Motorcycles.

[XR2]

10 years and over 100K miles. Runs as well as ever.

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[Dave]

Just made a quick run to Cincinnati from Indy to see some pals and ride a few mtb trails. I NEVER pegged myself as a Harley guy, but this bike is just a blast. Decent power and comfortable all day long. Coming from the world of Ducatis, I was sure going slow was going to suck...kind of nice to slow down and look left and right sometimes.

[maunahaole]

Spotted in Amsterdam

[seanile]

i discovered yesterday how absolutely ludicrous insurance companies are in pricing new bike insurance for young folks. $1500 (progressive) - $2400(geico) for the fz-07 for me (age 24).. but change the quote to say age 28, goes to $600 (riders; from $1700). no manipulation of other quote data, including removing my speeding ticket and making me 25 y.o, had an effect on the price.

even a new cruiser is $1000/yr (riders).

only way i can get collision and get below $700/yr is if i get a cruiser bike that is at least 9 years old.

this probably belongs in the grump thread, but i couldnt hold it in anymore, and it's actually relevant here.

[David Tollefson]

Hey, it really depends on the bike as well. When I first got the policy on my SV650s, it came to a bit under $50 a month. A couple years later I'm considering buying a Triumph 675 triple. I figure, heck, it's only 25cc more, and they said the insurance really takes off when you get to 1000cc's... So I find a bike, in beautiful shape, and I'm about to pull the trigger. For grins I call the insurance company to get the quote. $200 a month for the same coverage.

Whoa.

I still have the SV650, and no Triumph.

[christian]

pricing new bike insurance for young folks.

Those seem like reasonable prices to me! The vast majority of MC accidents happen to riders under 25, in their first 6 months of riding, or under the influence of alcohol. I'm suprised they ensure at any price.

FWIW, I think I pay ~$700 a year for liability only on a 2005 Ninja 250. I'm 38 and have ~180,000 miles of accident-free riding.

[seanile]

ok. good news to end the day.
called progressive about another quote, today, just for shits because i refused to accept a cruiser would have such high rates like rider insurance gave me.
called about a 2014 Star Bolt 950 with 450miles on it. (the guy who owned it blew his car's transmission and had to replace it so returned the bike)
progressive told me $359 with comp/collision. game-winner right there.
after a bit of talking with the dealer, i'm going to make the deal tomorrow.
retail is $7990, before fees and tax etc., and im trading in my 1999 kawasaki vulcan 800 with 24000 miles in for $1300.
total, incl. fees, titling, dealer plates, my trade in, and a 2 yr manufacturer warranty for $450, $7040.
hell.
to.
the.
yes.

way cheaper than the FZ-07 wouldve been for me, and i'm looking at good resale value considering what i paid.

new bike day tomorrow.

[maunahaole]

Put about 500 miles on teh Triton since I finished the build. Took it to Rockers Reunion and took home Best British trophy. (despite the frame is made in the USA and front end is Italian).
In unrelated news, I punted the KLR and picked up a new Street Triple R. That is a great all-around bike. 400lbs wet, +/- 100hp, great triple warble, easy ergos, good brakes and suspension, etc. It's moving up the charts with a bullet.

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Tim: do you have a link to a gallery. I'd like to share your pics with someone not on forum.

[hmbatrail]

Here ya go.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/116579...7603079409373/

[maunahaole]

Mahaloz

[Will Neide]

Anyone have, or have thoughts on, a Honda CB350? I'm thinking of finding one to strip down and clean up.

[Jonathan]

Anyone have, or have thoughts on, a Honda CB350? I'm thinking of finding one to strip down and clean up.

Man, like old Schwinn varsitys the supply is drying up quick. My own shopping list would include the first gen GPZ550.

[Will Neide]

Man, like old Schwinn varsitys the supply is drying up quick.

I'm pretty confident I have one of these in the shed. Primered gray, but originally orange. Frame, fork, bars, crank. Boat anchor heavy.

The GPZ550 looks nice, but I'm a Honda guy at heart, and I want something with just enough power to get from A to B without allowing me the oppportunity to do something majorly stupid.

[Jonathan]

I'm pretty confident I have one of these in the shed. Primered gray, but originally orange. Frame, fork, bars, crank. Boat anchor heavy.

The GPZ550 looks nice, but I'm a Honda guy at heart, and I want something with just enough power to get from A to B without allowing me the oppportunity to do something majorly stupid.

When we bought our first house in 1998 the previous owner had a CB in the garage needing some work. I had my agent place it in the offer like it was a fixture. The owner laughed and nixed that idea. He had had the bike since it was new and wanted to get it running again. Oh well, I tried.

[maunahaole]

Spotted in Bristol

[Will Neide]

Spotted in Bristol

Is it wrong that I want a side car with bicycle racks?

[christian]

CB350/360 is a good bike. 360 has the ugly tank. I'd avoid the 450, as it has the crazy valve springs.

[pdxmech13]

So. I've been practicing for my MSF course in a local parking lot and am getting some of the basics down. Bought a nice helmet and some gloves plus a textile jacket.

For now I'm planning to use my crappy Blundstones but want something with more protection and less of a lugged sole. What are things to look for in shoes/boots?

Also, my stock mirrors are useless as I can only get them to show my shoulders and not much behind me. Will bar-end mirrors give me a little more behind visibility?

Cheers. Nick

[pdxmech13]

I think this will be a great idea and hope it get's other helmet-tech companies thinking about similar ideas.

Skully Systems

[maunahaole]

So. I've been practicing for my MSF course in a local parking lot and am getting some of the basics down. Bought a nice helmet and some gloves plus a textile jacket.

For now I'm planning to use my crappy Blundstones but want something with more protection and less of a lugged sole. What are things to look for in shoes/boots?

Also, my stock mirrors are useless as I can only get them to show my shoulders and not much behind me. Will bar-end mirrors give me a little more behind visibility?

Cheers. Nick

Mirrors: you can do bar ends. The CRG mirror is nice, but spendy. There are cheaper knockoffs out there. You could get extenders, which effectively shift the perch outboard by a cm or so.

Boots: good ride specific boots. Go look at motorcycle gear.com (formerly new enough) and get a decent brand name. I currently have a pair of alpine stars. I have had Sidi in the past. A street boot will be more comfy than a full race boot. Avoid laces, as they can get pulled into the chain and sprockets (bad).