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5 Common Wear and Tear Items on Motorcycles
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CommonbearParticipant
Thank you both for the replies.
MHL, I most certainly would be interested in your photo document on what you did. I might be looking at doing something similar in the long-run.
Jeff, the article you linked is actually the one I was using myself as a starting point. *smile* I’ve been hunting around from there, but the nearest I’ve found to what I would like is the A.M.S. Ortho-Deluxe ( http://www.amspecialtiesusa.com/gelpad.htm ). The problem I have with that particular one, however, is the fact that it’s too big. So far I haven’t found anything comparable for a smaller cruiser seat.
CommonbearParticipant…also known as Bastard Bob’s.
I do a lot of shopping there, actually, and their gear and accessories staff have been extremely helpful with my first forays into the world of maintenance supplies, saddle bags, and leather chaps.
Their bike sales and maintenance staff can be hit-n-miss, however. I have walked out of the place more than once (delaying my bike upgrade yet again) because their sales people weren’t bothering to listen to what I was asking or saying. The maintenance staff generally has a fast turn-around time and don’t even bat an eyelash at odd walk-ins, but the price of the work seems to be a bit inconsistent (often much more, or sometimes less, than originally estimated).
It isn’t a very nice name for them, but every now-n-then something comes up and I find myself muttering it under my breath.
CommonbearParticipantI currently get my motorcycle (and renter’s) insurance through State Farm. I’m now wondering if my premiums will go down if I go with the bike upgrade I am contemplating. I’ve a V-Star 250 currently (rated B, B, C it looks like) and am looking at a Boulevard S50 (rated A, A, A). My yearly premium for comprehensive coverage is about $160.
CommonbearParticipantI’ve been tooling around town on a 2009 V-Star 250 and seem to average about 65 MPG, with 90% of my riding being in-city at typical speeds of 30-45 MPH. The few times I’ve taken to the highways for beach trips and such it jumps up to near 75 MPG, which makes me pretty darn happy considering that I weigh almost as much as the bike does.
CommonbearParticipantI didn’t get around to taking the 650 Classic for a ride, maybe I should have. My concern for the weight came from sitting on it in the showroom and just muscling the handlebars a bit. Will try and take that extra step next time I hit a dealership.
My biggest issue right now is dealing with the sales people. I understand that they work on commission, but if I’m telling them (pointedly at the start of the conversation) that I am “fact finding” today and will NOT be buying, I don’t want to have to remind them FOUR TIMES over the next twenty minutes that no, honest, I won’t be buying. I’ve ended up walking out of two dealerships in two weeks over just that. *sigh*
CommonbearParticipantThe 50cc Ruckus was awesome, and I still miss it on occasion (was stolen just after I bought my V-Star). I just wish I had taken the Basic Rider Skills class back then, but hadn’t bothered since riding a small engine scooter like that is legal in Oregon as long as you have a standard driver’s license. Didn’t take the class until I bought the new bike, and suddenly discovered that I was doing EVERYTHING wrong.
Figures. *sigh*
CommonbearParticipantI am also a V-Star 250 rider, and twenty months and 6100 miles later am starting to look around at possible upgrades this summer. Over the last week I’ve hit most of my local dealerships asking about cruisers in the 500 to 700 cc range… most of them laughed at me.
The V-Star 650 Classic has the look that I really like, but after finally being able to sit on one I am now hesitant, as the thing was BLOODY heavy in comparison. I had asked about that and was only told “they use more steel instead of aluminum to keep costs down, and the extra weight gives it a more ‘Harley’ feel that customers expect.”
Um… if I want a Harley, I’ll buy a Harley.
Might anyone have suggestions on new cruisers in the 500 to 700 range that weighs less than the 550 pounds of the classic? Going from 330 pounds of what I ride now up to that just rubs me wrong in so many ways, what with power-to-weight ratio loss, poorer fuel economy, additional breaking power needed, and heaven forbid I should ever need to pick the thing up if it fell over….
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