| Author | Message | ||
     Newbuellertoo |
Okay, I've read posts before about what bike you would buy if money was no object. So, since I have very little extra cash and I am looking for another bike, what are your recommendations? I'm looking for a big touring bike with an enormous passenger seat for my wife. (She is actually small, but has some hip problems that make it difficult to get comfortable) My S3T with the Gunfighter and Lady seat is just not cutting it for her or me as she is cramped and I am forced to move forward on the seat. Ideally, this hypothetical bike would have a wrap around passenger backrest a la Electra Glide , Gold Wing , etc. I'm not picky about brand, looks, or prestige, just an older, cheaper, and most importantly, reliable touring bike for two up riding. I've been searching the want ads looking at older Wings, Voyageurs, Harleys, B.M.W.s,etc.,but have no experience with any of these kinds of bikes. B.T.W.,the Buell stays ! Any personal experiences you can share? Thanks all! | ||
| Johnnymceldoo |
can am spyder | ||
| Newbuellertoo |
Sorry forgot to mention ...Two wheeler. I like leaning too much to go 3 wheeling! lol | ||
| Xl1200r |
You could pick up a 1500 Goldwing for cheap money. Not as nice as an 1800, obviously, but the 1800's seem expensive to me on the used market. I would also look at a BMW K1200LT - sportier than the Goldwing, but still a big honkin' touring bike. Best part is, last I checked, they don't hold their value well at all, so getting one a couple years old, even with reasonable miles, shouldn't totally break the bank. | ||
| Ft_bstrd |
Mid-Late 70's CB750 Cafe. | ||
| Etennuly |
Good golly man! There are so many really good used Uly's selling really cheap now days. Take her for a test ride on one, with the factory bags my passengers all have told me they feel secure and comfortable. A couple have even fallen asleep back there. | ||
| Nevrenuf |
as far as the ultra's go, i have an 04 and for a touring bike it is great. used to have an 01 and the seat was higher than the 04 which for me makes it so much easier to handle and i have no problem with scraping floorboards with it. the xt is almost as great for touring on the superslab. if only it had cruise control. it is pretty good for two up riding. | ||
| Xl1200r |
Didn't even think of a Uly... I'd try one of those as well. | ||
| Mikef5000 |
What about the Concourse? (Pre 1400cc) They've got a hell of a cult following. | ||
| Sportyeric |
I've been thinking I need to add a Honda ST1100 to the fleet for the extra weight and space capabilities that the S2 is short on. There've been a few with 20K mies, ten years old, for less than 5G. Somewhat sporty, seem to run forever. There is a great website called searchallcraigs.com that will let you search across the continent to see what prices are at. | ||
| Cyclonedon |
What if money is an object ??? I would buy one motorcycle that could do everything you wanted it to do or at least be the best of all you wanted it to do. I would look at the Buell XB12X or XB12XT Ulysses for a good start. Test ride one with your wife and see what she thinks. Now if money wasn't an object, I'd buy one of everything, even though you can only ride one motorcycle at a time!  | ||
| Danger_dave |
XB12X | ||
| Mr_grumpy |
FJR1300 maybe, Many European police forces use them now including the French, much cheaper than a BMW. Toward the sportier end of the touring bracket, if you know what I mean. Not heard a bad word about them. I owned it's predecessor the FJ1200 & it was a smooth & comfy, if thirsty mile muncher, with arm wrenching pull. There's always Yam's take on the Gold Wing, the Venture Royale, got a VMax lump & shaft drive in it, they go fairly cheap used. Alternatively if you want something a bit less "dustbin on wheels" than a Wing, what about a F6C Valkyrie. Oh I almost forgot, there is also the other alternative........ A Sidecar!  (Message edited by mr_grumpy on October 01, 2009) | ||
| Aptbldr |
Suzuki 850G & 1000G models are smooth, durable, and inexpensive long distance shafties. But, like many long-distance rides of the era: bags, screens/fairings, and back-rest would be an add-ons. | ||
