• We welcome content that is not political, divisive, or offensive. If we feel your content leans this way or has the potential to, it may be removed at any time. A hot pepper forum is not the place for such content. Thank you for respecting the community!

Time for some more advice

patrick

patrick

This time on motorcycles. Got a wild hair and stopped into my local Harley Davidson shop recently. They had to drag me out at closing time. Did a bit of online looking and have come to the realization that I would really like to start riding again. Been a few years due to health issues. All of my experience is with speed, Kawasaki ZX-10 and 11, the old Suzuki 1100 Katana, I'm old now and want a cruiser. Not for long hauls across country, back wouldn't hold up but for day trips within a couple of hundred miles and for a local commuter.

I have fallen in lust with the 2012 HD Night Rod Special VRSC. Fortunately they don't have one at my local shop or I would have glued myself to it. I've read every review I can find but would really like to talk with someone who has experience riding one or one like it. Anyone able to help or if you've ridden something that you think would be perfect for what I'm wanting one for I would appreciate any advice you can provide. Please don't suggest any of the faster than all get out Japanese bikes, that part of my life is over. I'm also not looking for a two wheeled "car" aka Honda Gold Wing or similar bikes. Some of the Victory bikes look real nice but I know absolutely nothing about them. Again, if you have the experience I would love to hear what you have to say.

Thanks to all.

Oh, here's what the HD Night Rod Special looks like: http://www.harley-da...od-special.html
 
When I lived in the big dry ditch of Las Vegas I almost bought my boss's HD bagger, a Road King. Then I thought about why he was selling. He couldn't ride it anymore due to back pain from an old bike injury. My other boss was also selling his wide glide for the exact same reason. While in Vegas I witnessed first hand several motorcycle accidents, some fatal. When I moved back to Texas last year I had an itch for a used Beemer R9 and also for one of the new Triumphs. Then I turned on the 6' o'clock news. Seems every day there is a new fatality on a motor bike. For now I have given up any thoughts about buying another scoot.

I don't think you can go wrong with Harley and they hold their value well, same with BMW. The Triumph's to me are more for shorter cruising. I don't care much for the Japanese scoots, same for the Victory which to me is just a Harley clone. Might as well buy the real deal.
 
I am as far from a Harley guy as you could possibly find to talk to about motorcycles. With that said, if I ever HAD to get a NEW Harley, it would be a V-rod. Good choice in my eyes.
 
Although I personally have never owned a motorcycle, my ex did while we were dating and then married, until the kids came along and he needed something more practical. I was a frequent ride-along though, both with him and with former dates, so I do have some perspective. My ex was a big guy, built like a linebacker, and he had a Honda Goldwing. Former dates had others with smaller profiles.

It seems that the vast majority of motorcycle accidents happen for one of two reasons:
A) The motorcyclist isn't considering car traffic or is behaving like a kid, doing things like zigging in and out between cars, or
B) The car drivers don't see the motorcyclist because the profile of the motorcycle is too small.
Sounds like you're past doing A), so I'll ignore that aspect. But B) is actually probably the greater reason for fatalities of the two. So while you're not enchanted with the idea of a two-wheel "car", that's technically the best ride to get as far as safety is concerned, since it increases your visibility to car drivers.

That aside, I'm pretty sure I'll buy a motorcycle when I finally move South again, and am really curious to see what I can come up with at that time. Best to you in your search!
 
Have you ridden the new Yamaha V-Max? It's insane. Even the old one was insane. Makes all the right sounds and very low maintenance (my old 'Max only needed valve adjustments every ~25,000 miles).

This is an odd one, but after a decade of superfast bikes ('04 Hayabusa was probably the fastest), my favorite all 'round ride was a 2009 R1200GS. Yes, I know it looks funny and doesn't win any categories in a single performace aspect, but it did everything incredibly well. I took long trips with the aluminum panniers, took it off-road, even single-tracking, went through cities with it. Pretty much did everything there was to do on a motorcycle. With a Sargent seat, heated grips and ABS it was awfully comfortable and safe too. Yes, it sounds like a high-powered blender with its boxer twin, but huge torque (85 ft-lbs) even at low rpm and quite nice top end rush (105 hp).

If you haven't tried one out I recommend you at least take one for a test ride. It's the only bike I've ever owned that I enjoyed more the longer I owned it. Eventually sold it not too long ago with ~45,000 miles. In that time I only changed the oil and one day the fuel gauge quit working but it was replaced under warranty at no cost to me.

