Forum rules
Welcome to the Leverguns.Com General Discussions Forum. This is a high-class place so act respectable. We discuss most anything here other than politics... politely.
Please post political post in the new Politics forum.
The '08 Ultra Classic with a good Stage 1 is now for sale. Black is the fastest color
I rode the demo model for an hour this morning. 1200cc Parallel Twin It's a real handful 110 HP, IIRC, and weighs 575 wet. Very fast, and very agile. The position is like sitting in a chair, knees slightly bent. I think a set of aftermarket risers will have it like sitting in my easy chair. A throttle lock will have to go on soon, as well. This will take me mostly full circle back to riding roots; I'm tired of heavy cruisers and such.
The Rotten Fruit Always Hits The Ground First
Proud Life Member Of:
NRA
Second Amendment Foundation
Citizens Committee For The Right To Keep And Bear Arms
DAV
Because I Can, and Have
-------------------------------------------------------------
USAF-72-76
God Bless America.
Disclaimer, not responsible for anyone copying or building anything i make.
Always consult an expert first.
I was tooling about 65 in 6th, downshifted to 4th, hit it, and was at 100 in just a very short time. I've never rode anything this fast. They claim mid-11 second 1/4s I'll have to be careful.
The Rotten Fruit Always Hits The Ground First
Proud Life Member Of:
NRA
Second Amendment Foundation
Citizens Committee For The Right To Keep And Bear Arms
DAV
Please report back after you've run it a couple of months. Been seeing a number of comments about them on with the adventure riding/dual sport crowd.
I was looking one over at the shiny store the other day. That's a non-issue for me now since the KLR650 is barely a year old so there's no replacement pending there. And if there was, this forum would be short a member as Management knows where most of my guns are hidden. (grin) Would no go well for me if I rolled something else new home.
I'm gonna be in the Bellinghan or Mount Vernon, WA area on Sunday/Monday; coming out of Salmon Arm, BC on Fri with freight, (if I can find any), otherwise, empty. Gonna pick up Tues @ NAS Whidbey Is. Now you have an excuse for a "road trip"!
Griff,
SASS/CMSA #93
NRA Patron
GUSA #93
There is a fine line between hobby & obsession! AND... I'm over it!!
No I ain't ready, but let's do it anyway!
I'm gonna be in the Bellinghan or Mount Vernon, WA area on Sunday/Monday; coming out of Salmon Arm, BC on Fri with freight, (if I can find any), otherwise, empty. Gonna pick up Tues @ NAS Whidbey Is. Now you have an excuse for a "road trip"!
I'll won't be picking it up until Tuesday evening....Signed late today, they are closed Monday Coming down I-5?
The Rotten Fruit Always Hits The Ground First
Proud Life Member Of:
NRA
Second Amendment Foundation
Citizens Committee For The Right To Keep And Bear Arms
DAV
BlaineG wrote:I'll won't be picking it up until Tuesday evening....Signed late today, they are closed Monday Coming down I-5?
As far as I-90, as I'm headed off to VA. Tho' I'm toying with the idea of heading all the way down to Portland... fuel's cheaper there ya know!!! But, it's a LONG way out of the way!
Griff,
SASS/CMSA #93
NRA Patron
GUSA #93
There is a fine line between hobby & obsession! AND... I'm over it!!
No I ain't ready, but let's do it anyway!
BlaineG wrote:I'll won't be picking it up until Tuesday evening....Signed late today, they are closed Monday Coming down I-5?
As far as I-90, as I'm headed off to VA. Tho' I'm toying with the idea of heading all the way down to Portland... fuel's cheaper there ya know!!! But, it's a LONG way out of the way!
The Rotten Fruit Always Hits The Ground First
Proud Life Member Of:
NRA
Second Amendment Foundation
Citizens Committee For The Right To Keep And Bear Arms
DAV
BlaineG wrote:I'll won't be picking it up until Tuesday evening....Signed late today, they are closed Monday Coming down I-5?
As far as I-90, as I'm headed off to VA. Tho' I'm toying with the idea of heading all the way down to Portland... fuel's cheaper there ya know!!! But, it's a LONG way out of the way!
Face it... you're just at the wrong end of the BIG loop!
Griff,
SASS/CMSA #93
NRA Patron
GUSA #93
There is a fine line between hobby & obsession! AND... I'm over it!!
No I ain't ready, but let's do it anyway!
I went to Yamaha's website after you posted the pic of this bike in the other thread. Got a question for you: Does this bike have what you'd honestly call an upright riding position ? A couple years back I looked into getting a bike again. It'd been years since I had one, but I figured that when you're in your fifties you're supposed to do this, right ?
Anyway, the only things that came close for the riding position I was interested in were some of the Sportsters and the Suzuki V-Strom 1000. The V-Strom 650's seemed a little cramped for me, and I'm just 6'0" and 200 lb. I'm way too stiff to be interested in riding while all hunched over on a sportbike like the kids do, but I like these bikes that are kind of hybrids of sorts, with a fairly upright riding position.
