BTW, here's a great forum with tons of useful information, I'm KevNC there but I haven't posted in quite a while.
Kewl! Thanks.
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Originally Posted by California Tanker
Snap purchase, Shelli?
Don't think I've ever done one quite so expensive...
NTM
No, not really a snap purchase per se. My husband's been after me to get into a bigger bike for awhile now as my Vulcan 500 limited us as to where we could go. It's a great bike, don't get me wrong, and can do highway speeds, but it's not built for long hauls on the highway and it's scary shit getting blown around on it on the highway. .
While I've been refusing to even look because I didn't want the extra payment, he's been researching different bikes and comparing prices, even stopping in to different bike shops on his work routes. We've also paid off a couple big bills over the summer with his extra hours and can afford the extra payment now. So, no, I wouldn't say that it was all that snap of decision really. It was coming.
And this morning is my first ride into work to show 'er off!
The weight displacement on this bike is much lower than say, my husband's Yamaha V-Star 1100. Although our bikes weight about the same, 600 and some odd pounds, handling mine, you would definitely think that it weighs less. I tried his out and just couldn't handle it because too much of the weight is up top and I don't have the upper body strength for it. This new bike is one more reason to start working out again. I'm already starting to feel muscles I wasn't aware I even had.
It's because the bike weighs nearly 700 pounds, plus the engine is a pretty basic naturally aspirated twin. It's old school... a basic bike that the owner can customize to their heart's content.
IMO, it's plenty powerful the way it is. I do know a lot of people get new carbs, port the jets, get big pipes/drill out the back plates... and all kinds of stuff to milk out ever bit of horsepower. But for me, the stock configuration is fine, it has a plenty deep enough rumble and fast enough pace to please my animal self.
I'm already starting to feel muscles I wasn't aware I even had.
Yeah, those drag handle bars require a bit of brute force. Some people end up replacing those with wider, swept back bars. It just gives you a little more leverage.
I'm already starting to feel muscles I wasn't aware I even had.
Yeah, those drag handle bars require a bit of brute force. Some people end up replacing those with wider, swept back bars. It just gives you a little more leverage.
Yeah, I can see that. I'm going to give it a little time and see if I become accustomed to it. If not, I'll be changing them.
Wow, cool bike! Although I wonder what they did with all the displacement, this one should be a lot faster!
Want a fast V-twin cruiser? Get a Harley-Davidson V-ROD, its displacement is 1131 cc but has about 40 more horsepower than the larger VTX-1300. However, there are V-twins out there with a lot more power for their size, such as the Honda RC-51, which has about the same power as the V-ROD out of a 999 cc V-twin. Even my lame old 1989 model 800 cc V-twin puts out more power relative to its displacement than the much larger 1300 cc VTX.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Shelli
But!
The weight displacement on this bike is much lower than say, my husband's Yamaha V-Star 1100. Although our bikes weight about the same, 600 and some odd pounds, handling mine, you would definitely think that it weighs less. I tried his out and just couldn't handle it because too much of the weight is up top and I don't have the upper body strength for it. This new bike is one more reason to start working out again. I'm already starting to feel muscles I wasn't aware I even had.
You wouldn't believe how light that Yamaha FZ1 felt. But keeping it upright at stops was more difficult than my almost 150 pound heavier Honda. The Honda PC 800 has a fairly low center of gravity and comes off feeling like it weighs much less than its 605 pound bulk.
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Originally Posted by Shelli
Quote:
Originally Posted by Kevlar
Quote:
Originally Posted by Shelli
I'm already starting to feel muscles I wasn't aware I even had.
Yeah, those drag handle bars require a bit of brute force. Some people end up replacing those with wider, swept back bars. It just gives you a little more leverage.
Yeah, I can see that. I'm going to give it a little time and see if I become accustomed to it. If not, I'll be changing them.
Ape-hangers, that's what you need.
Just kidding. The rake angle is one part of why the bike is harder to steer. Sport bikes have such a steep rake angle they are easy to steer with what are basically handlegrips attached to the fork tubes.
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Sleep - the most beautiful experience in life - except drink.--W.C. Fields
@ ape hangers. I didn't know that's what people called them. They look about as uncomfortable as it gets.
They're actually not that bad. I used to have some on my (now presently basket-cased) '80 Sportster.
Going down the road they're as comfortable as any other handlebar setup on something that vibrates as bad as that old Ironhead. But far less cool when making a sharp slow turn in a gravel parking lot. Have to be very careful, but that goes without saying anytime one is on a bike.
Re: I want a motorcycle
and VROOOM! away! 
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Re: I want a motorcycle
I'm already starting to feel muscles I wasn't aware I even had. 
@ ape hangers. 
I didn't know that's what people called them. They look about as uncomfortable as it gets. 
right about now. 
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