tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15935045.post7830630937506896441..comments2024-01-19T02:23:51.665-06:00Comments on Journal Wunelle: My Harley-Davidson Dilemmawstachourhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12447198404608861357noreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15935045.post-73331309988726558712012-11-13T12:34:58.691-06:002012-11-13T12:34:58.691-06:00I share your sentiments, Wunelle. Riding a motorcy...I share your sentiments, Wunelle. Riding a motorcycle is a different experience. There is a different feeling of handling the bike on the vast expanse of road while the air is blowing on your face. There is a sense of freedom, pride and independence while you are on the bike. And taking this mechanical masterpiece on the road is definitely PRICELESS. Max Piedrahttp://www.livermorehd.com/default.asp?page=servicenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15935045.post-41659356802767877042007-04-02T18:47:00.000-05:002007-04-02T18:47:00.000-05:00My second BMW was a K75 from '86 when they first c...My second BMW was a K75 from '86 when they first came out. The mechanic at the place I bought it said the K engines were the most over-engineered motors he had ever seen, presumably because BMW was going so far afield from their trademark boxer twin that they didn't DARE not have a reliable motor. The older K100s can vibrate some, but the newer ones have smoother chassis mounts. I would recommend them highly. You don't need to be too concerned with mileage, as they'll go forever. The key thing is whether they've been well-maintained and not abused. If so, even 50-60K would not bother me too much. And that would go for the K bikes or the R bikes. The Rs are simpler, but they're still renowned for tolerating high mileage.wstachourhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12447198404608861357noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15935045.post-21662503872158943442007-04-02T18:14:00.000-05:002007-04-02T18:14:00.000-05:00You are right on with the position. I forgot all ...You are right on with the position. I forgot all about the function of rockets, probably because I do not watch racing and only see those drakkar noir, white sleeveless wearing, blinged out 19 year olds on them.<BR/><BR/>My bike doesn't have highway pegs, and I always wondered why they would even be used. <BR/><BR/>And I WANT a BMW of course, but the price is still a bit prohibitive for me (I just got done looking at a bunch of used ones online) I guess a K series would be affordable. How are they for maintenence?Joshuahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01675519557526291088noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15935045.post-22507367709111236112007-03-31T11:22:00.000-05:002007-03-31T11:22:00.000-05:00The thing is, every posture is laughable if it is ...The thing is, every posture is laughable if it is not purely functional. The issue with the sportbike posture is not whether it's functional or not; it's whether the function is germane to how most sportbike riders actually ride. At street and highway speeds, a crotch rocket is plainly uncomfortable. But their riding position is designed for the track, where the crouch and small fairing become very functional. The short handlebars and high footpegs are all very specifically to gain capability; whether that capability is actually uutilized to offset the sacrifices is the real question. (This is why I don't own a bona fide sportbike.) The kid riding his crotch rocket around in his Speedo and flip-flops and sunglasses w/ Risky Business chain is a clown, worthy of ridicule--and pity when he realizes how far over his head he's in.<BR/><BR/>But I don't know what motivation, besides fashion, is behind the cruiser position. A cruiser will have a plush seat, and will feel nice in the showroom, but it's not a very good posture once underway. The legs out front makes a high load on one's lower back, and places one's torso bolt upright, where the wind causes a strain on the arms / neck / back. The legs out front place one's full weight on one's butt, whereas having the pegs directly below one's but makes the feet support themselves and the butt support the torso--a division of weight-bearing that makes the bike more comfortable. Having one's feet beneath one also makes changing positions easier and safer.<BR/><BR/>With a windshield, the cruiser positon makes better sense, but a "standard" middle-of-the-road posture still seems the most functional (think Suzuki Bandit, Yamaha FZ1 / FZ6, Honda 599 / 919, most BMWs.<BR/><BR/>This is all just my humble opinion.<BR/><BR/>That Honda (I've seen it now) seems as good a bike as any cruiser you could possibly buy (I do love Honda as a company).wstachourhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12447198404608861357noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15935045.post-49386844884463641422007-03-30T19:32:00.000-05:002007-03-30T19:32:00.000-05:00it is under the used bikes, and I think it is the ...it is under the used bikes, and I think it is the only cruiser, it is the 1100 spirit.<BR/><BR/>I was thinking more about this, and as I am sure you have mentioned before, I think it comes down to culture for a lot of us. Now, I know the subset exists that wants to LOOK like they are a part of that culture, but the rest of us see through it.<BR/><BR/>Though I am new to riding, I grew up with Harleys. My mother and her first husband owned a repair shop, and one of my first memories is riding up on the gas tank between her arms (not very safe, I now know, but fun nontheless).<BR/><BR/>I tried very hard to like the more modern bikes, but I just couldn't. The sound was wrong, the lines were wrong, and the posture was almost laughable.