New Motorcycle Thread

[White Peacock]

I've always bought my batteries that had the sperarate bag of electrolite and I put it in myself . That way I know it's filled properly, and then put it on the charger for a little while. Never had a lick of trouble. I also always made sure that the belch tube ran all the way down and hung clear of the lower frame and any obstructions.

Yeah, I look forward to getting a sealed battery that doesn't require the exhaust tube.

[kelroy55]

I've always replaced my battery with a seal one I get from Battery Plus and have never had a problem.

[Uptowner]

^^^ agreed. And like I said. Interstate has everything.

The vmax is 2009 #249/2500. It's got the x pipe and chip tuned on the dyno. It's funeral fast, I don't know why I keep it it. In drag mode: it manifests itself in laughing tears of fearjoy.

[Urbanized]

Here's a movie that is getting a special showing at Quail Springs November 17th. Tickets must be purchased online here: https://www.tugg.com/events/72370

https://vimeo.com/136919964

[White Peacock]

^^^ agreed. And like I said. Interstate has everything.

The vmax is 2009 #249/2500. It's got the x pipe and chip tuned on the dyno. It's funeral fast, I don't know why I keep it it. In drag mode: it manifests itself in laughing tears of fearjoy.

That's one cruiser I wouldn't mind getting my hands on, even if it would probably be more terrifying than satisfying.

[rezman]

That's one cruiser I wouldn't mind getting my hands on, even if it would probably be more terrifying than satisfying.

They're not that bad. A definite blast to ride. They come on strong but are still very manageable. It's the only factory bike that reminded me of the old Kawasaki H2 Tripple ..... now that was a ride that could scare the sh*t out of you.

[White Peacock]

They're not that bad. A definite blast to ride. They come on strong but are still very manageable. It's the only factory bike that reminded me of the old Kawasaki H2 Tripple ..... now that was a ride that could scare the sh*t out of you.

My bike has ~90ish horsepower, and feels like I could probably hit escape velocity if I kick it down a gear at 10,000rpm, so I can't imagine how untamed the VMax must feel before you get accustomed to its quirks (not to mention the insurance costs). Sexy bikes, though. If I were to buy a new cruiser, it'd probably be between that or the Bolt. I'm not big on throwing my legs forward while riding, so I'm all about the mid controls on a cruiser.

[Uptowner]

The vmax isn't too bad to insure. They treat it by displacement so about the same as a Honda vtx or a Harley. About 300 a year for comprehensive. After the dyno tune it produces 202hp at the rear wheel. And it's not my first pick for long distance or twisties, you have to wrestle bike to make it turn. But light to light streaking down shields or Lincoln Blvd. it's home. I'd probably sell it if I could get more money out of it. I figured it we be more collectible by now.

What I've been drooling over all year is the new re-tuned and bored out aprilia tuono r1100 factory. It makes 200 horsepower but around 400lbs and with space age electronics like a rev matching down shift, abs, 7 levels of traction control, 3 engine maps changeable on the fly, city, street, and race. Which would be great because I own an older tuono and its 155 screaming track tuned horsepower at all times. A flick of the wrist in 3rd @ 40mph sends the front wheel up. Sometimes I just want a comfy cruise. But my favorite: 6 position wheelie control. Yes gentlemen, set it to 11 o'clock, power it off the floor in low gear and let all the bystanders think your evel knievel reincarnate doing perfect wheelies on a shiny new machine, devil may care.

[White Peacock]

Yeah, I'm happy with my fast-enough, nimble-enough FZ6. Mega bikes sound impressive but it falls into that "with great power comes great responsibility" adage, way too easy to mess up on accident.

Displacement isn't the only thing taken into consideration for insurance; not with State Farm, anyway. For example, the most expensive bike I got a quote on was a GSX-S750, which worked out to around $50/month, which was more expensive than the CB1100 by a few dollars, and about $25/month more expensive than the CTX700N. I suspect they look at a combination of displacement and frequency of crashes by bike type. Pretty much anything that starts with GSX- is going to have a higher squid rate, although I think that's a lot less for the naked variants than the fully faired ones. I'm only paying about $180/year for the FZ6, full coverage. The GN250 has liability only, and it's about $12/year. I got a liability quote for an 80s model CB900, and it too would have been about $12/year, so displacement isn't everything with insurance prices.

[White Peacock]

Is anybody else finding their seats wet for the new Bonneville T120?

[rezman]

The vmax isn't too bad to insure. They treat it by displacement so about the same as a Honda vtx or a Harley. About 300 a year for comprehensive. After the dyno tune it produces 202hp at the rear wheel. And it's not my first pick for long distance or twisties, you have to wrestle bike to make it turn. But light to light streaking down shields or Lincoln Blvd. it's home. I'd probably sell it if I could get more money out of it. I figured it we be more collectible by now.

What I've been drooling over all year is the new re-tuned and bored out aprilia tuono r1100 factory. It makes 200 horsepower but around 400lbs and with space age electronics like a rev matching down shift, abs, 7 levels of traction control, 3 engine maps changeable on the fly, city, street, and race. Which would be great because I own an older tuono and its 155 screaming track tuned horsepower at all times. A flick of the wrist in 3rd @ 40mph sends the front wheel up. Sometimes I just want a comfy cruise. But my favorite: 6 position wheelie control. Yes gentlemen, set it to 11 o'clock, power it off the floor in low gear and let all the bystanders think your evel knievel reincarnate doing perfect wheelies on a shiny new machine, devil may care.

