Which Bike?

none | today | me

[Grizzled Bear]

I've been looking at motorcycles. I need something a bit more fuel efficient than my 1-ton pickup! There are two that I really like. One is an 09 Yamaha V-Star touring bike (not used, been sitting at the dealer) and the other is a Harley Fat Boy. Any recommendations?

[demsux]

I’ve got a 1995 Triumph Thunderbird...inline, water cooled 3 cylinder 900...LOVE IT.

[Eye of Unk]

I live in Alaska, it doesn’t have any helmet laws.

Alaska also has some outstanding medical services for head injuries as well.

But seriously I ride without a helmet most of the time unless its bad weather, I do have a massive windshield on my bike but I have been peppered by debris. This year I will probably wear mine more often, its a Hawk modular, not expensive, has an internal flip up like an aviators tinted shield inside.

[Grizzled Bear]

I meant good natured animosity. Like the Ginger and Maryanne debate. Of course, some smart aleck always throws in “Mrs Howell.”

After looking at the bug strikes on my pickup, I will definitely get a windshield!

[Grizzled Bear]

Are you gonna wear a helmet?

Most definitely!

[al baby]

Or some real smart alack throws in Gilligan

[PUGACHEV]

I have my doubts about BMWs. I bought a BMW last year, a used, but mint condition K75, with the full touring kit. “It's the perfect bike; it does everything well” I heard. That was true: it did everything well, but nothing it did was better than “good”. Really, it was an old lady's bike: it was just too well tempered and smooth. I understand that 750 cc is not much, but I've been on 250 cc Hondas that were more exciting. Hell, in the ‘60s I had 50cc scooter that was more fun to ride. Today, I hardly ride that BMW, but I did teach me to appreciate my ZRX 1100 more than ever.

[Errant]

LOL on the Fat Boy joke... ;)

Sounds like a good price for the Harley and it will certainly hold its resale value way better than the Yamaha. The Yamaha is quieter, smoother, and better for long distance travel, but may only be worth about half of what you paid for it in a few years.

[Eye of Unk]

I live about a mile down a gravel road in a rural subdivision, and I am immediately on a two lane major north-south road full of tourists and truckers in heavy high speed traffic, the 1300 will run circles around them. And even on near freezing mornings it starts right up as its fuel injected, no choke at all.

It does pretty darn good on gravel after I went to a radial Metzeler tire and there is an amazing new trend of installing a certain car tire on the rear that really makes it handle the gravel and the rain much better and is cheaper to boot.

I havn’t gone that route yet though. I might in the future.

[bmwcyle]

The seats are adjustable and there is three manufactures of custom seats. If you have never tried a BMW, you will find they have more comfort than you think. They are also smoother on the road. A Harley will shake your back unless it is a VROD.

[mainevet]

My brothers helmet saved his life last year. He had a 2006 VTX1300 with 40,000 he put on it. Never know when you’re gonna kick the back out and dump it, or come up on a MOOSE, or a hundred other things that will kill you. He told me he had close calls every time he rode.

[bmwcyle]

http://www.google.com/search?q=vintage+bmw+motorcycles+for+sale&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a

[Grizzled Bear]

Sounds like a good price for the Harley and it will certainly hold its resale value way better than the Yamaha. The Yamaha is quieter, smoother, and better for long distance travel, but may only be worth about half of what you paid for it in a few years.

The Yamaha dealer already knocked about a quarter of the price off of what is virtually a brand new bike, even though it's an 09.

Another concern is the cost of insurance. Do Harley's have a higher theft rate than Yamahas? I'm checking with my agent next week.

[BufordP]

You have to share the road with a lot of inattentive drivers that chances are won’t see you. But a Harley they won’t have to see. They’ll hear it.

[Eye of Unk]

I agree that any Harley will retain its value much better, its the mindset of owning one. I hardly ever see any Yamahs of my type for sale locally, but many many HD bikes, and none are cheap.

The one bike I would get if I were to do serious long distance high speed touring would be the FJR1300.

[RS_Rider]

One thing to consider is where you intend on going / parking your bike. Harleys are liquid - as in they can easily be stolen and turned into cash/parts. Much less chance of a metric cruiser being stolen.

[Grizzled Bear]

True dat!

[ROCKLOBSTER]

Old school bobbers.

If you find yourself to be a senior citizen who doesn’t heal as fast as a young buck, I’d recommend as the ultimate thrill-ride, either building a badass, fenderless rat-rod, or get a late model rumbling factory roadster...like a Mustang.

[pyx]

Before you buy, please consider maintenance costs like tires, engine repairs and insurance. Generally motorcycle tires are changed much more frequently than car or truck tires and can be quite expensive.

There are many people putting heavy duty car tires on larger motorcycles these days. Apparently the term for it is called, "Going to the dark side.".

[30Moves]

I’ve got a 1975 BMW R90/6 - don’t ride it though it was my late husband’s. We went on a 6 week camping trip on that bike - custom seats so it was a dream to ride - even up to 8 hours a day. We loaded it up with all our camping gear - had a blast. Quiet, sturdy - dependable.

[Grizzled Bear]

Thanks, you answered my question in post #52!

My sister and BIL had several Oldsmobiles stolen. Their insurance agent explained that there was a large parts market for the Cutlass. After their third Olds was stolen, they switched to a Volvo after the third.