I'm not new into motorcycling. At forty-one I have been
riding on the street since I was fourteen, when I resurrected my first
motorcycle from the scrap yard. It's hard to keep count, somewhere around
sixteen different steeds covering about five brands.
I was thirty-five before I bought my first new motorcycle. In fact she was the first motorcycle that I had owned that I didn't have to fix before I could ride her. Being the cheap SOB that I am, even though she was brand new, she was a two-year-old model. I really got a good deal.
I find it amusing when I read the belly aching many riders send in to the editor, when they read a not-so-positive write-up on their steeds. This first new motorcycle was a Honda Pacific Coast. Just try and find one positive article written about this cycle. I loved this bike. I can remember going down to the dealer in 1989 just to get a look-see at one. For the ride-to-work work-to ride guys *(Yes, Andy Goldfine is a saint.) this was the perfect commuter-cycle.
I found the PC's shortcomings, a few years ago, when I started taking trips with my buddies in search of better roads. With only forty-six ponies and nearly seven hundred pounds, I would find myself breaking late into corners and using every gear just to keep up. My buddies just put it in third powered out of the corners and let the engine slow them down for the next one. Needless to say within a few days I would be fatigued, feeling like I had rode one roller coaster to many at the park. It was a realization that even though Honda classified the PC as a "sport touring" bike, she was neither a sport nor a tourer, just a great commuter.
The Pacific Coast is now eight years old. My oldest kid is two years from starting college. If I don't buy a new bike now either the old girl will have to make it another seven to nine years or I'll be back to commuting on classics. It's time for me to buy a new motorcycle.
It's real hard making decisions on what to buy. Cruisers, naked, touring, sport, sport touring, standards, even the big scooters they all appeal to me in there own way. I looked at what tasks I would be asking my new steed to perform.
First and foremost she would be my transportation to work. This means dependable, with plenty of storage. Living in Michigan, I often need two sets of gear plus rain gear. In the spring, my ride in could be wet and cold while my ride home could be hot and humid. She would need to be fairly small. Not a pig to back out of the garage every morning. She would also need to be low maintenance and easy to clean.
Second she would be performing touring duties. She would need some horsepower. Not an extraordinary amount, mostly a wide usable power band. She needs to be comfortable enough to ride for the long haul yet nimble enough to be fun in the twisties.
These needs lead me to the available sport touring machines, the Yamaha FJR, Honda ST1300 and the BMW K1200GT. I have read every article in every magazine written on these steeds. I combed through every comparison. The bottom line was that there wasn't a dime's worth of difference. The average rider would feel at home atop anyone of them. Pick for style or choose a color. Oh yea, two of them are even the same color.
With out a doubt the BMW has the most graceful style, the FJR the most aggressive sport look, the ST highly detailed and very classy. As for color, I'm the "bikes should come in only three colors, red, black and red" kind of guy. None of these steeds came in my color. I also seem to have the same hang up my Harley loving brethren have, I was leaning towards the ST just because the other two were not Hondas.
Was it going to come down to brand loyalty? So it was off to the International Bike show in Detroit to make sure that I had not overlooked any possible candidates. Triumph's ST, Ducati's ST, and Kawasaki's ZZR1200 all were considerations too.
One of my buddies that I went with is a Harley-man so I sat on allot of Harleys. The Fat Boy being my favorite. She was a good fit with my frame. Very comfortable, the solid wheels and fat front tire are just the classic look I really like. Having said that, The Fat Boy just wouldn't fit my needs. I would have to bag her and ruin her styling, I would need a lot less to polish on my daily ride and she was quite pricey. (That "I'm cheap" thing.) If I inherit a large sum or win the lotto this machine will be in my stable.
Surprisingly, the V-Rod was the most awkward cycle I have ever sat on. My elbows were forced outward and there was some chrome cover right where my knee should be. This was so bad I could not even get my foot fully onto the peg and would have had to twist my ankle inward to shift gears. Having never read an article complaining of these issues, the bikes are selling so I'm sure that a person with a different frame doesn't have these problems. I truly believe in the assumption, "If it seems like everyone else has a problem it's just you." In this instance I am sure it's just me.
The Ducati, like the BMW, stirs passion and is just a work of art. Sitting on her was comfortable. I really like the Ducati style, yet some how she just doesn't make the top of my list. Kind of a fear of the exotic and or I just don't feel that I'm worthy of the brand. Maybe it's because if I bought a Ducati ST, I would be longing for a 999. Maybe I just won't pay the extra bucks when there are so many other machines I like.
The Triumph, to me, was least attractive of all of the bikes on my list. I like the bike. I always look one over and admire when I see one? She just isn't for me.
I must have walked around Kawasaki's area ten times and never once saw a ZZR to grope? Not being able to check one out in person, she was out of the running.
I didn't sit on the BMW. A friend, I ride with, has one. I could try her some other time. On the other hand, Honda's eloquent ST1300 fit well.
