getting old sucks.

[AmJay]

Seems like old age is catching up to me. For the past couple of years my motorcycle has been getting heavier and heaver. I finally decided it was more hassle then pleasure to ride and it was time to down size. I'm not a fan of Harleys I'm sure they're a lot better then the 1951 Pan head that I spent more time kicking then riding, but 30 years ago I bought a 450 Honda CL and have stuck with Hondas ever since. That and the dealer and I are friends. So, I traded in my 2003 VTX1300 (nearly 700 pounds) for a 2010 Honda Shadow Phantom. The only Shadow made with fuel injection. It's still at the dealer being accessorized, but here's a picture. I drove it for several miles on the interstate and it will do 80 all day which is fast enough for this old fart. I can't believe how nice it handles and it doesn't hurt that I really like the bobber styling. I looked at the Harley Sportster 48 and liked it, but being vertically challenged the Honda was a better fit. Other then then Chrome exhaust and funky front turn signals, which will be changed I really like the looks and handling. The Harley dealer wouldn't let me take the 48 for a spin since it was allready spoken for.

 

Accessories:

 

Boulevard wind screen

floor boards with heel toe shifter ( I have an inherited disease (genetic defect) called "Charcot, Marie, tooth disease (CMT) and upshifting is nearly impossible as a result.)

custom seat and luggage rack.

 

 

 

 

[1990 Pioneer 4x4]

nice bike :thumbsup:

[aemsee]

I am a Harley guy, but that is a really sharp looking bike.

[terrawombat]

Nice looking bike. I like the flat black on the rims and parts of the frame.

 

My girlfriend's mother (not taking anything away from you!) rides an '04 or '05 Shadow. She let me ride it last weekend and that thing was a lot bigger than I expected! The twin engine thumped and felt really cool. I'd like to own a twin engine bike one day.

 

I'm young so I ride crotch rockets. I've got an '08 Kawasaki Z1000...it also does 80 MPH...in 2nd gear ;)

[freakjeep93]

i agreee thats a nice bike. I'm torn on weather to get a cruiser or a crotch rocket style bike as my first bike. i like both it so hard to decide but I'm leaning toward something like a katana 600 or a sv 650

[mnkyboy]

I'm not into cruisers but Honda has been coming out with some sharp cruisers lately.

 

Last summer one of my friends bought a Fury Chopper,for a production chopper its pretty nice.

[mnkyboy]

i agreee thats a nice bike. I'm torn on weather to get a cruiser or a crotch rocket style bike as my first bike. i like both it so hard to decide but I'm leaning toward something like a katana 600 or a sv 650

 

 

Id rather have the SV over the Katana, I considered an SV1000 when i bought my KTM.

[Eagle]

Looks nice, but ... does it have a tachometer? I know cruisers don't "need" tachs, but I have been riding and driving by the tach for better than 50 years. I won't own a vehicle that doesn't have a tach (other than for parts, or waiting to have a tach installed).

 

Heck, I had a 1971 Honda CB350 that would do 80.

[AmJay]

I'm young so I ride crotch rockets. I've got an '08 Kawasaki Z1000...it also does 80 MPH...in 2nd gear ;)

 

My co-worker (Harley guy) has already told me it's a girl's bike. LOL I've driven a pre-crotch rocket KZ1000 and KZ900, I'm sure you're right about 80 in 2nd gear. I've seen you guys out there weaving in and out of traffic treating cars like cones in a slalom race. I'm at a different point in my life I'm no longer immortal.

[terrawombat]

No weaving for this guy! I'm a bit of a sissy, relatively speaking. I'll generally obey the speed limit and the front wheel never leaves the ground. I get made fun of because my rear tire is worn down in the middle and I still have the little stubble tips sticking up around the outsides. I use it mostly to commute back and forth between my place in NJ and my girlfriends place in MD. Here she is geared up with the saddle bags on backwards:

 

 

I love the bike, but I think my next bike is going to be a Ural:

 

 

My new dog wants to ride, too!

[AmJay]

Looks nice, but ... does it have a tachometer? I know cruisers don't "need" tachs, but I have been riding and driving by the tach for better than 50 years. I won't own a vehicle that doesn't have a tach (other than for parts, or waiting to have a tach installed).