| Patches |
 http://www.totalmotorcycle.com/photos/2010models/2010-Harley-Davidson-CVOUltraClassicElectricGlide-FLHTCUSE5.htm 2010 Harley-Davidson CVO Ultra Classic Electric Glide FLHTCUSE5 USA MSRP: $35,999 Engine Engine4 Air-cooled, Twin Cam 110™ Valves Pushrod-operated, overhead valves with hydraulic, self-adjusting lifters; two valves per cylinder Bore x Stroke 4.0 in. x 4.38 in. (101.60 mm x 111.25 mm) Displacement 110 cu. in. (1803 cc) Compression Ratio 9.15:1 Fuel System5 Electronic Sequential Port Fuel Injection (ESPFI) Air Cleaner Chrome, oval cover with high efficiency, fiberglass washable filtration Lubrication System Pressurized, dry-sump Performance Engine Torque7 (per SAE J1349): o North America 115 ft. lbs. @ 3750 rpm (155.92 Nm @ 3750 rpm) Lean Angle (per SAE J1168): o Right 33° o Left 31° Weight: o As Shipped 887 lbs. (402.34 kg) o In Running Order 924 lbs. (419.13 kg) o Gross Vehicle Weight Rating 1360 lbs. (616.90 kg) o Gross Axle Weight Rating: o Front 500 lbs. (226.80 kg) o Rear 927 lbs. (420.49 kg) It's a American Made Harley Davidson, Harley is still #1 | ||
| Firebolt020283 |
patches he said money was an object and i am pretty sure any one on a budget is not going to throw down $36000 on a motorcycle. | ||
| Bill0351 |
GAK! I don't want to turn this into a HD bashing thread, but there is NOTHING about that bike that would cause me to throw down $36,000 even if price wasn't an object. With tons of late model Ultras on the market selling in the sub-$15,000 range, it's no wonder they are having trouble moving bikes. I had an old GS850G at one point with a Vetter fairing on it. I loved the bike even though some of my friends would sing "Purple Rain" when I would would pull up. How much do you have to spend? Bill | ||
| Fahren |
It truly sounds like your best bet for money would be a Uly: X or XT. The Uly seat has a very good reputation for touring comfort for the passenger. | ||
| Jb2 |
+1 Bill0351 For that kind of money I could buy two Victorys and have a enough money left over to take a nice trip on each bike. Or three KLRs and an even longer trip on each one of those. I remember a good friend buying a Big Dog a few years back for that kind of money(36K) and he recently sold it for a song. Too much bling and not enough riding for me. JB2 | ||
| Patches |
A guy I ride with bought a 83' Goldwing with about 35k miles on it for $1800.00 it has tour pack and arm rest on the back. It has the same maintenance issues as any other bike that old (leaking gaskets, lights and switches). My Best Friend rides a 98' Electra Glide Standard he payed $7500.00 for it. It still has the same maintenance (leaking gaskets, lights and switches). Just my opinion the Electra Glide has a bigger seat, more padding, better suspension more comfortable ride. I have to say I am Harley Davidson fan to start with. An American Made Harley Davidson is Still #1, Just My Opinion. As far as the 2010 Harley-Davidson CVO Ultra Classic Electric Glide FLHTCUSE5 USA MSRP: $35,999 I don't think I would put that much in a Bike ether unless it was my old Shovelhead! Displacement 110 cu. in. (1803 cc) Engine Torque7 (per SAE J1349): o North America 115 ft. lbs. @ 3750 rpm (155.92 Nm @ 3750 rpm) with a Lay-Z-Boy Recliner on top It don't hurt to look does it. | ||
| Bbbob |
'05 or newer BMW K1200LT, can't beat the passenger comfort, (there are aftermarket passenger armrests) my fiance falls asleep on the back of my LT. best handling big bike I've ever ridden in the twisties... | ||
| Liquorwhere |
Aprilia Futura, although the backrest is non existent, the seat is very large for the ladies, also if you look around I have heard you can get a brand new never titled Aprilia Caponord for a 3rd of the original price, those have the ability to put bags and a top box that can have the back rest you are looking for, they have a big tank but a really screwed kickstand, fix that and they are pretty good bikes. Good luck!!! | ||
| Bill0351 |
It don't hurt to look.... Weight: o In Running Order 924 lbs. OUCH! That hurts! At this point in my life, I am not willing to ride a street motorcycle that is more than 25% of the weight of a woman I would be willing to wake up with. | ||
