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Current Events => The DUmpster => Topic started by: franksolich on January 10, 2014, 03:33:28 PM

Title: motorcycling primitives combat mid-winter doldrums
Post by: franksolich on January 10, 2014, 03:33:28 PM
http://www.democraticunderground.com/1212373

Oh my.

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IDemo (12,962 posts)   Sat Dec 28, 2013, 11:16 AM

Combating mid-winter doldrums on Craigslist

The icy roads and morning lows in the teens have had my Vulcan 900 umbilicalled to the battery tender and likely will for another month and a half at least. So to get my MC fix, I have taken to looking at the listings in my area, not really intending to engage in a bike change. But this one definitely got my interest up:

http://boise.craigslist.org/mcy/4260186320.html
 
Gorgeous bike, I've always wanted a sport tourer and a BMW in particular. Questions for those a bit more familiar: Does a bit of aggressive cornering risk grinding the valve covers (I've seen this on more than one of these bikes)? Have you experienced any trouble with the final drive as I've heard can happen? Are these comfortable on an all day ride? Would you recommend one to someone coming straight from a cruiser? I've owned an older Concours so I'm not completely unfamiliar with the genre.
 
And is $9500 a good asking price for this unit? NADA seems to think it may be somewhat high.

after which a photograph of a grey motorcycle

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mgc1961 (1,197 posts)    Mon Dec 30, 2013, 11:02 AM

1. I damaged one valve cover on my BMW.

But that was because I tried to back it out on a gravel driveway to quickly and one foot slipped out from under me causing the bike to fall on its side. If you manage to touch those valve covers to the ground while riding it may mean the motorcycle is no longer upright (sliding).
 
That price may be a bit high if a potential buyer is uncertain about whether they'll like it.
 
I didn't own my R1100R very long. The only trouble I experienced was repairing some ignition wires one of my dogs chewed on. I put 600+ miles on it in one day while riding from the Michigan UP down to South Bend. The comfort was not great, but it is a motorcycle after all. I pulled the plug on that day's riding due to fatigue more so than pain.
 
I'm not into bikes with fine tuned, astronomical horsepower. What interests me are reliable models than perform well over the long haul, not which bike gets me from 0-100 mph the fastest. Indeed, I don't think I've ever ridden faster than about 85.
 
I know what you mean about the doldrums. I took a short ride on my bike yesterday for the purpose of battery-charging while dreaming of April. Today, I may make a stop at the motorcycle store to look over some gear for my bike. Perhaps I'll browse a few on-line stores too.

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IDemo (12,962 posts)    Mon Dec 30, 2013, 02:10 PM

2. I haven't ridden over 100 in many years

I've had a lifelong desire to ride north to Alberta through the Idaho panhandle and this looks like an excellent candidate for such a trip. The handlebar risers are probably a plus for me comfort-wise. My current bike requires a somewhat grandfatherly pace through corners or risking a grind of the floorboards. I'm not after ZX14 performance but do enjoy being able to maintain a decent pace in the twisties. The heated grips would very definitely be a plus on those 28 degree morning commutes.

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Glassunion (5,860 posts)    Tue Dec 31, 2013, 01:44 PM

3. That price is somewhat high

In my region (NY metro), you could pick up one 2 years newer with the same mileage from a dealer for the same price.
Title: Re: motorcycling primitives combat mid-winter doldrums
Post by: dutch508 on January 10, 2014, 03:38:47 PM
It was nice enough yesterday to go for a ride on the rocker c.
Title: Re: motorcycling primitives combat mid-winter doldrums
Post by: JohnnyReb on January 10, 2014, 03:39:37 PM
What happened to the DUmmie "look for the union label buy American" campaign?

DUmmie actually rides a Vespa.
Title: Re: motorcycling primitives combat mid-winter doldrums
Post by: USA4ME on January 10, 2014, 04:11:30 PM
They're taking money that could be better spent on the poor (they falsely claim to care about) and spending it on non-essential items. Shame on them.

But typical of the "do as I say and not as I do" political left.

.
Title: Re: motorcycling primitives combat mid-winter doldrums
Post by: Chris_ on January 10, 2014, 04:13:10 PM
I don't have a motorcycle.  I demand the government provide one for me at the expense of DUmmy IDemo and his liberal ilk.
Title: Re: motorcycling primitives combat mid-winter doldrums
Post by: GOBUCKS on January 10, 2014, 07:14:32 PM
Motorcycles are certain to eventually cause injury, and likely to kill.

The deaths often result from ghastly injuries.

For that reason, I highly recommend motorcycling to DUmp democrats.