Thinking about life after GZ..already..

[vikz250]

Hello guys! I just wanted to get some feed back from our veteran riders about what would you guys think would be a good "final bike" after let say 3 or 4 years practicing with GZ?? My plan is someday go for a long trip to California from washington state, I have been looking at the HD sportster 1200 lately and man I LIKE IT!! its not too expensive but not cheap either :skeptical: , I like it because its not too heavy but heavy enough to go for a long drive ( i think). Are HD reliable like the suzuki's?? I'm not very mechanically inclined so I want something "trouble" free like GZ..thanks in advance..

[Dupo]

HD accessories will run your wallet dry if you are looking to do some 'stuff' to it after you get it. That is the biggest problem with HD (Hundred Dollar accessories). I'm not a fan of sportsters at all, but to each his own.

I had a choice of a HD and a Honda when i was upgrading. While new HDs are much better than they used to be, i went with the Honda Shadow. A huge deal breaker for me was the price, and then the price of the accessories. Both of which Honda beat HD by a lot of money. After owning my shadow for 6 years and a buddy of mine owning his HD the same amount of time .... i don't think i'll ever own a HD. Again, to each their own!

If you are looking to travel state to state, a sporty probably wouldnt be a good choice mainly for comfort. Might want to look in to a slightly more touring type bike. Vstar, newer hondas are a few mentions. I really like the VTX series myself.

[Water Warrior 2]

There are a couple good reasons to ride a H-D. They are a far better bike than they used to be a few years ago and there is great dealer support with shops all over the place. A Sportster will need a lot of cash infused into it to make a touring bike. Go bigger with a larger tank, better seating and more options for bags, windshields and other creature comforts.
Or look at the Japanese cruisers with an equivalent price tag just for fun and knowledge. There are many choices from 750 and up that will fill the bill very well. Many have drive shafts or belts so there is no chain maintenance involved. Most are liquid cooled and fuel injected.
Yamaha's old standard 1100 is a rock of a bike. Air cooled I think, has carbs but is a very popular cruiser with a good reputation.
Don't know what kind of budget you may be operating with so here are a couple ideas. Go to the various websites for Japanese bikes and look for new old stock. Noncurrent bikes can be a saving and if a dealer has one on hand he may want to get it out the door with a good price or a bunch of farkles to make traveling a lot better. Or maybe riding gear for that long trip.
Take your time and look a lot, there is something out there for everyone. Craigs list has a lot of well maintained bikes that may do the deed too. Looking is free and you may also learn what not to buy.
A good way to learn about bikes that interst you is to lurk on various forums. Look for bikes that are being ridden and not worked on. You may find some bikes that are ridden and not wrenched on every nice weekend. Forums will give a general theme about the bikes and their good and bad points in short order.

[Water Warrior 2]

Just realized you are not too far away from us. Just across the border. How about a Suzuki 800 V-twin. It is for sale.

[fatoldfool]

Wow, you are sure to get a lot of different opinions on this one. While I love Harleys and they have an appeal no other bike has, I still think if I were going on trips over 300 miles I would want a japanese tourer. After I put a $400 Mustang seat on my 07 1200C, I could stay on it for two hours, take a break, and do two more hours, but I hated the suspension (can you say crunched vertebrae). It did hurt my back when I hit bad spots in the road. The 97 1200 had custom suspension (close to $400 extra) front and back and was much better, but the vibes in the pegs and bars lit up my arthritis. I had an 06 FatBoy and it was great, but the additional weight backing it off my patio made my bad knees hurt bad. Right now I am considering a 1981 Honda Goldwing Interstate, but I will have to find another place to keep it it if I get it...All I can say is repeat what was said above, look and do research, sit on them and hope for a good friend might let you swap bikes for part of a ride...good luck!!

[mole2]

Having owned my V-Star 650 Classic for two years now I can highly recommend them as they are as maintenance free (other than your normal items such as oil, etc) as your GZ. Yamaha has discontinued the 650 Classic as well as the 1100 Classic/Custom. They replaced them with the V-Star 950(T). The "T" would be the tourer model with the bags, windscreen, etc. On the Yamaha forums they are highly touted and "if" I ever move up that would be on my short list. I say "if" because I'm not planning any long multi state trips and the 650 is a great about town and short to medium trip bike. It fills all my needs. If I want to go further than one state away I'll trailer it. Take a look at the Yamaha dealers close to you as some still have the 1100 on the showroom floor at great deals. Go sit one and see what you think. I lean towards the Classic/Silverado models as the seat is better and I like the looks better than the Customs.


