Motorcycle purchase

[Skinnywater]

I respect the high degree of IQ on these forums.<br />So again I'll ask for your qualified opinions of the ones who would know.<br /><br />This spring I'll be purchasing a motorcycle for my workday commute. This commute consists of 100 miles daily of Interstate through mostly rural areas. Half of this commute is through foothills. The posted limit is 70 with 75-80 being the norm.<br /><br />I have previous experience with 2 modified Triumph 650's that I owned and rode extensively in the '70's.<br /><br />I won't buy new but will buy a '90's bike. I like Harley but won't spend twice the money for the name/attitude. <br /><br />I've narrowed it down to a couple that have the style,power,price and size that pleases me. <br />I'm very dead even here.<br />Honda VT1100 Shadow<br />Yamaha Virago 1100<br />Either would have simple leather bags and small windshield and other personal mods.<br />Service is the same for either.<br />Any personal experiences?<br />Also, what is considered high miles on a big bike these days?<br /><br />Thanks for your replies.

 

[magster65]

Re: Motorcycle purchase

If I were choosing one of those two bikes I'd probably take the Honda. A friend has a Virago and it seems to be a bit of a lemon. It's an early 90's model, he's always having to fix something. It is my experience that Harleys don't cost more, possibly a lot less. They don't depreciate as the Jap. bikes do so when you sell it all your money comes back... sometimes more. Maintenance is the key to mileage, my Low Rider had 95000 k's on it and ran like new still. I had a Suzuki Intruder and sold it at 70-somethin'. They'll go a long way if you look after them.

 

[SpinnerBait_Nut]

Re: Motorcycle purchase

The Honda would be the choice for what you want, but as magster said the Harleys are more $'s at the start, but you don't lose any money on them at resale time. They do hold their value good.

 

[dmessy]

Re: Motorcycle purchase

Either of the bikes you mentioned will be just fine. 30k on a bike and you are looking at wheel bearings, brakes, valve job, minor oil leaks.

 

[brent suzkui wyble j16]

Re: Motorcycle purchase

Skinnywater, personaly i would go with the Honda, they seem to run forever if taken care of. i know you said no Harley but, there is a dealer in Ft.Lauderdale that sells off lease cop bikes,(road kings) they only stay out for 1 year, they do all the service, they come in a few paint colors, fuel inj. hard bags,and removel windshield, they ship anywhere or they will pay to fly you down and you ride away. i got a 2000, blue and white that is beautiful.

 

[roscoe]

Re: Motorcycle purchase

I don't know your age but if you rode in the 70's you are probably my age or older. Are You SURE the cruiser riding position is right for you? THe bikes look cool an all, but sitting with all your weight on your tailbone and your legs out in front of you is not the most comfortable, nor the most manuverable in traffic. I would definitely ride one for a couple hours and see if you are feeling comfortable and fresh when you get off.<br />And don't forget to do some emergency stops and avoidance moves to see how they handle.<br /><br />YOur back, legs, and tailbone arent't used to supporting all that weight.<br /><br />Even most Harley riders progress to the wider seat and upright riding position as they learn about comfort.<br /><br />Then, when you think you know which bike you are buying, go test a bike with safety and comfort designed into it. My choice would be any BMW from 1985 on, except the new "c" series with the cruiser position.

 

[FLATHEAD]

Re: Motorcycle purchase

Skinny. <br /> I would not be to fast to write off the Harley. The electraglide standerd is not all that expensive at 12.5 and you get alot of motorcycle for the money.full fairing,fiberglass boxes,great seat,tons of power,etc etc. even a cigarette lighter. I have ridden them all and none compare to the electraglide. I have booked two hundred fifty thousand miles on the newer harleys and have not had any real problems. I admit they seem a little over priced but they hold the value.When they do wear down some you just rebuild them and keep riding them ( not so for some of the imports) I have a 1990 ultra classic up on ebay right now for sale for a friend check it out. item # 2400175946

 

[butlp]

Re: Motorcycle purchase

I agree with Roscoe, check out a BMW. I have had both the old air cooled boxer and the K bikes and they are so reliable and well built. Take one for a test ride and you will feel the quality.<br />100 miles a day on fast roads, my choice would be a K1100 RS or RT.

 

[12Footer]

Re: Motorcycle purchase

Honda quality is simply undeniable. However, if you wiegh more than 200lbs, I would strongly urge you onto a larger-displacement.<br />This is both for overall wieght and road-stability, and work-load of the drive train under load.<br />Those little guys will make you wish you had retractable landing gear when in a heavy wind.<br /><br />I had a Harley Heritage, a Sporty, 3 Hondas of smaller cc, a Yammie650 twin, and a Suuzuki 1400.<br />Of all those, the Suzuki VS1400 delivered great hole-shots, plenty of interstate arse, and absolutely glued itself to the road while passing semis.Those were the ones I owned.<br />Of all the bikes I've had on the super-slab, for pure interstate, I would recommend a Goldwing Interstate. <br />I never owned one, but did have the pure pleasure of driving one the length of the state of Florida.<br />They named this horsey well,as it is unbeatable on long-haul, harsh-weather,high-speed cruising. Anything else, (Zuki included), is beneath it.

