Any bikers here?

Hi guys,

Any motorcycle riders here? I seem to recall a couple of pictures in the Amiga.org gallery of a few bikes, thought I'd ask.

Wayne

[Speelgoedmannetje]

Do bicycles count?

Speelgoedmannetje wrote:
Do bicycles count?

Does it have a non-human powered engine?  If not, then nope

Wayne

[amiga92570]

Yeah, I have been riding daily since 1980. I have had many bikes but as of 1990 I have only been riding BMWs. Good luck so far except one ABS modulator repair a couple months ago costing $2800.00. Over all that has been the only major cost since riding the beemers. The new models as of last year no longer use the servo assist(power brakes) so the costs should be much lower.

Just bought one myself.  First bike in about 15 years.  Bought a Honda VTX 1300c and I'm just getting started and waiting on the MSF course for beginning riders to remind me of the minor details.  Just don't know when said courses hit $225.00 USD..  Last time I took one (1990), it was $20.

Any suggestions?

Wayne

Oh yeah, and btw, http://flickr.com/photos/segwayne/sets/72157602213401798/

[amiga92570]

Yeah, they want money for everything anymore. But its worth it, Wayne!

[amiga92570]

VTX: A friend at work has one like that. Nice bike, he says it has great power for two. :-D

[Speelgoedmannetje]

Wayne wrote:

Speelgoedmannetje wrote:
Do bicycles count?

Does it have a non-human powered engine?  If not, then nope

Wayne

It does have a beautifully muscled human powered engine... the V8 of the human powered engines :-)

[McVenco]

I've never had a bike, don't even have a license to drive one, but I'm bit by bit saving to buy my dream motorcycle. It'll probably take another 10 years until I have the time and money to buy it and get my license, but eventually I will ride my very own Harley Davidson Heritage Softail.

I fell in love with that model some 15 years ago and I'm still determined to buy myself one. :-)

[BinoX]

I got a bike... slowly going through the steps of learning to ride... Shouldn't be more than a year before I have a full license (only just started)

But I do have my bike... I got a 1979 Kawasaki Z 1000

Hi McVenco.

I can't blame you.  The Heritage Softail is a beautiful bike and the one that got me into the idea.  The problem is, the cost of one is insane (more than my Dodge truck).

Honestly?  If I were you, I'd look at the Honda VTX 1800 Retro ()Here's a good example on e-bay.

It's not a Harley Davidson, but it's about 1/3 the price, more powerful, and doesn't overheat leaving you on the side of the road on a hot summer day.

What I bought was an orange 2006 Honda VTX 1300c.  Slightly smaller, but more power than I'll ever need, better on gas, better on insurance, and I love the color...

Wayne

[amiga92570]

If riding a lot of miles I would choose the Honda like Wayne says. Costs are a lot less. I Know the the Honda rides smoother than the Harley. But If you must have a Harley Davidson for name alone, what can you say. :-)

[McVenco]

It's not that I want a Harley just for the name, but for a certain feeling it gives me. Same reason why I use an Amiga for playing games, rather than playing the same type of games in a Java applet on a no-name pc.

I have a car, which I need for my work (can't drag all my stuff around on a bike), so the bike will only come out for a little touring in the weekends. And what I want on those trips is a certain feeling and, quality and reliability or not, I'm pretty sure a Honda doesn't give me that.

And overheating or misc other trouble? Meh, that's just a little flaw you are willing to take when driving such a beautiful thing. Same goes for classic cars, you can't expect driving around in one of those without any trouble at all everyone once in a while. It's just all part of the game :-)

And you must admit: whatever exhaust you mount on that Japbike, it will never sound as a Harley does  :-D

I certainly can't argue with the "because it's pretty" aspect of wanting a Harley.  Out of several I was looking at, I bought mine specifically because it matched the color of my truck more than anything else.  It was pretty no doubt, and it was the model I wanted, but the color was the cincher.

And you must admit: whatever exhaust you mount on that Japbike, it will never sound as a Harley does

As for sound, I would almost disagree.  When you're riding the machine, wearing your helmet (which is strongly recommended), you can't hear any difference between a Harley and a Honda with a good set of Vance and Hines pipes.

I do however understand the mental orgasm aspect of wanting a specific bike.  Like I said, I wanted a Heritage as well.  I just didn't want to spend all my time working on my bike as opposed to riding it.

Here's the thing though.  On a good summer "bike night", a nice Victory, Suzuki, or Honda will get you laid at the exact same rate of speed as your 3x expensive Harley.

Would have taken a look at BMW bikes as well but 1) we don't have a dealer here and 2) not so much into sport touring as opposed to cruiser touring.

Wayne

[amiga92570]

I agree, except the part about getting laid. I know some guys at work that bought Harley's and could get laid if they were the last guy on earth. As for me, I like the way cruisers look and owned a couple in the past(yes Harley's) but was never really comfortable riding them. I am much happier on a sport type bike as I likes the twisties. I mainly ride the Bmw's lately because maintenance is so easy and the shaft drive is a necessity if you ride 25-30,000 miles a year commuting like I do. On the weekend I can pop off the trunk and bags and its a fun sporty ride. NOTE: I like all bikes, I am just noting my particular need or preference. If I had enough money I would have one from each manufacture and several styles.   :-D