The Motorcycle Discussion Thread
 

I figure there are some motorcycle guys/gals on CP, so I thought we could have a place to talk all things Motorcycles.

Tire Mount and Balance Prices (as of 10/29/16)

Prices based on if you remove the wheels yourself and bring the wheels and new tires with you:

Cycle Gear - $35 per wheel if you buy tires from them. $58 per wheel if you buy tires elsewhere
Rawhide - $65 per wheel (assuming it would be the same at other HD dealers. they book it at 1/2 hr per wheel)
C R Cycle Tires (DeSoto) - $30 per wheel

Cheapest I've found my Michelin Commander II's. Seem like they have good prices on other brands too.
http://www.jakewilson.com - Free 3 day shipping on orders over $75

I had a 2001 ZX6R that had an untimely death in 2003 where I had a little 50MPH lowside. Bike down the reveen on Blue River road. I was wearing full gear (pants, boots, jacket, gloves, helmet) and only suffered a broken hand and a bruised rib.

I then took a hiatus from sport bikes and grabbed a Vstar 650 Custom for $3k. Rode it for a few years and sold it for….$3k! woot!

The sport bike bug bit me again and I picked up a Honda 600RR in 2008; sold her in 2011 after a lot of love and fun, and one track day.

Now the bike itch has come back. I’m nearly certain I’m finally going to stay focused and buy a Ducati. 90% a Monster. I’ve always been a fan; from the 620 to now. I test road the newer 1100 and 696 monsters about 2 years ago – wow. So much fun. 1100 has a LOT of torque. Probably more than I need on the street. Love that they came out with a 796 model, and they decided to go with the single sided swing arm.
http://images.motorcycle-usa.com/Pho...ster796-17.jpg

I’m hopeful to pick one up either this year or next. My price range, and fun factor has me pointed primarily at the S2R800. And most 2V Ducs for that matter.

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b1...r/DSC00305.jpg

Though my heart still loves the 620/690s.

2010 Streetglide. I have had a few Nightrains and a Big Dog Mastiff.

Streetglide would be the HD I'd get if I ever got a HD.
They have the pefect blend of style. The hardbags and fairing on the tree do it for me.

My next bike will be an Ultra Classic that I can strip down to look like a Streetglide, but still have the tour pak to put on for long trips.

Behold - the desmodromic valve actuation.
One of the Ducati myths of constant 'valve adjustments'. After broken in, and assuming not full on racing the bike, the valves should remain in tolerance.
Another reason for my opting for a 2V instead of a 4V. 2V would be easier to do the valve checks, and rather than buying a set of shims, I'd just buy the ones I needed. Saves $$$ from taking it to the dealer. Tons.
http://www.southbayriders.com/forums...hments/226274/

I have a 425 horse Turbo 2011 Hayabusa.

https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphot...67257694_n.jpg

This year I've added Ohlins front and back and Brembo's.
https://fbcdn-sphotos-c-a.akamaihd.n...85820642_n.jpg

I've had her to multiple track days, but not at this high of HP. I was slow as could be at 325. I did buy and restore a nice zx9r (first true 10 second bike) for my track callings:

https://fbcdn-sphotos-d-a.akamaihd.n...97168616_o.jpg

Just got my M endorsement last fall with plans to get a motorcycle, and then went and knocked up the wife and had to put those plans on hold to try to get a new house for an extra bedroom.

I was looking a lot at bikes to figure out what I wanted, and always loved the looks of the nightrod, but really don't know that much about them. A guy at work that knows bikes well told me that if I got a HD...even if I wanted to don't get a sportster. Said they are too light and I'd just want something else right away.

Since HD was likely out of the budget I also thought about buying a buddies Boulevard for 3k after he upgraded to a new Victory, but didn't pull the trigger at the time and found out we were having the kid a short time later. Regrets :)

I'm thinking of getting one of these, so I can do the hand wavy thing with other motorcycle owners:

http://powersports.honda.com/2014/forza.aspx

Crash - I take it you're familiar with Smither's :thumb:

As long as it's 2 wheels you're good. :thumb:

05 fatboy

All just depends on what kind of riding you want to do. Long hauls? City/cruise?, Ride Two Up? etc. Personally, I love the Sporters Bobbed out. I think PR_Capone has one that is basically exctly what I'd like.

