What's to Like about Motorcycles

Don't bother, dude...he posts all sorts of bizarre, directionless nonsense. Most has no connection whatsoever with reality, yet he proclaims it like it is a law of nature.

 

You are correct but not as far as in Cruisers.Sportbike and Middleweight bikes
have V-twin { V-Strom,VTR 1000 }engines that are hidden by sportbike-like fairings.
and are 90 degree.Those are not traditional V-Twin engines.Just like a Honda VFR 800
Interceptor is a V-4 { intercooled 90 degree } and not a traditional 4 cylinder like my CB 1100.
Or a Triumph Bonneville is a Twin { Parallel Twin } but not a V-twin.
Or the newer Triumph Thunderbird which is a Cruiser where a Bonneville is
Not a Cruiser.Nor is my CB 1100 a cruiser.
The Yamaha V-Max is considered a Cruiser and has a V-4 engine.

 

Weird.Italian version of a BMW. Used to be considered the epitome of
touring bikes back in the early 70's. I used to love to see one at a gas station.
They were The biggest thing on 2 wheels in the early 70's.I lusted after one
after seeing.Then came the Big engine move { The Kaws } plus all those stretched out
choppers with their Girder or Springer extended front ends. Moto Guzzi faded fast.
They just never kept up with Bike trends.Then when the Cadillac of all touring
bikes made it presence { The Goldwing } and kept getting bigger and better
every few years.Moto Guzzi still makes a respectable standard/cruiser type bike.
It's in the same category as my CB 1100. The Moto Guzzi Griso.Also the BMW R nine T.
But I'd take a BMW R nine T over all them.

 

I've owned two Moto Guzzis, both Le Mans. A 1982 850 Mark III and a 1990 1000 Mark V. Brilliant open road bikes with rail track like handling especially in sweepers. I owned the Mark V for 11 years and is still the best bike I've ever owned. A 9 or 10 year development which ended in a very fast bike. I just couldn't part with it. I managed to put it down the road in the wet coming home from the World Series Superbikes at Phillip Island. I cried for a week.

I've also owned a couple BMWs. A 1974 R90S and a 1986 R65LS. The BMWs were more refined and easier to ride but the Guzzis had it all over the BMWs in terms of performance and handling. There's just something special about Italian air cooled V-twins. I did manage to turn the R65LS into a half decent track bike. I have friends who own Ducatis. My Guzzis couldn't compete against the four valve Pantah engined Ducatis like the 916s and later models but would eat the two valve round and square case models. My mate has a fully restored 1978 900SS (silver and blue model) which is gorgeous. Another mate has a 900MHR, another great bike.

I've only owned two Japanese bikes, a Honda 500/4 and a Kawasaki Z900. I only owned the Z900 for a couple of months. I couldn't come to terms with the evil handling. Add a couple of Bultacos, I'm a bit of a European bike nut. I turned a basket case Bultaco Metralla into a pretty schmick café race complete with a 360cc Pursang engine. Considering it was the mid 1970s, it went like a scalded cat.

When we eventually make our way home in a couple of years another Guzzi is on the cards. I like to look of the new V7 Café Racer. I'll be in my early 60s when we return but I can't see myself on a cruiser style bike. I still love clip-ons and rear sets with chin on the tank style riding. A BMW F800R also looks attractive. I bit more upright for an old fellow.

 

And the older Suzuki TL1000R and TL1000S. 90 degree V-Twins (same engine but the R has been tweaked) with excellent sporting capabilities. I've ridden VTR1000 and Suzuki TL1000R. The TL1000R is one hell of a motorcycle.

 

