Jump to content

  • GUESTS

    If you want access to members only forums on HSO, you will gain access only when you Sign-in or Sign-Up .

    This box will disappear once you are signed in as a member. ?

Buying a bike, need help

fishuhalik

By fishuhalik
in Motorcyclists

 Share

Recommended Posts

fishuhalik Grand Master

fishuhalik

Posted
Posted

So back in a previous life, I was a sportbike guy. Fast forward 8 years and I haven't had a bike since I got married & popped out some kiddos. I recently moved to South Texas & have a 110 mile commute to work, so the wife has been encouraging me to get a bike again. I don't want another sportbike cuz 220 miles in a day on one is a nightmare, but I still would like something that can scoot & get around a corner. I was thinking an SV1000 to give you an idea. Any other suggestions? I haven't really been paying attention to the motorcycle scene since I sold mine & have no idea what's been out out the last 5 years

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Neighbor_guy Grand Master

Neighbor_guy

Posted
Posted

220/day could be a nightmare on any bike. I think I would be looking at the larger touring bikes like a gold wing 1300 or 1500. I ride a cruiser approximately 80 miles/day give or take, and I don't know I would want to go much farther.

Your rear end will thank you.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
JOHNBIGDOG Proficient

JOHNBIGDOG

Posted
Posted

I was a sportbike guy. Fast forward 8 years and I haven't had a bike since I got married & popped out some kiddos.

Wait, what?

Any who I would agree that your best bet is a cruiser/couch of some sort. I have a gsx650f and have done 500 mile day trips but have been whipped by the end.

Another thought. What happens if your very tired after work? A motorcycle is a lot less forgiving then a car and may lead to a bad outcome.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
CANOPY SAM Veteran

CANOPY SAM

Posted
Posted

I gotta agree with JBD. Not only getting off work really whipped, but what do ya' do if it's pouring rain, or nasty weather? 110 miles on a bike in schnitty weather is kind of a drag.

Geez fish, you couldn't find a place to live a little closer to work? That's a BRUTAL commute!

If you're dead set on a bike find a comfy cruiser that gets fantastic mileage. I know a BMW Rockster isn't quite a cruiser, but it's a really comfy ride, and it would save huge on your gas bill.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
fishuhalik Grand Master

fishuhalik

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Ya, there were plenty of places to live in the town I work in, but it's an oilfield town so the homes are crazy expensive. So we moved to Houston. A 4 bed, 3 bath really nice home in Katy (think Woodbury) is $200k+/-. The same home in Victoria would be $450k+/-. And the schools in Victoria are pretty awful.

I don't plan on making the trek every day, just on days when it's nice out, which is pretty much always in South Texas. It's rained once in the 2 months I've been here. & I won't take it when I'm working those long oilfield days, just when I'm not going in the field & working 8-5 in the shop.

I really don't want a cruiser. After driving sportbikes for so long, it's frustrating driving a cruiser. They sure are comfy, but I'll take cornering & scoot over comfy every day.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
redneckdan Collaborator

redneckdan

Posted
Posted

You are looking for a 'sport-standard'. Sometimes also called 'muscle bikes'.

A good example is the R1/FZ1 comparison. Same basic Genisis engine block, different heads and detuned. Different frame with more upright posture. Still puts down horsepower that the Hardley Ableson guys can only dream about. All on 87 octane at ~50mpg if you are easy with the right wrist. Valve intervals of 26,000 miles. Stone hammer reliable. Change the wind screen and bars to suit your needs. Get an aftermarket seat if you need.

It will make your inner squid smile just a bit every time you throw a leg over.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
redneckdan Collaborator

redneckdan

Posted
Posted

I own a 2002. I average about 20,000 miles a summer on it The FZ chassis was revamped into the Gen II in the mid 2000s. Closer to the R1 now with a tighter posture and USD forks but still much more comfortable to ride for any distance. Best bike I ever rode was a mid 80s FJ1200. That bike fit me perfectly. The engine vibrations were horrible though.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Dave S Grand Master

Dave S

Posted
Posted

What about something along the lines of a Kawasaki Concours 14? Handles the twisties great, loads of power, goes like a bat outta hell, has hard side bags to carry things like a cooler or it fits a full face helmet and a jacket in each. It also has an adjustable windscreen. I would opt for an aftermarket seat. The stocker is ok but can result in a bad case of monkey butt until you get accustomed to it.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Whoaru99 Grand Master

Whoaru99

Posted
Posted

You are looking for a 'sport-standard'. Sometimes also called 'muscle bikes'.

A good example is the R1/FZ1 comparison. Same basic Genisis engine block, different heads and detuned. Different frame with more upright posture. Still puts down horsepower that the Hardley Ableson guys can only dream about. All on 87 octane at ~50mpg if you are easy with the right wrist. Valve intervals of 26,000 miles. Stone hammer reliable. Change the wind screen and bars to suit your needs. Get an aftermarket seat if you need.

