Topic: The Motorcycling Thread

[dirtyjeffer]

^I always thought I'd like a Sportster, until I rode one.

i didn't like the 883 but didn't mind the 1200.

some of them look nice too:

https://www.autotrader.ca/a/harley-davidson/sportster/concord/ontario/5_49103301_20161212205855299/?ms=motorcycles_atvs&showcpo=ShowCpo&ncse=no&ursrc=hl&orup=2_15_20&pc=N6G%205N1&sprx=-2

[blur911]

^I always thought I'd like a Sportster, until I rode one.

i didn't like the 883 but didn't mind the 1200.

some of them look nice too:

https://www.autotrader.ca/a/harley-davidson/sportster/concord/ontario/5_49103301_20161212205855299/?ms=motorcycles_atvs&showcpo=ShowCpo&ncse=no&ursrc=hl&orup=2_15_20&pc=N6G%205N1&sprx=-2

I nearly tripped over a 883, they are small bikes.   The 1200 had nothing sporty about it.   
Yeah, they look ok for that segment, hell, they invented it, but that was 50 years ago and they haven't improved the bikes much since.

[Triple Bob]

When someone says, "For $XK you can get a Harley".

My initial thought is, why would I want to trade down to decades old technology and unreliability? HD is just a clothing brand that happens to sell motorcycles IMHO.

So is Ducati, but you also lust for one of those...

Yeah, but the one I lust over was literally at the top of it's game tech wise. I'm talking about people who want a new bike, not a classic.

[rrocket]

When someone says, "For $XK you can get a Harley".

My initial thought is, why would I want to trade down to decades old technology and unreliability? HD is just a clothing brand that happens to sell motorcycles IMHO.

To be fair...some of the Triumphs (not yours though) have old tech and I'm reasonably sure you like those, don't you?

[Jaeger]

^^^ Not a fan of that steeply sloped tank.  I know it's a thing, but it's not my thing.

yea, i'm not sure how i feel about it...typically, i'm not a fan of parallel twins, but it depends on the twin...some of the triumph units have a nice tone/character to them...others sound like the engine was used to fit a price...also for $12k, you can get a HD Iron 1200, that gives you a V-Twin engine and belt drive...it's also a Harley (which may be a plus or a negative depending on how you look at it), so i'm not sure this Honda will position itself in the segment.


personally, i think the Kawasaki Vulcan 900 Custom at $10,400 is kind of the sweet spot in this segment...yes, the engine is a bit smaller, but the bike is still a decent size overall, has a Vtwin engine and is belt drive...it also a good looking bike, with its Black and Orange paint to slap HD in the face with:

For me, Indian >>>> Harley for any equivalent bike. I'm really warming to the base Indian Scout 60, per Ron's suggestion earlier on.  Decent power that is more accessible to a newer rider.  Very comfortable and very stable.  Decent handling.  Love the retro aesthetics. Basically the only downside is an excess of chrome compared with the Bobber, but it's not too bad.

I watched a 0 - 60 test on this bike (which is the smaller engine option on the Scout - 999cc vs 1133cc) - 4.3 sec - and easily achieved because it's so easy to launch.  Not quick by sportbike standards, I'm sure, but damned quick by car standards and then massively amplified by being out in the open on two wheels.  Certainly enough grunt for me.  And a very agreeable price.



That Kawasaki is pretty nice

[rrocket]

^^^ Not a fan of that steeply sloped tank.  I know it's a thing, but it's not my thing.

yea, i'm not sure how i feel about it...typically, i'm not a fan of parallel twins, but it depends on the twin...some of the triumph units have a nice tone/character to them...others sound like the engine was used to fit a price...also for $12k, you can get a HD Iron 1200, that gives you a V-Twin engine and belt drive...it's also a Harley (which may be a plus or a negative depending on how you look at it), so i'm not sure this Honda will position itself in the segment.


personally, i think the Kawasaki Vulcan 900 Custom at $10,400 is kind of the sweet spot in this segment...yes, the engine is a bit smaller, but the bike is still a decent size overall, has a Vtwin engine and is belt drive...it also a good looking bike, with its Black and Orange paint to slap HD in the face with:

For me, Indian >>>> Harley for any equivalent bike. I'm really warming to the base Indian Scout 60, per Ron's suggestion earlier on.  Decent power that is more accessible to a newer rider.  Very comfortable and very stable.  Decent handling.  Love the retro aesthetics. Basically the only downside is an excess of chrome compared with the Bobber, but it's not too bad.

