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Rebeller
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  		   Posted 10/27/2009 4:11 PM (GMT -8)    Quote This PostAlert An Admin About This Post.
hey all,
i took the MSF course this past summer and have been riding a 1985 Rebel250 since.
everyone said I would outgrow it pretty quick and I think I have.
Now my riding friends are telling me to get an H/D Dyna!
I'm not sure that jumping 1300cc's is the best thing to do.
I know I have to be true to me as it'll be me mooching asphalt not them.
Any advice?
 
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jon
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  		   Posted 10/27/2009 4:43 PM (GMT -8)    Quote This PostAlert An Admin About This Post.
Rebeller said...
hey all,

I'm not sure that jumping 1300cc's is the best thing to do.

Any advice?


if unsure then wait til you're more sure, there's no rush. rushing into things is where most riders get into trouble including experienced riders.
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jocomo
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  		   Posted 10/27/2009 7:24 PM (GMT -8)    Quote This PostAlert An Admin About This Post.
Maybe a jump to a 650 or 750 would better prepare you for an eventual purchase of a large heavy v-twin.
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Treefort
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  		   Posted 10/28/2009 12:46 AM (GMT -8)    Quote This PostAlert An Admin About This Post.
It seems to me that one of the most probable issues you would have would be the weight differential between the two bikes.

What kind of riding do you do?
Never mind the suggestions of your friends for a moment, what kind of bikes are you interested in?

War may sometimes be a necessary evil. But no matter how necessary, it is always an evil, never a good. We will not learn how to live together in peace by killing each other's children.

Jimmy Carter

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Rebeller
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  		   Posted 10/28/2009 8:18 AM (GMT -8)    Quote This PostAlert An Admin About This Post.
Treefort said...
It seems to me that one of the most probable issues you would have would be the weight differential between the two bikes.

What kind of riding do you do?
Never mind the suggestions of your friends for a moment, what kind of bikes are you interested in?

For the most part, right now I'm commuting back and forth to work. a 30 mile loop.
i have done some "long" distance rides but no more than a hundred miles or so, i get crampped after a while.
and I defineitly want a cruiser bike, no interest in a sport bike at all.
I've heard tell that weight is more important than cc's, my Rebel is only about 300 lbs so I can only go up from there.
 
Thanks
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Richard47
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  		   Posted 10/28/2009 8:28 AM (GMT -8)    Quote This PostAlert An Admin About This Post.
Cruisers and sportsbikes are not the only types of bikes made you know. Open your mind and try something in between, you might find you like it!

Toilet Brush Dog Owner

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GAJ
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  		   Posted 10/28/2009 11:30 AM (GMT -8)    Quote This PostAlert An Admin About This Post.
Your bike weighs 320lbs, a Dyna is more than twice that.

A Sportster might be a nice choice in between the two...especially if HD still has that program where you can trade it in after a year and get full MSRP.

Buying used, of course, might be an even better way to go.
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Andy VH
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  		   Posted 10/30/2009 5:51 AM (GMT -8)    Quote This PostAlert An Admin About This Post.
The biggest issue is, YOU decide when and IF you want to move up to a bike if that size and weight. And even though it is a HD, the power, close to 65 hp, especially the torque, of that big V-twin is going to be a huge increase compared to the maybe 20 horsepower of your Rebel.

Sure, your riding friends can have an influence. But it really comes down to your comfort level with a bike that size. Maybe something in one of the many very good mid-size Japanese cruisers makes more sense. Like a Suzuki M50, or a Kawasaki Vulcan 900, or a Yamaha 650.

Training, the best safety and performance "equipment" you can get!
Get MSF trained, check out: http://www.msf-usa.org

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jon
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  		   Posted 10/30/2009 3:24 PM (GMT -8)    Quote This PostAlert An Admin About This Post.
Andy VH said...
...it really comes down to your comfort level with a bike that size.
nice! and "YOU" would be the best judge for that kind of personal 'comfort' decision.
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Marc N.
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  		   Posted 10/30/2009 6:27 PM (GMT -8)    Quote This PostAlert An Admin About This Post.

If you're not in a big hurry go visit  retailers of different brands of bikes and sit on a few,demo those you like if possible and get a feel for each.There are so many styles of bikes and comfort levels, that you have to pick from. Enjoy the window shopping.hop

Pray for our troops

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GeoffG
Harley Ninja!



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  		   Posted 10/30/2009 8:33 PM (GMT -8)    Quote This PostAlert An Admin About This Post.
Rebeller said...
...I defineitly want a cruiser bike, no interest in a sport bike at all.

Please keep an open mind here. As has been said, there are more types of motorcycles than sportbikes and cruisers. And even within each of those categories, there are degrees...for example, not all sportbikes are track-only machines with torturous ergonomics, and not all cruisers are 700 lb. monsters with forward controls and apehangers.

