I Can Tell I'm Pushing 40

"Steve is equipped with Electronic Fool Injection" (itsalwayssteve) 05/21/2018 at 14:36 • Filed to: None

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I find myself looking at motorcycles a lot. There isn’t one that really fits my personality, though. I’m not a racer, and adventure bikes aren’t me. I also generally don’t care for the “Wasp-face” look that so many bikes have lately. Standards tend to be appealing, but seem like they’re a little small for my 6'3" 300-lb self. That leaves cruisers, but so many of them look like Harleys.

The only H-D I would consider is the V-Rod. It doesn’t have the standard HD look, and it doesn’t have the standard cruiser stance. From what I’ve read it’s a comfortable bike, too, but not the typical “Boomer-who-took-out-a-401(k)-Loan” malaise-era Oldsmobile on two-wheels that so many buy. The fact that it’s also water-cooled and can be relatively quiet means I wouldn’t have to keep the Harley look about me either.

And decent ones are in the $4500-6500 range because they’re not as desirable as the inferior air-cooled bikes.

Hmm.

Of course my wife would put the Kibosh on it.

Kanaric > Steve is equipped with Electronic Fool Injection 05/21/2018 at 14:42

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I used to have a Moto Guzzi Griso. It was a cool bike and might fit what you like.

It’s kind of V-Rod ISH but less money.

themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles > Steve is equipped with Electronic Fool Injection 05/21/2018 at 14:45

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Triumph speedmaster, my man. Looks like someone turned a bonneville into a cruiser because, well, that’s basically what they did.

Alternatively, if you’ve got some riding experience you can get a CB1100 from honda and have a decent sized, low strung standard with plenty of oomph for cruising around.

RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars > Steve is equipped with Electronic Fool Injection 05/21/2018 at 14:45

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Vespa! :D

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > Steve is equipped with Electronic Fool Injection 05/21/2018 at 14:48

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Not knowing anything about where you’re located, how about a water bike instead? I’m shopping Jet Ski’s right now. Go fast on the water for even more freedom (no lane lines!) AND the benefit of your wife not assuming you’re going to die. 4500-6000 can get you a hell of a used jet ski. It’s basically my budget and I’ve been shopping like crazy.

Of course all depends on whether you have somewhere to use it.

CalzoneGolem > Steve is equipped with Electronic Fool Injection 05/21/2018 at 14:50

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Less V-Rod more Rat-Rod. They’re like motorcycles that don’t fall over

Future next gen S2000 owner > Steve is equipped with Electronic Fool Injection 05/21/2018 at 14:54

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The correct choice is a Triumph Daytona 675.

nermal > Steve is equipped with Electronic Fool Injection 05/21/2018 at 14:59

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Alternatively, you could get a Tuono V4. They’re cheaper than most Harleys, louder, and better to ride. Plus, when it breaks and you need to wait 2 months for parts to arrive from Italy, they’re very nice to look at.

Nothing > Steve is equipped with Electronic Fool Injection 05/21/2018 at 15:13

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My a little bit older mid life is sending me towards bikes as well. I want to get out with my son more and am thinking about getting him a little PW80 or something to puts around on, and I’m looking at something a little bigger to use on street and dirt (potentially a KLR, perhaps something a bit more dirt oriented).

Of course, that means the Cougar is on the chopping block if I purchase new toys.

Steve is equipped with Electronic Fool Injection > themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles 05/21/2018 at 15:14

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I have zero riding experience beyond a few minutes on a dirt bike at age 14. I want something that I won’t care about too much if when I lay it down.

Steve is equipped with Electronic Fool Injection > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner 05/21/2018 at 15:16

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I’m near four lakes that are covered with wealthy-lake-trash. I wouldn’t mind a jetski but that would require a trailer and storage that I don’t currently have. A bike can be put on the back porch or in the barn.

AMGtech - now with more recalls! > Steve is equipped with Electronic Fool Injection 05/21/2018 at 15:17

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XSR700 or FZ07

farscythe - makin da cawfee! > Steve is equipped with Electronic Fool Injection 05/21/2018 at 15:18

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welp like i said to miss merc

get a bandit

wonderfull bikes

goes all the way up to 1200cc so i doubt it be to small for ya too

bob and john > Steve is equipped with Electronic Fool Injection 05/21/2018 at 15:27

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its your first bike not you last.

get something 500cc or less, less then 10 years old to ride and enjoy for a bit.

then go looking for other shit.