My $.02 is to get a metric as your first. Hate to drop coin on a HD only to drop it in a parking lot, or crash it. You can get a great metric in the 650-750cc range that will do everything you'd want for very cheap. That Boulvard sounds like a good option (C50?). Learn on it, put some serious miles on it, then turn around and sell it. I rode all over with my wife two-up on my 650 just fine. Only wished it had a taller 5th gear or 6th, but other than that, did everything I wanted.

Metrics sell very well too because of the price point. There will be people like yourself looking to get into motorcycling. My Vstar 650 is a good example. paid 3k for it, rode it for about 2.5-3 years and sold it for right at $3k. Didn't have to do a single thing to it.

Huge aftermarket; good costs; cheap maintenance etc.

God, I feel like such a newb sometimes. One sec while I do some reading.

http://www.ask.com/question/what-is-a-metric-motorcycle

Disclaimer,
None of these photos are actually of my bikes in the garage

I own multiple bikes, and am always on the lookout for more.
Picked this 2011 Triumph Tiger 800XC up last year. I live in the Northeastern Part of Iowa and do a lot of Trout fishing. So this thing is perfect to hit gravel roads and grind about.
About 94 HP and very elastic. I put Jesse Bags on, Engine gaurds, Safari Lights.
Great Dirt Rocket indeed.

http://www.mcnews.com.au/Testing/Tri...800XC_1024.jpg

I restored this on last year with my son. Its a 1973 Yamaha 100 LT2, my bar bike and let me tell you it attracts chicks. Has less then 500 Miles on it.

http://i260.photobucket.com/albums/i...1001973001.jpg

We barn finded a 1977 Maico early this spring. It has the Radial head on it. It is pretty complete with decent plastic, coffin tank and hope to complete it this spring.
http://www.leguidevert.com/_lgv/img_...0-mc-1977-.jpg

Currently on an 85 virago 700. Its my second bike. I love it. Great for putting around town. Even taken it on a few road trips. I'm ready to upgrade but the budget isn't there yet. Plan to get a HD road glide when I graduate and get a better job.

Ah, got it now. Also had to see what one being bobbed out means...which I completely see now, I really don't like the look of the huge fenders.

Yeah, the boulevard is one I wish I would have done now. I thought I'd keep looking because my 6'2 size didn't like the peg location and my leg was cramping when I went for a ride on it with the guy, but I thought afterwards that that is probably one of the easiest things on a bike I'd ever have to change, but when I checked a week ago he'd already sold it.

Here is my "gold digging bitch"

I'm on my first bike. It's a 2007 Kawasaki Vulcan Custom 900. I've had it for about 3 years. I think my next bike will be a Harley Rocker C or a Victory Hammer or 8-ball.

I ride a ' 03 Suzuki volusia intruder 805. My next one will be a honda goldwing

This got me thinking on this part of the unknown for me too. How many of you have crashed a bike? How many have dropped it one time or another?



In the riding class I took to learn how to ride, I came close once, but never dropped the training bike, although the others in the class both did so several times. We rode Buell Blasts, which the instructor said were harder to ride than most anything else people would ever buy. The others were still killing those things the final day of the class.

I've only ridden once since the class, on the Boulevard I mentioned, and it was definitely easy to ride. The guy that owned it went with me, and I didn't get any time at all to get used to it, just hopped on and followed him out of the driveway for a ride from Luisberg to Archie and back and the main problems was my leg cramping from the foot peg being too close, and scraping the bottom when we got back to his house when I turned too sharp, which did definitely freak me the hell out...although I kept it on the road when I came out of the turn to stop the scrape.

I guess the point is, would people like the other two in class with me be more typical for beginning riders? Or would they just be hopeless. One of them was in her 60's and had ridden with her husband for years and years, so she knew bikes, just hadn't driven herself.

In '88 I had a 250 enduro. I got cut off by a School bus, bounced down the side until the front tire got caught in the rear wheelwell at which point I was summersaulted off the bike, landed face down and slid 20' on the pavement. I walked away with a cut on my leg and a busted lip. I've had no mishaps since (knock on wood)

Yep. :thumb: Learning already lol.
I'm 6'0 about 240 and my 650 was good on leg room. not great, but not bad either. You can always install different front pegs too.

Also another thing to consider is: Ride Your Own Ride. Meaning, get what YOU want, and not what others will deem cool/uncool. Ride in YOUR comfort level/skill. I've found a lot of guys criticize Sportsters, but have never ridden one. Sure, the 800 may not be a screamer but will suffice for 90% of your riding. 1100 will have more than enough. Both will put a smile on your face from a power standpoint.