Look around, and attend some bike demos...try to get a chance to ride lots of different bikes, sportbikes and touring bikes as well as cruisers. At least, that way, you'll know what it's like to ride those other types of bikes (for example, although I'm a sportbike rider, I know what it feels like to ride heavy cruisers because I've demo'd them on several occasions, and it helps me understand why some other guys might be attracted to them).

Oh, and keep in mind--a motorcycle is always gonna feel different when it's actually moving down the road than it does sitting in the showroom. Don't diss any particular type of bike because it doesn't feel comfortable sitting still--that's much less important than how it feels when it's moving.
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GAJ
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  		   Posted 10/31/2009 11:30 AM (GMT -8)    Quote This PostAlert An Admin About This Post.
Not a cruiser, but most cruiser riders might find this very nice:

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Bullet
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  		   Posted 11/2/2009 9:47 AM (GMT -8)    Quote This PostAlert An Admin About This Post.
Take your time Rebeller. If you want to move up and like Hondas, they have alot of nice mid size cruisers. I'm in agreement with Geoff here, check out some bikes. I have had cruisers and sport bikes and loved them all. Some of the 600cc sport bikes are pretty well mannered but it's ultimately up to you. I don't think jumping to a Dyna would be a good idea. Andy suggested a Vulcan 900. I had one and they are great bikes. Good power but not obscene and a well balanced bike.

 "Sometimes you just have to say WTF!"

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Smitty
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  		   Posted 11/2/2009 12:10 PM (GMT -8)    Quote This PostAlert An Admin About This Post.

Nice Triumph GAJ, but the poor chap is going to me MORE confused for that Triumph is no longer on the market unless someone wants to pay high dollars for next to Vintatge bike.

To make it all even worse search around & you can obtain a MADE IN INDIA British designed & previously made 350 to 500cc single  that will still be somewhat like the British Royal Enfields were like in the 50s.

Remember all the others on the road are crazy & out to kill you.

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GeoffG
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  		   Posted 11/2/2009 3:19 PM (GMT -8)    Quote This PostAlert An Admin About This Post.
Smitty said...
Nice Triumph GAJ, but the poor chap is going to me MORE confused for that Triumph is no longer on the market unless someone wants to pay high dollars for next to Vintatge bike.

Hey Smitty, actually that Triumph is quite modern (likely brand new). I rode a 2009 Bonneville T100 at a Triumph demo in Kelowna this past summer (a friend was considering a Street Triple, but like I say I like to try 'em all) and it was a very nice ride--actually, the surprise of the day for me, as I'd not expected to like it so much. And it's an excellent example of a "standard" motorcycle, with very comfy ergonomics, a great seat (for one or two), and, as you've noticed, a great "vintage" look.

Here's a pic of the one I rode:
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GAJ
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  		   Posted 11/2/2009 3:31 PM (GMT -8)    Quote This PostAlert An Admin About This Post.
GeoffG said...
Smitty said...
Nice Triumph GAJ, but the poor chap is going to me MORE confused for that Triumph is no longer on the market unless someone wants to pay high dollars for next to Vintatge bike.

Hey Smitty, actually that Triumph is quite modern (likely brand new). I rode a 2009 Bonneville T100 at a Triumph demo in Kelowna this past summer (a friend was considering a Street Triple, but like I say I like to try 'em all) and it was a very nice ride--actually, the surprise of the day for me, as I'd not expected to like it so much. And it's an excellent example of a "standard" motorcycle, with very comfy ergonomics, a great seat (for one or two), and, as you've noticed, a great "vintage" look.

Here's a pic of the one I rode:


Thx for clarifying Geoff; should have done it in the first place, but it's a testament to the bike that Smitty, who likely sold a few of the originals was caught out by the great job they did with this retro bike.

I went to the dealer a few months back to look at the Street Triple R but left it to stare at the beautiful retros.

Smitty; here's the website for Triumph and below is a picture of another gorgeous looking retro bike:



www.triumph.co.uk/usa/default.aspx

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jsanford
'07 BMW F800ST, '08 M695, '77 Kaw KH400 2-stroke



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  		   Posted 11/6/2009 2:29 PM (GMT -8)    Quote This PostAlert An Admin About This Post.
Indeed - the bf, who put 2500 miles on his KH400 this season, is jonesing for a Bonneville for his next bike after riding them at a demo day.

Newbodometer: 30647 miles

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BLKJET8
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  		   Posted 11/8/2009 4:40 PM (GMT -8)    Quote This PostAlert An Admin About This Post.
Jumping to the h/d is a big step with the weight difference. Check out some mid size cruiser's the vulcan is sweet and so is a suzuki m 50, Honda shadow. Great middle weight bikes but understand the draw to the Dyna. Shopping is fun so check them all out before you part with your cash.
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