Tue, 05/29/2007 - 9:26am — admin

Got a hankering for something new (or new to you) underseat? Listen in as the boys discuss scratching that new-bike itch, and share some tips on how to evaluate both the bike, and seller alike.

Maybe we're just getting old, but there's some interesting commentary on how our expectations have changed over time. Have yours?

Enjoy!

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Comments

New bike itch

Tue, 05/29/2007 - 6:20pm — Anonymous

I enjoyed your discussion of new bikes because I am looking to add a 600cc sport(ish) bike to my stable. I'm getting a little too old to fold up like a Playmate. But your aversion to Goldwings is shortsighted. Have any of you ridden a GL1800? Yes it is big and heavy, but after riding 18K/year, and a trip to Canada every summer, you gotta love how your butt feels after multiple 500+ mile days. It still handles mountain curves pretty good while hauling 10 days worth of all weather gear. The bike is bulletproof, mechanically: shaft drive, liquid-cooled, fuel injected...how much better can it get?

Rock Chalk, y'all,

Dr. J. Hawk

Dr. J in the house!

Thu, 05/31/2007 - 9:51pm — nate

Hi Dr J! Admittedly, I've never ridden a GL. It (and the BMW LT) were on my short list for a period of time, when it looked like I'd be doing more 2-up LD touring. Alas, now that the baby is here, those days are likely 18+ years away.... (the 2up part, anyway) LOL

 

Honestly, for 1up, I find my VFR plenty comfy. I've done many days in the 800-1000+ mile range (including quite a few back-to-back). The ergos just happen to fit me, I guess. I rode a friend's ST and found the position actually TOO upright -- and was more knackered after 150 miles on it than several multiples of that distance on the Viffer.

 

Then again, I'm not a hall of fame basketball player, so take my ergonomic opinion appropriately. <grin>

 

There's a seat for every ass, as they say!

New Bike for Ray

Tue, 06/05/2007 - 1:15pm — Anonymous

What do you expect to get out of your 10R? $5K? That should get you an 04 XB12S, which would fit all of your criteria. It takes bags, and there is at least one company working on hard bags for it. The seating position is comfortable compared to a repli-racer, the suspension is top notch, and while it may not be fast, you even noted that it is just plain fun to ride. They do distance just fine, and parts are dirt cheap. Go over to www.badweatherbikers.com to get a slightly biased opinion on Buells. Everybody knocks 'em, but they do it all, and they do it really well.

Josh D.

Scratch the itch

Fri, 06/08/2007 - 10:40am — Anonymous

Good show, you mentioned a lot of bikes, I think a few I've never heard of! I bought a new V-Star 1100 last year in May, cracked 11,000 miles on it yesterday. Although I'm enjoying this bike, I seem to have the new bike itch, too. You can never have too many motorcycles, right? Keep up the good work.

Mike in Utah

New bike for Ray ...message from England

Tue, 06/12/2007 - 9:21am — Anonymous

I have a KTM Superduke - get one, if you have a pulse you won't regret it. I thought I would need 2 bikes as the press talked about small tank range & not comfortable- bollocks.

I have a 2005 bike and get just over 100 miles per tank. The latest ones have larger tanks so you should have no problem. Perfectly comfortable, there are four loops under the seat so you can secure a tail pack if you need one.

Very agile and bundles of fun. I thought I would have it as a second bike but sold the other bike (VFR) as given the choice I always chose the Superduke.

If I had your choice I would not buy the computer, you won't be using it ~ you'll be riding all the time :)At least you owe yourself a test ride!

Thanks, Mike

Fri, 06/15/2007 - 8:44pm — nate

Thanks, Mike. No moss growing under your tires, eh!?! I don't think anyone (spousal or otherwise) can argue when you have multiple bikes, but each filling a seperate niche -- you know, a cruiser, a sportbike, and dualsport, etc... <grin>

 

At least that's what I tell myself when I contemplate the domestic sales pitch for a new ride...

 

 

All the best,

Ray's new ride will (probably) surprise you...

Fri, 06/15/2007 - 8:47pm — nate

Ray's got a new bike heading for the stable, but it'll probably surprise you. I'm pretty sure he never mentioned it on the show (and may have belittled them once or twice). And no, it's not Duke's 2-stroke. <lol>

 

Glad to hear a nice real-world report on the SuperDuke. One of the best rides I ever had was in California on a DukeII -- big brother must be even more fun if the road's a little more open...

 

Do any touring on it?

 

Cheers,

Nate

What about supermoto bikes?

Mon, 07/02/2007 - 2:07pm — Anonymous

I enjoyed this podcast and your views on the different bikes. What about the KTM 690 Supermoto? You mentioned you didn't want a liter bike and I would think the SuperDuke would fall in that category.

Also, whats wrong with the R1200 GS? I was thinking of that bike for a longer range bike and if the road ended so what. I wouldn't be riding any hare scrambles on it but the new AMA adventure series could be a possibility. In looking at this bike I looked at the reduced maintenance with it being shaft driven. Is there something I am not considering?

one bike blues

Sun, 09/09/2007 - 10:07pm — Anonymous

I've had just one bike for two and a half years now, and my current bike ('06 FJR) is great, but...

But I've had two bikes in the garage on several occasions over the last 10 years, and it's really eating at me to find a second bike. I'd really like an '06-07 Tuono, but between buying the FJR and a new car in the last year, I'm not sure I can swing a newish Tuono right now.

I've been a big a big Aprilia fan for several years now, and I just found an '01 Futura for sale not far from here. A test ride on a Futura a few years ago almost resulted in a sale, but I hesitated when I learned about its maintenance quirks and semi-flaky fuel injection & electronics. Add in the chain drive and my 10k/year riding pace and I chose to go with my first of two FJRs. That said, if I can get over to check out this Futura before it's sold, and it's in good shape, I'll be sorely tempted. My wife won't be amused, but nothing important ever comes easy!

aprilia futura

Thu, 09/27/2007 - 9:54pm — Anonymous

Hey
I see you got good taste: Futura or FJR.
Both are the paradise sport turing bike,
don't think there are better.

I dreaming to find a new unsold Futura.
Got any leads?
I know there are some still out there.
Tried to buy one out of Missouri, but the salesman thought it was made of gold or something, so I gave up on him.

I'm still look and hoping.
Please point my in the right direction.

Falco baby!!

Sat, 11/24/2007 - 10:01pm — Anonymous

I was driving home (in my truck) from a Thanksgiving weekend and listening to the show (podcast) and hearing you narrow your choices down to an Aprila, and then farther down to a Falco and I just about jumped out of my seat cheering you on! I bought mine used 3 years ago, with only 1000 miles on the clock. Now it has just passed 30k miles and not a single problem - just kept on up the maintenance, made a few small mods, and it just runs like a dream. Replacing the rear shock helped tremendously (I just finally did this at 26k - do it sooner!), but this bike is great for exploring the northern California twisties as well as the freeway commute. Loads of fun and quite a wheelie monster and sounds great and I'm gonna keep drivin' it and hope it keeps going to 60k like I've heard. Parts are plentiful as most of the drivetrain is shared with the Mille and Tuono, although some Falco specific parts can be hard to find, especially since they don't make 'em anymore.

ps - you can still find these used VERY cheap...shhhh - don't tell anyone...