Fulfilled my resolution, but buggered if I get it

[98tls]

New years eve on the piss with some bike people,conversation gets to bikes (no shit) and i get some flak from a Honda guy that rides (for lack of a better word) a VTX1800,all good but a skinful of piss and the non-stop "when ya going to sell that old heap of shit,your to old for even that old thing,step into the real world blah blah blah":shifty:(hes a mate,gets gobby when drinking) i finally accept the offer of a ride on this thing,choose the Waimate gorge for the revelation and away i went,:Punk:....well finally,big handful down the straight leading into the good bits ,ended up yelling at the top of my voice "cmooonnnnnn moooove" thinking "f@%k me do i need to get off and push" we finally approached the easy lefthander,over oveeerrrrr:shit:get the f#&k over combined with the realisation that all that noise wasnt from the wind it was simply the fact that this was over and the noise was mother earth protesting about the pathetic attempts at starting a fire happening above:shutup:Long story short what an earth are these things about,i can understand Trumpets big banger ie zero to hero in zip and some clearance no doubt but this thing,1800 cc of shite to be honest.When i gave it back to the bloke the kindest thing i could think to say was "the VT?750 you traded in on this must have been without doubt the worst motorcycle ever built".

[JimO]

it may be because your to old mike:Pokey:

[monkeymcbean]

your brave thats all ill say!

[98tls]

it may be because your to old mike:Pokey:

Must be it mate,best i stick to my ill handling old slapper then eh,honestly fella i have never ridden anything in my life so wrong.Comfortable my arse,riding position sucked,i could see all the willow trees down the gorge waving at me saying "up here Tarzan".Crusier my arse,i was well stressed just trying to get the f$#kin thing up to a speed,bang it down a gear and it seemed to say "hang on will just get my respirator out,hang on".

[pritch]

"the VT?750 you traded in on this must have been without doubt the worst motorcycle ever built".

I rode a VT750 - not at all sprightly. Anything but. Perfect for the newly born again.

One day while out with Nadroj I saw a very cool looking (and sounding) VT1800. Not my cup of tea though. It didn't look too big parked next to a Rune...

[Big Dave]

A large comfortable lounge chair that does 160kph and looks pretty sharp doing it.
The Torque schtonk pulling out of corners of the real big V-twins is part of their attraction.
It's not fast - but it's quite enjoyable around the speed limit - so strong feeling - have you noticed how many Police cars are on the road?

When does your TL start cookin' - at what - 140kph?
Now, what makes more sense again :-P

[BMWST?]

A large comfortable lounge chair that does 160kph and looks pretty sharp doing it.
The Torque schtonk pulling out of corners of the real big V-twins is part of their attraction.
It's not fast - but it's quite enjoyable around the speed limit - so strong feeling - have you noticed how many Police cars are on the road?

When does your TL start cookin' - at what - 140kph?
Now, what makes more sense again :-P

you have to be able to LEAN a motorcycle.Any motorcycle that prevents you leaning a long way over aint a motorcycle in my book.And that cruiser riding postion with all the weight on your bum,and you have to pull on the bars to change postion,its just wrong....imho

[Edbear]

It's a completely different ride from a sports bike. Although the VTX1800 is probably not the best cruiser to introduce yourself on as it is known as having one of the worst cornering clearances of all the cruisers.

My C50T is much better, and the ride position reminds me of my old B31 BSA, very natural. You're not going to get a cruiser that performs like your bike and you have to adjust to the torque as BD says. It's a relaxed style of ride. I tried a VTX1300 before the C50T and I couldn't wait to get off it, it was uncomfortable for me, yet my bike is one I can ride all day. Horses for courses and what fits one doesn't fit the other.

Try another cruiser with better clearance. I loved the M109R once I realised one needed to ride it more agressively and it was rocket-city when twisting the throttle!

[6ft5]

New years eve on the piss with some bike people,conversation gets to bikes (no shit) and i get some flak from a Honda guy that rides (for lack of a better word) a VTX1800,all good but a skinful of piss and the non-stop "when ya going to sell that old heap of shit,your to old for even that old thing,step into the real world blah blah blah":shifty:(hes a mate,gets gobby when drinking) i finally accept the offer of a ride on this thing,choose the Waimate gorge for the revelation and away i went,:Punk:....well finally,big handful down the straight leading into the good bits ,ended up yelling at the top of my voice "cmooonnnnnn moooove" thinking "f@%k me do i need to get off and push" we finally approached the easy lefthander,over oveeerrrrr:shit:get the f#&k over combined with the realisation that all that noise wasnt from the wind it was simply the fact that this was over and the noise was mother earth protesting about the pathetic attempts at starting a fire happeninmg above:shutup:Long story short what an earth are these things about,i can understand Trumpets big banger ie zero to hero in zip and some clearance no doubt but this thing,1800 cc of shite to be honest.When i gave it back to the bloke the kindest thing i could think to say was "the VT?750 you traded in on this must have been without doubt the worst motorcycle ever built".