Interesting reply.I was kinda interested in Aprilla,just because they are a
close rival of Ducati and probably a little more performance oriented.I was
gonna trade-in for the Ducati Diavel but until recently the seat did not fit me.
It had a very small seat { unlike most cruisers } and a slight forward feel.
Had the nicest wheels and rubber I ever saw on a bike.Plus it was super
fast in 1st gear { 0-60 mph}.I think it was originally faster than most all superbikes
in 1st gear.But now with the supercharged Kawasaki H2-R which literally no other
bike on the planet can touch in accelertation.Has a claimed h.p. of 300.I heard one
on Youtube.Unbelievable as fire can be seen when doing a dyno.The Kaw H2 is
available at around a little over 200 h.p. Then there's the New Buell V-twin.
Aprilla are expensive but Ducati just came out with a Scrambler at 800 cc and
6 speed. Another 90 degree twin that makes respectable h.p. { 75 } and at 410 lb.
should be a good rival to a Sporster or Triumph Bonneville/Scrambler or
Moto Guzzi V7.
KTM 1290 Super Duke R is also awesome.Wheelies in the first 3 gears.
There is a guy on YouTube { Chris Harris } who still has Videos even though
not as many as last year.He's a certified BMW mechanic who works out of
his own Garage { refurbished last year }. His videos are very important because
he's a stickler for doing things Right.There are a lot of little things that mechanics
gloss over if you take a bike in for repair at a dealer.Plus Dealers are normally
full of crap.Chris Harris is more proof to my claims about Service dept.'s
He lives in New England and also does repairs on Urals.

 

I worked for a daily newspaper as a journalist/photojournalist. I had a fortnightly column in the motoring section. Every second Friday afternoon I'd test ride a bike from the local bike shop and return the bike on Saturday. I did this for a couple of years. Extra pay by the way. Not a bad deal doing something I love, riding bikes. I never got to ride a Harley, I'm not too keen on Harleys. The local Harley dealership was also the Ducati dealership. They wouldn't allow Harleys out unaccompanied but Ducatis they would. I got to ride one of the first 916s in town, lovely bike. But one of the best times I had was on a 748SP I grabbed for a story. What a bike, bright yellow by the way. I tore up and down a well known mountain pass a couple of times and had a ball. Felt like I was on a 250 but with heaps more power.

The BMW dealer was also the Triumph dealer. I took a couple of BMWs out which were OK. In 2001 I put my LeMans down the road and was looking for a new bike. The BMW/Triumph dealership just took delivery of the new Triumph Sprint RS 955i. I took one for my Friday afternoon test ride and really enjoyed the bike. Very easy to ride, did everything right and a very addictive 955cc triple. So much so when I returned it Saturday morning I bought one then and there. A rare Lucifer Orange model with carbon fibre performance pipe and remapping. Nice compromise between sports touring and all out sports bike.

I liked the Triumph a lot but couldn't love it like my LeMans. It was a purchase made with my head and not my heart. I sold the Sprint RS in 2007 before moving to SE Asia.

 

1) The safest speed to drive is that of prevailing traffic. You are in far more danger driving 40mph amongst 65mph drivers than if you drove 65mph like everyone else.
2) The freeway is (arguably) far safer to drive on than country roads. On the freeway, predictability is way better. On country roads, you have people unexpectedly pulling out of driveways and running stop signs at cross streets. You also have more dogs/cats/children/deer/fallen trees to contend with.

 

But boring as bat pooh. I prefer the back roads, windy as possible. Nothing worse than riding a bike set up for handling on a freeway. Freeways are also patrolled by police more.

 

I agree, however, the poster to which I was responding was fearful for his safety but was proposing the 'least safe' way to ride.

I presume, when you said 'windy as possible', you're referring to a road that is 'twisty', not a meteorological phenomenon that involves air movement. If so, then I invite you to my neck of the woods to ride Deal's Gap. If you like twisty, you'll like this ride. 318 curves, 11 miles. Let me know when you're here, and I'll buy you an N.C. barbecue lunch and some Dramamine.

 

I virtually loathe the Freeway. Back Roads are what Motorcycling is for.
There may indeed be more road hazards on nice 2 lane back roads.
But that's about THE only drawback. I Hate the Interstate. One reason I refuse
to take long trips.Even though there are many nice travel routes available in
most motorcycle mags.

 

There's a stretch just 20 minutes from my home which is very similar to that
Deals Gap. I usually take it in summer when coming back or going into the
Big City.It runs through a farm community and some really poor folk
whose dwellings are sometimes little more than hovels.Homes that are
old shacks and falling apart.Interspersed alongside newer homes.Makes for an
Interesting ride.There's an old brick bldg. that's been abandoned ever since I
moved to Kentucky called - Hippy's It's an old motorcycle shop right off the
twisty 2 lane.It hasn't changed a lick in 30 years.

 

The lovely thing about Deals Gap is that there are no driveways, no strip malls, no gas stations. Nothing along the entire 11 miles. Just beautiful mountain views, and clean crisp air. But, pay attention to your lane or this may be you!