 

Heck, I had a 1971 Honda CB350 that would do 80.

 

No Tach....yet.

 

I still have a 1970 SL350K1.. Only does 70 before it starts rattling the fillings out of my teeth. 70 is 7000RPM. Here's a pic..

 

[AmJay]

No offense, if I was younger I'd have a crotch rocket for sure. We''ve discussed a side car more then once around here so the dog would have a place to ride. Not sure what the dog would think about it though.

[jimoshel]

Getting old? Tell me about it. At one time a buddy would drop by and say' Let's go for a ride" I would reply ' Lets go" Now I study the sky and if there's a cloud anywhere i worry about rain. This from a guy rode a Harley from Las Vegas to Pueblo in a snowstorm.(When I was younger)

Built from various parts an pieces but titled as a '74 Pan.

Also rode a 750 Honda when I broke my leg and it was in a cast. The Harley was just to heavy to hold. Ran a rope from the shift lever to the gas cap so I could shift it. My prize now is a 1927 JD. Fully restored.

[dasbulliwagen]

Nice bike. Ive never had a problem with Hondas, but the sound that a Harley makes is just too perfect for me to ignore. When I was ready to buy a bike 10 years ago, I really wanted a Harley, but couldnt afford one... even a used one. That and I kinda wanted a sportbike, but wanted one that was a sportbike that sounded like a Harley. I knew nothing of Buell at the time, till I started looking at sale ads, and started learning more about them. At some point I saw a silver S-1 Lightning.... and it was MY perfect bike! But I had no idea that I would actually find one. I was looking at M-2's, and S-3's and X-1's, but hadnt really commited to anything yet. So I went out helmet shopping in prep for an upcoming purchase... and there in the used section of the showroom was a Silver 1997 Buell Lightning S-1! I couldnt beleive it. I picked out a helmet, and put it on lay away till I could get up enough cash, and left the dealer. I told my buddies about the bike, and just kept talking about it over and over. till one buddy of mine told me to "JUST BUY IT!" So I did! Ive had it 10 years now, and won't sell it unless I have another bike lined up. Just saying.... buy something that you will love even if you can do nothing but sit and look at it.... because in the northern climes thats what youll do for about 6 mos of the year. Comfort and utility are also high up on the list too, and as my age also gets up there I'm realizing this and hoping I can buy something more comfortable, as my Buell is only good for about a 1/2 hour before I have a numb crotch. I too have looked at the new Honda choppers, but, at least in my mind, I have to have that sound.... and the Hondas just don't stack up... even with aftermarket pipes, they just don't sound right. Good luck with your new ride!

[HOrnbrod]

Looks great AmJay. I'm an old bastid too and can't stand the wind buffeting anymore, so the only thing I'd add is a small cafe-type fairing to direct most of it over your head. Would look great too on that bike.

 

Guess I'm weird, but have always been partial to retro big thumpers, but definitely need an electric start model now - hard to find. Have had big BMW airheads and a Harley Geezer-Glide in the past, but they always end up boring me. Nothing like the sound of a high revving 600+ cc thumper. Current bike is a 95 604cc MZ Silver Star that will pull 80 MPH in third easy and top out at 120 in 5th. Surprises a lot of people and is very smooth for a thumper. Have been building the Rotax engine for the last six months or so and neglecting the MJ. Getting a side car for it too. It's got a bit of chrome.

 

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[mnkyboy]

 

 

my brother has the same bike but in Black,It a great bike and alot of fun to ride.

 

 

 

Now this is my style of bike

Its almost as fast as my brothers Z1000 straight line but can murder it in the turns

 

nothing like riding a 1 liter V twin dirtbike on steroids

[mnkyboy]

Looks great AmJay. I'm an old bastid too and can't stand the wind buffeting anymore, so the only thing I'd add is a small cafe-type fairing to direct most of it over your head. Would look great too on that bike.

