About six or seven months ago, after owning at least one of every conceivable style of motorcycle that I coveted as a young man, I decided to purchase an American-made specimen:
I have nicknamed her Kirstie Alley. She's big, for sure, but seductively pretty; loud and obnoxious but surprisingly light on her feet and ready to party in a flash. And if you take her out for very long, you're going to have to feed her..a lot.
Actually not my first piece of farm equipment; that was a '66 Sporty many, many moons ago. I owned it only a few months and rode it less than that because it was haunted (motorscooter speak for electrical problems). That was traded for a '49 Triumph Trophy that I wish I still had..
Over the years I had developed an informed opinion about Hogly-Ferguson motorcycles. Many of my riding buddies have been religious followers of the Wisconsin Iron. Even the most reverent of them will admit their brand of scooter has some inherent characteristics that make ownership a love-hate sort of thing. I can understand that. Kick-starting demon possessed British bikes has slanted my affection for anything with Lucas electrics, but I still love 'em.
So after a few months of logging time on a tractor that will do 0 to 60 in 2.5 seconds I can report:
1. The rear brake system can leave you at the most inopportune time.
2. An S&S Series E carburetor somehow mysteriously can change its own mixture screw. Even though a mortal requires 15 minutes to do so.
3. An Andrews Industries EV-27 camshaft is NOT made for normal driving, I don't care what the literature says. This thing will not run under 35 mph.
4. A springer front end makes noise, even sitting idle. It gets louder during road time. My best comparison is a dozen Guinea Hens getting chased by a dog around the front yard.
5. Harley mechanics have the humility of Gene Simmons..and the monetary appetite.
6. The 5 speed transmission, supposedly for its time an evolutionary mechanical marvel, can cost you 800 bucks while sitting and waiting for a green.
7. And to top it all off, after its last round in the shop with "Gene Simmons" fleecing my bank account, the scooter puked a good half quart of motor oil on the garage floor. A no-no around here. It's back at the shop. He explained it was probably something that "didn't get tightened" and would be "warranty work"...Ya think!?
So this morning I was cruising the e-market for maybe a replacement..I found this beautiful '70 T120 Bonneville in Georgia:
Now all I have to do is convince my sweet wiffie....probably not an easy task.:bored:
"5. Harley mechanics have the humility of Gene Simmons..and the monetary appetite."
It could be much worse. The mechanics could have the humility of Richard Simmons.
Hmmm. Some of the best deals on motorcycles I've found are:
1. BMW K75 series.
2. Honda VT750 Shadow Aero A.C.E.
3. Honda GL1000 or 1100 (the early Goldwings before they grew plastic exoskeletons).
4. 1998 or 1999 Kawasaki Drifters (before the Elvis commemorative decanter styling took over in a chrome storm).
The Triumph is awesome, I would drive to Georgia.
Then SWMBO would take it away and call it hers.
😉
> 1. BMW K75 series.
I've never had the pleasure to ride a K-series. Never owned one, but have put a few hours on several R-series. They are a quality bike. I have a mechanic buddy that lives and breathes the "Rs".
If BMW has stayed on their game (I'm sure they have) the K series would be a great bike.
> > 1. BMW K75 series.
>
> I've never had the pleasure to ride a K-series.
The K75 is a pretty nice machine and with a reputation for extreme longevity. As far as I can tell, the K75s are the bargains that they are because (a) they are too smooth, nearly vibrationless and (b) they are too quiet. Neither of those bother me at all.
And here is sit, bummered cause I hafta replace the rear propeller shaft u joints on the 2005 Po Sportsman....
🙂
I've had a long exposure to the RT in the garage, and some fleeting time on a K 750.
A couple of friends have owned them and they do love how smooth they are. Dang fine machines for logging lots of miles on!
My RT is a bit more "buzzy" being an opposed twin, but not enough to put me off.
Some of the newer BMW's have a few warranty recalls (once they admit there's a problem, which is tough with that company).... some for fuel fittings, some for differential issues ( I think they finally found the HP numbers and driveline harmonics to cause some stress) But, they have started addressing them.
I know with my RT, I can go to the store, with a quick trip to the beach on the way back (extra 100 miles or so) and not feel much more worn out than the trip to the store.....
Think I'll keep it a bit.
