Re: Just thought I'd pop in and say Hi

On Aug 14, 11:03 pm, Great White Buffalo <bands...@xxxxxxx> wrote:
On Aug 13, 11:41 pm, "Calgary (don)" <actualri...@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:





On Aug 13, 9:21 pm, Great White Buffalo <bands...@xxxxxxx> wrote:

I don't post much in general usenet forums anymore due to time
constraints between family, work, and riding.

I recently completed a 3K mi ride from VA to TX for a work-related
class. I loved it - the ride, that is. I rode my VTX1300. I had to
pack quite a bit as this pic shows...

http://members.cox.net/oasysco/vtx2.jpg

It was a great ride. The loud pipes got to me after hours of 85mph,
causing me to use ear plugs. The bike performed well and was fairly
comfortable. i wasn't overly tired even after 11 hrs on the road. The
only bummer was the short range of these cruisers, stopping every
100mi for gas - only because I almost got stranded on some back road
in Ala after riding to reserve.

I liked the ride so much, I bought a 2000 Harley Ultra Classic
recently, hoping to get the wife on the back for some overnighters.
That Harley is one smooth riding machine. I haven't taken any long
rides on it yet, though.

I hope everybody is doing well.

Greg (oasysco)

I'm glad to hear you are riding. Without wanting to start another
Harley bashing thread I have to ask what made you decide on the Ultra
as the step up?  There are a lot of bikes out there and Lord knows you
have sat on most of them ;-).  Did you look at other bikes or was the
HD too good of a deal to pass up.

Used was the only way I was going. Setting out, a Harley was the last
thing on my mind, especially an Ultra Classic, not being a person who
liked fairings.

I spent weeks analyzing and looked at and/or test rode a number of
"tourers", like a 2001 Kaw Voyager (old style, not the reborn one),
older GWs, 80's Suz Calvacade, and some other cruisers dressed up like
tourers.

The Voyager was everything you'd expect in a tourer - roomy, lots of
storage, bells and whistles, the best self-canceling turn signals I've
ever seen on a bike, but it rode like a barge. The air shocks may have
been low but by the end of my ride, I was tired of it and couldn't
wait to get off it; the leg position was also uncomfortable, being
just one step from a sport bike position. The GWs I looked at were too
old and looked it for the price I was willing to pay. Other bikes were
no better and mostly worse than my VTX1300.

So I widened my search to include Harleys and only considered the UC
after realizing that the RK and Softail Custome were too close to my
VTX1300.

Went out to look at a couple of UCs and EGs, but the prices were
stupid... 1990 EG - $9000. Yeah, right. 1995 EG Classic - $8500 and
others of similar age and price with higher miles.

Time led me to a pretty decent deal on a spotless 2000 with 23K mi
that ran perfectly, had a clean underbelly (no evidence of leaks), had
$800 pipes on it and a few other decent mods.

I test rode it and was hooked. It was a good deal; then again compared
to what folks were asking for way less with ohter Harleys, maybe it
was a great deal.

In the end, the UC provides a smoother ride at speed and is easier to
handle than my VTX for tight turns and slow speed maneuvers. Plus, the
sound system/CB/Intercom, EFI, touring package, twin front rotors, and
cruise control exceed the features on my VTX.

It is a fine bike and it sounds like you were patient enough to find
the best deal. I hope you enjoy a ton of miles on it.
.

Relevant Pages

  • Re: I rode yesterday
    ... I hit the bars as my front wheel dropped into a small wash and stopped ... Rode past the Sheep Tank mine (on the ... loamy and unless ya hauled ass, the bike was trying to buck ya off... ... I had just found an older XR600R for my rancher buddy to ride.. ...
    (rec.motorcycles.dirt)
  • Re: New Bike
    ... You guys seem to be happy to ride hours and hours straight ahead, ... More preconceived notions thrown out in a Harley bashing discussion. ... more than competent in the bendy bits and are excellent bike handlers. ... Harleys suck, Tourers suck, ...
    (rec.motorcycles)
  • Re: Just thought Id pop in and say Hi
    ... constraints between family, work, and riding. ... I loved it - the ride, ... I rode my VTX1300. ... ever seen on a bike, but it rode like a barge. ...
    (rec.motorcycles)
  • Re: New Bike
    ... That doesn't make the Harley a poor choice, ... to ride they ride the roads that are available. ... more than competent in the bendy bits and are excellent bike handlers. ...   TOO many people seem to have to ...
    (rec.motorcycles)
  • Re: CRF150R Expert??
    ... The last YZ450 I rode was the 4 speed that belonged to my buddy Todd. ... killed myself on that bike if I had it long enough. ... We are used to riding most every day, ... that would mean 210 a week for The Mouse and 420 if I want to ride, ...
    (rec.motorcycles.dirt)