 

Guess I'm weird, but have always been partial to retro big thumpers, but definitely need an electric start model now - hard to find. Have had big BMW airheads and a Harley Geezer-Glide in the past, but they always end up boring me. Nothing like the sound of a high revving 600+ cc thumper. Current bike is a 95 604cc MZ Silver Star that will pull 80 MPH in third easy and top out at 120 in 5th. Surprises a lot of people and is very smooth for a thumper. Have been building the Rotax engine for the last six months or so and neglecting the MJ. Getting a side car for it too. It's got a bit of chrome.

 

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I was wondering how that thing was coming along, looks to be going alot better then my RD350 build.

 

I know what you mean about big thumper sound,ive got a 650cc Rotax in my quad.

I still remember the feeling i got when they fired it up inside the Bombardier dealership, i thought it was gonna blow out the windows

[HOrnbrod]

Now this is my style of bike

Its almost as fast as my brothers Z1000 straight line but can murder it in the turns nothing like riding a 1 liter V twin dirtbike on steroids

 

I had a KTM Rotax years ago when I was stationed in the Philippines. Great rice patty bike - went anywhere the local cop bikes couldn't. :D That KTM must be a monster.......

[aemsee]

 

My co-worker (Harley guy) has already told me it's a girl's bike. LOL I've driven a pre-crotch rocket KZ1000 and KZ900, I'm sure you're right about 80 in 2nd gear. I've seen you guys out there weaving in and out of traffic treating cars like cones in a slalom race. I'm at a different point in my life I'm no longer immortal.

 

Of course he did :shake: . Just like 1200 Sportys are girls bikes. Gotta laugh :clapping:

[bigd44889]

i'm a harly guy but i won't get down on anyone for what thay ride

its not a matter of what it is

its a matter of wether you ride

but never understud why bye a jap bike that looks exacly like a harley :hmm: :wall: :fool:

[terrawombat]

but never understud why bye a jap bike that looks exacly like a harley :hmm: :wall: :fool:

 

Because it's usually thousands of dollars cheaper. Not everyone can afford a Harley, Mr. Moneybags :rotf:

[jimoshel]

I have owned and rode Harleys, Indians, Triumphs, BSA, BMW, Moto Guzzi, Ariel, and Honda.Every one of them had something special about them, both good and bad. I think the highlight of my biking was in 1961. Rode a Moto Guzzi around the Mediterranean ocean, passing thru every country that touched it.Took 35 days. I was on a 30 day leave.

At one time if I was going a far distance I would take a Jap bike over a Hog because of reliability. That has changed, partly thanks to Rice Burners making Harley get off their pedestal and improve their product. IMHO Harley has 2 things no other bike has. That throaty, rumbling exhaust and class.

[AmJay]

i'm a harly guy but i won't get down on anyone for what thay ride

its not a matter of what it is

its a matter of wether you ride

but never understud why bye a jap bike that looks exacly like a harley :hmm: :wall: :fool:

 

 

The Honda Shadow, VTX, and Gold Wing are made in Marysville Ohio. Just outside of Columbus. They have a Honda Homecoming every summer and you can tour the factory watch them dyno every bike coming off the assembly line and even take a chance a going home with one for FREE. They even let non-Honda people come and park in their lot. Another Plus to the Jap bikes you can usually actually buy them without the wait.

[Incommando]

 

I actually ride. For S&G's, I rode 1,017 miles Thursday and Friday! Change of clothes in the saddles bags, debit card in my pocket, and took off. '07 with 49,512 trouble free miles. 50 mpg and it sees at least 100mph most every time I am on it. No, it is not the fastest tourer: but it is a true to ITS heritage and not a copy.

 

One comment about a sensitive subject: Does Honda consider itself an American company? Of course not. Just as BMW assembles cars here and it does not consider itself an American company. The claim that Honda or BMW's are American is not at all accurate by their own preferences and statements if nothing else.

 

I do not mind bikes that look like what they are: Honda, etc... The GL is an outstanding tourer and, while its styling is not my thing, it is its own design. Many companies make almost exact copies of Harley models. While imitation is the surest form of flattery, I personally do not want the octomom who tries to LOOK like Angelina Jolie over Angelina. To each his own though.

 

Yes, I also chuckle at inner city residents who dress like cowboys or guys who dress like Elvis every day...

[Pete M]

'cause as we all know, the worst thing about getting old is having to downsize your bike slightly. :rotf: