cc more than a mile or two down an interstate, not to mention if they are loaded down. That is why the Harley's, BMW's and Goldwing's have the motors they do in them.

 

[Phaedrus]

Except go on a cross country trip via interstate travel, give a comfortable ride on bumpy highway and city streets, or not struggle on mountainous roads.

I wouldn't take a 500cc more than a mile or two down an interstate, not to mention if they are loaded down. That is why the Harley's, BMW's and Goldwing's have the motors they do in them.

You could always get a car.

Seriously, the typical American male doesn't "need" the ton of iron they ride. They justify just about anything to replace their perceived insufficiencies.

But everyone has their choices. And my choice is to point out the weakness in the I "need" a 1300 cc + bike.

Of course, some of the riders out there need a semi-truck to haul their body weight.

 

[herbicide]

You could always get a car.

Seriously, the typical American male doesn't "need" the ton of iron they ride. They justify just about anything to replace their perceived insufficiencies.

But everyone has their choices. And my choice is to point out the weakness in the I "need" a 1300 cc + bike.

Of course, some of the riders out there need a semi-truck to haul their body weight.

The bikes I point out would likely get beat in a drag race with one of your bikes shown.

My point is that not just the size of motor, there are things like frame, size (I am 6'4") and other considerations that require larger motors. I don't think a 500cc motor would hit 55mph if stuck in the frame of a touring bike.

Nobody needs a motorcycle.

 

[alaskaguy]

Nobody needs a motorcycle.

Most of the things in life that are really fun aren't requirements.

 

[CycloneDaddy]

Get a real mans bike

BRP Can-Am Spyder Roadster

 

[herbicide]

Most of the things in life that are really fun aren't requirements.

This.

 

[dmclone]

They could also build a corvette with a 100 horsepower 4cyl but who would want it?

 

[redrocker]

You could always get a car.

Seriously, the typical American male doesn't "need" the ton of iron they ride. They justify just about anything to replace their perceived insufficiencies.

But everyone has their choices. And my choice is to point out the weakness in the I "need" a 1300 cc + bike.

Of course, some of the riders out there need a semi-truck to haul their body weight.

Can we bring back the negative rep :wink:

 

[Cyclonesrule91]

Nice paint job.

Honda Shadow Sabre 1100cc? Can anyone give me any upsides/downsides to this? Not a bad bike here.

Those VTX's are nice too.

The 1,100 cc Honda Sabre, also called the V65 is not a motor for a beginner. The V65 engine also comes on the Magna's and they are a lot to leash for a beginner. They also make a V45, which is a 750cc and a V30 which is a 500 for the Magna name. You want something with a low center of gravity and these would be good without being too much. Look for a late 80's early 90's V30 or V45.

Yamaha Virago's would be another option, but I would stay away from Harley's till you have decided you like to ride. HD under 5K are either the old ones that are maintenance hogs or they are not in the best of shape. I know you said no to sports bikes but a Ninja 250 would be a good bike to learn on too possibly.

 

[Cyclonesrule91]

The bikes I point out would likely get beat in a drag race with one of your bikes shown.

My point is that not just the size of motor, there are things like frame, size (I am 6'4") and other considerations that require larger motors. I don't think a 500cc motor would hit 55mph if stuck in the frame of a touring bike.

Nobody needs a motorcycle.

You haven't rode many 500's have you. I'm 6'3 and have rode a lot of 500's and up that have no problem cruising at 70 mph on the interstate.

I love my motorcycle. I've had cruisers, sports bikes, but I have always been a dirt bike rider going back to when I was 10. Picked this gem up this spring, but it isn't a beginner bike either......Honda XR650L

 

[CRLCy]

I'd suggest a Yamaha, i've had two and had no problems whatsoever with them. If you want to ride on highway, and u are looking for a cruiser, make sure it's at least a 650cc, it should have the weight that will allow you not to feel like the wind is blowing you off the bike.

Highly recommend either a 650 or 1100 VStar or Virago (used or new, they are reasonable and loaded)... check out the new 950 though...

Harley's are great, but - highly over-priced. You are paying for the name, not the performance.

 

[Cyclonesrule91]

I've owned a cruiser before and sold it after 6 months. It just wasn't for me. It felt like I was riding a sofa.