| Cyclonedon |
At this point in my life, I am not willing to ride a street motorcycle that is more than 25% of the weight of a woman I would be willing to wake up with.  | ||
| Rainman |
They are still available: Honda Gold Wing GL1100 and GL1200 are great bikes, easy to work on, little plastic, comfortable touring and can be used as commuters. The 1500 are great as well, but getting to the engine to change oil is a torment in plastic. Anything with 30,000 miles on it will run at least another 30,000. I loved mine (82 Aspencade, had everything on it)and only gave it up when the chipmunks ate the wiring harness. I sold it to a buddy who has since got it running again after three years. They just don't stop. Comfortable, too. Cheap as well. | ||
| Newbuellertoo |
Thanks all. Lot's of good ideas here. I don't have anything against Harleys, I'm just not really knowledgeable about how many miles you can reliably get out of them. (And it seems that people want you to pay for all of the chrome and doo-dads that they have added but hold no appeal to me) I know a Gold Wing will go 100 to 150K miles. The Yamaha Venture has a great passenger seat. I really like the Honda ST1300, and the Yamaha FJ1300, (and have friends that own and love both), but I really need the "Easy Chair" thing happening behind me. I also like the K1200LT but they seem to hold their value pretty well from the few that I have seen for sale up here and I like the R1200RT but again, the rear seat isn't what I "think" I need. With all of the good suggestions, anybody have any advice about what to stay away from? | ||
| Liquorwhere |
I know a Gold Wing will go 100 to 150K miles. My Ultra has 130,000 miles on it, runs like a top. As far as staying away from anything, motorcycles are like women, poison to one is blood of life to another. Just ride what you like. | ||
| Patches |
"I don't have anything against Harley's, I'm just not really knowledgeable about how many miles you can reliably get out of them." I have a friend that has a 1969 Harley Davidson FLH Police Special with over 100 Thousand Miles on it since the last time he restored it. "I know a Gold Wing will go 100 to 150K miles." Harley Davidson's are just as reliable as anything else out there. The availability of parts is very very strong. "I don't have anything against Harley's, I'm just not really knowledgeable about how many miles you can reliably get out of them." You ride a 2000 Buell S3T, That is a Harley Davidson Engine on it. | ||
| Bob_thompson |
Another vote here for a Kawasaki Concours. Prices are fairly cheap for mid 80's bikes and they seem to run forever with little maintenance. They also seem very well equipped for touring. And did I say plenty of power to stretch out on the freeways with excellent handling for a moderately heavy bike. | ||
| Newbuellertoo |
Patches, My S3T has not been the most reliable bike. I love it, but it just doesn't inspire a lot of confidence in terms of "Just turn the key and ride" There's nothing else like it out there and there is just something about it that makes me want to ride as much as I can, but it hasn't always allowed me to do that. Those high mileage numbers for the Harley are good news. I know there are always exceptions to the rule, but it gives me a good idea of what to look for when looking at higher mileage (cheaper) Harleys. I do love the torque of the V-Twin, but it seems hard to find a fairly stock unit. Everyone seems to pile on the accessories and expect the next owner to subsidize their investment. There aren't too many ads that don't outline the thousands of dollars spent on parts from the Chrome catalog. To each his own, but I don't want to pay for someone elses taste in skulls or whatever. There's a demo day nearby next weekend and if the weather finally cooperates I'll try to get the wife out on a Glide and a Uly. I haven't seen too many of the Kawasakis around , but they are cheap, as are the 1100 and 1200 Wings. I don't ned something that will give me another 100,000 miles, just a good reliable "Weekend ride with the Bride" bike (Message edited by newbuellertoo on October 01, 2009) |