The FJR was my biggest surprise. At the top of my list, possibly beating out the Honda, mainly to save a few dollars, (again cheap) the FJR just did not sit right with my frame. I can't describe what was wrong. I could have lived with what ever it was. In fact I could have been very happy riding the FJR. Since there was the BMW and the ST, the FJR lost her appeal.
The BMW was price heavy compared to the ST. The ST was my machine. Although not my color, the new blue color fit the ST quite well. (I would like to note that the FJR is also blue this year? What's the gig with Yamaha and Honda? Are they saving dollars by purchasing paint together?)
I went back to the ST to sit, fondle and admire. Saddled up on the ST, I caught a glare from a Honda VFR, an Interceptor decked out with factory hard bags and she was R-E-D. This was a machine I had admired for her single sided swing arm and upscale sport styling, yet wasn't even on my list of possible steeds? Being a mechanical guy the whole VTEC thing just makes me drool and it gives the cycle a wide usable power band too. She was smaller, faired, bagged, have I overlooked a machine that fit my whole list of "what I want from a new steed"?
She was a sport bike with luggage. I just could not be comfortable in the "hump-n a watermelon" perch of sport bike not to mention passenger comfort. Just for curiosity sakes I went over and sat on her. She felt like she was made just for me. The handlebars were positioned just slightly lower than I would prefer, yet she was still comfortable. Taking a step back and looking her over, the styling struck me to resemble a pissed off red hornet. I liked it. (Who am I to talk styling? I really like the over sized moped look of the Pacific Coast.) Lets also mention, bagged and all, dollar wise, she was quite less than the ST. (The cheap stuff again)
The passenger accommodations was the hang up. I took my lovely better half / co-pilot down to our local dealer to have a sit, for evaluation. Expecting to hear "There is no way I would sit back here on a trip" instead I heard "Its fine except, I have to have a back rest." It just so happens that Honda offers a top box with a backrest for the Interceptor! The boss and I discussed it. I had to get rid of the PC and my 78 Gold Wing and this could be my new steed. Done.
With the decision made, I worked out a deal for a RED Interceptor with hard bags and top box. I ordered a Givi touring windshield and slightly taller handlebars from Heli. All of this was still big dollars less than the ST. (Did I mention that I am cheap?) I rode her home pulled her into the garage and my daughter said "cool, it looks like a pissed off bee thingy." The apple doesn't fall far from the tree does it?
The whole truth is I would have been happy with any of the other machines that I was considering and even some that were not on my list. There are so many different kinds, colors, styles and so many aftermarket parts to fit just about any cycle to anybody. When you love them all it's hard to be nitpicky and choose one. I am sure this VFR will be one of many favorite steeds that I've owned. J
I was thirty-five before I bought my first new motorcycle. In fact she was the first motorcycle that I had owned that I didn't have to fix before I could ride her. Being the cheap SOB that I am, even though she was brand new, she was a two-year-old model. I really got a good deal.
I find it amusing when I read the belly aching many riders send in to the editor, when they read a not-so-positive write-up on their steeds. This first new motorcycle was a Honda Pacific Coast. Just try and find one positive article written about this cycle. I loved this bike. I can remember going down to the dealer in 1989 just to get a look-see at one. For the ride-to-work work-to ride guys *(Yes, Andy Goldfine is a saint.) this was the perfect commuter-cycle.
I found the PC's shortcomings, a few years ago, when I started taking trips with my buddies in search of better roads. With only forty-six ponies and nearly seven hundred pounds, I would find myself breaking late into corners and using every gear just to keep up. My buddies just put it in third powered out of the corners and let the engine slow them down for the next one. Needless to say within a few days I would be fatigued, feeling like I had rode one roller coaster to many at the park. It was a realization that even though Honda classified the PC as a "sport touring" bike, she was neither a sport nor a tourer, just a great commuter.
The Pacific Coast is now eight years old. My oldest kid is two years from starting college. If I don't buy a new bike now either the old girl will have to make it another seven to nine years or I'll be back to commuting on classics. It's time for me to buy a new motorcycle.
It's real hard making decisions on what to buy. Cruisers, naked, touring, sport, sport touring, standards, even the big scooters they all appeal to me in there own way. I looked at what tasks I would be asking my new steed to perform.
First and foremost she would be my transportation to work. This means dependable, with plenty of storage. Living in Michigan, I often need two sets of gear plus rain gear. In the spring, my ride in could be wet and cold while my ride home could be hot and humid. She would need to be fairly small. Not a pig to back out of the garage every morning. She would also need to be low maintenance and easy to clean.
Second she would be performing touring duties. She would need some horsepower. Not an extraordinary amount, mostly a wide usable power band. She needs to be comfortable enough to ride for the long haul yet nimble enough to be fun in the twisties.
These needs lead me to the available sport touring machines, the Yamaha FJR, Honda ST1300 and the BMW K1200GT. I have read every article in every magazine written on these steeds. I combed through every comparison. The bottom line was that there wasn't a dime's worth of difference. The average rider would feel at home atop anyone of them. Pick for style or choose a color. Oh yea, two of them are even the same color.