If the money is there, next year I may have to buy one of these to replace it.

Nice looking bike you have DMClone and I'm with you on liking those Ducati's too. If I had some money to blow it would be on this one.....

 

[herbicide]

You haven't rode many 500's have you. I'm 6'3 and have rode a lot of 500's and up that have no problem cruising at 70 mph on the interstate.

I love my motorcycle. I've had cruisers, sports bikes, but I have always been a dirt bike rider going back to when I was 10. Picked this gem up this spring, but it isn't a beginner bike either......Honda XR650L

I've rode about everything under the sun at one point or another. I started out on dirtbikes too, an old Kawi 90 was my first ride. CR125's, CR250's, even a CR500 (2 stroke death machine):biggrin:. That CR500 could toss you off the back in any gear at about any speed.

I wouldn't take those British style bikes on a cross country trip, period. Try going 70mph across I-90 in South Dakota, or just about any interstate in the West/Southwest. You'll get ran over.

The British style bikes (singles and small twins) are not cut out for long trips. The seating position is uncomfortable, and the power while adequate is not right for hauling more than one person, especially if loaded with gear.

To me a true, safe (yes, safe!) cross country bike should be able to go above 85mph, giving it adequate power reserve to pass. It should be able to cruise at 80mph or better, loaded down.

 

[herbicide]

I'd suggest a Yamaha, i've had two and had no problems whatsoever with them. If you want to ride on highway, and u are looking for a cruiser, make sure it's at least a 650cc, it should have the weight that will allow you not to feel like the wind is blowing you off the bike.

Highly recommend either a 650 or 1100 VStar or Virago (used or new, they are reasonable and loaded)... check out the new 950 though...

Harley's are great, but - highly over-priced. You are paying for the name, not the performance.

As a convert from metric bikes, I partially agree. Power and speed wise, yes. Comfort, no.

The true touring bikes from Harley are unmatched this side of Goldwings and the big BMW cruisers.

 

[CRLCy]

herbicide - I'll agree..

 

[Cyclonesrule91]

I've rode about everything under the sun at one point or another. I started out on dirtbikes too, an old Kawi 90 was my first ride. CR125's, CR250's, even a CR500 (2 stroke death machine):biggrin:. That CR500 could toss you off the back in any gear at about any speed.

I wouldn't take those British style bikes on a cross country trip, period. Try going 70mph across I-90 in South Dakota, or just about any interstate in the West/Southwest. You'll get ran over.

The British style bikes (singles and small twins) are not cut out for long trips. The seating position is uncomfortable, and the power while adequate is not right for hauling more than one person, especially if loaded with gear.

To me a true, safe (yes, safe!) cross country bike should be able to go above 85mph, giving it adequate power reserve to pass. It should be able to cruise at 80mph or better, loaded down.

CR500, YZ490 were 2 of the scariest bikes all the while being the funnest bikes I have ridden. Putting a motor with the power band the two strokes are known for with that many cc's on a 180 lb frame is insane. Wish I still had them.

We definitely agree for the most part. Although I didn't make it too clear in my first post questioning the 500cc bike, I was meaning to say that the lighter more agile 500cc would be a better bike for someone to get used to riding motorcycles again and that his focus shouldn't be going 70 mph and faster on the interstate while doing that. Then I got to typing about my XR650 "pig" and lost focus.:wink:

 

[mfelske]

Nice paint job.

Honda Shadow Sabre 1100cc? Can anyone give me any upsides/downsides to this? Not a bad bike here.

Those VTX's are nice too.

I have one and love it. Runs great and looks sharp. The only drawback is I get a ton of noise over 45 mph. I put a windshield on and it went away.

 

[cychhosis]

How 'bout a 750 Norton Commando?

 

[mfelske]

And I don't think the Sabre is too much bike for a beginner. It has a low center of gravity. I can pick it up by myself with no problem (don't ask how I know). It's got plenty of power, but like anything you just need to be aware of your limitations and not go past them. If you can find one with the flames, they look freakin' awesome.

 

[bos]

Is getting your license a *****? Im not a great test taker. There is a community college here that serves up a class for cheap. I thought about taking that. Apparently if you pass the class, you get your license automatically.

Speaking of automatic...are these types of bikes out of the question?