Thread: Motorcycles

That'd be a sweet twistie run if you can find a time when there are not too many cages around, without risking wild life encounters. Reminds me of the Ely-->Eureka run in Nevada, just greener

you know there is a company that takes the Kawasaki Thumper and can fit it with a diesel engine. It will then avg out to +- 100 mpg.

I love the concept of a bike with a diesel engine. If they could do it on a street bike and generate enough of a kick, I'd start saving my $$$.

after a lot of research, sould searching, and talking with the wife, I bought a Harley Sportster 883 Custom. Many people I spoke with said I should get a bigger Harley (1584cc) because I'll get bored with the 883, and I'm a big strong guy, and would do fine with a more powerful bike. Well, that just didn't feel right to me, given my only riding experience is the MSF class. I've got two kids at home, and I would rather find that the 883 is too small for me, and be safe while building confidence, than find out a Dyna or Soft Tail was too big... the hard way! If I feel like "upgrading" in a couple seasons, I will. I love the looks of the XL, and there is something that feels very pure about owning the longest production made Harley model... it encompasses the epitome of a Harley. Plus, an 883cc bike is hardly a small bike. It felt great when I sat on it.

I will be wearing a full face helmet, jacket with body armor, gloves, blue jeans, motorcycle boots

I will likely be taking delivery of it this weekend! I'm very excited, can't wait to start riding!!!

Thanks again for all the input

regards
Andrew

I wouldn't worry about riding an 883 .
Harleys fantastic flat tracker built back in the 70's only had a 750 cc engine and that could really burn rubber.

if you want it to go faster just get it tuned.

i'm currently saving for a Triumph Speedmaster, the U.K version of the 'American' made for the U.S market - here in England it works out out £3000 ($5900) cheaper than a Harley Sportster and I'm a brit so I think after all these years riding Japanese bikes and Harleys that's it's about time I owned a brit bike

there was a diesel bike built privately here a few years back - the gent in question used a diesel outboard boat motor;

it looked pretty weird but he had terrrific fuel economy

Guys, I hung up my leathers almost 10 years ago now... I still get the urge on occasion but the season is too short, the prairies are too dry, hot and boring in the summer and last but not least, the two bikes that interest me the most, are not yet available at my local dealer.

Regards

Kaptain "Remember to clench your teeth when going through a grasshopper swarm!" Zero

2009 Road King Classic w/ABS and Heritage handlebars:

BTW: This is NOT my first bike, it is my second... I rode a Sportster for a season (approx. 3,000 miles)...this discussion occurred earlier in this thread. I felt very comfortable riding that, but a little cramped on it. I'm still a beginner, but have my sea legs underneath me a bit. The Road King has been pretty easy to handle thus far.

There is not much one can add to the previous advice. Perhaps the only thing I could reiterate is the advice to buy a small capacity lightweight motorcycle and learn to ride it well before moving on to a large heavy motorcycle. In the UK HDs have a small but loyal following, but I think our twisty roads lend themselves to more nimble machines. I have a large capacity BMW tourer and a 500 twin,guess which one I pick to ride most. For those of us that have been riding a long time, 40yrs in my case, I guess we find it a bit strange that todays 'learner' motorcycles are more powerful than the 'fast' bikes of our youth. When we were younger and thought ourselves immortal it was probably safer to learn on slower machines.

Originally Posted by Wayne D

"motorcyclist was killed by the helmet causing a shearing effect at the base of the spine snapping the neck" or "the cause of death was damage to the vertebrae of the spine, due lateral whip lash compounded by the weight of the helmet the motorcyclist was wearing"

In those situations, if the motorcyclist hadn't been wearing a helmet it is likely he would have suffered fatal head injuries instead.