That sounds like an awesome machine. The technology these days is amazing. I must admit that I'm behind the curve on what is currently available now. I also must confess that I sold my VTX1800 not too long ago because I got tired of people trying to take me out on the road. It's getting ridiculous out there. That being said, I'm already wanting something else.

[Bill Robertson]

Well, my motorcycling year has not been good. It all started with her dying on I40 in April. Since then she's had an intermittent miss and/or dying problem. Without going into the whole nine hards of what I've done I'll just say that pretty much everything inthe fuel and ignition systems is new. Problem still there. Finally did the ultimate sin in my book and took it to the dealer to have them change the ECM. Problem still there. At least they took the ECM back which they didn't have to do. So today I took off the seat and tank and began removing and fanning out the wiring harness to check it out one wire at a time. Bikes can be so much fun but such a PIA.

[ctchandler]

Without going into the whole nine hards of what I've done I'll just say that pretty much everything inthe fuel and ignition systems is new.

SoonerSoftail,
Was that a "freudian slip"?
C. T.

[White Peacock]

My next bike's going to have ABS. Riding to work Saturday morning, I had to hard brake to meet a suddenly-yellow intersection, and my brakes completely locked up. I started to fishtail and swerve (stayed top-up, thankfully) until I finally came to a full stop in the middle of the intersection at 39th and Portland. Luckily it was 7:30am and the roads weren't crazy busy, but I still had to do the backward walk of shame back to the line with the smell of burning brake pads wafting up. I was pretty shaken the rest of the day. I'd never had bike brakes lock up on me before.

[jerrywall]

Not to sound like a Harley fanboy, but that's why I like my Ultra. All those comfort features like intercom and radio, plus ABS. And the trunk is nice.

[White Peacock]

Not to sound like a Harley fanboy, but that's why I like my Ultra. All those comfort features like intercom and radio, plus ABS. And the trunk is nice.

Yeah, nice bikes for sure, I'm just not big on cruisers myself. I'm eyeballing the new SV650; hopefully it has ABS when they bring it stateside.

[Bill Robertson]

SoonerSoftail,
Was that a "freudian slip"?
C. T.

Maybe. And since then I've taken the whole engine related wiring harness loose to check out because it's still not fixed.

[ctchandler]

Maybe. And since then I've taken the whole engine related wiring harness loose to check out because it's still not fixed.

SoonerSoftail,
Not sure you understood my post, the whole nine hards (instead of yards), in other words, difficulties of what you accomplished.
C. T.

[Urbanized]

I locked my rear this AM for one of the few times ever that wasn't by choice (rider training, practice panic stops, etc.). Just about high-sided, but managed to ride it out. Must've been a greasy spot in the road, just as I was shutting it down quickly for a turn I was about to miss. My fault. Also doesn't help that my rear tire is about done. Probably getting a new pair next week. But yeah, ABS probably wouldn't be the worst thing in the world.

What's funny is I lock the rear on my scooter all of the time. It's half the fun of riding a scooter. Not NEARLY so sketchy as doing it on a motorcycle.

[CaptDave]

I just got back into riding and looked at several bikes before settling on a F800GT. I chose it over others because of the ABS and traction control that provides a comfort margin as I regain and sharpen my riding skills. (It's been over 25 years.) I am really looking forward to taking the next MSF course at OSU-OKC next spring.

Of course I chose to test ride and buy on a couple of very windy days. Had a death grip on the bar in a crosswind until consciously making myself relax!

[Urbanized]

^^^^^
If you have your endorsement I would consider skipping the regular MSF classes - which are focused on getting you endorsed - and instead to the "Ready to Ride" course, which focuses more on real-world riding situations. Best part is, it is FREE.

http://www.osuokc.edu/motorcycle/readytoride.aspx

[OKCRT]

Not to sound like a Harley fanboy, but that's why I like my Ultra. All those comfort features like intercom and radio, plus ABS. And the trunk is nice.

Yes I am looking at a Victory Cross Country. All the comforts

[CaptDave]

^^^^^
If you have your endorsement I would consider skipping the regular MSF classes - which are focused on getting you endorsed - and instead to the "Ready to Ride" course, which focuses more on real-world riding situations. Best part is, it is FREE.

OSU-OKC Ready to Ride

I took it a couple months ago to get the endorsement and a little seat time in a controlled environment. But you are right - the "Ready to Ride" course is the one I'm looking at next.

[White Peacock]

I locked my rear this AM for one of the few times ever that wasn't by choice (rider training, practice panic stops, etc.). Just about high-sided, but managed to ride it out. Must've been a greasy spot in the road, just as I was shutting it down quickly for a turn I was about to miss. My fault. Also doesn't help that my rear tire is about done. Probably getting a new pair next week. But yeah, ABS probably wouldn't be the worst thing in the world.

The Bonneville T120 would be something to look into, then. It's like Triumph listened to all the complaints about the Bonnie, and actually did something about it.

[White Peacock]

I just got back into riding and looked at several bikes before settling on a F800GT. I chose it over others because of the ABS and traction control that provides a comfort margin as I regain and sharpen my riding skills. (It's been over 25 years.) I am really looking forward to taking the next MSF course at OSU-OKC next spring.

Of course I chose to test ride and buy on a couple of very windy days. Had a death grip on the bar in a crosswind until consciously making myself relax!

I put a Cee Bailey windscreen on my FZ6. It looks a bit ridiculous, being so tall, but it cuts all the wind off my body, and if I tuck slightly, I get a zone of absolute silence, where I hear no wind at all...just engine and road. It's fantastic, goofy as it may look.