Re: The Yamaha compared to the Honda

On 11 Apr 2006 20:15:59 -0700, twothousandtwoto2007@xxxxxxxxx wrote:

I've been looking at the Harley clones that these two makers make.
Honda has a shaft drive cruiser with a 1300 power plant. Disc brake
front and rear for between 9 and 10,000 dollars.

Downside is the Honda VTX1300 has carbs not FI like the 1800.

Yamaha also has a choise of cruisers with the shaft drive but some have
a drum brake in the rear. The price is about the same or a little
less. There is the V Star classic and the other Yamaha cruisers that a
larger with saddlebags.

Nothing wrong with a rear drum brake. The front brake (S) is/are the
most important.

Me personaly would go for the Yamaha just because I like the looks
better. Also just the name "Yamaha" sounds a heck of a lot cooler than
the name "Honda". Both are Japanese last names I'll bet.

Your rationale sounds dumb as all hell but do as you please.

The paint scheme just looks more suitable on the Yamaha. One one bike
it's metallic blue, on another it's metallic red and black. It looks
nice. On the Honda XTR??? It's painted in black. I'd rather have the
bike a different color than black in order to be more visible.

Buy the one you like the looks of best to you . Neither are real
motorcycles (rather kiddie car, barcolounger cruisers) and either one
will likely be as reliable. Hell, even Harleys are pretty reliable these
days.Come back around when you want a REAL bike; UJM, Sport-tourer, big
multi-cylinder tourer=(Venture, Valk or GW) dirt bike or dedicated sport
bike. Until then, you're just taking the low skill, entry level with
training wheels, even dangerous, baby boomer, easy chair route.

Cruisers and yes 600cc squid bikes are the bane of the MC industry. Easy
to buy, and pretty worthless at anything besides bar hoppin' and
profiling (stunting with the 600s) in large group weekend rides. It's a
disgusting past time, where the folks don't take it serious enough to
wear the proper riding gear; boots, heavy leather or gortex jacket -with
heavy duty shoulder and elbow pads, leather pants or jeans with knee
pads, good mirrors, MC gloves and most importantly, a full face dot
approved helmet.

The states that have no helmet laws are stupid and insurance rates in
those states reflect their irresponsibility. I also believe North
America should have a graduated MC licensing system "ala Europe".
Starting with 50cc scooters and gradually working up to 600cc and then
unlimited at age 25. Face it folks this is not a casual pastime, rather
a high risk dangerous activity, unlike tennis or soccer. Take it more
seriously and consider yourself 3 or 4 orders of magnitude higher than
the average cruiser in your riding awareness. Learn to be assertive and
yes act like you're in charge out there, telegraphing all your lane
changes with both turn & hand signals then thanking with a wave as they
let you in. Also learn to pump the brake to be seen and flash your
headlights and even point your bike at cagers to make sure they see you
instead of turning left into you, Act like you are in charge when you're
riding, particularly during commuting and in heavy traffic. I don't do
it but if this involves carrying a firearm as standard gear then
consider it as a last resort but usually a skilled rider can out run a
"road ragged" cage driver due to his or her small size and superior
acceleration.

PS. Sorry bout the lecture but it needs to be said to all new riders.


Bob Nixon,"riding with a prosthetic leg & going on 61"
01 Sprint ST "RED" 53K "bought original"
Chandler,AZ with 330+ days of sunshine per year.
"life if dealing with the cards one is dealt and not whining about it"
http://bigrex.net/pictures/TTF-11-26-05/Bob_TTF_11-26-05.jpg
http://bigrex.net/pictures
.

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