I watched a 0 - 60 test on this bike (which is the smaller engine option on the Scout - 999cc vs 1133cc) - 4.3 sec - and easily achieved because it's so easy to launch.  Not quick by sportbike standards, I'm sure, but damned quick by car standards and then massively amplified by being out in the open on two wheels.  Certainly enough grunt for me.  And a very agreeable price.



That Kawasaki is pretty nice

I'm an experienced rider and I still think I'd go the smaller Scout 60.

This isn't a backroad blaster...this is a boulevardier. Plenty enough power for most anything you'd want to do.

[dirtyjeffer]

nothing wrong with the Scout 60...it's a really nice bike too...as well, typically, the smaller/lighter the bike you learn on, the easier it is to ride (within reason)...sport bikes are smaller and lighter, but also usually more powerful and may entice you to ride beyond your capabilities...cruisers, OTH, are typically a more relaxed ride...you are far less likely to try and set a land speed record on a Scout 60 than say a Honda CBR600RR.

[blur911]

nothing wrong with the Scout 60...it's a really nice bike too...as well, typically, the smaller/lighter the bike you learn on, the easier it is to ride (within reason)...sport bikes are smaller and lighter, but also usually more powerful and may entice you to ride beyond your capabilities...cruisers, OTH, are typically a more relaxed ride...you are far less likely to try and set a land speed record on a Scout 60 than say a Honda CBR600RR.

There's practically no difference between the Scout 60 and the bigger Scout though, except for more power.   (Scout 60 is 6lbs lighter at 549lbs)

[blur911]

typically, the smaller/lighter the bike you learn on, the easier it is to ride

Easier to lift off grandma

[Jaeger]

nothing wrong with the Scout 60...it's a really nice bike too...as well, typically, the smaller/lighter the bike you learn on, the easier it is to ride (within reason)...sport bikes are smaller and lighter, but also usually more powerful and may entice you to ride beyond your capabilities...cruisers, OTH, are typically a more relaxed ride...you are far less likely to try and set a land speed record on a Scout 60 than say a Honda CBR600RR.

There's practically no difference between the Scout 60 and the bigger Scout though, except for more power.   (Scout 60 is 6lbs lighter at 549lbs)

And price - and that's what makes the 60 appealing to me.  Most reviews say the power difference is mostly at the top end, and even then, not very noticeable unless you drive them back to back.  So I'd rather save the $$ for all the crap I'll need to go along with the bike, of which I have none - and I aint gonna buy cheap kit. The 60 is also a 5 speed versus 6 for the Scout, but the final drive ratio is the same, and with a big torquey engine more gears matter less.

Maybe I'll get lucky and find some leftover 2019 stock deeply discounted in the spring.  There are a few floating around right now.  I'd also be really open to a well maintained low mileage used offering.  Like someone who bought 60 and then decided they need moar powah. 

But it's still all talk at the moment.  The spousal approval hurdle 'aint gonna be easy.  Her brother in law was badly hurt in a motorcycle crash back in the day - wasn't pretty at all.  And the motorcycle = death trap perception is deeply ingrained.

[dirtyjeffer]

nothing wrong with the Scout 60...it's a really nice bike too...as well, typically, the smaller/lighter the bike you learn on, the easier it is to ride (within reason)...sport bikes are smaller and lighter, but also usually more powerful and may entice you to ride beyond your capabilities...cruisers, OTH, are typically a more relaxed ride...you are far less likely to try and set a land speed record on a Scout 60 than say a Honda CBR600RR.

There's practically no difference between the Scout 60 and the bigger Scout though, except for more power.   (Scout 60 is 6lbs lighter at 549lbs)

yea, i just assumed there would be more of a difference (thought the weight difference would be more)...makes sense though, the Sportster is the same from the 883 to the 1200 (in terms of the bike itself).

