|
|
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 5,628
Campfire Tracker
|
Campfire Tracker
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 5,628 |
I’m all done with two wheels. Porsche has replaced my need .
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 358
Campfire Member
|
|
Campfire Member
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 358 |
I watched my 70 yr old mother all 130 lbs of her set a 6 cyl Goldwing back up on its wheels after being shown the proper technique. Hard to believe it is not taught to all new riders.
Pavementends
Elevation is math
Windage is Voodoo
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 7,695
Campfire Outfitter
|
|
Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 7,695 |
R100gs
R100R
The requirement about rebuild ability make it tough.
if a man speaks, and there isn't a woman around to hear him, is he still wrong?
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 37,958 Likes: 6
Campfire 'Bwana
|
|
OP
Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 37,958 Likes: 6 |
I watched my 70 yr old mother all 130 lbs of her set a 6 cyl Goldwing back up on its wheels after being shown the proper technique. Hard to believe it is not taught to all new riders.
Pavementends Ya, you put your back to the downed bike, grab the end of the handlebar on the ground, and then with your back straight lift with your legs (NOT your back) walking backwards, plus a Goldwing is designed not to tip all the way over. All of this works good on a flat, firm surface assuming the motorcycle isn't actually inclined somewhat upside down. For example, to state an extreme example I had a buddy whose parked BMW OilHead GS went end over end off of a dirt bank in Big Bend  Fortunately there were other guys present, and though the windshield was toast the bike was still rideable, the extra dings and dents adding authenticity to the dual-sport design, or so I told him
"...if the gentlemen of Virginia shall send us a dozen of their sons, we would take great care in their education, instruct them in all we know, and make men of them." Canasatego 1744
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 37,958 Likes: 6
Campfire 'Bwana
|
|
OP
Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 37,958 Likes: 6 |
I've always loved the big BMW boxers. Not sure how parking lot rebuildable they are. . Pretty sure the OilHeads are quite complex. I owned the last of the classic air-cooled gummikuhns, a 1994 BMWR100 GS/PD, it was beautiful and I would have kept it forever but I cannot abide an unreliable bike. Pretty bike, lots of class, but a POS in execution. After three significant warranty repairs I had to accept the fact that it was never gonna be "fixed" and sold it off as soon as I paid it off two years and 45,000 miles after I bought it. It looked good sitting in the driveway but sucked as a daily driver. During that time I attended two BMW National Rallies along with a good friend who had just bought then then new Oil/air cooled 1200cc (??) GS version. At both rallies R100 GS/PD's like mine had to be towed/shipped home, so it weren't just me. I got lucky, even though the cylinder studs on the left side pulled en-route (cases later replaced under warranty) mine got me back from Colorado. My friends significantly faster and more powerful fuel-injected next generation GS went as far on his six-gallon tank as my old-school R bike went on it's nine. But I could service that old-school R bike all by myself; simple valves, conventional carbs, it was simple. I confess, I dunno what is involved on the new ones.
"...if the gentlemen of Virginia shall send us a dozen of their sons, we would take great care in their education, instruct them in all we know, and make men of them." Canasatego 1744
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 13,949
Campfire Outfitter
|
|
Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 13,949 |
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 37,958 Likes: 6
Campfire 'Bwana
|
|
OP
Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 37,958 Likes: 6 |
R100gs
R100R
The requirement about rebuild ability make it tough. The R75GS is the one to look for. In the high-torque, low rev applications common to off-road, R100GS's had a tendency to run hot and pull the cylinder studs, mine did, but it was later shown that on my bike the aluminum cases were also flawed from poor casting, so it became a warranty repair. Also the paralever drive shaft failed like clockwork at around 25,000 miles (I was on my third when I sold the bike), turns out the taller suspension ran the two u-joints along the shaft through too wide an angle. IIRC the R75 used the same cases but the smaller cylinders were less likely to pull the studs. Also the driveshaft was just a driveshaft, no u-joints.