:)

[vikz250]

Thanks guys for all the input and yes I have been "lurking" in some forums and reading up on the bikes that interest me and also been looking at craigslist just to look. We don't have a lot of motorcycle dealer here in out town, The HD dealer is also the Suzuki and Yamaha dealer and they don't have any other model besides ninja's and vstorms, I like the feel of the GZ thats why I'm looking at other "GZ" looking bikes, there is a honda dealer but they only have a few selection and they all seemed too big for me..I do like Suzuki's line of 650's but again the dealer sold the last Suzuki 650 they had, Anyway I still have several years (hopefully not too long) on the GZ so for now I wil enjoy my GZ and who knows I might hit the lotto or something and I will have my dream bike next week!!LOL.. This is what I like in Suzuki line..

http://www.suzukicycles.com/Product%20L ... aspx#Specs (http://www.suzukicycles.com/Product%20Lines/Cycles/Products/Boulevard%20C50/2012/C50.aspx#Specs)

[alantf]

http://www.suzukicycles.com/Product%20L ... aspx#Specs (http://www.suzukicycles.com/Product%20Lines/Cycles/Products/Boulevard%20C50/2012/C50.aspx#Specs)

So they're wanting $1500 for backrest, saddlebags, & screen? Or is there something else that warrants the extra, such as gold plated pipes. :cry:

[jonathan180iq]

Wouldn't know. I've never owned anything larger than 500cc and never felt like I needed more.

I'm not sure that "upgrading" is an actual thing. There is no such thing as a beginner bike. That would require training wheels.

[Water Warrior 2]

http://www.suzukicycles.com/Product%20L ... aspx#Specs (http://www.suzukicycles.com/Product%20Lines/Cycles/Products/Boulevard%20C50/2012/C50.aspx#Specs)

So they're wanting $1500 for backrest, saddlebags, & screen? Or is there something else that warrants the extra, such as gold plated pipes. :cry:
That is pretty much it. The factory options are a wallet killer compared to aftermarket stuff of equal or better quality.

[vikz250]

alantf I know what you mean, every time i try to look for a back rest for gz I just say to myself I think i'm good with the stock seat hehehe..

[PG tips]

I really like the look of the 650 v-star and the Kawasaki Vulcan, either would be my ideal bike, but I suppose I should try get to ride one, its over the horizon for a few reasons. I need to put some mileage and practice on my GZ, particularly in the wet which I still dont feel comfortable with. I was getting blown around a bit on the motorway today and am easily overtaken by most stuff.
I'll be holding onto my GZ for quite a while, even if I replace it I dont think I could get let it go, I got it at a good price and I'm not sure it would be worth too much in a few years.

[vikz250]

Pg tips I am also hoping I can just keep GZ when the time comes for me to get a bigger one bit that will take a lot of convincing to my wife for me to have 2 bikes..I can only imagine how beautiful the ride there where you live, my wife's mom is from scotland and maybe someday we can visit there..

[northsidegz]

Hey vik, I just purchased a Vulcan 800 after riding the GZ for a year. Like you (at least, I think so if I remember your other posts), the GZ was essentially my first bike and really my only experience. I also owned an 82 Suzuki GS450 Bobber, but it was pretty similar in terms of size, weight and handling as the GZ.

When you upgrade, I think you'll see a noticable difference in various areas. If you're looking at a Boulevard, it will most certainly feel bigger and less easy to "man-handle" (for lack of a better term) than the GZ. That said, I'm finding takeoffs (i.e. going forward at a stoplight, for example) feel much nicer on a bigger bike. It's almost like gliding on a bigger bike.

So far, on the Vulcan, I'm loving the acceleration and range of speed in certain gears. I also love the low center of gravity. It is actually easier for me in cloverleaf's and other ramps on the highway as compared to the GZ. I'm not loving the MPG. That is an obvious sacrifice. Maintenance and worry-free riding are still to be seen. I won't be taking any long "trips" on it though as I just don't have the time, so won't be able to comment on that part.

Best of luck in your search when you're ready to do so!

[PimpS]

Northside; kawa vulcan 800 is a beautty, but to me it looks enormously bigger or at least heavier than gz. How is the peg scraping and handling overall. Some say it's easy, some say it's heavy and robust in town-riding (u-turns, crossroads...)?
I'm still into suzuki's intruder m800, i think it's m50 in usa, but i'll have to try it and , yeah, collect the money...