I'm interested in anything you have to say about riding position, and other observations about this bike. Oh yeah ... Congratulations !! And be careful. - DixieBoy
When the People Fear Their Government There is Tyranny; When the Government Fears the People There is Liberty.
It's not hunched over even a little bit....I'm sitting upright, and only leaning a hair....I've got short arms and legs, and plan on a set of 1" handlebar risers very soon. I'm thinking you could reach perfectly.
The Rotten Fruit Always Hits The Ground First
Proud Life Member Of:
NRA
Second Amendment Foundation
Citizens Committee For The Right To Keep And Bear Arms
DAV
I read a test of that bike in "Dirt Bike" magazine no less ! They were testing the adventure bikes, and i think included the BMW's and KLR 650 and a few others
Looks like a very nice scoot! I really like the hard bags on it too!
Dixieboy, you might try one of these, the seating position is much closer to that of a dirt bike than a crotch rocket
I see your dealer is a KTM dealer too, --- i would have a lot to look at in a place like that
Streetstar wrote:I read a test of that bike in "Dirt Bike" magazine no less ! They were testing the adventure bikes, and i think included the BMW's and KLR 650 and a few others
Looks like a very nice scoot! I really like the hard bags on it too!
Dixieboy, you might try one of these, the seating position is much closer to that of a dirt bike than a crotch rocket
I see your dealer is a KTM dealer too, --- i would have a lot to look at in a place like that
Later this year, they are adding Kawasaki and Norton to their lineup.....It's a real superstore. This is the 3rd rig I've got there. You have to fight for every penny, tho. I finally got the accessories at cost, and a 200 buck Customer Cash cert. I can send in about three weeks from now. Sill, it's about 3-4 thousand less than the BMW, which was 19,000 firm w/o accessories.
The Rotten Fruit Always Hits The Ground First
Proud Life Member Of:
NRA
Second Amendment Foundation
Citizens Committee For The Right To Keep And Bear Arms
DAV
I sold BMW for four years. KTM was the only thing close to us, as far as quality and competitiveness. When that ST debuted, I knew it would take a bite.
You did good, Blaine! Stay on top of your break-in service. Hell, I'd do an oil change (alone) at 100mis just to rid it of some of the particulates. Then, she'd have another 400 or so on it if they recommend the B/I at 500mis.
Dixieboy, I just bought the Suzuki 650 v-stromadventure package and I'm 6'2" and a 32" inseam and don't feel cramped at all. I am currently very pleased with it and it is really easy at the gas pump. Same color as blaine's!!! Anyway, not sure if you had a chance to ride one. If not, give it arty.
Last edited by rjohns94 on Mon Jun 04, 2012 8:54 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Mike Johnson,
"Only those who will risk going too far, can possibly find out how far one can go." T.S. Eliot
pneuby wrote:I sold BMW for four years. KTM was the only thing close to us, as far as quality and competitiveness. When that ST debuted, I knew it would take a bite.
You did good, Blaine! Stay on top of your break-in service. Hell, I'd do an oil change (alone) at 100mis just to rid it of some of the particulates. Then, she'd have another 400 or so on it if they recommend the B/I at 500mis.
If it doesn't have a magnetic drain plug, that's a fer sure early upgrade
The Rotten Fruit Always Hits The Ground First
Proud Life Member Of:
NRA
Second Amendment Foundation
Citizens Committee For The Right To Keep And Bear Arms
DAV
Griff wrote: Tho' I'm toying with the idea of heading all the way down to Portland... fuel's cheaper there ya know!!! But, it's a LONG way out of the way!
a little late on the draw.
what route did you choose?
if in or around portland i'm just up the road, may have missed you already.
there are some others nearby as well [ jdad, marlinman.]
rjohns94 wrote:Dixieboy, I just bought the Suzuki 650 v-stromadventure package and I'm 6'2" and a 32" inseam and don't feel cramped at all. I am currently very pleased with it and it is really easy at the gas pump. Same color as blaine's!!! Anyway, not sure if you had a chance to ride one. If not, give it arty.
My BIL who lives in the SF Bay area has owned his V-Strom for several years and he's taken it on cruises all the way to Utah and back, he LOVES that bike.
Illegitimus Non Carborundum Akā, ʻo ka poʻe hilinaʻi aku iā Iēhova, e ulu hou nō ko lākou ikaika;
E piʻi ʻēheu aku nō lākou i luna, e like me nā ʻaito;
E holo nō lākou, ʻaʻole hoʻi e māloʻeloʻe,
E hele mua nō lākou, ʻaʻole hoʻi e maʻule.
`Isaia 40:31
I sure you know but all the same,,,,,, just remember to never stare at what you are scared of hitting if you think you going into a turn to fast! This will stop you grabbing the brakes. Using just the rear once in the turn look for your exit and that bike will just keep going over and you will make th turn
Forcing one self to look away from your fear and concentrate on the exit is one of the hardest things to do ut once mastered is a life saver. Just watch where the heads of racers on a track are looking in the turns.