[Jaeger]

nothing wrong with the Scout 60...it's a really nice bike too...as well, typically, the smaller/lighter the bike you learn on, the easier it is to ride (within reason)...sport bikes are smaller and lighter, but also usually more powerful and may entice you to ride beyond your capabilities...cruisers, OTH, are typically a more relaxed ride...you are far less likely to try and set a land speed record on a Scout 60 than say a Honda CBR600RR.

There's practically no difference between the Scout 60 and the bigger Scout though, except for more power.   (Scout 60 is 6lbs lighter at 549lbs)

yea, i just assumed there would be more of a difference (thought the weight difference would be more)...makes sense though, the Sportster is the same from the 883 to the 1200 (in terms of the bike itself).

Same frame, same engine block, just a smaller bore and one less gear - so minimal weight difference.  Just watched a UK review which pointed out that over there, different licensing requirements attach to bikes at or over 1000cc, so the 999cc Scout 60 has extra appeal there.

[dirtyjeffer]

nothing wrong with the Scout 60...it's a really nice bike too...as well, typically, the smaller/lighter the bike you learn on, the easier it is to ride (within reason)...sport bikes are smaller and lighter, but also usually more powerful and may entice you to ride beyond your capabilities...cruisers, OTH, are typically a more relaxed ride...you are far less likely to try and set a land speed record on a Scout 60 than say a Honda CBR600RR.

There's practically no difference between the Scout 60 and the bigger Scout though, except for more power.   (Scout 60 is 6lbs lighter at 549lbs)

yea, i just assumed there would be more of a difference (thought the weight difference would be more)...makes sense though, the Sportster is the same from the 883 to the 1200 (in terms of the bike itself).

Same frame, same engine block, just a smaller bore and one less gear - so minimal weight difference.  Just watched a UK review which pointed out that over there, different licensing requirements attach to bikes at or over 1000cc, so the 999cc Scout 60 has extra appeal there.

yea, makes sense...one of the common mods for a Sporster 883 is replace the "pots" (top end) with the one from a 1200 as the only difference is the bore.

example: https://www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/ss-883-to-1200-conversion-kit-for-harley-sportster-1986-2017

[Jaeger]

Not a bike for a newbie, but damn, that's a solid deal.  Gotta love new old stock.

https://www.kijiji.ca/v-view-details.html?adId=1445015588

[Triple Bob]

Not a bike for a newbie, but damn, that's a solid deal.  Gotta love new old stock.

https://www.kijiji.ca/v-view-details.html?adId=1445015588

Ooh that's nice, do it Roger!

Technically any bike can be a beginner bike. 

[Jaeger]

Not a bike for a newbie, but damn, that's a solid deal.  Gotta love new old stock.

https://www.kijiji.ca/v-view-details.html?adId=1445015588

Ooh that's nice, do it Roger!

Technically any bike can be a beginner bike. 

Not gonna lie - I freaking love it.  But it looks a bit of a hooligan from the reviews.  Front  end just wants to come up in the first three gears. Consistently described as a seriously FUN ride, though. Maybe if I rode it in rain mode for the first year. 

[dirtyjeffer]

it's likely an uncommon choice for a first bike...power is addictive, and that bike has a decent amount of it...it depends on how disciplined you are.

[Arthur Dent]

Leno on the 2004 Honda Valkyrie Rune

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QJpFeKYSVcY

[Triple Bob]

Not a bike for a newbie, but damn, that's a solid deal.  Gotta love new old stock.

https://www.kijiji.ca/v-view-details.html?adId=1445015588

Ooh that's nice, do it Roger!

Technically any bike can be a beginner bike. 

Not gonna lie - I freaking love it.  But it looks a bit of a hooligan from the reviews.  Front  end just wants to come up in the first three gears. Consistently described as a seriously FUN ride, though. Maybe if I rode it in rain mode for the first year. 

I said I would do that with the FZ-09, lasted a week in rain mode... 

If you're going to get a powerful bike as a first bike, at least get one with a long wheelbase so that wheelies aren't inevitable.

[rrocket]

If you're going to get a powerful bike as a first bike, at least get one with a long wheelbase so that wheelies aren't inevitable.

I guess it depends what you consider a "long" wheelbase vs. "short" wheelbase.