Never been on a VTX1800, own a Roadking and yes its is a different feeling getting around corners. Its not about how fast can I go but how comfortble can I ride and enjoy the ride - all day long !!!! IMHO its a way of life !!

[Big Dave]

you have to be able to LEAN a motorcycle.Any motorcycle that prevents you leaning a long way over aint a motorcycle in my book.And that cruiser riding postion with all the weight on your bum,and you have to pull on the bars to change postion,its just wrong....imho

You need a better book. :-P Two of the most enjoyable day rides I've ever done were on a Rocket III and a Fat Boy.

[JimO]

what was the fat boys name???? bahahaha

[dipshit]

Long story short what an earth are these things about

Doing lots and lots of miles on these types of roads.

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1204/1408710545_e4bbd0c156.jpg?v=0

Buggered if I know why you would want one in NZ..???

[vifferman]

Can I chip in?
Yes? No?

Too bad - I will anyway.
While the concept of relaxed crusing appeals to me (in principle, at least), the execution is fundamenatally flawed. The crusier riding position is ergonomically and intrinsically wrong, and it takes a very disciplined rider to make sure they're not wrecking their spine. Yes, they generally have big comfy seats, but that's about it as far as a vague nod to comfort. Everything else (except on crusiers with sensible bar and footpeg/board positions) is usually all wrong, and kinda just a two-wheeled version of a car (which when you think about it, is quite understandable). Except unlike a car, you have no lumbar or other spinal support.

Yes, I have ridden crusiers, and although I hated the first one (no cornering clearance, no power, and the gears seemed to be there solely to offer different frequencies of vibration), the next one I rode was more enjoyable. However, the 'bars were too weird (felt like steering a wheelbarrow), and I felt very silly riding it as it was so cartoonish.

But... to each his own. The world would be a very sad and boring place with no customs or cruisers. However, I wish the dick/accountant/commodities trader/IT professional up the road from me would fix his own and put some proper zorsts on his Road Rage Custom - it may look very nice, but it is really fkn annoyingly loud, and sounds like a very sick tractor! :Pokey:

I guarantee that if you are really honest, those of you who are really into crusiers would have to admit that image and 'street cred' are very important, and that even if Zhongshen, Hyosung or whoever made a crusier that was excellent, good-looking and that went really well, you wouldn't buy one.

[vifferman]

Doing lots and lots of miles on these types of roads.

Not!
Think about it...

[dipshit]

Not!
Think about it...

Well, that's if they were actually comfortable.

[Slyer]

Cruisers are 90% looking cool.
Standard bikes are where it's at.

[Big Dave]

what was the fat boys name???? bahahaha

Khaki Green.

[Big Dave]

Uh. Huh.

<object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Owf9AHJ2ot8&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Owf9AHJ2ot8&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object>

[McJim]

Different perspectives. It's more about what the individual wants innit? Some people think that sitting on a cruiser compressing your tailbone beyond repair is comfortable. Some people don't get that a sportsbike is all about core strength and doesn't affect your wrists at all - they are really quite comfortable. Some people need to corner fast to feel they are getting that bike experience - others do not.

Sprotsbike is not about your age - I have tried a couple of crusers and will never own one. Closest I intend to get to a Harley would be a Buell someday.

[vifferman]

Uh. Huh.
Yes?
No?
What?

[Big Dave]

Uh huh.<tenchars> </tenchars>

[HenryDorsetCase]

If you ride it like its intended to be ridden, I'm sure it would be fine. Just dont expect sprotbike performance from it. One of my fondest motorcycling memories is of the day I hired a VT750 from a hire place in Noosa in QLD, and pottered around in the hinterland for a day and 250 km. Not the bike I wanted to ride (I had wanted a BMW F650 but it was out) but as it turned out, perfect for the ride I did, and the style of riding it encouraged. So much so it changed my opinion of cruisers entirely.

Not that I am likely to rush out and buy one: especially when you can have a Harley Davidson for about $2k more than a VT750 at present, and to my mind, if you have a cruiser, you may as well have an H-D. (my opinion, not interested i nstarting an argument or anything)

[HenryDorsetCase]

Uh. Huh.

<object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Owf9AHJ2ot8&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Owf9AHJ2ot8&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object>

Hey, that chick's got no bra on!

[McJim]

"when ya going to sell that old heap of shit,your to old for even that old thing,step into the real world blah blah blah".

Geeza go on your TL old fella'

[ukusa]

Hey, that chick's got no bra on!

but she's got a nice pair of stubbies !