"...if the gentlemen of Virginia shall send us a dozen of their sons, we would take great care in their education, instruct them in all we know, and make men of them." Canasatego 1744
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 37,958 Likes: 6
Campfire 'Bwana
|
|
OP
Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 37,958 Likes: 6 |
My last bike was a KLR650, actually it became my last bike when I pulled it out of storage after two years one morning when my Beemer crapped out yet again. Drained the oil, dropped in a battery and it fired right up like it had just been ridden the day before. GREAT bike, right out of the box. I pulled some 1,000 mile Interstate days on mine, flogged it off road and on, and in a corner the first thing that woulda touched down was the handlebars  Dead-nuts reliable too. I will add another perfect motorcycle requirement though..... 8) TUBELESS TIRES Even today spoked wheels almost always mean inner tubes, an absolute PITA when you get a flat. On a tubeless setup a rubber rivet and a can of fix-a-flat will usually get you home. On a tube tire that tires gotta come off.
"...if the gentlemen of Virginia shall send us a dozen of their sons, we would take great care in their education, instruct them in all we know, and make men of them." Canasatego 1744
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 4,727
Campfire Tracker
|
|
Campfire Tracker
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 4,727 |
I always figured Vincent (HRD) had it figured out. Except for the vibration, Lucas electrics, and not sure how well the passenger did.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 3,344
Campfire Tracker
|
|
Campfire Tracker
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 3,344 |
My last bike was a KLR650, actually it became my last bike when I pulled it out of storage after two years one morning when my Beemer crapped out yet again. Drained the oil, dropped in a battery and it fired right up like it had just been ridden the day before. GREAT bike, right out of the box. I pulled some 1,000 mile Interstate days on mine, flogged it off road and on, and in a corner the first thing that woulda touched down was the handlebars Dead-nuts reliable too. I will add another perfect motorcycle requirement though..... 8) TUBELESS TIRES Even today spoked wheels almost always mean inner tubes, an absolute PITA when you get a flat. On a tubeless setup a rubber rivet and a can of fix-a-flat will usually get you home. On a tube tire that tires gotta come off. Do you know how or why the Marines chose it?
Done in Convention by the Unanimous Consent of the States present the Seventeenth Day of September in the Year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and Eighty seven.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 11,066
Campfire Outfitter
|
Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 11,066 |
Sitting here burning up the iPhone will watching over the grandkid...
What I would want in a motorcycle.
1) ABILITY TO PULL 80 ALL DAY LONG ON THE INTERSTATE.
...I have heard this eliminates the Harley Sportsters which do pull 80, but which beat you Death doing so.
...
3) THREE CYLINDERS OR LESS.
When loping along at a moderate speed, one to three cylinders impart a pleasant, companiable rhythm whereas IME inline fours are just dull as a post when not wound out.
4) SERIOUS CORNERINGING CLEARANCE.
When it comes to roadbike skills, corners are everything. Gotta be able to lean 30+ degrees in corners. This eliminates all Harleys except for the Sportster cafe racer, which barely makes the cut.
...
6) REBUILDABLE IN A PARKING LOT... You really don't know what you're talking about.
"There's more to optics than meets the eye."--anon
"...most of us would be better off losing half a pound around the waist than half a pound on our rifle."--dhg
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 37,958 Likes: 6
Campfire 'Bwana
|
|
OP
Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 37,958 Likes: 6 |
cruising 80 all day will eliminate most if not all harleys unless the new ones are remarkably better riding than previous years. Nope, as Bristoe states, the big twins have been perfectly highway-capable for years now. no motorcycle built in the past 25 years is parking lot rebuildable unless you have a schit ton if tools, skill and knowledge. More accurately, no motorcycle engine DESIGNED in the past 25 years is parking lot rebuildable, including every Harley-Davidson since maybe 1984 when the Evo motor came in. Before that, if you rode a ShovelHead Harley regularly, you carried a schit ton of tools, and of necessity had learned skill and knowledge IIRC the Honda and Suzuki 650cc dual-sport thumpers (single cylinder) are essentially unchanged for more'n thirty years at least, they might even still have carbureters, I gotta go look. I am aware of two incidents of Honda 650's being rebuilt in parking lots on long expeditions, even met one of the guys who did one when he was passing through Oaxaca in Southern Mexico.