[Water Warrior 2]

Northside; kawa vulcan 800 is a beautty, but to me it looks enormously bigger or at least heavier than gz. How is the peg scraping and handling overall. Some say it's easy, some say it's heavy and robust in town-riding (u-turns, crossroads...)?
I'm still into suzuki's intruder m800, i think it's m50 in usa, but i'll have to try it and , yeah, collect the money...
The Kawa 800 and the Intruder/M-50 are nearly 2 times the weight of a GZ. They are not a beginners bike in my opinion. Maybe for a big strong man type but not for a new rider of normal or less stature. The size and weight can be intimidating to a new nervous unskilled rider.
Don't know about the handling on the Kawa but the Intruder/M-50 is quite nice and is a hoot in the twisties.

[northsidegz]

I haven't ridden an M50, but love the look. The Vulcan does not turn as easily as a GZ to say the least. U-turns will be harder. Haven't tried figure 8's on it. It's a bigger, heavier bike for sure. I'm 5'10" and weigh 225 and I can handle it ok, but I would agree that a person of any size will want to make sure they're comfortable handling a bike that size. I'm not really one that rides the twisties, so not sure how it rides comparatively, but with what limited riding I've done on it so far, I suspect it does not handle as well as an M50 or a Meanstreak or "cruiser bike" that targets that audience. I do like the low center of gravity of the Vulcan, so maybe there is some twistiness hidden in there!

[Water Warrior 2]

You have to get out and ride. Explore the capabilities of the bike but don't get carried away.

[vikz250]

Thanks WW and you are right I have been lurking in the HD forums and one thing I noticed is they all have to upgrade something! If I do get one It will be stock period!!There are a couple good reasons to ride a H-D. They are a far better bike than they used to be a few years ago and there is great dealer support with shops all over the place. A Sportster will need a lot of cash infused into it to make a touring bike. Go bigger with a larger tank, better seating and more options for bags, windshields and other creature comforts.
Or look at the Japanese cruisers with an equivalent price tag just for fun and knowledge. There are many choices from 750 and up that will fill the bill very well. Many have drive shafts or belts so there is no chain maintenance involved. Most are liquid cooled and fuel injected.
Yamaha's old standard 1100 is a rock of a bike. Air cooled I think, has carbs but is a very popular cruiser with a good reputation.
Don't know what kind of budget you may be operating with so here are a couple ideas. Go to the various websites for Japanese bikes and look for new old stock. Noncurrent bikes can be a saving and if a dealer has one on hand he may want to get it out the door with a good price or a bunch of farkles to make traveling a lot better. Or maybe riding gear for that long trip.
Take your time and look a lot, there is something out there for everyone. Craigs list has a lot of well maintained bikes that may do the deed too. Looking is free and you may also learn what not to buy.
A good way to learn about bikes that interst you is to lurk on various forums. Look for bikes that are being ridden and not worked on. You may find some bikes that are ridden and not wrenched on every nice weekend. Forums will give a general theme about the bikes and their good and bad points in short order.

[vikz250]

Almost pulled the trigger today on a 2009 sportster 883! with 14,000 miles, some how I got approved to finance it, it was $6000 but I was able to bring it down to $5500.I'm still under GZ so the monthly will be atleast $150/month which is doable but I just don't want to force it to work..the weird thing is I can get it with 0 down and my monthly will be only $112/month but I have to keep GZ which is not possible for me to make both payments..

[PimpS]

Vkiz, you are really into it! Cool! I'm trying to give you some info, which i read about in a moto-newspaper during my sea side holliday, about HD sportster 883: Great bike, low with pegs (scraping is a thing you have to accept, said the journalist, small gas tank and MPG's much different than GZ)... How much are the triumphs in america, are there many? Bonneville and America? Now you have the time to try all and decide after... Good luck!

[paulisnofun]

I love the look of the HD Sportster 883. I would really like to upgrade my bike next season to either the 883, or maybe a Triumph Bonneville. Chances are I will go smaller, I am not sure how much of a difference in riding you see when switching from a 250 to a 900.

[Water Warrior 2]

Almost pulled the trigger today on a 2009 sportster 883! with 14,000 miles, some how I got approved to finance it, it was $6000 but I was able to bring it down to $5500.I'm still under GZ so the monthly will be atleast $150/month which is doable but I just don't want to force it to work..the weird thing is I can get it with 0 down and my monthly will be only $112/month but I have to keep GZ which is not possible for me to make both payments..
Wise move not getting the 883. From the sounds of it you do not have the disposible income to just go out and buy a bike. Don't be bike poor just because you want it. The added cost of a H-D is huge compared to the GZ.
I was once car poor with a small fleet to support, maintain and insure. Yeah a personal fleet of stuff on wheels. That also included a couple dirt bikes and their transport trailer. Been there done that.
Buying a new ride may seem like a good idea(0%financing)at the time but what if you have a slight financial meltdown elsewhere and that new bike payment is going to hold back your recovery in a big way.
I'm all for new toys and such cause I was a younger go get em kinda guy once too. You only live once and all that stuff but just be sure you can survive your desires without being forced to live in a cardboard box. Or in a clapped out van for that matter. :cry:

[northsidegz]

Agreed on not putting yourself underwater just to upgrade. If what you have now works, just make sure you keep that in mind before pulling the trigger (i.e. makes you think, "do I really want/need to upgrade right now?"). Personally, six grand is more than I paid for my past two VEHICLES! COMBINED! LOL. (a Neon and a Windstar for those wondering)

And I don't remember whereabouts you live, but be sure you have a mechanic around if you're thinking of a Triumph. Generally speaking, you'll have a pretty wide range of mechanics available if you go with a Harley or a Japanese bike. Once you get in the British, Italian, and other manufacturers, it seems as though the availability for local parts and mechanics dwindles significantly (of course, I've only owned Japanese bikes, so this is based on what I read, not what I've experienced).

I just know I wouldn't want to be this guy - see link (it's worth noting, he's in Hibbing, which is not really that close to the main cities of Minneapolis/St. Paul):
http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/ram/mcd/3198422403.html

[vikz250]

Here is the Sportster 883XL..coments??..

http://i120.photobucket.com/albums/o175/vikz07/FEF793B7-14C7-4CC2-A73B-D1B5AC2530D5-16106-0000191859F4CD24.jpg
http://i120.photobucket.com/albums/o175/vikz07/E16F262C-2437-4034-B2E3-CD333FD1C113-16106-0000191852DA3B71.jpg
http://i120.photobucket.com/albums/o175/vikz07/902A1F74-0919-4012-B01B-AE802BE79353-16106-000019184C04D0D5.jpg
http://i120.photobucket.com/albums/o175/vikz07/A8B46CDD-E974-4979-A4A0-B3D07B779F91-16106-000019184553298F.jpg
http://i120.photobucket.com/albums/o175/vikz07/EAA8CB76-BD8B-48E8-9F5F-B7BC656AA133-16106-000019183BBE86A9.jpg

[northsidegz]

As far as 2009 Sportsters go, I think it's a great looking bike and you'd be getting a reasonable price. :) I would wonder if you would outgrow the Sportster (?). I haven't ridden one. I don't know. I have only heard of folks outgrowing their Sportster quickly. Kinda like a GZ. LOL. I know the Harley engine delivers it's power differently than other motorcycles. So an 883 doesn't necessarily feel like, say, an 805 from a Suzuki or a Kawasaki. It would feel less powerful than the Japanese bike (or that's how I understand it, again, never ridden one and I could be totally wrong).

Personally, I'd rather save up my money (rather than finance now) and instead get a used VStar, Intruder, Vulcan, Shadow, Boulevard, etc down the road. But that's just me. Lots of folks love Harley!

I think it's a great color. Great chrome. Looks super nice! If it's your thing, sounds like a good buy. :)

[blaine]

I have to agree,I have rode different years of the Sporster & IMHO I think they are terrible!! I find them to be under powered & very uncomfortable.Was very glad to get back on my 23 year old Kawasaki.Just my two cents.
:) :cool:

[Water Warrior 2]

The bike looks pretty good. I do wonder why the side panels do not match the rest of the paint color.
The 883 is generally considered to be a starter bike/first bike in the H-D line. More like a GZ than you thought, right. The 883 is an around town bike with a small tank which I'm sure can be upgraded at a bigger optional tank at a surprising price. If you like the look but want a bit lower price tag and running costs/insurance etc Suzuki has your bike. Look at an M-50. Bigger tank, liquid cooled, FI and all the other good stuff. Or test sit a C-50 with a bigger seat, different bars, floorboards etc. You could probably get a new one @0% if it is old new stock. The 50 series bikes are 800 V-twins that fit most needs without breaking the bank. New or used, you will find a bunch on CL.
Not intending to sound like an advertisement for Suzy but I honestly can't wrap my head around owning a H-D without it being a big touring model with all the bells and whistles. A large % of the riders I know have H-D baggers and they love them but I don't have their money and the desire to try wearing one out. I also can't afford the required wardrobe that seems to be a requirement of ownership.
Just rambling thoughts from an old retired guy. :2tup:

[vikz250]

Thanks Water warrior, the only problem is my dealer here does not carry a lot of models in Suzuki and one problem too is its seemed easier to get financed by HD compared to Suzuki not sure why and no if I ever get an HD I will still stick to my old "gear" of silver and gray hehehe..

