I'm going back to 2 wheels! Recommendations welcome.

"Tristan" (casselts)
07/23/2020 at 10:19 • Filed to: two wheels good

My previous ‘97 GL1500C taken with a potato flip phone of some sort

Since I moved out to BFE and no longer commute through hideous Portland traffic, I’ve decided I actually haven’t gotten riding out of my system. Anyone who says they have is lying.

My current daily driver gets about 10-12 mpg, so riding would actually save me a good bit on my 50 mile daily commute if I ride during the non-rainy months.

The ‘77 GL1000. iPotato 4.

In the past I’ve owned the pictured Valkyrie, a ‘77 GL1000 and an ‘86 GL1200 Aspencade. You might say I’ve got a “type”. I’m set on getting something with full wind protection- it’s around 50 degrees outside when I leave for work in the morning, so I don’t want to freeze my ass off. If it’s uncomfortable, I’ll just hop in the truck instead and that defeats the purpose. SOOOOooo... I’m interested in another Valkyrie, preferably a Tourer or Interstate, or a GL1500 ‘ Wing, or a Kawasaki Voyager. What else does Oppo recommend that I’m not mentioning? I’d consider a really clean GL1200 Interstate, or a really cheap GL1800. My budget is $3500-ish , so I’m not going to get the fanciest machine. I could afford more, but I don’t wanna because by the time I purchase a new helmet (old one got thrown out- it was super old and nasty) and pay for registration and blah blah blah this shit gets expensive.

What say you?

Also, thanks to all the Oppos who replied to my last solicitation for advice- I ended up going with an EZ Bridge system . It works BEAUTIFULLY.

DISCUSSION (27)

For Sweden > Tristan
07/23/2020 at 10:43

I’m currently casually browsing for CTX700s with the DCT, so I am either the best or worst person to ask.

Turbineguy: Nom de Zoom > Tristan
07/23/2020 at 10:59

My last bike was a VTX1800. A decent size windshield and heated grips might make it a contender.

Tristan > Turbineguy: Nom de Zoom
07/23/2020 at 11:01

I’ve had some seat time on a VTX1800. A close friend owned one for a while and it could smoke my Valkyrie from 3rd gear on. They’re fun bikes, but not in my budget and not the practical commuter I’m hoping for.

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > Tristan
07/23/2020 at 11:01

Boss Hoss with a Viper V10 engine.

Tristan > Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo
07/23/2020 at 11:02

Hard no... I want to live.

ClassicDatsunDebate > Tristan
07/23/2020 at 11:05

https://portland.craigslist.org/clc/mcy/d/hubbard-kawasaki-voyager/7161319486.html

Tristan > ClassicDatsunDebate
07/23/2020 at 11:11

A bit on the low end of my desired vintage, but tempting! I’ll sock that away in my list of contenders. Thank you.

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > Tristan
07/23/2020 at 11:20

Kinja'd!!!

With nitrous, naturally.

Tristan > Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo
07/23/2020 at 11:23

I can think of nothing more pointless than that bike. I’m glad it exists, but man it’s stupid.

bob and john > Tristan
07/23/2020 at 11:23

why not something in the sports touring catergory? still loads of wind protection, still comfy. made for the miles, and if shopping used, usually well maintained by an older guy

Tristan > bob and john
07/23/2020 at 11:25

Kawasaki Councours or Honda ST... I’m sure there are others- I’m open to that idea, I’m just not that familiar with the category and available models.

Pickup_man > Tristan
07/23/2020 at 11:28

If you’re going the touring route I think you’re on the right path, another bike to check out would be the Yamaha Venture. V4 V-Max motor in a touring bike? Yes p lease.

If you want to go more of the classic cruiser route check out the Yamaha Roadstar/Star motorcycles. Good classic styling, incredibly good deals. Honda Shadows are incredibly cheap as well.

If you want a cruiser but a bit more spunk, Yamaha Warrior, Honda VTX. Both can be had at or below the $3500 mark if you wait for a deal.

Of course you can put a windshield on just about anything, buy whatever tickles your fancy and budget $300 or so for a windshield.

Turbineguy: Nom de Zoom > Tristan
07/23/2020 at 11:34

I’ve seen a few Valks and VTXs on CycleTrader that dip into the $3k range. Why did you sell the Valk you had? Those are terrific bikes.

Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo > Tristan
07/23/2020 at 11:36

As monuments go, I'd call this one a monument to stupidity. Not only that, it is fugly.

bob and john > Tristan
07/23/2020 at 11:39

Connie, ST1100 or 1300, a CBF1000 if you can somehow find one(wasnt sold in the US) .

If you want to go more on the sporty side, you can look for a suzuki GSX-S-F 1000 (fairly new bike) or a kawasaki ninja 1000 (NOT the ZX-10R)
Yamaha Tracer 900 is also a FANTASTIC option. but again, newer machine.

bob and john > Tristan
07/23/2020 at 11:39

Tristan > Turbineguy: Nom de Zoom
07/23/2020 at 11:46

I had put 20,000 miles on it the year before I had sold it, and I was getting burned out on riding. It was a FANTASTIC machine. I was... umm... lemme find my calculator... 26?ish when I sold it. I figured I’d replace it pretty quickly with something else, but just never did and shortly after selling it I started dating a very financially responsible lady who I later married, so I stopped pissing money away on so many toys and old beaters.

Turbineguy: Nom de Zoom > Tristan
07/23/2020 at 13:24

The parallels are amazing. I sold my VTX but kept the FXDL when I met my future wife. Who would not get on the bike. Which was then sold for a Mustang convertible. Which is now gone as I have twin boys.

I need a toy that either rolls, floats or flies.

shop-teacher > For Sweden
07/23/2020 at 13:25

Me too!

Tristan > Turbineguy: Nom de Zoom
07/23/2020 at 13:52

Ha, yeah... I go insane if I don’t have something to tinker on. I tried owning just one nice, new, reliable, fuel efficient car once. It was awful and lasted 6 months before I had to offload it and pick up a shitty old Mustang. I still maintain a fleet of old garbage, but I’m a lot better at not wasting pile s of money on them or selling them on a whim at a massive loss.

Tristan > Pickup_man
07/23/2020 at 14:06

I forgot about the Venture! I see a few Roadstars that look tempting, too. Thanks for the input!

Turbineguy: Nom de Zoom > Tristan
07/23/2020 at 19:06

I still maintain a fleet of old garbage

Wait... is this really David Tracy?

but I’m a lot better at not wasting piles of money on them or selling them on a whim at a massive loss

Oh, nevermind. Clearly not him. Carry on.

The Compromiser > Tristan
07/23/2020 at 20:45

I have a 1300c. easier on the fuel, still a ripper and comfy with a new seat. The T and some S models have wind screens. I put a full bucket on and am usually good.

Tristan > Turbineguy: Nom de Zoom
07/23/2020 at 23:02

Haha... Yeah, I used to be the type to sell my daily driver so I could buy some non-running shitbox and have a couple dollars left over to buy a pseudo-running shitbox to get to work. Then get distracted and sell both to buy the next old shitbox... I was David Tracy.

Tristan > The Compromiser
07/23/2020 at 23:26

I nearly bought a 1300 off the showroom floor back when I was 24. My terrible credit at the time saved me from that financial mistake. They're great bikes, though.

Turbineguy: Nom de Zoom > Tristan
07/24/2020 at 13:43

Can you recommend a 12 step program for him?

Tristan > Turbineguy: Nom de Zoom
07/24/2020 at 14:00

It’s just one step: Find a damn good woman who motivates you to do better . Unfortunately, it’s a terribly difficult step that involves a LOT of luck.