Motorcycles

[Glass]

Wondering who out there is a motorsickle fan? Only messed about with small ones when I was a wee lad but never enough to call myself a rider. Wanted to get a bike from time to time. I thought if SHTF then a trail/cross bike could be a handy mode of transport to have.

Been looking again, but more about ticking something off the bucket list. Seems bucket lists are popular these days. Used to be called a mid life crisis but now its the things to do before kicking the proverbial.

I don't think I'm a candidate for a sport bike. I'm not in much of a hurry these days. A sport tourer maybe. Until this year, new riders have been limitted to 250CC capacity bikes for the first 12 months. This changed in some Aussie states a couple years ago when they increased this to 650CC. I think 250CC is about 15 Cubic Inches and 650cc is about 40.

I didn't want to have to buy 2 bikes just to get to a decent size bike. I think they cottoned on to this and changed it. A lot of mid life people are now getting into bikes for the first time.

I got to looking at cruisers. Obviously you got your harleys. I don't think I'm a harley dude but I do like that style of bike. I was looking at things like the royal enfield which is a small thumper. Kind of nostalgic. I saw the Indians which are very cool but not quite my style.

Then I saw that Honda does a few cruisers which look pretty good. They do a Shadow which looks the business. It's 400CC so well below the limit. Then I saw the Star bikes from yamaha. They have a couple in at 650CC which I like the look of. Good price new. Not many second hand here in WA because they haven't really sold them much before now. Mostly because of the restrictions on new riders which have been lifted.

From reading around, most owners love their V Stars regardless of capacity and age. They seem to be exceptionally reliable and many people put big miles on them. I think this would be the bike for me if I can get it together to buy one.

So, who here rides? What ya got? How much do you love riding it? Do you have one of these V Stars or similar? Are you a cruiser or a rider?

[JFN111]

The wife and I rode Harley's for years but finally sold the bikes two years ago. Living in MN the riding season was short and age was starting to catch up with us.
If you want a "Made in America" bike the Polaris line is very good at a reasonable price. http://www.victorymotorcycles.com/en...otorcycle.aspx
If you want to do long distance riding the Honda Gold wing is a great bike for reliability and comfort.

[palani]

Still made in America. Runs for 9 hours on a tank that holds less than 3 gallons. Mine is a little older.
http://www.rokon.com/index.php?p=1_4_Trail-Breaker
http://www.rokon.com/web_images/Mous...ailbreaker.jpg

[Camp Bassfish]

I have since added removable soft sided saddlebags and a removable windshield (mostly to hold my EZ Pass). Riding season is short here as well, but I'm not above "trailering" her to warmer climates should the urge arise.

Going to be mid 50's here Easter Sunday....... I'll be home as the ham leaves the oven.

[Glass]

This is good. Motorcycle tour to Springfield Armory and beyond.

The American Iron Road Tour

[mick silver]

Just added to my bike tueday , one more roadking for me

[Glass]

It is about 26,000kms or 16,000mi to circumnavigate Australia by road. That's across the top end, down the sides and along the bottom. Been reading about peoples adventures.

This guy did it on a maxi scooter: http://www.max.grenkowitz.net/?topic=840

He went counter clockwise from Queensland, Up the east, across the top end, down the west side and east along the bottom.

He did a very detailed blog but he's a man on a mission so it's more about getting around in X days than taking it easy and discovering Australia. But there's lots of good info on how to get around and places to stay.

The thing I liked to most was the pictures he took on the way.
Links to journey diaries, GPS map, stats, accomadation info

Daily reports

I can't link the pics which is a shame but he does take some good photos. From day 8 in the DR's they are all from the top end. Amazing country. Check them out if you have some time.

So anyway I'm going to have to make a plan to do something like this. Maybe on a sports tourer.

[General of Darkness]

Always wanted a Motard.

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ud1E-KZogM...-bike-2008.jpg

[Glass]

Always wanted a Motard.

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ud1E-KZogM...-bike-2008.jpg

This is the can of worms because one bike can't do it all so logically you need a couple of bikes. I can see I'd need a cruiser, a street bike and a tourer and a motard or adventure bike would be handy also. I'm starting at the begining so will go for a starter bike for the road and work up from there but I like the idea of touring.

[Tumbleweed]

Glass if you do decide to do some touring I don't think you'll regret it. I always liked to see what was on the other side of the hill and used to take short trips seeing the sights. I 2001 we had a drought and I sold my cattle then hired on with a trucking company. I would pick up a load where ever it was then take it to where ever it needed to go. It was an adventure that I really wouldn't have wanted to miss. There was a computer in the truck and it would beep and a red light would come on. that was the signal that they had a load I could pick up, where it was a where it needed to go. I just never knew where I was going next or the people I'd be meeting. It was interesting and an adventure. I traveled the 48 states and saw all the backsides of the cities and a lot of the empty places in the middle of nowhere for a year and a half. My home was in the truck. I had a small refrigerator and a little dc cooking unit and a comfortable bunk. All the comforts of home! I think you could have a great time traveling, seeing the sights and meeting people along the way.