Ask the Car People.SM


Any Motorcycle people?

44 messages,  Last post on Dec 04, 2012 at 3:35 PM

You are in the Automotive News & Views Forum.

What is this discussion about? Motorsports

Messages Page 4 of 6

#22 of 44 Re: Rides of the past... [toomanyfumes] by Mr_Shiftright HOST

Apr 26, 2007 (11:44 am)

Replying to: toomanyfumes (Apr 25, 2007 2:26 pm)
The Goldwing is a nice reliable touring bike, although as you say very heavy. Not a sport bike definitely and I'd hate to have to pick one up by myself.
 
do you remember another 6 cylinder bike called the Benelli Sei? I believe they made a 750 and a 900. It was an upright 6. I think a flat 6 makes more sense in a motorcycle.

#23 of 44 Re: Rides of the past... [Mr_Shiftright] by toomanyfumes

Apr 26, 2007 (4:37 pm)

Replying to: Mr_Shiftright (Apr 26, 2007 11:44 am)
I've heard of Benelli but don't know that model. A Goldwing isn't as hard to pick up as you would think. The crash bars keep it from tipping all the way over. You kind of lean down and use your legs to push it back up.
 
I found out the hard way trying to get to my friend's cabin on a sand/gravel road. Off road vehicles these are not!

#24 of 44 Re: Rides of the past... [Mr_Shiftright] by elroy5

Apr 26, 2007 (7:59 pm)

Replying to: Mr_Shiftright (Apr 26, 2007 11:44 am)
Had a 750 Honda Shadow for 6 years. Fun for cruising around town, and 500 or less mile trips. Saved a lot of $$$ on gas taking the bike instead of the car or truck to work. I want to get an 1100, but the wife always has other ideas.

#25 of 44 Pickin Up A Downed Bike! by railroadjames

Apr 26, 2007 (8:18 pm)

Replying to: elroy5 (Apr 26, 2007 7:59 pm)
Saw a sad thing a few yrs ago. I pulled up next to a somewhat short older guy on a loaded Goldwing. He had made two mistakes. One: He had pulled up to the red light smack in the middle of the lane right over oil leak droppings. Two: He had his 275lb sweetie on the back. As luck would have it, his foot slipped and down went everything. What made matters worse than the embarassment of dropping his beautifull machine his sweetie gets up and proceeds to beat him with a huge purse. I jumped out of my car and wedged between the two of them and said I'd give him a hand righting the bike. I really felt sad for the guy.

#26 of 44 Re: Pickin Up A Downed Bike! [railroadjames] by Mr_Shiftright HOST

May 04, 2007 (8:26 am)

Replying to: railroadjames (Apr 26, 2007 8:18 pm)
LOL!
 
I never rode heavy bikes for this very reason. The BMWs, Ducati and the British bikes were relatively light machines (for road bikes) and I could easily lay them over or god forbid, pick them up.

#27 of 44 Re: Pickin Up A Downed Bike! [Mr_Shiftright] by Mr_Shiftright HOST

May 05, 2007 (3:13 pm)

Replying to: Mr_Shiftright (May 04, 2007 8:26 am)
1997 BMW 800S -- 400 lbs.
 
1997 Ducati 748 -- 410 lbs
 
1997 Honda VTR 1000 -- 452 lbs.
 
1997 Harley Davidson Heritage -- 700 lbs./ V-Rod 652 lbs.
 
Kawasaki Vulcan 2000 -- 800 lbs.
 

#28 of 44 Re: Rides of the past... [Mr_Shiftright] by lrguy44

Jul 12, 2007 (5:27 pm)

Replying to: Mr_Shiftright (Apr 25, 2007 8:20 am)
What kind of Harley did you ride? I (actually my wife made me) went from a Dyna Sport to an Ultra. I could not believe how easy it is to ride - and great on the interstate when you have to. I much prefer old highways and county roads.

#29 of 44 Re: Rides of the past... [lrguy44] by Mr_Shiftright HOST

Jul 14, 2007 (10:57 am)

Replying to: lrguy44 (Jul 12, 2007 5:27 pm)
A Harley is easy to ride in a straight line if you go 55 mph but not if you try to corner with it at anything approaching high speed on country roads. It's a lot of work and has a very unsettling feeling about it. I'd guess the smaller, lighter stripped down models, with aftermarket suspension and better tires and a good rider might be "okay" but any Euro bike will kill it in any dimension of performance except noise and repairs.

#30 of 44 Re: Rides of the past... [Mr_Shiftright] by lrguy44

Jul 14, 2007 (12:01 pm)

Replying to: Mr_Shiftright (Jul 14, 2007 10:57 am)
I had a Dyna Sport that was ok on gravel, but a Road King and abouve are pavement cruisers.

#31 of 44 Re: Rides of the past... [lrguy44] by Mr_Shiftright HOST

Jul 15, 2007 (8:50 am)

Replying to: lrguy44 (Jul 14, 2007 12:01 pm)
Well most big bikes don't like gravel very much. I found BMWs to be pretty good on rough ground because of the long fork travel however...I could take the BMW places I wouldn't dare take most larger bikes.
 
But you're right, Harleys are really best for straight-line leisurely cruising. They do that well, if you can stand some vibration...which you can avoid by not going too fast. Weight = stability as long as you don't try to change direction too fast. This would be true of any heavy motorcycle, not just a Harley. There are some other porkers out there from Japan.

Messages Page 4 of 6

To POST a message, please Sign In.

Advertisement

Browse by Category

Browse by Vehicle
   View All Vehicles

Browse by Board
Browse by Topic
View All Topics

Edmunds Community

Advertisement