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Greenman

Lifer
Oct 15, 1999
22,240
6,432
136
Cars are fine when it's raining, when the suns out you need two wheels instead of four. So who rides a bike and what is it, and how much do you love it?
I ride a V-Rod, and yes, I love it. I should also mention that I'm an old fart, and required by the good old boy code to buy a Harley.
 
A

angry hampster

Diamond Member
Dec 15, 2007
4,232
0
0
www.lexaphoto.com
I've always wanted to ride a V-Rod. I absolutely love the seating position on those suckers..

Here's the long story on my bike. :) It was my father's dream to own a Harley-Davidson. After years of saving, he finally got a new Roadster in 1983. He rode when he was healthy, but died from complications of lung cancer and leukemia in 1989; I was three years old. The bike sat in various barns for about 15 years, and when I was 16 years old, my mother let me take it out and try to get it going. Here's a pic of me riding it for the very first time..scared shitless and trying as hard as I can to keep the damn thing running on one cylinder:
http://img.photobucket.com/alb...r/bikes/XLS/harley.jpg

With hundreds of hours, too much money, and a lot of blood and sweat, I've got it in perfect running condition, and it looks pretty damn good too. I'm hopefully going to take it all apart in the next coupe years and respray the frame and all the metalwork.

Here's what it looks like today:
http://img.photobucket.com/alb...r/bikes/harley1503.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/alb...r/bikes/harley1502.jpg

Specs:
1000CC ironhead punched .010 over
S&S Super E carb & intake
Cycle Shack 1.75" slash-cut drag pipes

I also added a Mustang wide solo seat. It's a great ride for all-day cruises...a bit noisy though at 4000RPM @ 70mph. I wish I could put a 5-speed on it. Anyway, I'll ride this bike until the day I die. It's more important to me than anything else.

 
G

Greenman

Lifer
Oct 15, 1999
22,240
6,432
136
That's a very clean bike! Probably worth more now than when it was brand new.
When you tear it down use powder coat instead of paint, lasts longer.
 
Fenixgoon

Fenixgoon

Lifer
Jun 30, 2003
33,285
12,847
136
<---- 1983 suzuki GS650G. gotta fix her up a little before i actually start riding :)
 
A

angry hampster

Diamond Member
Dec 15, 2007
4,232
0
0
www.lexaphoto.com
Originally posted by: Greenman
That's a very clean bike! Probably worth more now than when it was brand new.
When you tear it down use powder coat instead of paint, lasts longer.
Click to expand...

Yep definitely gonna powder coat the frame and brake calipers. Hoping to go Cobalt Blue and silver for the bodywork, with extra flake in the silver for a retro throwback. H-D still makes those old logo stickers, too. Gonna be a lot of fun when I get the money. Thanks for the comments. :)
 
J

jagec

Lifer
Apr 30, 2004
24,442
6
81
2007 Suzuki DL650 for me, with a bigger screen, top case and side racks (Haven't finished mounting Pelicans on there), heated grips, handguards, and a power outlet. Great bike...a little heavy off-road, but absolutely reliable, comfy on the freeway, and a sweet engine.

A friend is picking up a Honda Shadow this weekend.
 
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Greenman

Lifer
Oct 15, 1999
22,240
6,432
136
Originally posted by: Fenixgoon
<---- 1983 suzuki GS650G. gotta fix her up a little before i actually start riding :)
Click to expand...

Another vintage machine.
I owned a Yamaha 250 many years back, I think it was 67 R something. It's hard to remember that many years back.
 
G

Greenman

Lifer
Oct 15, 1999
22,240
6,432
136
Originally posted by: jagec
2007 Suzuki DL650 for me, with a bigger screen, top case and side racks (Haven't finished mounting Pelicans on there), heated grips, handguards, and a power outlet. Great bike...a little heavy off-road, but absolutely reliable, comfy on the freeway, and a sweet engine.

A friend is picking up a Honda Shadow this weekend.
Click to expand...

Is the Suzuki designed as a dual use bike? Does it work well enough in the dirt that's fun to go out and tear up some real estate?
 
J

jagec

Lifer
Apr 30, 2004
24,442
6
81
Originally posted by: Greenman
Originally posted by: jagec
2007 Suzuki DL650 for me, with a bigger screen, top case and side racks (Haven't finished mounting Pelicans on there), heated grips, handguards, and a power outlet. Great bike...a little heavy off-road, but absolutely reliable, comfy on the freeway, and a sweet engine.

