Motorcycles

**12stones** · 24th June 08, 05:44 AM

Originally Posted by Jack Of All

He also told me to (please don't shoot the messenger) avoid Harleys as they are always breaking down.

Now I have a 1978 BMW 80/7. Mmmm. It was a bit out of my price range, and the owner was firm on his $3000 offer, but I was so in love I made it work. And I'm still in love two years later.

Anyhow, good luck and have fun.

Unfortunately it seems that HD will never get rid of the bad rep it got back in the 80s with the AMF days, but now Harleys are just as well built as everything else out there.

And I'd LOVE to see pics of that 78 BMW. That thing must get some attention in the streets.

**McMurdo** · 24th June 08, 05:53 AM

Originally Posted by 12stones

Unfortunately it seems that HD will never get rid of the bad rep it got back in the 80s with the AMF days, but now Harleys are just as well built as everything else out there.

And I'd LOVE to see pics of that 78 BMW. That thing must get some attention in the streets.

I think you mean the 70's, in 1981, AMF sold the company to a group of investors led by Willie G. Davidson and Vaughn Beals.

But I'd have to agree with you about the bad rep. these days Harley is producing motorcycles just as reliable as any other brand.

**12stones** · 24th June 08, 06:18 AM

Originally Posted by McMurdo

I think you mean the 70's, in 1981, AMF sold the company to a group of investors led by Willie G. Davidson and Vaughn Beals.

But I'd have to agree with you about the bad rep. these days Harley is producing motorcycles just as reliable as any other brand.

I did mean 70s. It must be morning still (no coffee for me today).

**berserkbishop** · 24th June 08, 01:24 PM

Well, for me the Harley's just arent the best deal for the money. I say that FOR ME only because idea of value is much different than most Harley owners. I had a 750 honda nighthawk as a first bike and I loved it. I got it at a great price, it had plenty of get up and go, yet not killer speed. Reliable as you can want as well. I would reccomend something around 750 for a first bike. Congrats on the MSF course, I took it and it has saved my life. Enjoy your riding!

BB

**attworth** · 24th June 08, 02:05 PM

I ride a 171cc scooter. It works for now. Bank wouldn't let me get a real bike and this thing was cheap.

90mpg is also nice compared to my truck.

I'd go for more power. I've ridden all sorts of bikes and the weaker ones tended to get me into more trouble. Was trying to twist the throttle more than I should have whereas on the bigger bikes I just felt the need to "cruise" I guess.

My dream is a dropped, stretched Hayabusa for highway, and a cruiser for the twisties. (I'm not made of money though.)

**Raphael** · 24th June 08, 02:39 PM

Originally Posted by attworth

My dream is a dropped, stretched Hayabusa for highway, and a cruiser for the twisties. (I'm not made of money though.)

A 'Busa will do better on the twisties than a cruiser.

**attworth** · 24th June 08, 08:35 PM

Originally Posted by Raphael

A 'Busa will do better on the twisties than a cruiser.

True.... But I did say

a dropped, stretched Hayabusa

I'm not into doing the curves quick like I used to. I just want a bike that's fast in a straight line and a comfy bike than I can weave in and out of the curves at a comfortable pace - like a fat cruiser.

**Jack Of All** · 24th June 08, 09:50 PM

Originally Posted by 12stones

Unfortunately it seems that HD will never get rid of the bad rep it got back in the 80s with the AMF days, but now Harleys are just as well built as everything else out there.

And I'd LOVE to see pics of that 78 BMW. That thing must get some attention in the streets.

Yeah, he was probably talking about older HD's, as I was in no position to get anything new. That first bike was $350 I think. More like $700 after I fixed it up.

This is my baby now:

And when I first got her:

That is one fun, sexy bike.

**JerseyLawyer** · 25th June 08, 05:02 AM

I stopped at the dealership yesterday to take a look at the VStar 650 classic. It really is a nice bike. It has the bigger look, certainly, and seems comfortable. By comparison, the Suzuki c50 was a bigger engine, but had a higher seat, a boxier look, and the handlebars just didn't feel 'right'.

I'm not crazy about the idea of buying a brand new bike, but from what I've seen, there just isn't that much out there in the used market other than sports bikes, dirt bikes, and huge cruisers. On the upside, beginner bikes do seem to hold their value really well.