:harumph: Not me. Ok....well, I've done both.;)

ahh yeah. the first peg gring. lol. Spooked the shit out of me too.

I think everyone is different. A lot of it, in my opinoin, is about seat-time and how much you ride. It can some what depend on the bike too. Buels, from what I've heard, have tall gears so maybe thats what people were having problems with moving from a dead-stop. Needing to ride the cluth a bit.

Who the hell's bikes are these?

I grew up riding all these vintage bikes. Raced Suzuki TM's before there were RM's.

Love the Yamaha Enduro's. They let you ride 2 strokes up there?

wouldn't even dare try owning one. Go ahead and call me a pussy I dont care. You could easily get killed riding one of those things

that Triumph is nice.

Triumphs have a sweet spot in my heart. Quirky bastards.

Ever ridden a Honda Troll?

It is hard to describe on the Buells, it was like the gear switching clanked and clicked when you were gearing on the move. Even the last day there were times where I had to work to get it into the next gear. At the bottom I never had any problems, just treated it like back in the day when I was 10 and had to get a tractor moving with a trailer of 300 bales that weren't tied down and uncles that would give me shit if I lost part of the load. Back then I probably rubbed the clutch too much, I was happy as a hog with hogfarmer when the guy at the class said you can't really rub a clutch on a bike too much.

People die in cars too :facepalm:

Possibly. I've always found Twin cyls to be a little finicky if short-shifted / shifted too soon. My Yamaha did it too. Twins produce a lot more torque and the gearing isn't as close as say a 4cyl superbike. In 'general'. The torque lets you chill in whatever gear and the it lets you roll on with enough power. As opposed to a 4cyl where the gears are so close you're constantly shifting to stay in the meat of the power band.

When I test rode the Ducati Monster 696 and 1100 it clanked a bit. Took some getting used to after hopping of the slick gearbox of 600RR. But nothing that couldn't be gotten used to if that makes any sense.

2004 hd fatboy 7k miles

when I was younger I had a Kawasaki kz650...it's a wonder I wasn't killed on that thing.

I had my hd in the shop to get the oil changed, etc, when a big storm came through town and blew the roof off the place. I went by to check on the bike. guy told me it was still in the shed out back and it was ok, since only a couple pieces of tin blew off that roof. so, they call me a couple days later, saying it was done. picked it up and took it home. last night I went to get on it for a short ride and noticed a chip on the front fender about the size of my fingernail. i'm pissed. don't think there's much sense in calling and bitching since I've had it home a couple days now, but shit...:mad:

sec

https://encrypted-tbn1.gstatic.com/i...OfiwtBX-6T60TA

2013 Fat Bob, love it.

The wife has a superlow 883 sportster

http://media.jl-harley.com/var/ezweb...board_bike.jpg

shit.

I had a deal at Freedom Cycles with my ZX6R; bought it new; did the first oil change myself etc. Went to unscrew the hex/allen bolts to take the side fairing, and the damned thing cracked all the way across. Like a Wylie Cyote cartoon.

I was PISSSED. I knew it was due to something in handling or assmbly. Freedom Basically told me over the phone to get bent. So I loaded up with the POS fairing, and drove up there on a Saturday around 1pm. Walked into the showroom and was asking sort of loudly "Who can I talk to about this issue I had with my fairing on my brand new bike I bought. I was told there was nothing they could do" etc.

Yeah, I was scooped up quick from Freedom's secret service. Took me into the garage and were blaming a rock chip on it; on the front lip between radiator and wheel. I was like "Look MF, that hole happend as soon as I released the tension from the bolt". Long story short, they told me to piss into the wind.

I filled out the survey card, along with a letter attached, to Kawasaki. Telling them a brand new bike was bought. Their dealer is not accomodating. That I attend multiple track days, ride with guys on bike runs/rides etc. And everyone I meet, I'm going to advise against purchasing Kawasaki if they don't resolve the issue". I also threw in a 'Should've bought a Honda" lol.

2 weeks later Kawasaki said they shipped a new fairing to the dealer; Freedom then tried to tell me that I would have to pay for labor etc. Told them to get ****ed. Kawasaki said they would reimburse the dealer.

Kawasaki was money in dealing with the issue. the issue was 100% on Freedom's cheap/shady ass.

.....after all this..............I lowsided the bike about a week later and totaled it lol. So Freedom was left sitting there with a new Fairing.