 

[ob]

Re: Motorcycle purchase

Skinnywater,There are a lot of bikes in the 90's models available on the second hand market.Many of these have 12,000 or less miles and have been well maintained.I've been riding for most of my adult life and have owned several bikes ranging from the KZ kawas to the Honda magnas and finally into the sport bike styles.While comfort may be an issue ,a lot of what you end up buying will be determined by your riding preferences and let's face it ,for the sheer thrill.I tend to lean a bit more toward the sport bike than the cruisers or streets because of they're handling ability and styling.Some of the models available have a bit more of a rational riding position than others.I'm 6'2 and around 220 and still ride a FZR1000 Yammy.Don't much like to ride it further than 100 miles at a pop but those are 100 miles of at will throttle response and slot car handling.Since you say that near half of your commute will be in foothills and generous speed limits with possibly a few twisties ......I'd get there and back and have some fun doing it.A bike is like a pair of shoes.You need to try them on.Just my take ...To each his own.

 

[John Carpenter]

Re: Motorcycle purchase

Back in the late '70's I put 35,000 miles on a Suzuki 750 in about 2 years & am thinking along the same lines you are right now. I like your choices but would add the Kawasaki Nomad 1500 to the list. Is your commute 100 mi. round trip? If so, then long haul comfort is not an issue really. If it is 100 mi. each way then the Goldwing or BMW may warrant a close look.

 

[Skinnywater]

Re: Motorcycle purchase

Yes, it's a 100 miles round trip. I'll look into the Nomad.<br /><br />I agree 100% about the Harley and BMW. However, the wife factor. It's taken a year starting from a flat NO! To her going along with $3,000 for the bike. <br />You guys have to agree 3k doesn't get much for a Harley or Bmer.<br /><br />I will consider all of your suggestions, all of them were excellent responses. Thanks guys.

 

[roscoe]

Re: Motorcycle purchase

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2400311373&category=6025

 

[upstate]

Re: Motorcycle purchase

buy american. look at victory

 

[FLATHEAD]

Re: Motorcycle purchase

Not a bad price on that beemer Roscoe. The only thing the seller states "it looks like the bike has never been down" Make you wonder where it came from. Seller has no history on it.

 

[Skinnywater]

Re: Motorcycle purchase

That is nice! 62K miles wouldn't scare you?

 

[John Carpenter]

Re: Motorcycle purchase

Those miles on that year BMW wouldn't scare me at all. Just means that the bike has been ridden regularly...which is far better than sitting. Looks to be in good shape. There are a lot of good bikes around in the 3-4K price range...good luck with your search.

 

[roscoe]

Re: Motorcycle purchase

In '84, the shop manager at local Beemer dealer bought a new R100. In '89, I witnesses as he pulled the heads and prepared to re do whatever needed to be done to the valve train. After carefull measurements and head sctatching, he cleaned it up and bolted the heads back on. The bike had 90,000+ miles on it and required no top end work at all. My K100RT has treated me like no other bike and the most expensive repair I've ever had is a set of tires, and a new spline thingy on the driveshaft @ 60,000 miles. <br /><br />I have seen many, not a few, of the air cooled R bikes go over 250,000 miles. That for me is about 30 years of riding.

 

[mick rex]

Re: Motorcycle purchase

Hi there never had a virago but i mported a used vt 1100 from california to the uk it was an 88 model and i used it for everyday transport for 4 years and 40,000 miles it was very reliable the only faults were batteries that only lasted 18 months max and a rusted out exhaust , i found it very comfortable as a rider but the wife hated riding pillion said it was the most uncomfortable bike she,d ever been on mick

 

[Skinnywater]

Re: Motorcycle purchase

<br />My local Honda dealer called today and told me they had taken on trade a '92 VT1100 Shadow Spirit. So at lunch I went down to have a look.<br />The bike was pretty nice with 43K miles on it.<br />However, parked beside it was a chromey bright Harley Sportster 1200 Custom just taken in trade also.<br /><br />It took 30 minutes of doing a figure eight around them both. I kept telling myself, as I had most of my life, "you ain't a Harley guy". The salesman given me free rein. I sat on the Honda and it was as I expected, nice, smooth, comfortable and big.<br /> Mounted ,the Harley...it was smaller, stiffer and was so solid a cat couldn't scratch it. Chrome and billit and billet and chrome and raw and punch and sound, HD sound, vibrant sound of punchin' power, and! and! and!..... did I say raw? <br /><br />Called wife on cellphone and........made the deal, Showroom Pearl white, 2002 HD Sportster 1200 Custom, 1700 miles.<br />Forward controls, solid alloy rear wheel, spoke front, aftermarket exaust and jet kit, tach option and shop manuel. A new helmet and faceshield. <br />Seventy nine hundred. Am taking delivery tomorrow.<br /> <br /><br />On my way back to work I had to pull over and puke. <br /><br />Dang!.......Dang!!!...Sure is pretty......DANG!!