"...if the gentlemen of Virginia shall send us a dozen of their sons, we would take great care in their education, instruct them in all we know, and make men of them." Canasatego 1744
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 37,958 Likes: 6
Campfire 'Bwana
|
|
OP
Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 37,958 Likes: 6 |
Sitting here burning up the iPhone will watching over the grandkid...
What I would want in a motorcycle.
1) ABILITY TO PULL 80 ALL DAY LONG ON THE INTERSTATE.
...I have heard this eliminates the Harley Sportsters which do pull 80, but which beat you Death doing so.
...
3) THREE CYLINDERS OR LESS.
When loping along at a moderate speed, one to three cylinders impart a pleasant, companiable rhythm whereas IME inline fours are just dull as a post when not wound out.
4) SERIOUS CORNERINGING CLEARANCE.
When it comes to roadbike skills, corners are everything. Gotta be able to lean 30+ degrees in corners. This eliminates all Harleys except for the Sportster cafe racer, which barely makes the cut.
...
6) REBUILDABLE IN A PARKING LOT... You really don't know what you're talking about. Maybe, but I didn't own a car until my 40's, put in around 250,000 miles on motorcycles as my daily driver, hung out with motorcyclists, met women through motorcycles, 365 days a year, all weathers. OK, I'll grant requirement #6 metaphor status
"...if the gentlemen of Virginia shall send us a dozen of their sons, we would take great care in their education, instruct them in all we know, and make men of them." Canasatego 1744
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 37,958 Likes: 6
Campfire 'Bwana
|
|
OP
Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 37,958 Likes: 6 |
Moto Guzzi California
Loves RPM's ...cruise 80+++ easily.....have to pick it up by putting your back up against it.
Corners like a sports bike , maybe better
'Guzzis rock, I agree
"...if the gentlemen of Virginia shall send us a dozen of their sons, we would take great care in their education, instruct them in all we know, and make men of them." Canasatego 1744
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 6,698
Campfire Tracker
|
|
Campfire Tracker
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 6,698 |
After 28 years of riding Harley Davidsons I never worried about tipping one over. I bought a Gold Wing and after 2 years I lost track of how many times I had to ask people to help me pick mine up for me. I traded it in on a new Heritage Softtail Harley Davidson . It is 200 lbs lighter and put a smile
back on my face.
I like to do my hunting BEFORE I pull the trigger!
There is only one kind of dead, but there are many different kinds of wounded.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 18,016 Likes: 11
Campfire Ranger
|
|
Campfire Ranger
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 18,016 Likes: 11 |
Sitting here burning up the iPhone will watching over the grandkid... What I would want in a motorcycle. 1) ABILITY TO PULL 80 ALL DAY LONG ON THE INTERSTATE. Essential when crossing the Continent. I have heard this eliminates the Harley Sportsters which do pull 80, but which beat you Death doing so. 2) ROOM FOR A PASSENGER. Doesn’t have to be a sofa, but shouldn’t be S&M gear either. This eliminates sportbikes which impart a gynecological exam chair posture to the passenger. 3) THREE CYLINDERS OR LESS. When loping along at a moderate speed, one to three cylinders impart a pleasant, companiable rhythm whereas IME inline fours are just dull as a post when not wound out. 4) SERIOUS CORNERINGING CLEARANCE. When it comes to roadbike skills, corners are everything. Gotta be able to lean 30+ degrees in corners. This eliminates all Harleys except for the Sportster cafe racer, which barely makes the cut. 5) PICK-UPPABLE BY ONE PERSON AFTER TIP-OVER. I have this phobia of being found dead in the desert....... next to my tipped-over motorcycle. Might eleminate the Harley Dresser And GoldWing-class motorcycles So far Bristoe’s 650 Bergmann scooter is one of the top picks : 6) REBUILDABLE IN A PARKING LOT. Only ones still that simple anymore I know of are the air cooled 650 thumper dual sports by Suzuki and Honda. 7) A FOREVER MOTORCYCLE. A classic worth keeping forever, supported by a continuing availability of parts. Not sure I know of one that meets all of the above.