Shamoononon drives like a farmer > Steve is equipped with Electronic Fool Injection 05/21/2018 at 15:33

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I’m turning 40 too and my kid is off to College. OH POOPY!!!! I’ve been shopping too.

Steve is equipped with Electronic Fool Injection > Shamoononon drives like a farmer 05/21/2018 at 15:39

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I’m graduating with my bachelor’s degree this fall. I still want a motorcycle.

Shamoononon drives like a farmer > Steve is equipped with Electronic Fool Injection 05/21/2018 at 15:43

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Congratulations!

PyramidHat > Steve is equipped with Electronic Fool Injection 05/21/2018 at 15:47

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OK, this is fairly a specific bike - I’m not an HD fan but get what you get. Having said that, have you looked at the KLR650? Yeah, it falls under “adventure bike” but it’s not overwrought, like the R1200GS/Ewan McGregor/Long-Way-’round bikes. Meaning, you can ride one without aluminum panniers, and KLIM riding gear. It’s upright, so I should think you’d fit on it fine, you can buy a near new one at the top of your price range, they’re simple as hell and can take you offload places, as well. Basically, it’s the bike that most of us should be riding, if we weren’t convinced that we were going to be spending every weekend doing track days at Laguna Seca - OR - we’re about to go on a poker run to Laughlin.  Not sexy, but still a damn good bike...

themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles > Steve is equipped with Electronic Fool Injection 05/21/2018 at 15:56

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This is a Suzuki VanVan. You want to be the manman with a suzuki vanvan. It’s a pretty good planplan, but only if your wife says you cancan

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > Steve is equipped with Electronic Fool Injection 05/21/2018 at 15:58

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For that price a trailer will be included and their easy to get into a barn. Can even push em by hand or drag em with a riding lawn mower (with some added weight on the nose of the mower lol) I have absolutely no where to store one lol. My boss might have room in his barn, or a couple hundred bucks to store over the winter somewhere. Gonna try and get a hoist put in near my wife’s uncle’s dock so it’s ready to go all summer.

Pickup_man > Steve is equipped with Electronic Fool Injection 05/21/2018 at 16:07

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Let me introduce you to the Yamaha Warrior, classic cruiser styling without being super old school, and lots of modern features. 1690 cc’s of aircooled V-twin goodness, fuel injection, aluminum frame, and brakes and suspension lifted right off* the R1 of the era. Wicked fast for a cruiser (and faster with mods), great handling, and great brakes. It’s a little stretched out, so perfect for a tall person such as yourself. Most of them have been modified to get rid of that hideous muffler by now, and they can be picked up for under 5 grand all day (mine was $3700).  

*The front forks are only preload adjustable vs the R1 which had adjustable damping as well.

Steve is equipped with Electronic Fool Injection > Nothing 05/21/2018 at 16:15

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Well, let me know if the Cougar is for sale.

Steve is equipped with Electronic Fool Injection > themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles 05/21/2018 at 16:16

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The Thunderbird Storm is nice, but way too much bike for me. Perhaps an America Standard as a starter bike...

Nom De Plume > Steve is equipped with Electronic Fool Injection 05/21/2018 at 16:17

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No mid-life anything in my thoughts on this subject. Unless you are buying into some lifestyle category forget new bikes. Do a little research and find something that matches your needs. Please, before another of whatever this ends up being gets bought and converted to some trendy monstrosity.

For me this was a mid-80's Virago 750 that no longer resembled what came out of the factory mechanically or visually. The battery was now 3X the size to power a headlight that was actually adequate. Among many other well founded changes reflecting a mature hand at work. There were no unbalanced handling characteristics just to make it present better at the curb. It looked like the solid road worthy bike it was. Ran, stopped, turned, a great place to be at any speed.

Best of luck eliminating the poor choices and finding a good example of what you crave.

pip bip - choose Corrour > Steve is equipped with Electronic Fool Injection 05/22/2018 at 06:42

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i’ve been looking at bikes too.

but i fancy a Honda NBC110

Nothing > Steve is equipped with Electronic Fool Injection 05/22/2018 at 14:00

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Oh, it’s always for sale. I’d be concerned about selling it long distance as it looks better in pictures. Rear quarters have some rust that was previously bondo’d at some point in its life. Mechanically, I’d drive it nearly anywhere.