Who rides motorcycles?

[Garandman]

Rider here, both bikes (being chased by dogs) and motorcycles (dodging idiots). Harley VRod, just because I hate to fit in anywhere. Harley riders hate it, and import riders hate all Harleys.

Went into Manchester NH HD dealership to look at a Buell Ulysses. The salesman looked up from chatting with his buddy, saw me looking at the Buell, and continued chatting. The Parts Manager (bought Roadster parts from him) came over and he was really excited about having a bike with modern performance and knew a lot about it. But didn’t know pricing or options. The salesman continued to ignore us for a few more minutes. I left, and bought a Triumph. Another day, another dealer, tried to look at an XR1200 and it was tucked into a corner and the salesman didn’t know anything about it.

With baby boomers selling their bikes and Millenials ignoring them, HD is in for some very tough times.

 

[Overtaxed]

With baby boomers selling their bikes and Millenials ignoring them, HD is in for some very tough times.

I agree, their demographic is aging out in many cases, and while they still have the "cool" image, the performance of a modern Harley isn't that different than it was 40 years ago, or at least it doesn't seem to be. Even the vrod, while a lot faster than most (all?) other Harley's is hardly "fast" compared to something that's truly a modern bike (S1000RR, for example). But it's quick, that's for sure, dramatically different than the air cooled bikes I've ridden in the past (and, let's be honest, I got it because of how it looks, so good looking, IMHO).

But anyway, yes, I think they have a problem, and I think they know it. But then, they kill the vrod, so, maybe they have something up their sleeve?

 

[SirMaxwell]

I don't get to ride as much as I used to but:

1979 Yamaha XS750 Triple

I've also got an import 250cc Scooter Fuel Injected, water cooled, a fun ride.

Max

 

[3930dave]

Just bought my wife a 2016 Honda CB500F ABS.What a nice little bike! Installing grip heaters, 12V plug, center stand, and Puig windshield this week.

Looks like a nice bike. IIRC, from a quick look at the Honda site, your 500 has a bigger tank than their "touring" CTX700T.

Much more to a bike than the tank..... but I've never been a fan of small tanks..... looks good on a show bike, but not much use if you actually drive long distances....

Rgds, D.

 

[IslandTractor]

Anybody looking for a big dual purpose bike? I bought and drove my 2014 Yamaha Super Tenere 5,000 miles cross country last September but don't intend to keep it. Superb shaft drive bike. Only had to tighten one bolt during the trip: mirror was a tad loose. Bike is close to flawless condition and very comfortable with many many farkles. I had it fully serviced before putting it into a storage unit with battery charger last fall. Full panniers with inserts, top box, four wet/dry bags, upgraded $2K Touratech suspension, very comfortable custom leather saddle, etc etc etc Ready to drive to Alaska or Patagonia tomorrow. Has ?another year or so on transferable Yamaha extended warranty. Has only ever required oil and fluid changes and tires. I forget exact mileage now but about 13K. Oil changed 50 miles ago.

Bike is 100%, tires (Mitas Dakar E07) about 50% but plenty to get you home certainly anywhere east of the Mississippi from Boston. In case you are unfamiliar with these bikes, they are tall. Probably only really suitable for someone 6ft+ or close to that height. And, it is heavy, about 575lbs as I recall, more loaded. (It was a kick seeing the 5'6" very experienced Yamaha mechanic get it off the kick stand to go for a test ride...not a good bike if you are that size.)

I can provide more detailed photos if anyone is interested. Also have full Aerostich Darian suit, Goretex German leather boots (13) and safety yellow Shoei Neotec (XL and XXL pads) with Sena 10U bluetooth headset installed. Also comes with Garmin Zumo in locking holder.

PM me if you are interested. This isn't a lightweight dirt bike and it ain't no boulevard cruiser either. But it will take you and a couple hundred pounds of passenger or equipment to the end of the earth calmly and comfortably. I'll probably list the bike on the Super Tenere Forum this week or next. Bike is in storage unit in Metro Boston. I'll clean the remaining bugs off the windscreen and get more photos as requested.

 

[Kyle_in_Tex]

I don't get to ride as much as I used to but:

1979 Yamaha XS750 Triple View attachment 544829View attachment 544830


Max

Back in '84, we had a couple ride into our shop in south Texas that had been around the world on one of these. It had a Windjammer and bags. He was a tall, dark haired Swede, and she was a multi lingual Japanese woman. They said the toughest part was crossing the Sahara. He said they only ate about 20-30% of their normal caloric intake, while drinking so much water to stay alive. He said they had to get off and push multiple times per day in the deep sand. I just can't imagine doing that on that heavy of a bike. He said their ride through North America had been a piece of cake. They needed a seal to stop a minor oil leak, and new tires. We called the newspaper, and they did a nice story on them.

