SuzukiSavage.com - Riding in the real world.

gerald.hughes

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Tucson, Az
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Riding in the real world.
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.

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Cartersville, GA
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Re: Riding in the real world.
Reply #1 - 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.

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The JOURNEY is the reward!

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gerald.hughes Serious Thumper ModSquad Offline FSO Posts: 1100 Tucson, Az Gender:	Re: Riding in the real world. Reply #2 - 07/19/12 at 12:34:43 360K, If God had given me three more inches of inseam, I would probably own one too.
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WD

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Rosemark TN
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Re: Riding in the real world.
Reply #3 - 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.

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On 2 wheels since 7/87

Black and Chrome 2003 1950s style custom

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Re: Riding in the real world.
Reply #4 - 07/19/12 at 17:24:38

[quote author=2127343F7F7375747F460 link=1342724318/0#4 date=1342743418]WD wrote 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.

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.

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The JOURNEY is the reward!

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WD Serious Thumper 2005 No Login Offline Professional "scooter trash". Posts: 5207 Rosemark TN Gender:	Re: Riding in the real world. Reply #5 - 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.
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justin_o_guy2 Serious Thumper Offline What happened? Posts: 55279 East Texas, 1/2 dallas/la.	Re: Riding in the real world. Reply #6 - 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
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Boofer Serious Thumper Offline Nearly too old. Posts: 1760 N Ms Gender:	Re: Riding in the real world. Reply #7 - 07/19/12 at 22:11:40 gerald.hughes wrote 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. If God had made me rich instead of good looking, I might have one, too.
Back to top	2001 Black, Spitfire windshield, Headlight upgrade, Sissy rack, Tool bag, Fork bag, Harley muffler, Memory foam seat, Crash bars. Hwy pegs, Raptor. IP Logged

PerrydaSavage Serious Thumper Alliance Member Offline Riding "The Rock"! Posts: 3522 Republic of Newfoundland Gender:	Re: Riding in the real world. Reply #8 - 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!
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