A friend is picking up a Honda Shadow this weekend.
Click to expand...

Is the Suzuki designed as a dual use bike? Does it work well enough in the dirt that's fun to go out and tear up some real estate?
Click to expand...

It's not a true dual sport, so really it's more about fire roads and rocky, rutted dirt roads than true off-roading. Not to say that some people don't, but it's really more designed for 90/10 usage on the pavement and this kinda stuff.

If you want something a good bit better off-road that's still decent on the highway, the DR650 or KLR650 is a better bet. Those bikes go around the world. But the DL is a good deal more comfortable and the engine is nicer to live with.
 
JDub02

JDub02

Diamond Member
Sep 27, 2002
6,209
1
0
06 V-Star 1100 Custom (aka Poor Man's Harley)
73 Honda CB-350 Four (first bike I bought for $100)

I plan on getting a Harley some day. They keep getting better and better every year, so I'll wait a few more years and pick up a used one. I definitely want the 96" engine and 6 speed.
 
JulesMaximus

JulesMaximus

No Lifer
Jul 3, 2003
74,580
982
126
Originally posted by: JDub02
06 V-Star 1100 Custom (aka Poor Man's Harley)
73 Honda CB-350 Four (first bike I bought for $100)

I plan on getting a Harley some day. They keep getting better and better every year, so I'll wait a few more years and pick up a used one. I definitely want the 96" engine and 6 speed.
Click to expand...

Pretty soon they'll be up to the standards of 1970s era Hondas. ;):p
 
M

mooseracing

Golden Member
Mar 9, 2006
1,711
0
0
I want a new V-Max, pushing 200hp and over 100ft/tq....

I'll stick with my 100hp 79 Yammy XS, hopefully rebuild the tranny, change the final drive, and maybe get a turbo on it this winter.
 
joesmoke

joesmoke

Diamond Member
Nov 2, 2007
5,420
2
0
Been wanting a street bike, but for now its dirt only. 07 yamaha yz450f... unfortunately my fork seals went out last sunday. time to start saving!
 
MiataNC

MiataNC

Platinum Member
Dec 5, 2007
2,215
1
81
Own:
2005 Suzuki DL650 V-Strom: screen, Givi top case, Givi side cases, handguards, engine guards, center stand, and a GPS mount.

On Order:
2009 Triumph Street Triple 675-R: Special edition with Daytona 675 suspension and brakes. Will add Arrow 3-1 exhaust, flyscreen, and seat cowl.
 
JDub02

JDub02

Diamond Member
Sep 27, 2002
6,209
1
0
Originally posted by: mooseracing
I want a new V-Max, pushing 200hp and over 100ft/tq....

I'll stick with my 100hp 79 Yammy XS, hopefully rebuild the tranny, change the final drive, and maybe get a turbo on it this winter.
Click to expand...

200hp?? :Q I didn't realize they had that much power. Sweet bikes except for the stupid fake air scoops.
 
JulesMaximus

JulesMaximus

No Lifer
Jul 3, 2003
74,580
982
126
Originally posted by: MiataNC
Own:
2005 Suzuki DL650 V-Strom: screen, Givi top case, Givi side cases, handguards, engine guards, center stand, and a GPS mount.

On Order:
2009 Triumph Street Triple 675-R: Special edition with Daytona 675 suspension and brakes. Will add Arrow 3-1 exhaust, flyscreen, and seat cowl.
Click to expand...

I love that bike. Post pics when you get it. :thumbsup:
 
G

Greenman

Lifer
Oct 15, 1999
22,240
6,432
136
Originally posted by: JulesMaximus
Originally posted by: JDub02
06 V-Star 1100 Custom (aka Poor Man's Harley)
73 Honda CB-350 Four (first bike I bought for $100)

I plan on getting a Harley some day. They keep getting better and better every year, so I'll wait a few more years and pick up a used one. I definitely want the 96" engine and 6 speed.
Click to expand...

Pretty soon they'll be up to the standards of 1970s era Hondas. ;):p
Click to expand...

From a reliability point of view, Harley is as good as any, and better than most. But if your looking for horse power and handling, then no, you don't want anything to do with a Harley. Harley's are for touring and cursing, they were never designed for high performance, and the people that buy them aren't looking for a high performance machine. I redlined mine once in first gear, that was enough to scare the shit out of me, I'll never do it again.
 
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