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Thinking of buying a cruiser - Am I sick ???? Thinking of buying a cruiser - Am I sick ????
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Photo by Ellen Delis, Lagunas Ojos del Campo, Antofalla, Catamarca

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  #16  
Old 14 Mar 2011
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If I add together the value of my Road, Trail, and Trials bikes together, I still need to add my Suzuki Jeep and half my 53reg Transit Van to get to £6K
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  #17  
Old 14 Mar 2011
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Fill the tank on the Transit to top, that'll do it

For under 2K I think you might struggle? I keep half thinking about another Bonneville, I fancy FI rather than carbs. Trouble is, most of the population don't ride them and over value what's just an old bike. Brand new, £6000. Seven years old, with about half the mileage as mine, sold for £3500 on E-bay. The engines sell for £1500 to people with Meridens who want to keep the oil off the garage floor and you could easily get another grand for the wheels, tank, etc. I think Harleys will be worse, they go new, nearly new, ready to customise, no old ones.

Are there decent capacity, Japanese cruisers out there at decent money? I wouldn't know my Honda Shadow from my Yamaha Viagra, so can't help there.

Having just bought a 24 year old BMW K-series, I must say they are amazing value for money, but not exactly what you are looking for. There again, put ape hangers on a K100 and go join the BMW club, it'll be worth the membership fee just to see all those slippers covered in pipe ash when the old boys see you

Andy
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  #18  
Old 14 Mar 2011
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Loads of cruisers about for 2k (ish)

2002 HONDA VT750DC-Y SILVER vt750 shadow on eBay (end time 14-Mar-11 20:20:05 GMT)

Their one saving grace is that they're usually low mileage "mid life crisis" machines. We used to sell loads of them to first time senior bikers and buy them back off them, unridden a year later ! :confused1:

Polished every weekend, regularly serviced and still dropping in value.. Big torquey engines keep plodding on forever !
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  #19  
Old 14 Mar 2011
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Hey Ted,

Welcome back. Hmmm, a cruiser you say. It is an interesting thought in theory, but does takes some adjusting to if you decide to go in that direction.

I've got a older Shadow and found that it is most fun for puttering around town on a sunny Sunday afternoon. On longer rides, the poor wind protection can get a bit tiring and I prefer a more forward or upright seating position.

Biggest adjustment is mental whereby you are used to looking at any and all rutted, muddy tracks and wonder where they go. With your dual sport, you head off without a second thought, with your cruiser you should be conscious that they don't crash particularly well

They are incredibly popular for a reason though and see many, many trips. My two cents would be to go for it if you are convinced that you can go cold turkey from off highway exploring. If you are fearful that the adventure bug will rear it's ugly head, you may want to look at spending a bit more money and getting something like an older DL650, etc. Happy riding.
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  #20  
Old 14 Mar 2011
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Quote:
Originally Posted by *Touring Ted* View Post
Loads of cruisers about for 2k (ish)

2002 HONDA VT750DC-Y SILVER vt750 shadow on eBay (end time 14-Mar-11 20:20:05 GMT)

Their one saving grace is that they're usually low mileage "mid life crisis" machines. We used to sell loads of them to first time senior bikers and buy them back off them, unridden a year later ! :confused1:

Polished every weekend, regularly serviced and still dropping in value.. Big torquey engines keep plodding on forever !
So why don't you ring one of your old senior biker mid life crisis customers and buy one of their bikes *********
Last edited by Bertrand; 15 Mar 2011 at 20:27. Reason: ********* unnecessary vulgarity removed
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  #21  
Old 14 Mar 2011
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So why don't you ring one of your old senior biker mid life crisis customers and buy one of their bikes .
Can't see how that's patronising to be honest. It's just reality.
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Last edited by Bertrand; 15 Mar 2011 at 20:31. Reason: keep it on the level gents- nothing to gain with bun fights
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  #22  
Old 14 Mar 2011
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Hi Touring Ted,
Only one touring bike for covering the miles in comfort and a reasonable MPG,i get about 240miles before i need to to fill up.
Its got to be a Goldwing.
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  #23  
Old 14 Mar 2011
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Originally Posted by melvin View Post
Hi Touring Ted,
Only one touring bike for covering the miles in comfort and a reasonable MPG,i get about 240miles before i need to to fill up.
Its got to be a Goldwing.
I never thought I'd see myself on a Goldwing although my mate did a track day on one once LOL..

Out of interest, what mpg did you get to your wing ??

They still cost serious buck though yeah ?? I think it would out of my budget !

Cheers, Ted
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  #24  
Old 16 Mar 2011
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Hi Touring Ted,
In france last year,, not using the peage and with er indoors on he back i got between 45 to50 to the gallon,that was averaging about 60 to 70 MPH.
Enjoying just being there.
Have a nice day.
melv
PS I managed to pass my advanced riding test last november and i will be 71 yrs old in May next
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  #25  
Old 16 Mar 2011
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Originally Posted by melvin View Post
Hi Touring Ted,
In france last year,, not using the peage and with er indoors on he back i got between 45 to50 to the gallon,that was averaging about 60 to 70 MPH.
Enjoying just being there.
Have a nice day.
melv
PS I managed to pass my advanced riding test last november and i will be 71 yrs old in May next
hehe ! Good job geezer ! I bet your insurance is cheaper than cheap can be now eh !
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  #26  
Old 17 Mar 2011
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I think you have to differentiate between a "Cruiser" - pose bike not built for long distance riding or comfort and a "Tourer"- which is something like a Gold Wing which is very definitely equiped for long range riding and comfort.
A lot of the cruisers have poor ergonomics ,but you might like that kind of thing !

Buy what you like, you only have to please yourself .
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  #27  
Old 17 Mar 2011
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Well, TT, you put the question and asked everybody if you were "sick".

So a cruiser could be perfect.

You're free to buy. My moped suits me.

You pays your money etc.....

Of course you'll need fringey lace-up leathers, a bandana and a load of right wing views to go with the Gold Wing views. And a soft toy to put behind the screen.

"Git yore motor runnin'
Git out on the highway
Lookin' for adventure"....
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  #28  
Old 17 Mar 2011
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Welcome back Ted. I totally support the notion of you getting a R1200GS or even GSA. And I'll point and laugh

Anyways, I've met this Japanese guy last year at the HU Meeting in Germany who rode his 125cc Honda cruiser all the way from Japan to Europe. He seemed very happy with it - the bike was very light, great mileage and absolutely no "oh-look-not-shiny-enough" issues at all. But to answer your initial questions: yes and yes.

By the way, if I was looking for a road bike I'd seriously consider the Triumph Bonneville or maybe a Royal Enfield. They're timeless classics, they look great and I think they can do pretty much anything. There's a blue brand new Royal Enfield just down the road and I really enjoy just looking at it.
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