You Are What You Ride

Yahoo Financial News ^ | 30MAR05 | Progressive Insurance

[Slump Tester]

Well we're talking about something that happened in the earlie eighties, and it was old and used, used, so I'd guess it was late 60's to early 70's maybe? I'm sure it would be pretty sweet to have today.

[biblewonk]

There's no comparison between a 70's Sportie and an Evo Sportie.

[tacticalogic]

Triumph Rockett III.

Is that a new bike? The Rocket III was a Beezer. Triumph bought them out when they went bust and kept making them as Tridents.

[JarheadFromFlorida]

[[Is that a new bike? The Rocket III was a Beezer. Triumph bought them out when they went bust and kept making them as Tridents.}}

Yes, the Rocket III is a brand new bike from Triumph. It is a monster. It has a whopping 140hp and is the biggest cruiser on the road. But to a classic Triumph Bonneville guy like me, I don't really even consider it a Triumph :)

[Melas]

92 is the magic year for Sportsters. 6 years into the UC-Evo engine, the engine was finally mated to a 5 speed transmissiont that truly gave the Sporty long legs.

[Slump Tester]

Check out the "Speedmaster" - Is that engine laid out like a Moto Guzzi, or is it a vertical twin?

[uglybiker]

Vertical. Guzzi's the only one using a transverse V-twin.

[Slump Tester]

Thanks, I couldn't really tell from that one picture. Don't see why they would have vertical twins's firing 270 degress apart though.

BTW - I think Honda has a transverse twin, but that doesn't count anyway :)

[biblewonk]

The Yamaha/Honda dealer where I bought my Shadow had a couple of Sportsters sitting on his sales floor. He said that one of the guys had traded his Sportie on a Yamaha 650 v twin and said that if the Harley dealer had let him test drive it, he never would have bought it. It makes me wonder how eager I should be to step up to a Twin Cam.

[Melas]

Sounds like salesman talk to me. One thing that really stands out, is that unlike Japanese bike dealers, Harley allows test rides. I was very interested in a VTX at Dallas Honda, but had to laugh when the salesman told me they didn't offer test rides. I don't for the life of me understand how they sell bikes.

Me, I love the Sportster. I've ridden them cross country on vacation, around town as my daily bike, etc. It's probably the most versitile bike I know.

[Blue Jays]

Hi All-

Posted by Melas:
"...I was very interested in a VTX at Dallas Honda, but had to laugh when the salesman told me they didn't offer test rides. I don't for the life of me understand how they sell bikes..."

---

You're not kidding! One has to wonder if the Japanese manufacturers are all in cahoots with each other on this absurd policy. My sportbike is fourteen years old and in absolutely showroom mint condition as the day I bought it new. People approach me on the street regularly with very nice comments on the beautiful condition of my bike. Why would a dealership want to foolishly deny me a test ride if I'm planning on adding to my stable? Statistically, people in my demographic represent a tiny little threat to what could become their fleet of test bikes...which would be sold later at a discount anyway.

I've ridden my aforementioned motorcycle to the local BMW retailer and they were only too happy to put me on a $16,000 K1200 RS for a lengthy test ride. All I can say is "Honda, Kawasaki, Suzuki, and Yamaha...Wake up and smell the coffee!" I could understand if they wanted you to arrive at the dealership on a registered and insured bike in decent condition with valid plates and license, but they should then feel comfortable handing over the key.

Perhaps I'll be looking at a German or American motorcycle the next time around after all...I'd be happy to hear viewpoints from FReeper Hooligans who work in motorcycle dealerships for their thoughts.

~ Blue Jays ~

[Blue Jays]

Hi Everyone-

Oh, and that lefty jerk at Progressive Insurance will never see a dime of premium income from me.

~ Blue Jays ~

[philetus]

Here is my daily rider

[Blue Jays]

Hi philetus-

Looks like there are quite a few modifications from stock on your motorcycle including saddle, pipes, paint/graphics, and windscreen for starters...

I'm more of a sportbike fan myself (see my post to Melas above) but I would also love to have a cruiser of some sort. Your bike looks like it is in great condition.

~ Blue Jays ~

[philetus]

It's a 96 Magna,v4,750.
The pipes are stock, with the baffles removed.I also rebuilt the fuel tank from 3.7 max to 5 gal.
It cruises nice and will hang with sport bikes on winding roads.

[Blue Jays]

Hi philetus-

Upsizing the fuel tank on your ride is definitely a sweet modification. That would be especially helpful if one lives in remote areas, out in the desert, or has a long commute. The total range on my bike is probably somewhere around 140 miles. The gas petcock usually needs to be turned to "reserve" when I hit around 125 miles or so. It would be an absolute pleasure if this range could be slightly extended without altering the "exterior lines" of the motorcycle.

~ Blue Jays ~

[fella]

I don't fit in here because back in the 70s when I was on an Air Force base in Germany I rode a 52 BMW 500 with a sidecar. Mainly to work and back. A good bike and stable on snow and ice.