[ukusa]

Cruisers are 90% looking cool.
Standard bikes are where it's at.

define a standard bike

[vifferman]

define a standard bike
Do you not know the term? :confused:

It refers to a (usually unfaired) bike, with a fairly upright seating position courtesy of handlebars that are neither high nor a stretch to reach, and footpegs that are postioned under the rider and which don't involve LegOrigami(TM).
Examples would be the CB1300, GSX1400, 'retro' Triumph models, etc.

[dipshit]

Uh. Huh.

No, that's Americans for ya. :tugger:

And look at the style of bikes the tasteless nation has given rise to. <_<

[pritch]

define a standard bike

It's a common expression, although perhaps the bikes are less common now.
If it isn't a sprotbike, a tourer, sports tourer, motard, adventure bike, a cruiser, or some other specialised type of machine, it's probably a standard bike.

Like mine. :whistle:

[HenryDorsetCase]

define a standard bike

Honda Hornet 919 or the CB1000, "naked" SV650 or SV1000

Honda CB750 Suzuki GS1000

[jafar]

New years eve on the piss with some bike people,conversation gets to bikes (no shit) and i get some flak from a Honda guy that rides (for lack of a better word) a VTX1800,all good but a skinful of piss and the non-stop "when ya going to sell that old heap of shit,your to old for even that old thing,step into the real world blah blah blah":shifty:(hes a mate,gets gobby when drinking) i finally accept the offer of a ride on this thing,choose the Waimate gorge for the revelation and away i went,:Punk:....well finally,big handful down the straight leading into the good bits ,ended up yelling at the top of my voice "cmooonnnnnn moooove" thinking "f@%k me do i need to get off and push" we finally approached the easy lefthander,over oveeerrrrr:shit:get the f#&k over combined with the realisation that all that noise wasnt from the wind it was simply the fact that this was over and the noise was mother earth protesting about the pathetic attempts at starting a fire happening above:shutup:Long story short what an earth are these things about,i can understand Trumpets big banger ie zero to hero in zip and some clearance no doubt but this thing,1800 cc of shite to be honest.When i gave it back to the bloke the kindest thing i could think to say was "the VT?750 you traded in on this must have been without doubt the worst motorcycle ever built".

Your problem was most likely that you just don't know how to ride a big cruiser like the VTX 1.8 ... You don't rev them like you would a TL thou for a start, the engine is designed to be a (comparitively) low reving machine. It produces maximum TORQUE at around 2000 revs & tops out with the rev limiter coming on @ 5800rpm. There is no need to run it up anywhere near that high, there is fuck all in the higher rev range that you want. Next time you take the VTX out for a run try short shifting it to keep in in the torque range !
Cornering on the VTX is done by countersteering, pushing the bar to lean it over will get the desired results every time. Don't think it will corner like a TL, they will corner well but the way of doing it is different.
If your riding is flat out & playing with the sports crowd then this isn't the bike for you, if however your riding is near the speed limits & you often carry a pillion & or luggage for a weekend away then it is a good option, as are most cruisers.
The VTX 1800 is a SWEET bike to ride once you get your head around a few things.
1/ it is a power cruiser not a sports bike
2/ it is a torque machine not a rev machine
3/ it is ment to travel @ fairly sane speeds
4/ it is very pillion friendly
5/ it is a heavy bike but a very well balanced one

[Headbanger]

Do you not know the term? :confused:

It refers to a (usually unfaired) bike, with a fairly upright seating position courtesy of handlebars that are neither high nor a stretch to reach, and footpegs that are postioned under the rider and which don't involve LegOrigami(TM).
Examples would be the CB1300, GSX1400, 'retro' Triumph models, etc.


Sounds like every Harley I have owned, and most I have ridden.

[Headbanger]

It's a common expression, although perhaps the bikes are less common now.
If it isn't a sprotbike, a tourer, sports tourer, motard, adventure bike, a cruiser, or some other specialised type of machine, it's probably a standard bike.

Like mine. :whistle:

I need to know what a Speed Triple is, I'm feeling kind of lost, need a defined niche to fit into.





......so I know who to wave to.......

[scumdog]

It's a common expression, although perhaps the bikes are less common now.
If it isn't a sprotbike, a tourer, sports tourer, motard, adventure bike, a cruiser, or some other specialised type of machine, it's probably a standard bike.

Like mine. :whistle:
I'm confused - when out riding my bike doesn't have me doubled over like a whippet shagging a hockey-ball like a sports bike is meant to - but then again it doesn't wreck my spine like crusiers are meant to.

So have I got a Standard Bike (tm)??:scratch::confused:

[scumdog]

No, that's Americans for ya. :tugger:

And look at the style of bikes the tasteless nation has given rise to. <_<

Maybe tasteless but not tassle-less.....

[FJRider]

Maybe tasteless but not tassle-less.....

Tassel's make you look cute .... :innocent:

ASK ANY CHICK ...