progrmr

http://www2.nbc4i.com/news/2011/aug/01/motorcyclist-injured-i-270-eb-crash-north-side-ar-654759/

Cool! Thanks for the insight. I know that in 2004 HD started rubber mounting the engines on the sportsters, and went to fuel injection in 2007. So I'd be looking for a 2007 or higher model - I should have the money together by the fall so I can catch some deals on prices at the end of the season. I'll probably hit a HD dealer this weekend just to sit on a few and see how they feel.

I think a 1200 custom is a defnite possibility. The seat heights are very low (by the spec sheet anyway) and that kind of bugs me. The Honda Shadow RS, which is basically Honda ripping the Sportster look, has a full 3" higher seat height. Even though it's only a 750, the ergos are supposed to be quite comfortable. Still, the Honda engine just doesn't have the soul of a HD. I think I'll put the 1200 on my list and sit on one to see how it feels.

:lol: Freakin' hilarious! I have to be honest - as much as I don't think I want a sportbike, I've had a hankerin' for a Z1000 for ever...ugly as sin but bad as hell. Not a cruiser at all but could work for sport-touring

Yea - I've had my eyes on the VTX1300, V-Star 1100, or the Vulcan Custom 900. I just don't want to pay through the nose for insurance on a high CC bike. Certainly not new to riding - wrecked a ZX7 back in 2007 and was never really comfortable again after that so I've been out of the riding scene for a couple years now. Feel like I want to ride again and can be comfortable. Gonna take awhile to save up the $$$ so when I do buy I want it to be the right bike - doesn't have to be big necessarily, just fun to ride. Lots of options in the $5.5 - $6.5K range on CL and that's what I'm shooting for.

I'm not buying for awhile yet - but am doing research because it's fun and I have the itch to buy again but want to go cash only when I buy...so researching, selling stuff on CL and saving My first bike ('91) was a v-twin and I'm pretty sure I'm going the cruiser route this time around. I'm 5' 11" ~230lbs w/o gear. Would love to have a true harley, but in looking at them online it looks like a Sportster is probably too small. Just wondering what the consensus is here...really don't want to go sit on anything in the dealership because I'll want to ride out lol! Any fairly big guys rocking an 883?

QFT...too bad it's not next year

Damn glad to hear you're OK - how was that ride home? A bit nerve racking I bet! Could've been very serious - I agree with the "should have bought a lottery ticket" summary

I like that Z750S (love the z1000!) but I don't want to finance it so I'll just have to keep saving and hope there's one available in the spring - tempting though...actually partially filled out the credit app then bailed on it I like the triumph for sure but repair costs make me nervous. So sounds like: Katana 750 (although no one recommended it lol!) ST1100 Suzuki Bandit 1200 Kawasaki Z750S Triumph Sprint VFR 800 Yamaha FZ6 Man - that's a pretty good list. Lots of options. thanks!

The Bandit is definitely on the list - 1200 would be nice in every way except gas! I won't be riding two up - at least I don't think so. Every woman I've been with HATES bikes...of course I might get lucky some day.

Gonna be tough to find one of these used - Craiglook has very few offerings and what they do have are old/expensive. I like the heavy weight though - I'm sure it's as planted as a bike can get!

That bike definitely looks good - but the weight has me worried. 430lbs dry? That's got to get blown around on the open highway right?

Actually I read that the FZ6 is supposed to be a pretty comfortable ride - want to be able to ride for many hours at once though. Is it that comfortable?

Commuting with the typical freeway/pretty straight country road riding on weekends and vacations. Nothing southeast ohio like. I don't want to get blown around in the wind - have had to deal with that with 500's/600's but I'm pretty sure I'd be good with anything 750 and up.

Hey all - Haven't posted on here in some time - stopped riding for most of last season and all of this season. I'm back in the spirit and have started saving for bike. Intend to buy before next season so I've got some time to do some research. Pretty much narrowed it down to some 1100 cruiser or even possibly a mid-range sport tourer. I like the V-Star and Shadow's on the cruiser side. But I'm not really too sure about the mid range sport tourer. The Katana is an option in that range and the price is good. I know, they're heavy and pretty much frowned upon in the cycle community. I'm not looking to canyon carve, and actually I had a 750 kat as my 2nd bike. It got stolen after a month. But that month was great - thing was very comfortable to ride and had adequate power for me. What else exists in the mid-range sport tourer class? Or should I just plan on moving up to an 1100 like the ST? Price is an issue, looking in the 4-5K range, used of course. Also has anyone dealt with "The Cycle Co" on West Broad? I could finance and catch the tail end of this season, but not sure I want to go that route or just wait until next year.

89 Yamaha Virago 750 - still regret trading that bike away.

Bike is sold. Have a good one!

Bike on hold for Friday Sale...will post up if by chance the deal falls though

Damn man! Don't know ya but hang in there! You're still alive, and that means you are supposed to be and have a purpose to fulfill. Prayers for you and your family - you're gonna have to hammer though the physical therapy, but its the road to recovery. Work hard at it - Keep us in the loop.

PM Sent. thanks!

I work at Children's and my buddy that left work at 4pm called me and said that a bike got hit by a car right there. I went and took a look, 2 harley riders, 1 was down but ok. He was sitting up with emergency personnel attending to his right leg. No other gear was apparent. Front end of the car was smashed pretty good. There is a cop out there every day that stops traffic on Parons - but it appears that the bikes where southbound on Parsons and the car came out even though the officer did not signal them too, or the car had the right of way and the bikes came through. I think the first scenario is a bit more plausible. At least the rider appeared to be OK. Seem to be a lot of accidents going on right now as more people try to get as much out of the season as possible.

Will take $1000 + 2003 or new Fender MIA Jazz Deluxe V bass!

bump for OBO - come ride this thing out of my garage!

PM sent. And just because I don't ride doesn't mean I'm not living. I've been playing bass for about a year and just joined a church worship band, going out with friends and socializing. I've been on a bike every season since 2003, and years before that. I've had a lot of time on a lot of different bikes, and some really great times too. For now, I think it's time for me to move on. Thanks for the thoughtful advice though, I'm in a good place with my decision.

I don't think it's so much a riding alone thing - I do worry when riding alone that I'll go down and not be able to get to help by myself. But when riding with others, which I've pretty much given up on, I find that I'm just not comfortable having other riders behind me and even if I'm in the rear of the pack I'm always over thinking what's in the next turn, around that next blind hill or turn. Most people that I've ridden with don't deal with that - they just seem to be naturally comfortable and don't worry about the same stuff I do. Riding in to work presents its own set of issues with rush hour traffic and dealing with the endless number of everyday riding situations we all deal with. I actually had to avoid a bail of hay in the middle of the right lane on 315 once! I agree that every rider deals with the danger...I haven't been w/o a bike since 2003 and have been on a bike at one point or another since 1993. Anymore, I'd rather hop in the cage so that if some crap does go down on my ride at least I've got a couple tons of steel to protect my hide. Also don't think I ever really got over my wreck in 2007, which is why I think I overthink and worry about that next corner and whether or not the tires will stay under me when I lean over. I don't know man - Some part of me will miss riding but with all that going on in my head I don't really enjoy it anyway, not like I should.