[northsidegz]

You may enjoy researching some legitimate dealers that specialize in shipping bikes all over. There's one in Texas I remember seeing and hearing positive things about (something like American Trading Company or something like that, I forget the name --- they post a lot on Youtube, but they specialize in higher end stuff).

There's one in Wisconsin, Big Bend, that advertises on CycleTrader a lot (see link). I know they Finance and their shipping isn't too outrageous (and since they do a lot of it, they are a trusted dealership). They'll be a heckuva lot cheaper than a Harley. Only bad thing is you wouldn't be able to test ride. To some degree, enough research can overcome the lack of a test ride. But I know most would suggest test riding first.

http://www.cycletrader.com/New-Or-Used-Motorcycles-For-Sale-In-Big-Bend-Wisconsin/search-results?city=Big+Bend&state=Wisconsin|WI&vrsn=hybrid&sort=price:asc&newsort=1&page=1

[vikz250]

thanks northsidegz for the link..

[PG tips]

Pg tips I am also hoping I can just keep GZ when the time comes for me to get a bigger one bit that will take a lot of convincing to my wife for me to have 2 bikes..I can only imagine how beautiful the ride there where you live, my wife's mom is from scotland and maybe someday we can visit there..

To be honest, maybe its to do with being from here, I think the views are better elsewhere, Washington State sounds much better and Scotland too, the later is certainly rugged in places, I travelled up part of the west coast of Scotland, but never really got to the Highlands, a lot of that is like Ireland, but the mountains seem bigger,wetter,colder, maybe the Scots and the Irish personality stems from the terrible weather, mostly bloody raining :).
Views not always visible when on a bike, in a small road surrounded by hedges, but more likely for me as im concentrating on the road and while relaxed,i have not relaxed that much that I take in the scenery as i've only been on bikes since start of last year and only had my GZ less than a year. It's not all hedges and laneways, lot of motorway and big roads around me and its a built up urban-suburban area, some nice views nearby but I can [strike:eferpjcx]image [/strike:eferpjcx]imagine views in the States are a bit more impressive, when i say a bit i mean a lot!

The GZ is good for the local roads around me, not so much on the motorway as i cant really match the speed and I dont like being surrounded by trouble when i cant get out of it, some nice views nearby but to get where the nicer views are would take a long ride.

[Water Warrior 2]

The view is always better somewhere else. Not really, they are all great. Have lived on the Canadian prairies and now the West coast. I've travelled across Canada, to New Mexico and Alaska and enjoyed all the views. In October Lynda and I will drive to Los Vegas in her car. On the list of views are the Grand Canyon, Bryce Canyon(again), Zion National Park.
Elsewhere, the Pacific Coast highway is a head turner for scenic ocean views. Ask me my favorite scene and I will undoubtly say Montana. Montana is Big Sky Country. Nothing in my memory compares. The sky is special, I can't describe why but it just is.

Now after all that. We are going to visit Ireland next year. Never having left this continent we are looking forward to Ireland and it's folks. It should be fun and maybe I'll even rent a righthand drive car for a bit.

[alantf]

Wish you folks wouldn't keep going on about the long scenic rides :) Over here I can get anywhere on the island in around 70 miles, plus, it's just a giant volcano, so if I don't want to ride up and down mountains, I have to use the autopista that runs round the coast, then short rides on the scenic routes. :cry:

If I could afford a bigger bike (and keep the GZ for everyday riding) my ambition is to take the ferry to mainland Spain, then ride up through Spain & France, take the ferry to England, then ride up through England to my daughter's in Yorkshire........Oh well...... I can dream, can't I? :)

[PG tips]

The view is always better somewhere else. Not really, they are all great. Have lived on the Canadian prairies and now the West coast. I've travelled across Canada, to New Mexico and Alaska and enjoyed all the views. In October Lynda and I will drive to Los Vegas in her car. On the list of views are the Grand Canyon, Bryce Canyon(again), Zion National Park.
Elsewhere, the Pacific Coast highway is a head turner for scenic ocean views. Ask me my favorite scene and I will undoubtly say Montana. Montana is Big Sky Country. Nothing in my memory compares. The sky is special, I can't describe why but it just is.

Now after all that. We are going to visit Ireland next year. Never having left this continent we are looking forward to Ireland and it's folks. It should be fun and maybe I'll even rent a righthand drive car for a bit.

Them sounds like some nice trips on a bike, especially the prairies.
I drove (car) from Phoenix to Las Vegas some years ago, it was high 90's in Phoenix and people were telling me thats not hot, it was snowing a blizzard a few miles up the road in Flagstaff, or at least it seemed like a few miles, as I said its been a few years since I was there, personally i think the views were great. I'm pretty sure I drove across the hoover dam at the time, that was back about 10 years ago, I know there is an alternate bridge now but I dont think they even started building it when I was there.
Funny, I always had an inkling to see Montana, cheesily, I think it was a film, " A river runs through it" that got me thinking like that, corny probably.
If you are coming here, If you want I will try point you in the right direction, a car makes things convenient, a train can give a nice view but I havent been on one in years. I believe automatic car rentals are widely available, maybe you can drive a manual (stick) but added into the roads here, it can make for an added distraction. It was the thing I found about driving over there, I had to overcome my natural tendency when going around a corner to go the side i was used to, but only on cornering and only when i got there initially, it just meant I stayed more focused than i usually am when driving.
I even like driving an auto here the odd time, someone I know has one.

edit, do you mean "now after all that" you want to plan to come to ireland or you already have a plan to come to Ireland.
If you are give me a shout, if things change no worries.

[PG tips]

Wish you folks wouldn't keep going on about the long scenic rides :) Over here I can get anywhere on the island in around 70 miles, plus, it's just a giant volcano, so if I don't want to ride up and down mountains, I have to use the autopista that runs round the coast, then short rides on the scenic routes. :cry:

If I could afford a bigger bike (and keep the GZ for everyday riding) my ambition is to take the ferry to mainland Spain, then ride up through Spain & France, take the ferry to England, then ride up through England to my daughter's in Yorkshire........Oh well...... I can dream, can't I? :)

That also sounds like a nice trip too, up through Spain, but only on a much bigger bike :), its a small world really, I believe part of my family history is in Yorkshire. I'd like to go through UK, go by the west coast of France, it sounds a bit dark, but I'd like to see Normandy.
You could always get a trials bike, go up the side of a volcano :D
If the big one goes off make sure to send us an email, so get my surf board out for the biggest wave ever, kidding, I cant surf

[PG tips]

[quote="vikz250"]Thanks WW and you are right I have been lurking in the HD forums and one thing I noticed is they all have to upgrade something! If I do get one It will be stock period!!

That 883 HD looks nice, I was going to say it looks very GZ like to me, but it seems people have said similar, i am not an expert, nor do i claim to be, it probably looks totally different in person (sizewise). Still it looks nice.
I've seen a few HD's around on the road, not big ones, they look nice but I'm not sure how much they cost, i haven't particularly seen second hand ones available, maybe people buy them and keep them. I didn't realise till I started looking around this forum, it seems the whole upgrading of HD's is a thing? that HD promote?
I prefer the idea of having a bike but maybe adding or changing only a few things, not completely changing it.
Some people probably think totally different and thats ok. What Ive heard here (and I've really heard very little) is how people prefer this jap bike make over some other jap bike make.

each to their own

[Water Warrior 2]

I can dream, can't I? :)
Dreams are good for your soul and mind. All too many folks have nothing left but dreams to keep them going from day to day. The trip to visit your daughter could be a great ride/adventure.

[Water Warrior 2]

PG tips, all of the trips I mentioned were on 4 wheels in the past. I have done a few rides across the Rocky Mountains to Alberta to visit old friends since getting the Vstrom. Once half way across Canada with Lynda when she had her GZ to visit her brother in Manitoba. A very pleasant ride for us was in 2009 when we took 8 or 9 days to ride South across the border and wandered about in Washington. That was a shake down cruise for Lynda after she got her M-50 and she was very happy with the results. 2 years later(2011) she rode to Manitoba again but by herself on the M-50. It was sort of a personal test of metal and was a complete success. Who said grandmothers can't have adventures.
Our planned trip to Ireland is still in the planning stages. We have tossed around the idea of trains for some of the transportation needs and maybe a car for exploring certain sights that are not close to rail service.
Dublin is of course on the list. Probably that is where the plane will land.
Lynda did find an excellent tourism book about Ireland that has tons of info and tips for the uninformed tourist trying not to get lost. That will be a good guide and info source in the initial planning.
I know for a fact I will have trouble learning to speak and hear Irish. I have a terrible time catching on to different accents. I suppose that goes 2 ways. The Irish folks may not understand me either.

[Water Warrior 2]

Thanks WW and you are right I have been lurking in the HD forums and one thing I noticed is they all have to upgrade something! If I do get one It will be stock period!!

it seems the whole upgrading of HD's is a thing? that HD promote?