I sure you know but all the same,,,,,, just remember to never stare at what you are scared of hitting if you think you going into a turn to fast! This will stop you grabbing the brakes. Using just the rear once in the turn look for your exit and that bike will just keep going over and you will make th turn
Forcing one self to look away from your fear and concentrate on the exit is one of the hardest things to do ut once mastered is a life saver. Just watch where the heads of racers on a track are looking in the turns.
N.
I still have to work hard at looking ahead in a very fast sweeper. When you're learning, it helps to follow an excellent rider. If gravity doesn't throw him off the road, chances are pretty good that if you keep leaning, you'll be fine, too. Helps to build confidence. It never hurts to be a little cautious of it, though. The cruise control on a twisty road is a stupid idea, too.....Umm, someone told me that. Yeah, I heard about it.
The Rotten Fruit Always Hits The Ground First
Proud Life Member Of:
NRA
Second Amendment Foundation
Citizens Committee For The Right To Keep And Bear Arms
DAV
The new bike if gorgeous Blaine! A real work of art, but what is with the new trend in boxy airline approved saddlebags recently? Used to be saddlebags matched the bike and looked great.
I understand the new bags are easily removed, but seems they could do that and not have them looking like a square box.
marlinman93 wrote:The new bike if gorgeous Blaine! A real work of art, but what is with the new trend in boxy airline approved saddlebags recently? Used to be saddlebags matched the bike and looked great.
I understand the new bags are easily removed, but seems they could do that and not have them looking like a square box.
I understand exactly. It's a Euro/BMW thang, I suspect.
The Rotten Fruit Always Hits The Ground First
Proud Life Member Of:
NRA
Second Amendment Foundation
Citizens Committee For The Right To Keep And Bear Arms
DAV
marlinman93 wrote:.. what is with the new trend in boxy airline approved saddlebags recently? I understand the new bags are easily removed, but seems they could do that and not have them looking like a square box.
Bikes like that, designed to be 'adventure-touring' (aka off-road) rigs, have hard-use bags. They have to remain structurally intact, within reason of course, when the bike spills over onto its side. The square box is for maximized internal volume. IF you're in the midst of nowhere, you hope you packed what you might need.
Ji - Your BIL's bike looks like the 1000cc version of the V-Strom. I got so excited looking at the pics of Blaine's new bike the other night I went and looked at bikes for more than an hour online. Looked at the Suzuki's too, after Madman talked about his 6'2" frame fitting on the 650 cc version of the same bike.
I'm too broke now to even be dreaming about bikes, and still have, oh ... about 15 firearms on my gotta have list too. But you know what, sometimes you get worked up about these goodies that you want and it can work as a motivator. Know what I mean ? - DixieBoy
When the People Fear Their Government There is Tyranny; When the Government Fears the People There is Liberty.
DixieBoy wrote:Ji - Your BIL's bike looks like the 1000cc version of the V-Strom. I got so excited looking at the pics of Blaine's new bike the other night I went and looked at bikes for more than an hour online. Looked at the Suzuki's too, after Madman talked about his 6'2" frame fitting on the 650 cc version of the same bike.
I'm too broke now to even be dreaming about bikes, and still have, oh ... about 15 firearms on my gotta have list too. But you know what, sometimes you get worked up about these goodies that you want and it can work as a motivator. Know what I mean ? - DixieBoy
The BMW Sertao is a very cool adventure bike on a "budget" -- then there's always the KLR 650, which looks pretty trick with a Dakar tank added on and some of those sweet aluminum pannier bags (i'm trying to figure out if i need one or not -- LOL --- a hopped up KLR could scratch the itch at a decent entry price maybe )
marlinman93 wrote:.. what is with the new trend in boxy airline approved saddlebags recently? I understand the new bags are easily removed, but seems they could do that and not have them looking like a square box.
Bikes like that, designed to be 'adventure-touring' (aka off-road) rigs, have hard-use bags. They have to remain structurally intact, within reason of course, when the bike spills over onto its side. The square box is for maximized internal volume. IF you're in the midst of nowhere, you hope you packed what you might need.
Can't believe if they rounded the corners that they'd really lose anything but a little ugly.
marlinman93 wrote:.. what is with the new trend in boxy airline approved saddlebags recently? I understand the new bags are easily removed, but seems they could do that and not have them looking like a square box.
Bikes like that, designed to be 'adventure-touring' (aka off-road) rigs, have hard-use bags. They have to remain structurally intact, within reason of course, when the bike spills over onto its side. The square box is for maximized internal volume. IF you're in the midst of nowhere, you hope you packed what you might need.
Can't believe if they rounded the corners that they'd really lose anything but a little ugly.
I'm so ugly they will never notice the square cases
The Rotten Fruit Always Hits The Ground First
Proud Life Member Of:
NRA
Second Amendment Foundation
Citizens Committee For The Right To Keep And Bear Arms
DAV
I'll have to be careful.
Coming down I-5?
---------------(and I am 6'4" 246lbs) 
(off road)
