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General Category >> The Cafe >> Riding in the real world.
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Message started by gerald.hughes on 07/19/12 at 11:58:37

Title: Riding in the real world.
Post by gerald.hughes on 07/19/12 at 11:58:37

What strikes me so often is how many riders live in their fantasy world, and not in the real world. When they can't keep the two separate, tragedy often follows. I am a rider. I am not a racer-drag or otherwise, though I know that some on this site are, but they mostly restrict their racing to the closed circuit tracks. I am not a trials rider. I am not professional stunt performer. I am a rider.

The bike that I ride meets my needs as a rider. It won't do 200 miles and hour, but I seldom do over 75. It doesn't have 150-200 hp, but I can go as fast as I want to with the hp I have. The front brake won't put the bike up on the front wheel, but I try to keep both of my tires on the pavement. All if all, I find the Savage to be an excellent bike for real world riding. I have owned many different bikes over the past 52 years, but none that I have enjoyed riding more than my Flea Flicker.

Title: Re: Riding in the real world.
Post by 360k+ on 07/19/12 at 12:16:02

Like my friends, I always look at bikes as having personalities. Rather than trying to compare one against another, I enjoy them all and their individual uniqueness and abilities. To me, it would be a pretty dull world if they were all more or less the same.

However, that said, if I was limited to one single bike only, I'd have to go with a BMW GS. This is a bike you can ride around Death Valley dirt trails, on weekend camp outs, tour across the US, or up the AlCan to Alaska. It's closest I've had to a one-does-all.

Title: Re: Riding in the real world.
Post by gerald.hughes on 07/19/12 at 12:34:43

360K,

If God had given me three more inches of inseam, I would probably own one too.

Title: Re: Riding in the real world.
Post by WD on 07/19/12 at 16:41:10

If I had to choose one, and only one, I'd get a military spec 45 cubic inch (750cc). Preferably the shaft drive boxer made for the North African campaign by Harley Davidson. You can't hurt them. Barring that, I'd get an old Indian. Or fix up my antique Honda Scrambler.

They aren't fast but they are fun.

Savage being as reliable as Chinese tools knocks it completely off my list. Engine is great, electrical system makes 1960s Bonnevilles look like the best bikes ever built.

Title: Re: Riding in the real world.
Post by 360k+ on 07/19/12 at 17:24:38

2127343F7F7375747F460 wrote:

[quote author=4754100 link=1342724318/0#3 date=1342741270]If I had to choose one, and only one, I'd get a military spec 45 cubic inch (750cc). Preferably the shaft drive boxer made for the North African campaign by Harley Davidson. You can't hurt them.

WD, is that Harley the old flathead WLA? Actually, never mind, I'm pretty sure that one was a V-twin. When my Father-n-law got out of the service at the end of the war back 1945, they offered him $350 mustering out pay, or a brand new, in the crate, wrapped in grease paper, olive drab Harley. He said they had a bunch of them stacked up on the docks ready for shipment to the war, but as they were no longer needed they were giving them in exchange for the money. BTW, he took the money, but you have to realize $350 was a chunk back then.

Title: Re: Riding in the real world.
Post by WD on 07/19/12 at 20:45:07

Africa bike was the XA. Rather rare these days, many were never assembled. I used to have access to enough parts to build 3 engines/gear boxes, but the cases never were number stamped. Couldn't do anything with them.

Another good one is Indian's transverse V-twin. Think aircooled CX500... not at all Moto Guzzi.

Title: Re: Riding in the real world.
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 07/19/12 at 21:25:18

If someone told me I could have any bike I wanted,,Id get a Kawasaki W-650.

That said, if I had more experience with other bikes, I mite not,, but based on what I know,, yep, W650

Title: Re: Riding in the real world.
Post by Boofer on 07/19/12 at 22:11:40

4D4F584B464E04425F4D424F592A0 wrote:

360K,

If God had given me three more inches of inseam, I would probably own one too.

If God had made me rich instead of good looking, I might have one, too. ;D

Title: Re: Riding in the real world.
Post by PerrydaSavage on 07/20/12 at 03:13:38

I've owned 2 LS650s and loved 'em both very much ... still jonesing for another too ... BUT, if my choices weren't limited, then I'd prolly try a Kawasaki W650, or a Moto Guzzi V7 Classic "Stone" ... both relatively light-weight Standards ... more than enough power for me ... comfort and decent handling! 8-)