progrmr

I saw a V-strom on CL - I could definitely rock that. I do need to sit on some bikes though and see what fits best. Plus I need to sell my bike before anything can happen!

Meh, I think I'm going to pass on the sportster - and the full on Harley's like the fatboy or soft tail's are really expensive even for years used and high miles. I wish I could get used to this 1300S and just save the money but I know I won't like it. At least there's lots of options. I think I went through this "sportster" thing two years ago when I got the VTX lol!

I've put my Honda VTX 1300S up for sale on CL - the gear ratio is more tuned to a boulevard cruiser rather than a highway cruiser. 2nd gear goes all the to 45mph and that's shifting early! Plus the top gear doesn't seem to have a lot of juice over 65-70mph, I assume due to the strange gear ratio. For a 1300cc engine I expect the highway experience to be much better, although the bike will do 75-80 if I push it. No tach so I can't tell where the engine really is but it seems to be working lol! I'm considering a 1200 sportster - I'm about 5'10" coming in at 215lbs neked. I've never ridden a sportster but they seem like a great way to into a Harley without breaking the bank. I'm less concerned with what I look like on it, more concerned that it will have enough power and be comfortable enough to hit the highway for a couple hours at a time. Anyone have experience with the 883 or 1200 sportsters?

I had riders for a year - their online site was so terrible I couldn't even renew through it. So I switched back to geico. Those rate increases are insane - glad I moved, although my VTX 1300 is pretty lame compared to the machines most of you all ride

I bought a 2004 VTX 1300S with 4109 miles on it from independent motorsports about a 3 weeks ago. I've put about 750 miles on the bike and it's great to be riding again...but this is the weirdest V-Twin I've ever ridden. I can't believe the gear ratio is how it is. Check it out: 1st gear: 0-25 2nd gear: 25-45 - don't get there early either, shifting into 3rd at 40 will make the engine feel like it's lugging 3rd gear: 45-55 4th gear: 55-65 5th gear: 65+ - but this engine doesn't feel like it has very much over 75...really gotta work it and I get a lot of vibration and the engine sounds like its at the top of the gear. I've read more than a few posts about the VTX 1300's having a weird feel when it comes to the shifting points, but I thought gears got taller the higher the gear..!! Anyone have a VTX 1300 that can comment or ridden one? I'm about to take it to the dealer and see what they think. I know, pics or it didn't happen

Bike is sold - thanks all, I'm sure I'll have another bike at some point

Forgot to add: 24,477 miles, clean Ohio title in hand

Well, I think riding just isn't very important to me anymore - selling my Nighthawk. It's in great shape - tires are new with less than 300 miles on 'em. Bike is 100% mechanically sound. Cosmetically it looks fantastic. PM me or call if interested 614.753.9284. Thanks! Also on CL: http://columbus.craigslist.org/mcy/3178593996.html

Yea man don't paint that - rock the Kawi green with pride!! Nice bike!

If you're new to working on bikes I seriously don't recommend starting with carbs. They're a bitch to get in and out, cables running to the carbs in berg specific ways, those are a bitch to get connected right...the whole thing is just agonizing. Ive done it on three bikes....NEVER again lol

Thanks dudes! Can't wait for some good weather!!

Came across this beauty Nighthawk thanks to Isaac's Papa in my other thread. 1993, 24K miles...I know, sounds old with a few miles under it's belt. Went to check it out tonight and it was just too perfect. I've wanted one of these for a couple of years but never came across the right one. I love the upright standard riding position, the heft of this old school machine and the simplicity of the whole package. This one is all of that and it's a real beauty to look at. It's now in my garage Pics don't do it justice, but no pics no bike right??

I've always loved those nighthawks, nice upright/standard riding position. I'll have to check it out for sure - and that's a heck of a price!

I've been checking out Sportsters for sure - the only put-off is the peanut tank. Small range, constant refueling. Other than that, I don't think anything rumbles like a Harley! I can only go $3500 right now - currently paying my mortgage and my ex-wife's mortgage until her house sells. That's sucking $900 /month out of my pocket. We are in contract though, and hopefully will close by the end of this month. honestly though I'm not sure I even want to spend more than $3500. Having a bike again will be great and I'll do plenty of riding. There's a lot in the $3500 range that would be great to own, so I'm not sure if the law of diminishing returns starts to kick in after $3500 - for me anyway

Yea, Mustang ain't got no hitch

If I wasn't a 42-year old fat guy, I'd probably look pretty cool on that bike! I did see it, but I need something a bit more laid back these days. G/L with the sale!

I'm going w/ the green/white/black one...looks rough and custom-shop'ish And I'm partial to Kawi colors

thx! LOL! - it's going to be like 25 this weekend.

Well, turns out the seller doesn't live in Dayton Oh...he lives in MI! Posted his bike on the Dayton OH CL lol! I'm not going clear to MI for a VS800 lol....still good advice given since buying a bike this time of the year pretty much needs to be transported unless it happens to get warm enough.

I'm looking at a bike (Suzuki Intruder VS800) in Dayton this weekend and if it's as good as it seems I'll probably be making the purchase. Only problem is I have a Mustang and no way I'm riding in this cold ass weather! Is it possible to get a U-Haul and put the bike in it? Or maybe I could rent a pickup truck with a hitch and use one of those small trailers? What's the best way to move a bike when you only have a car?

Cool - I appreciate it!

Thanks man - sounds like a lot of bike for the $$$ but WAY more than I need G/L with the sale though!

Awesome...sounds like I should keep the 750 at the top of the list as I'm looking at what's out there. Off to CL

I got my tax $$$ back and am looking to get back into a bike this year. Got $3500 and while I could save/spend more I'm wondering if I need to. Lots of good used bikes in the $3K-4K range (maybe talk someone down from 4K to $3,500). I'm looking at cruisers - I've been riding since '92 but wrecked a few years ago and haven't ridden much since. There's A LOT of Honda Shadow 750's out there in that price range that aren't too old and don't have too many miles on them. But I'm 5'11" and 235 w/o gear - I'm wondering if a 750 Shadow will be enough for commuting and generally short rides. Most I would probably ride it would be in-state up to Cleveland etc. I've heard lots of good things about Honda Shadow's from a maintenance/reliability standpoint. Also the insurance on a 750 would be next to nothing. I could hold out and try to find a 1100 Shadow, V-Star, or even an SV1000 (although that's as 'sporty' and I want to go). Even in the $3500 range there's a few offerings but the bikes are older and have more miles. Think I'm too big for 750 cruiser? Or will it pull my big ass around just fine?

I've owned and ridden two EX-500's for about 3 years total. It's a fine bike but if you're out on the open freeway and the wind starts blowing (regular summertime wind gusts - not a hurricane that just happens to be coming through) be ready for a really crappy ride. And I mean pucker factor 10 - you couldn't have gotten a guitar string up my ass on those rides. The bike is just too small/light and seems to catch the wind way bad. Even with my big ass riding it (220 + gear) the wheels felt like they were going to blow out from under me when I'd ride from C-bus to Delaware on the daily commute via 70/270/33. Ninja 750 ('99 I think) - no problem. It was a pig of a bike though - very heavy. Made me drunk with power and I wrecked it but I never got blown around by the wind. I'm never going to deal with the wind in normal everyday riding situations again. 1100+ for me in the spring after I get some $$$ together. With a big comfy seat to boot The EX500 was a great bike to work on and for short commuting and I'm sure there's plenty of people that have used them as a semi-sport tourer but I had to deal with the wind thing a few too many times. I'd never buy one again.