H-D sells a life style. They do make good bikes but the real money is after the sale of the bike. There are literally thousands of ways to spend your money on upgrades to the bike and your wardrobe to be a real H-D rider. It is good business and it works wonderfully for H-D. Image is everything to some folks and H-D cultivates that to the maximum for assured profits.
Think of it this way. If you were going to sell me a new H-D for $20,000 and could sell me another $10,000 in upgrades and clothing, would you do it??? H#ll yes.

[alantf]

I know for a fact I will have trouble learning to speak and hear Irish. I have a terrible time catching on to different accents. I suppose that goes 2 ways. The Irish folks may not understand me either.

Do you have skype, and a camera, on your computer? I use it regularly (it's free on windows). I'd love to let you (or any other members) have a chat & hear a real Yorkshire accent. :)

[vikz250]

I saw this one and talked to the seller, now if I can just get financed by my bank and get an affordable monthly then i will be a very happy man!!

http://seattle.craigslist.org/skc/mcd/3211846102.html

[PG tips]

I know for a fact I will have trouble learning to speak and hear Irish. I have a terrible time catching on to different accents. I suppose that goes 2 ways. The Irish folks may not understand me either.

You mean the accent in english, as virtually no one speaks irish, there are some areas that speak it and also places here I cant quite catch the accent myself in english, I'm at times surprised by the amount of regional variations of accents in such a small country, I guess that could be the case in a lot of countries, especially where localities were isolated from significant outside influence.

Ok back to my dreams of a 650 v-star :)

[Water Warrior 2]

I know for a fact I will have trouble learning to speak and hear Irish. I have a terrible time catching on to different accents. I suppose that goes 2 ways. The Irish folks may not understand me either.

Do you have skype, and a camera, on your computer? I use it regularly (it's free on windows). I'd love to let you (or any other members) have a chat & hear a real Yorkshire accent. :)
Thanks for the offer Alantf but I have none of the above to make an actual conversation possible. I did have a chuckle at my own expense in 2001 when when going to Newfoundland on a ferry. I started talking to a Newfie. We more or less talked for 90 minutes and I sort of caught on to his accent the last 15 minutes or so.
Two days later I was standing on the shore at the most Eastern part of Newfoundland and the Noth American continent. The Atlantic ocean even looked different than the Pacific. Colder and a little angry would describe it best. That was quite a jorney for a prairie boy.
So far I have been to the most Southern, Western and Eastern points in Canada. The most Northern point is not likely to happen unless I win a lottery.
Also the geographical center of North America. And the geographical center of Canada. Dang, I guess I have been around a bit haven't I.
I used to have a lot of pics but as they say "Three moves are as good as a fire." Digital is much handier when moving.

[Water Warrior 2]

I saw this one and talked to the seller, now if I can just get financed by my bank and get an affordable monthly then i will be a very happy man!!

http://seattle.craigslist.org/skc/mcd/3211846102.html
Nice looking bike. 2 things I feel that might help/hinder your decision. Firstly is "Affordable monthly" payment. If you have to stretch the budget then you can't afford it. When all the needed costs of living are easily satisfied then consider financing.........not until then. Better yet is when all the needed costs of living are satified then save the extra and pay cash for your next luxury purchase. That way you can afford to maintain the toys and insure them properly.
Yeah, I'm an old guy and learned these things the hard way. I know what it is like to be younger and have all the wants and needs of youth. Maybe just go for it and see what happens in the future. Experience is the best teacher and we only go around once in this lifetime.
Second point, however minor, the 883 is not really a touring bike. The bags will be handy for shopping and hauling stuff. Brain fart here. The GZ is not really a touring bike either but it does serve the purpose when asked. Don't listen to me, buy the bike and have fun. I'll shut up now.

[northsidegz]

Hey vik, which do you like better? The first one you posted (what color is that one, gray? silver? I never know). Or do you like this 2nd one better (the red one)? Looks like this second one comes with some handy stuff like a luggage rack and crash bars and maybe even a little more chrome (? --- can't quite tell). But is that other one still available for $500 less ($5,500?). You can probably add the rack and crash bars yourself for less than $500. I think, maybe. Ok, not sure. Well, either way, if you go for one of them, hope the price and financing works out for you! :) New bikes are exciting.

side note: I rode the GZ to the grocery store for the first time since purchasing the Vulcan today. Still a nice little scoot. But I must say, it definitely felt like I was riding a little scooter (on the GZ) now after putting a couple hundred miles on the Vulcan. But it felt good to be on it again. And I removed the windshield (Hellfire Slipstreamer went on the Vulcan) and I kinda like this new look on my GZ. It's got a nice little mini-Road King look to it. LOL. :)

[vikz250]