By the way don't go to Freedom if you have a choice. I'm sure some have had good experiences but nearly everyone I've ridden with avoids them like the Plague. There's the main dude there, who's name escapes me at the moment, that is a complete asshole. Everyone I know, knows of this guy. Tall dude. When I bought the bike, it was a model leftover by like 1.5 yrs. It was for $7700. He asked 'what'll it take to get you into this"? I said "7K'. He laughed and said the best he could do was $7550. LMAO. Realize, this was February, drizzly cold, snow. Asshole called back about a month later and asked if I was still interested in the Kawi. I said 'yes'. he asked 'what'll it take to get you into this". I said "$7K'. He 'said oh I can't do that'. That afternoon he asked again, I said 7K and he said "Deal".

Reno's is great. Donnells is good etc.

Sold my VMAX a few years ago and I'm still kicking myself in the ass for it. I had a gazillion dollars dumped into it, never lost a race on the street with it, it sounded like a NASCAR, and my buddy was running mid 9's with it. It had so much torque that it was easier than hell to ride. Let out the clutch and it would idle you through the intersection. No throttle needed.

There's bikes out there faster and more powerful now, but I don't know if they'd beat my boy light to light or in an 1/8th mile.

This video has a similar bike and it sounds just like mine did. Turn up the volume!!! :)

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/t0H7AJbYEUQ" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

A friend's 46 knucklehead http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/06/08/a5eqy8u6.jpg

Bikes are CLEARLY more dangerous though. Wake the **** up. If I had a kid, I would never let him or her EVER get on a motorcycle.

VMAX FTW. They're so bad ass.

Troll is obvious. Try harder in a different thread.

As Jimmy would sing:
Let those winds of time blow over my head
I'd rather die while I'm livin' than live while I'm dead

:thumb:
Yeah, I've thought hard about building another one up, but with two daughters, a CDL to maintain and a good job, I might have to get something a little less likely to get me in trouble. :p

https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/i...mZILNcgQR21q3J

Right now I am still packing my trusty old 07 ZZR600. Have owned/ridden tons of bikes, including the last one I loved a ton, an 08 zx6r with about ten grand in suspension components on the bike.

For about 5 years riding was my life. I even created a motorcycle forum years ago and then sold out of it and made a nice payday.

Going to take a motorcycle class soon. I have been eyeing the Star Motorcycles Bolt. Any thoughts?

nobody does the hand wavy thing at scooters

sorry donger

I got a 78 185 honda twinstar that rates 12 hp, and I still have more cred than scooters

you queer Harley riders should check out the South Park episode on Harleys. Its a riot and sooooooo true.

I'm a big honda guy. They are tanks.

My current rider is a 2002 CBR F4i. I also picked up a 1974 CB750 project bike. I haven't had the chance to crank on it yet but I'm looking to this bike as inspiration...

http://www.bikeexif.com/wp-content/u...da-cb750-2.jpg

I'd like to upgrade my F4i and get something a bit friendlier on the back but stay in the sporty field with the naked bike, cruisers just aren't my thing.

I'm looking at the CB1000R

http://images.motorcycle-usa.com/Pho...CB1000R_35.jpg

or the Triumph Street/Speed Triple

http://www.moto-station.com/ttesimag...2013_st1pz.jpg

You queer n00bs should keep to posting in the baking and Pine-Sol threads.

I've ridden Harleys, sport bikes, muscle bikes and loved them all.

I do if they wave first.

30 mph is the same on a scooter as it is on a motorcycle.

Holy shit. Haven't seen that CB1000. Wow.


Gonna turn the old Honda into a cafe racer?

:thumb: this.
Two wheels is always "funner"

Probably can't go wrong with the Yammy (formerly). Of the metrics cruisers I think Yamaha/Star motorcycles are the best.

Had about a dozen bikes, here are stock shots of my favorites;

1985 Suzuki GSX-R750 Air Cooled, 388lbs pure rush
http://www.suzukicycles.org/photos/s...50_top_450.jpg

During the seventies, I rode this 2 stroke 750 triple and it was a great bike, great times
http://motobr.files.wordpress.com/20...t750-19711.jpg

I also rode moto during the sixties & seventies, my 1972 Bultaco 250 Pursang looked like this (note the right foot shift, as I recall it was a backward pattern too -- 1up 3 down)
http://p1.bikepics.com/2005%5C10%5C1...47085-full.jpg


It's been several years since I sold my last bike. I am thinking of getting another one -- 2013 Yamaha VMax looks like fun:evil:
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-paXYM5YTtG...+Wallpaper.jpg

:spock::facepalm:

Those first Suzukis were mean as shit. I rode an 1986 one about 8 yrs ago. Thing was so unpredictable from a lower standpoint. Which made it so much fun.