With out a doubt the BMW has the most graceful style, the FJR the most aggressive sport look, the ST highly detailed and very classy. As for color, I'm the "bikes should come in only three colors, red, black and red" kind of guy. None of these steeds came in my color. I also seem to have the same hang up my Harley loving brethren have, I was leaning towards the ST just because the other two were not Hondas.
Was it going to come down to brand loyalty? So it was off to the International Bike show in Detroit to make sure that I had not overlooked any possible candidates. Triumph's ST, Ducati's ST, and Kawasaki's ZZR1200 all were considerations too.
One of my buddies that I went with is a Harley-man so I sat on allot of Harleys. The Fat Boy being my favorite. She was a good fit with my frame. Very comfortable, the solid wheels and fat front tire are just the classic look I really like. Having said that, The Fat Boy just wouldn't fit my needs. I would have to bag her and ruin her styling, I would need a lot less to polish on my daily ride and she was quite pricey. (That "I'm cheap" thing.) If I inherit a large sum or win the lotto this machine will be in my stable.
Surprisingly, the V-Rod was the most awkward cycle I have ever sat on. My elbows were forced outward and there was some chrome cover right where my knee should be. This was so bad I could not even get my foot fully onto the peg and would have had to twist my ankle inward to shift gears. Having never read an article complaining of these issues, the bikes are selling so I'm sure that a person with a different frame doesn't have these problems. I truly believe in the assumption, "If it seems like everyone else has a problem it's just you." In this instance I am sure it's just me.
The Ducati, like the BMW, stirs passion and is just a work of art. Sitting on her was comfortable. I really like the Ducati style, yet some how she just doesn't make the top of my list. Kind of a fear of the exotic and or I just don't feel that I'm worthy of the brand. Maybe it's because if I bought a Ducati ST, I would be longing for a 999. Maybe I just won't pay the extra bucks when there are so many other machines I like.
The Triumph, to me, was least attractive of all of the bikes on my list. I like the bike. I always look one over and admire when I see one? She just isn't for me.
I must have walked around Kawasaki's area ten times and never once saw a ZZR to grope? Not being able to check one out in person, she was out of the running.
I didn't sit on the BMW. A friend, I ride with, has one. I could try her some other time. On the other hand, Honda's eloquent ST1300 fit well.
The FJR was my biggest surprise. At the top of my list, possibly beating out the Honda, mainly to save a few dollars, (again cheap) the FJR just did not sit right with my frame. I can't describe what was wrong. I could have lived with what ever it was. In fact I could have been very happy riding the FJR. Since there was the BMW and the ST, the FJR lost her appeal.
The BMW was price heavy compared to the ST. The ST was my machine. Although not my color, the new blue color fit the ST quite well. (I would like to note that the FJR is also blue this year? What's the gig with Yamaha and Honda? Are they saving dollars by purchasing paint together?)
I went back to the ST to sit, fondle and admire. Saddled up on the ST, I caught a glare from a Honda VFR, an Interceptor decked out with factory hard bags and she was R-E-D. This was a machine I had admired for her single sided swing arm and upscale sport styling, yet wasn't even on my list of possible steeds? Being a mechanical guy the whole VTEC thing just makes me drool and it gives the cycle a wide usable power band too. She was smaller, faired, bagged, have I overlooked a machine that fit my whole list of "what I want from a new steed"?
She was a sport bike with luggage. I just could not be comfortable in the "hump-n a watermelon" perch of sport bike not to mention passenger comfort. Just for curiosity sakes I went over and sat on her. She felt like she was made just for me. The handlebars were positioned just slightly lower than I would prefer, yet she was still comfortable. Taking a step back and looking her over, the styling struck me to resemble a pissed off red hornet. I liked it. (Who am I to talk styling? I really like the over sized moped look of the Pacific Coast.) Lets also mention, bagged and all, dollar wise, she was quite less than the ST. (The cheap stuff again)
The passenger accommodations was the hang up. I took my lovely better half / co-pilot down to our local dealer to have a sit, for evaluation. Expecting to hear "There is no way I would sit back here on a trip" instead I heard "Its fine except, I have to have a back rest." It just so happens that Honda offers a top box with a backrest for the Interceptor! The boss and I discussed it. I had to get rid of the PC and my 78 Gold Wing and this could be my new steed. Done.
With the decision made, I worked out a deal for a RED Interceptor with hard bags and top box. I ordered a Givi touring windshield and slightly taller handlebars from Heli. All of this was still big dollars less than the ST. (Did I mention that I am cheap?) I rode her home pulled her into the garage and my daughter said "cool, it looks like a pissed off bee thingy." The apple doesn't fall far from the tree does it?
The whole truth is I would have been happy with any of the other machines that I was considering and even some that were not on my list. There are so many different kinds, colors, styles and so many aftermarket parts to fit just about any cycle to anybody. When you love them all it's hard to be nitpicky and choose one. I am sure this VFR will be one of many favorite steeds that I've owned. J
Bill Battle
RIDE A2 chapter coordinator
*(If you don't know, Andy Goldfine is the creator of the goofy Aerostitch
suits that so many two wheeling commuters have come to adore.)