<BR/><BR/>I still think I would like a tourer, like a BMW, but I have not had the pleasure of finding out (and I am still a bit nervy of test rides, being a novice).Joshuahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01675519557526291088noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15935045.post-66644926896297934412007-03-30T11:46:00.000-05:002007-03-30T11:46:00.000-05:00Joshua--I tried to look at the link, but made it o...Joshua--I tried to look at the link, but made it only to the dealer's main home page. Now I'm really curious!wstachourhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12447198404608861357noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15935045.post-57511045967897950002007-03-29T22:26:00.000-05:002007-03-29T22:26:00.000-05:00Joshua - If you can't resist the urge that does lo...Joshua - If you can't resist the urge that does look like a great bike. I do agree that it is wise to wait on this sort of recreational purchase until you can pay for it outright, but then again you can view it as pretty inexpensive transportation - even if it is only usable half of the year.<BR/><BR/>I can certainly understand Carly's reservations about motorcycles - my spouse is probably of a similar mind about them. However, if you always wear a helmet and ride like you have a brain it does go a long way toward reassuring her. It is pretty easy to see who is going to be crashing their bike and who is likely to get along just fine.Jeffhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13860812772132171202noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15935045.post-8425602231567437442007-03-29T09:49:00.000-05:002007-03-29T09:49:00.000-05:00We have had terrible weather since I unpacked my b...We have had terrible weather since I unpacked my bike, cleaned it all out, and tuned it up (and rode the next two days as much as I could get away with). I have not been on it since.<BR/><BR/>Carly does not want anything to do with motorcycles. She doesn't want one, she doesn't want to be on one, and she (not so secretly) is afraid of me being on one. But she is a truly amazing wife in that she lets me have my fun with only a minimum of stress. In fact, she recently asked if I would be upgrading this summer, and said she wouldn't mind if I did.<BR/><BR/>The bike that has been on my radar here in town is this one http://www.bemidjisportscentre.com/new_vehicle_detail.asp?sid=02481348X3K29K2007J9I45I01JAMQ1971R0&veh=13221&pov=427722<BR/>I know the guy, and he is already down under 6k for it. It is shaft driven, so I won't be giving up comfort, and it still sits nice and low to the ground.<BR/><BR/>But, honestly, I just have to resist the urge. We are young, we just bought a house, we don't need another payment (do you hear me talking to myself on this one).Joshuahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01675519557526291088noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15935045.post-8108824577386538662007-03-29T00:33:00.000-05:002007-03-29T00:33:00.000-05:00I too have a hard time appreciating Harleys. It d...I too have a hard time appreciating Harleys. It does seem that style and image are the driving forces behind almost all Harley purchases. In pretty much any form, there are other brands that are equally good, or better, and almost all of them cost significantly less than a Harley. The vast array of merchandise just feeds the whole image machine.<BR/><BR/>One consequence of this marketing juggernaut is that for a large portion of the population, 'motorcycle' means 'Harley' and motorcyclists are imagined to be nasty Harley-riding dirt-bags. This image is reflected on all of us.<BR/><BR/>I am doing my part to counter this image. I ride the polar opposite of a Harley and I do it with absolutely no style at all.Jeffhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13860812772132171202noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15935045.post-27512210881973181372007-03-28T21:02:00.000-05:002007-03-28T21:02:00.000-05:00I remember, as a teen, the "enduro" style bikes my...I remember, as a teen, the "enduro" style bikes my brother and dad and I were riding, and how my brother stayed with that style as he moved up while I made the jump to a bona fide street bike. And like you, maybe, I remember this bike just feeling better to me, for comfort or stylistic or function reasons (or some combination).<BR/><BR/>So I do remember this discovery, the excitement of it, and the importance of following your nose, as it were. I'm maybe inclined to denigrate stylistic extremity, but I have to see that my performance orientation is not for everyone, or even for most people. And most cruisers are not extreme at all, but have become (perhaps with no thanks to Harley) very competent, functional and reliable machines.<BR/><BR/>You'll have to shoot me an email (or comment) about what you're looking at; I'd love to know. Does the wife like to ride?wstachourhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12447198404608861357noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15935045.post-43897187063214929712007-03-28T20:48:00.000-05:002007-03-28T20:48:00.000-05:00I think I am just at the begining of this world. ...I think I am just at the begining of this world. I was lucky enough to get a bike last summer, and spent far more hours on it than I thought I would, finding any excuse I could to take it instead of my completely encased car. <BR/><BR/>And, already, I am on first name basis with the local dealership, and am contemplating a step up in performance, comfort (and, yes, style). <BR/><BR/>I like the cruiser style, and the comfort I feel on it. I have been on a crotch rocket and could not stand it. My mind is not made up on touring bikes, yet. Part of me thinks that's what "fits" me, but another, perhaps more nestalgic part, REALLY likes being on a cruiser.<BR/><BR/>And now, 750 is just too small (thanks, by the way, for talking me out of anything smaller last year).Joshuahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01675519557526291088noreply@blogger.com