"To compel a man to furnish funds for the propagation of ideas he disbelieves and abhors is sinful and tyrannical." -- Thomas Jefferson
We are all Rhodesians now.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 37,958 Likes: 6
Campfire 'Bwana
|
|
OP
Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 37,958 Likes: 6 |
I have been looking at the Suzuki and Honda 650's. They need a 6th gear and they need to set lower. The Dual sports are made for guys with a 40" inseams.
kwg The Suzuki DR650 off the showroom floor has always had the option of setting the whole bike lower for that very reason. I rode a KLR650 for a couple of years that was likewise quite tall, especially as my legs ain't that long. You just get used to it, touching down at stoplight on tippy-toes instead of flat-footed. It helps a lot that the bike doesn't weigh much, and that ground clearance certainly helps off-road, you can see over traffic on the freeway too, especially if you stand on the pegs if necessary. Throwing a leg way high to get on and off that tall fugger every single time will also develop your UFC skills 
Last edited by Birdwatcher; 04/26/19.
"...if the gentlemen of Virginia shall send us a dozen of their sons, we would take great care in their education, instruct them in all we know, and make men of them." Canasatego 1744
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 115,424 Likes: 13
Campfire Sage
|
|
Campfire Sage
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 115,424 Likes: 13 |
Birdwatcher threads are THE BEST.
Trump being classless,tasteless and clueless as usual. Sorry, trump is a no tax payin pile of shiit. My young wife decided to play the field and had moved several dudes into my house
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 37,958 Likes: 6
Campfire 'Bwana
|
|
OP
Campfire 'Bwana
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 37,958 Likes: 6 |
The first step in finding the perfect motorcycle is being able to afford one. Thank you for an opportunity for talking about myself some more. Actually I prob'ly could afford a motorcycle at this point, I'm paying $600 a month less interest now than I was 30 months back when I assumed all the debt. So if'n I could tolerate three more years of debt I could be out of debt AND pay off a brand-new Softail by 2022. I mean it ain't like I'm gonna run out and fix the AC and replace the water heater right away anyway. But.... 2020 is my goal. I might run out to the Harley dealership tomorrow if I ate and breathed motorcycles like I did after coming back from Africa. Living in that shack on that deer lease I landed smack dab into the midst of the East Texas Harley culture. People for whom their motorcycle was like a member of the family, for the next twelve years of my life I myself was on a motorcycle every day, my only transportation. It prob'ly will be a Harley, its an itch I ain't scratched yet but it wont be the same as it was. See, I used to think that a motorcycle loaded up with camping gear, tent and bedroll with a whole Continent waiting on your doorstep was the finest thing in all creation. But after you've done the same thing on a bicycle, motorcycles seem sorta..... ....ordinary.
"...if the gentlemen of Virginia shall send us a dozen of their sons, we would take great care in their education, instruct them in all we know, and make men of them." Canasatego 1744
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 69,418 Likes: 23
Campfire Kahuna
|
|
Campfire Kahuna
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 69,418 Likes: 23 |
Good on you Mike! Hope you can afford one soon. I’ll probably start looking for one in the next year or two myself.
I’m thinking a KLR650 might be fun for starters.
Last edited by chlinstructor; 04/26/19.
"Allways speak the truth and you will never have to remember what you said before..." Sam Houston
Texans, "We say Grace, We Say Mam, If You Don't Like it, We Don't Give a Damn!"
~Molɔ̀ːn Labé Skýla~
|
|
|
|
|
578 members (12344mag, 219DW, 204guy, 160user, 1beaver_shooter, 1badf350, 54 invisible),
2,415
guests, and
1,271
robots. |
|
Key:
Admin,
Global Mod,
Mod
|
|
|
Forums81
Topics1,193,863
Posts18,517,884
Members74,020
| |
Most Online11,491
Jul 7th, 2023
|
|
|
|