Insurance is incredibly low on GS's as well.

Good luck!
 
Thanks everyone.

TB my first duty station was Nellis in Vegas. After riding my bike for a year I couldn't take the stress of riding in traffic anymore. The people there are/were totally blind to bikes. I was 24 years old, been riding for 14+ years and those people made me sell that bike. Took me several years to try again.

On the way home from the HD shop yesterday, yep out drooling again, my son and I witnessed one of the most asinine, stupidest things I've ever seen in my life. Some kid on a large Ninja in the lane next to me and about 10 feet ahead of me actually stood up on the foot pegs, and stretched. Neither hand was touching the handlebars. Picture yourself standing up and stretching with your arms over your head and that's what this kid was doing on a motorcycle while going 40 mph in traffic. I wanted to pull him over and beat him. Unbelievable.

Thanks millman, always knew you had good taste.

FarmerGuy I never rode the Vmax but I tried to run with one in 1987. I had a '79 Kawasaki LTD1000. Needless to say all I saw was the hind end of the guy as he pulled away. The engine on that monster is almost the same size as the new HD 103ci engine. The HD puts out about 75 horsepower, the VMax puts out 175hp. Crazy stuff. If I was young and bulletproof again the Yamaha would be on the short list. Thanks for the info.

After spending some time on several different bikes I've taken a liking to the new HD Dyna Wide Glide. This isn't going to be as easy as I thought.

Again thanks to all of you for your advice and opinions.
 
patrick get your bike i cant tell you what to ride im not sure on your size or stlye of cruising! but if you wanting to ride and glide do it up,have fun bro. cant wait to see pics of that bike! if seen a couple of the new models,very nice bikes....
 
I hate HD and cruisers for that mater. But i say test ride a.few. find one you are comfy on and feels good. I rode a HD once and could not stand the obnoxious exhaust and the vibration. If i had to suggest one to you. Get a yamaha FZ-1. Its a sport tourer handle bars are more relaxed suspenson is softer but is nimble lile a sport bike. I ride a gsxr 600 and the Fz-1 was like riding a beach cruise. Just my2 cents it my uncle is 65 and has a FZ-1 he bought a HD and returned it for the.yamaha
 
Loving the advice gang thank you.

sicman I do like your style. AJ I wish you would have expressed an opinion. Always like to know what my elders are thinking. ;)

OK back in the HD store today. Come to the conclusion the VRod Night Rod doesn't fit well. That almost broke my heart. I really like the looks of that monster. Tried on the Dyna Wide Glide again but there's a problem with my large frame, 6'4" 325lbs not fitting right in the seat. They're going to change the seats on it for me and I'll give that a go on Saturday. I've made up my mind if I do this it will be a Harley. Nothing wrong with any of the others mentioned.
 
Patrick...I did originally express my opinion, but removed it...

I used to ride many many years ago but soon learned you have no protection...it's not you that causes the problems, it's the other folks....and the fact that I took care of the body of a boy that had crashed thru a 3' thick brick wall in Charleston, SC...he was running ~90 mph then a 90 degree left came and he didn't make the turn...yup...DOA...I can still hear the sucking sound when I pulled his helmet off...his head was jello...

If you wanna ride...that's cool...it's just not for me....I don't heal as quickly as I once did...
 
Thanks AJ. I had a feeling what you wrote wasn't something I was going to enjoy. I thank you for taking the time to post it. I have lost a friend and a friend of a friend in motorcycle accidents. I

I know they're is a risk with riding and have chosen to accept it. There is risk in all we do anymore. I'm not rebelling against anything, I hope, and I've already had my midlife crisis a few years ago, That was a Porsche 928S that I paid many years for. Looking back it was almost worth it. ;) My youngest son leaves the nest this fall to head off to college so it's just going to be me, my hedge hog and the 150 or so tarantulas. Can't sit in front of the computer and get fatter for the next 58 years so why not spend some of it with the wind in my face and bugs in my teeth. Ha!

Willard I was aware of that. Thought it was very cool that the HD folks had gotten with the Porsche folks to amp up the V twin. It's a high maintenance beast for now. There is a 10,000 scheduled maintenance that basically tears the engine all the way down and rebuild its. That was the final stake in the heart for not choosing the Night Rod.

More to come....
 
So today I announce the arrival of my newest baby, the 2012 Harley Davidson Dyna Wide Glide or FXDWG 103.

DSC019651800x1350.jpg
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top