The old Honda Hurricanes were slick too

I ride a K6 Gixxer 1000. (on the street, anyways)

Used to do track days but really haven't had the time in last couple years.

http://img203.imageshack.us/img203/6835/4509004.jpg

Off road is a different story.

Still manage to tear it up on the mountain trails behind my cabin every other day. :thumb:

http://img7.imageshack.us/img7/9859/ridesv.jpg
http://img9.imageshack.us/img9/7622/trizz.jpg

As far as bikes I wouldn't mind having in the near future....

I have my sites set on the Ducati Multistrada.

http://www.asphaltandrubber.com/wp-c...da_1200S_2.jpg

The thing I liked about that GSXR was the super light weight and the 18" rims -- could really scrub into corners hard and the bars stayed neutral. I made a few trips to Laguna Seca with that bike in tow. Flipping down the corkscrew was a rush on that bike -- it left the pavement coming out of the top corner and down the screw the first time I really opened it up on that course. heart went in throat. But I managed to always keep the shiny side up on that bike.

Hurricanes were great handlers also. bit heavier, but quite capable.

I'd love to find another GT750 Triple, that bike was a great traveler and having the two stroke midrange was just pure rush on the highways.

My zx11 and 14 in one pic together

Miss my old slingshot. Sold it a couple years back. Great bike. :thumb:

Mine was an 86'

http://img855.imageshack.us/img855/8706/newleftside.jpg

I rode the new Vmax recently. You feel like you're sitting really high and engine sounded like it had rocks in it. I thought I would really love that machine. Turns out not so much.

that 14 is a beautiful monster -- bet ya never go past the speed limit :evil:

nice bikes in here.
sec

Where I live I can ride as fast as I want. Deer are a problem in the morning though. Going on a nice long ride tomorrow. I have some trick shit I will do to it soon. I love everything about that bike except it's weelbase

hmmm, well I'll keep this in mind.

extended swing arm?

South park makes fun of everyone. I thought it was hilarious.

Got a 53 pan sitting in the shop as we speak. Just about done.

Not mine though, my buddy's dad's, well my buddy's now.

Pretty cool old school bike
Posted via Mobile Device

I equate it to a guy in a golf cart waving at a jeep.....
But I generally wave back cause who cares, you know?

Switching from a sport bike to a VMAX is a big leap. It'll feel like a hog in corners and heavy. But it still handles better than most cruisers and touring bikes. It's made more for straight-aways. I loved mine, but I also had a lot of money and way more horsepower than a guy needs. BTW...the first thing I did was get rid of the factory exhaust. See post 36.

BTW...I'm jealous. I'd love to hit the LS corkscrew!!!

Somewhat.

I'm not going to restore it to stock but I don't want to put cafe bars on it because I'm trying to get away from the tuck position. I just want to cruise now and take some decent trips.

No I am not into the drag scene, The ZX -14 is just longer. Tight corners are more of an issue. It is lighter with more hp though. I am impatiently waiting for the next generation zx to see if I might want to do a craash sceen at over 500 hp at under 500 pounds but that is literally insane. The bike I have now does power weelies at will at 200 hp.

09 Street Glide for me. Love this bike.

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7300/8...6158da47_c.jpg

badass. note the suicide clutch.

hahaha, well some outfits nearby LS do offer classes with bike furnished, though it's been awhile since I looked into the the LS scene. That track is very challenging because of the changing altitude within the course. coming down the screw is a challenge because the bottom turn is losing altitude and traction is misleading. once out of the corkscrew, there is a downhill grade with fast sweeping lefty that has a slightly funny exit camber to it due to the downhill, then it's off to the final two turns. Love LS. Go hit it mang.

Had dirtbikes and quads my whole life. Considering a drz400sm just because a friend may be selling it cheap. Been biding my time waiting on my dads friend to sell me my dads old fatboy its a 95tb anniversary. Fell in love with it the day my dAd brought it home. His buddy keeps saying hes gonna sell it because hes only put 300 miles on it in 5 yeArs but he wont pull the trigger.

LS?:hmmm:

Dude I heard that bike is fun as shit.

Laguna Seca corkscrew

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