It will make your inner squid smile just a bit every time you throw a leg over.

FZ1 is still pretty high strung. A Suzuki Bandit is a nice bike of similar cloth, but doesn't have to be wound quite as tight to make the power.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Whoaru99 Grand Master

Whoaru99

Posted
Posted

Anyone ever checked out the Suzuki Boulevard M109? Nice compromise between crotch rocket and cruiser. Brutal power. Around here it's referred to as a muscle bike

I have a Vulcan 2000. It's a cruiser with a big engine. Massive torque and relatively fast for a tank, like is the M109.

To me a muscle bike is like the Yamaha V-Max or maybe even a Harley V-Rod or the (now discontinued) Suzuki B-King. Naked or standard bikes with goobs of HP.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now ↓↓↓ or ask your question and then register. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Restore formatting

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

×
 Share
Go to topic listing


  • Your Responses - Share & Have Fun :)

    • Wanderer
      Just Food and Drink

      By Wanderer · Posted

      It’s done automatically.  You might need an actual person to clear that log in stuff up.   Trash your laptop history if you haven’t tried that already.
    • smurfy
      Just Food and Drink

      By smurfy · Posted

      😂 yea pretty amazing how b o o b i e s gets flagged, but they can't respond or tell me why I  can't get logged in here on my laptop but I can on my cellular  😪
    • Mike89
      Just Food and Drink

      By Mike89 · Posted

      I grilled some brats yesterday, maybe next weekend will the next round...  
    • Wanderer
      Just Food and Drink

      By Wanderer · Posted

      You got word censored cuz you said        B o o b ies….. haha.   Yeah, no… grilling is on hiatus for a bit.
    • smurfy
      Just Food and Drink

      By smurfy · Posted

      Chicken mine,  melded in Mccormick poultry seasoning for 24 hours.  Grill will get a break till the frigid temps go away!
    • Mike89
      Problems with Yetti

      By Mike89 · Posted

      good luck!!!   
    • rundrave
      Problems with Yetti

      By rundrave · Posted

      we had some nice weather yesterday and this conundrum was driving me crazy  so I drove up to the house to take another look. I got a bunch of goodies via ups yesterday (cables,  winch ratchet parts, handles, leaf springs etc).   I wanted to make sure the new leaf springs I got fit. I got everything laid out and ready to go. Will be busy this weekend with kids stuff and too cold to fish anyway, but I will try to get back up there again next weekend and get it done. I don't think it will be bad once I get it lifted up.    For anyone in the google verse, the leaf springs are 4 leafs and measure 25 1/4" eye  to eye per Yetti. I didnt want to pay their markup so just got something else comparable rated for the same weight.   I am a first time wheel house owner, this is all new to me. My house didn't come with any handles for the rear cables? I was told this week by someone in the industry that cordless drills do not have enough brake to lower it slow enough and it can damage the cables and the ratchets in the winches.  I put on a handle last night and it is 100% better than using a drill, unfortatenly I found out the hard way lol and will only use the ICNutz to raise the house now.
    • Wanderer
      Problems with Yetti

      By Wanderer · Posted

      I haven’t done any leaf springs for a long time and I can’t completely see the connections in your pics BUT I I’d be rounding up: PB Blaster, torch, 3 lb hammer, chisel, cut off tool, breaker bar, Jack stands or blocks.   This kind of stuff usually isn’t the easiest.   I would think you would be able to get at what you need by keeping the house up with Jack stands and getting the pressure off that suspension, then attack the hardware.  But again, I don’t feel like I can see everything going on there.
    • rundrave
      Problems with Yetti

      By rundrave · Posted

      reviving an old thread due to running into the same issue with the same year of house. not expecting anything from yetti and I already have replacement parts ordered and on the way.   I am looking for some input or feedback on how to replace the leaf springs themselves.    If I jack the house up and remove the tire, is it possible to pivot the axel assembly low enough to get to the other end of the leaf spring and remove that one bolt?   Or do I have to remove the entire pivot arm to get to it? Then I also have to factor in brake wire as well then. What a mess   My house is currently an hour away from my home at a relatives, going to go back up and look it over again and try to figure out a game plan.           Above pic is with house lowered on ice, the other end of that leaf is what I need to get to.   above pic is side that middle bolt broke and bottom 2 leafs fell out here is other side that didnt break but you can see bottom half of leaf already did but atleast bolt is still in there here is hub assembly in my garage with house lowered and tires off when I put new tires on it a couple months ago. hopefully I can raise house high enough that it can drop down far enough and not snap brake cable there so I can get to that other end of the leaf spring.
    • smurfy
      Just Food and Drink

      By smurfy · Posted

      Chef boyardee pizza from the box!

  • Topics

×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

By using this site, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. You can adjust your cookie settings, otherwise we'll assume you're okay to continue.

  I accept