Yah I wont do it yet probably next season and hopefully I can find the right one I can afford..Insidentally my next door neighbor is selling his 2007 yamaha vstar custom 650 with 3200 miles only and he said he will give it to me for 3500 so now I got to thinking maybe that would be a better upgrade for me??its a nice bike too..I saw this one and talked to the seller, now if I can just get financed by my bank and get an affordable monthly then i will be a very happy man!!

http://seattle.craigslist.org/skc/mcd/3211846102.html
Nice looking bike. 2 things I feel that might help/hinder your decision. Firstly is "Affordable monthly" payment. If you have to stretch the budget then you can't afford it. When all the needed costs of living are easily satisfied then consider financing.........not until then. Better yet is when all the needed costs of living are satified then save the extra and pay cash for your next luxury purchase. That way you can afford to maintain the toys and insure them properly.
Yeah, I'm an old guy and learned these things the hard way. I know what it is like to be younger and have all the wants and needs of youth. Maybe just go for it and see what happens in the future. Experience is the best teacher and we only go around once in this lifetime.
Second point, however minor, the 883 is not really a touring bike. The bags will be handy for shopping and hauling stuff. Brain fart here. The GZ is not really a touring bike either but it does serve the purpose when asked. Don't listen to me, buy the bike and have fun. I'll shut up now.

[vikz250]

on a side note My GZ just turned 1,000 miles last night on my way home from work!! I love riding this thing specially now the weather is getting a lot cooler..

[frempath]

Just to put a further twist on the issue.
Is most of your riding urban or highway?
If it is urban, a liquid cooled engine might be a better choice than an air cooled engine.
A radiator and fan helps keep the engine cooler at lights and low speed.

With Regards,

[blaine]

Just to put a further twist on the issue.
Is most of your riding urban or highway?
If it is urban, a liquid cooled engine might be a better choice than an air cooled engine.
A radiator and fan helps keep the engine cooler at lights and low speed.

With Regards,
Also a liquid cooled engine generally last longer & have more power because they are built to closer tolerances.
:) :cool:

[fatoldfool]

Looks like the mid sized tank, and forward controls! Nice sporty. I am again thinking of another sporty and it will be an 883...or maybe a well used 800 Intruder with 24,000 miles...

[vikz250]

mostly urban and a little highway, my average speeds is probably 30mph ang i go 40mph on a strech of a bridge but mostly 30mph..I some how hit 50mph from a stop light yesterday because I was trying to pass a cager who I think is not paying attention driving!! and I was only on 3rg gear too, just for a bit to give me some distance from him..Just to put a further twist on the issue.
Is most of your riding urban or highway?
If it is urban, a liquid cooled engine might be a better choice than an air cooled engine.
A radiator and fan helps keep the engine cooler at lights and low speed.

With Regards,

[vikz250]

I like the orange/red looking sporty better than the gray, its newer ,less miles,some add ons and $800 cheaper too..Hey vik, which do you like better? The first one you posted (what color is that one, gray? silver? I never know). Or do you like this 2nd one better (the red one)? Looks like this second one comes with some handy stuff like a luggage rack and crash bars and maybe even a little more chrome (? --- can't quite tell). But is that other one still available for $500 less ($5,500?). You can probably add the rack and crash bars yourself for less than $500. I think, maybe. Ok, not sure. Well, either way, if you go for one of them, hope the price and financing works out for you! :) New bikes are exciting.

side note: I rode the GZ to the grocery store for the first time since purchasing the Vulcan today. Still a nice little scoot. But I must say, it definitely felt like I was riding a little scooter (on the GZ) now after putting a couple hundred miles on the Vulcan. But it felt good to be on it again. And I removed the windshield (Hellfire Slipstreamer went on the Vulcan) and I kinda like this new look on my GZ. It's got a nice little mini-Road King look to it. LOL. :)

[vikz250]

"customized" my GeeZee..I am looking at getting some decals that can make GeeZee look like the last picture..Ilike the solo seat look it makes the bike look bigger LOL..

http://i120.photobucket.com/albums/o175/vikz07/CB3EB86B-69F9-46E7-9C36-7F173F0951A6-21688-000021377754D926.jpg
http://i120.photobucket.com/albums/o175/vikz07/673158B7-EF5B-498F-B1EC-ECC6CE0D687E-21688-000021377432CCED.jpg
http://i120.photobucket.com/albums/o175/vikz07/7EBA2BF8-4147-4451-ADFA-33F7C851ED73-21688-000021377051D789.jpg

This is what I want the color combo to look like..

http://i120.photobucket.com/albums/o175/vikz07/8B0FA68C-2A09-48CB-9CA1-5F55E56532A5-19665-00001E616A2838B4.jpg