IT, that is a really nice bike. Hopefully someone will want it when it warms up.

 

[3930dave]

Back in '84, we had a couple ride into our shop in south Texas that had been around the world on one of these. It had a Windjammer and bags. He was a tall, dark haired Swede, and she was a multi lingual Japanese woman. They said the toughest part was crossing the Sahara. He said they only ate about 20-30% of their normal caloric intake, while drinking so much water to stay alive. He said they had to get off and push multiple times per day in the deep sand. I just can't imagine doing that on that heavy of a bike. He said their ride through North America had been a piece of cake. They needed a seal to stop a minor oil leak, and new tires. We called the newspaper, and they did a nice story on them.

IT, that is a really nice bike. Hopefully someone will want it when it warms up.

Somewhere on ADVrider, there's a more recent very long account of a guy from S Korea who flew to the USA, bought a Fiddy, and rode all over the USA with it...... even a non-rider should be impressed with what some people manage to pull off, on application inappropriate wheels.....

Those '84 riders...... seriously tough or crazy.... likely both. I read of a fatality in Oz from the heat - lone rider middle of nowhere, eventually found sitting at the side of the road in all his gear - desiccated. Water always matters, but it's way too easy to underestimate what you need in those temps.

I have vivid memories of the smaller version of that XS, 500 IIRC. Friend's sister's boyfriend had one.... always liked the paint scheme on those. I'm pretty sure the 500 had dual points...... my buddy held a huge party at his parent's place - I stayed afterwards, to help clean up b4 his parent's got home...... 6:00am rolls around, and sis's boyfriend goes to leave for work......

Long ago, but I still remember well that morning. Owner comes back in.... couldn't kick it over...... TWO of us end up pushing the bike down the street with him on it, in gear, before it would finally fire !

Not picking on Yammy..... twas a nice bike for the day..... all points needed regular service, and a dual-point setup could be challenging for a backyard wrench.

Rgds, D.

 

[ericm979]

The XS500 had dual points because it had a 180 degree crank. The electric system was really weak on those. It could run the starter or the ignition but could only do both at the same time when in perfect shape. Let the battery sit for a couple days and forget it. The '74 I had in college rarely started on the electric starter. The kick starter was poorly designed and nearly useless so when the electric starter wasn't starting it the best way to start it was push starting. I got good at bump starting that bike and my girlfriend got good at pushing if she wanted to go for a ride on the back.

The Kawasaki S3 (400 two stroke triple) that I had before and after the XS500 (two different bikes) had three points. You had to adjust them in order or you'd never get all three timed right. Later in college I had a '79 XS750 with a later model 850 motor with the electronic ignition. No more points! The FJ09 I have now (also an 850 triple) is so much better than the old 750/850- about 100 lbs less and almost twice the power.

 

[Navvet]

After we retired, my wife decided I was having too much fun with my bike. So for her 60th birthday she got her motorcycle licence and after a few different bikes she settled on a Spyder to match my Wing !!!

 

[3930dave]

The XS500 had dual points because it had a 180 degree crank. The electric system was really weak on those. It could run the starter or the ignition but could only do both at the same time when in perfect shape. Let the battery sit for a couple days and forget it. The '74 I had in college rarely started on the electric starter. The kick starter was poorly designed and nearly useless so when the electric starter wasn't starting it the best way to start it was push starting. I got good at bump starting that bike and my girlfriend got good at pushing if she wanted to go for a ride on the back.

The Kawasaki S3 (400 two stroke triple) that I had before and after the XS500 (two different bikes) had three points. You had to adjust them in order or you'd never get all three timed right. Later in college I had a '79 XS750 with a later model 850 motor with the electronic ignition. No more points! The FJ09 I have now (also an 850 triple) is so much better than the old 750/850- about 100 lbs less and almost twice the power.

Thought I remembered that right...... I've bump started plenty of things relatively easily, but @6:30am that long ago Sunday morning, those plugs were probably pretty wet by the time the owner called for help.

Didn't realize those K 2Ts had triple points; those would have been fun !

Point-less ignitions, and way more hp/L ....... The old bikes bring back great memories, but there is lots to like about the new stuff....

Rgds, D.