 

So I gather you're agin Lane Splitting.Depending on state.
LS is usually more a Sportbike thingy.I was thinking today about this
web site I was at - Honda CB 1100 Forum - and one of the mods said he
never had his CB past 6,ooo rpm.And that was like just one time.
I thought No wonder I got banned from that place.They were makin' crap up
left and right about the bike.The CB 1100 is a good bike but Not that good.
I had the same problem at an - M109 Forum -. The owner of the site
was a bully and basically had the web site to talk members into his latest
mods.He poked fun of me for bringing up my Rune.He kept telling his member
buddies that he thought I didn't own a Rune.I kept wishin' to some day see him gassin' up.
So Instead I challenged his Bike expertise.He was basically getting members to break their
warranty by buying some of his new techniques for Hot-rodding an M109.

 

Lane splitting at Deals Gap would be a death sentence. There are 318, mostly blind, curves in 11 miles! On the freeway, I'm not against lane splitting, I'm just not going to do it. But you can if you want to. I'm also against helmet laws, but firmly believe they interfere with natural selection. I will never ride on a public street without my helmet, regardless of the law. But I don't mind if you do.

 

Twisty of course,, something like this. Macquarie Pass about 10 kilometres from my home. Most of the local lads learnt how to ride on the Pass but many non locals are still wiping themselves out on the weekends. Sadly, now heavily patrolled by police on the weekend. There's a little café at the top which serves great coffee and pies.

Check out the vid.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eKFjxSua4GQ

I'm lucky to live in a region where I have the ocean on one side and the mountains on the other. Fantastic motorcycling roads following the sea and up into the mountains.

 

I am also happy I live in an area with great roads...though I'll be on the highway tomorrow.

Well, I can take back roads home. Maybe drag the muffler again.

 

I am not one to promote lane splitting since I rarely do it.
But then this country has been taken over,literally by lane splitting politicians
and TSA nonsense.Why play by the rules when Our leadership doesn't.
That is my question. I am not about to cotton some Police State.
If not Lane Splitting helps to promote a more reasonable Governance of this
Country then I'll abide.But as things stand right now,It is important to
have whatever edge a motorcycle possesses.

 

Keep in mind that many Cops have motorcycles.Therefore be polite and
consider that POV.

 

Are you baked?

 

The police in my state are generally pretty good. I've met a couple of really good ones but they will come down heavily if you do something really stupid. They generally leave the older more experienced motorcyclists alone, but like I said, unless you do something really stupid.

The last time I was booked was in 2004 on my Triumph Sprint RS. I was in a 90 kph zone and was pinged by a motorcycle cop with a handheld radar. We call them hair driers in Australia. He got me for doing 120 kph as I exited a left hand sweeper. He flagged me over and my response was I was just having a bit of fun. He showed the reading on the radar. He even allowed me to have a 'go' with the hand held radar. Wrote my ticket and advised me to be careful.

A friend got done by a mobile radar at 165 kph rounding a bend in a 80 kph zone going up a mountain pass. The copper had to do a U-turn which was difficult at that spot, so he had to drive nearly two kays down the mountain. He finally caught him when my friend slowed down. I hit the crest of a hill at 180 kph in forth and was about the give the LeMans its legs. I didn't have a clue where my friend was but as I looked down the hill I could see my friend's VTR1000 SP-1 and the black cop car in the shadows. Highway police often drive unmarked high performance Holdens or Fords. I hit the brakes really quickly and down a gear to slow down. My friend was having his ticket written out as I passed. My mate reckons they heard me coming ten minutes before I arrived as the Guzzi's exhaust note bounced off the cliff walls. I just kept going and caught up with the other guys in the next town. He was fined over $800 and three month loss of licence. He got off lightly. Usually stuff like that could mean instant loss of licence and the vehicle impounded.

 

Lane splitting on bikes is legal in Australia if doing under 30 kph.

 

Riding on the roads like they're a race track endangers not just the rider but also endangers other motorists as well. If you want to go fast then take it to a race track but if you want to use the public roads then abide by the laws including the posted speed limits. I don't care what someone's skill level is when you ride outside of the law on the public roads you're endangering other motorists and you don't have that right.

 

Isn't it just peachy the way you're taking special time out of your day
to read me every post.You must make sure to tell Santa that
come December.Is what.That you've been a good boy.is all.
Is what.

 

And more word salad from the Fool. Exactly what sort of drugs would I need to take to follow your "thought" process?