OK, Kalway, you young whippersnapper! I gotta reply...
First, if that's your attitude, why are you driving an old, slow, heavy, overpriced American car when you could have a Supra or some other ricer?
My first H-D was 15 years old when I bought it (in 1975). In the 12 years I owned it, I modified it to where it was very quick, handled great and would cruise all day (or night, as I usually did) at an easy 85 mph. Traversed the west numerous times on it. I could and did make repairs in any NAPA parking lot when needed. Second bike was '76 modified into a basic little bob job--peanut tank, rigid frame, FX forks, etc. Basically nothin' but a big motor and two wheels. Fast, handled great. Another one I had was a '37 flathead 80", again bobbed and modified using gennie post-war parts. Quick, great handling, reliable as a rock, classy looks.
I've had every model of big twin from flattie to evo--'37, '41, '56, '60, '76, '84, '92. In that 30 years, I had 3 "main" road bikes, with the "secondary" bikes being the little play bikes on the side. If you know what to do, just as with a Vette, you can make 'em haul *** with safety and reliability. I have a 33 year old Corvette now for the exact same reasons--I like old American iron. Or in this case, fiberglass.
P.S.--You'll come to appreciate the weight and mass of a hog after several hundred miles fighting sidewinds and tractor trailor buffeting on a 2-lane Wyoming highway.
Be cool, have fun
Oh, by the way, I split lanes in L.A. for years. Just takes big cahunas.

John

Ricers are like Bic lighters-plastic, cheap, disposable. I've had the same steel American-made Zippo for over 20 years now. Worn and abused, it still works great.

 

I actually didn't pay much more for my Vette than I did for my bike. I paid $5000 for my vette and like $4300 for my bike, but the bike was brand new. I like the fact that I don't have to do anything to my bike to make it run 12 second 1/4 miles. There's like one Harley that can do that stock, and it uses a Porsche engine NOT an American engine. It's also the only liquid cooled H-D that I know of (the V-Rods and whatever else-Rods). I personally don't like the looks of cruisers, I prefer the sleekness that sport bikes offer. I'd love to see you try and handle that H-D up Palomar mountain as easily as a stock Ninja, it ain't gonna happen. The only cruisers that I'd ever have any desire to own would be the Triumph Rocket 3 or the Kawasaki ZL1000, and that's because they're fast as hell. I've put almost 13k miles on my lil Ninja and I've only owned it since last may, I've only had to change the oil, chain, sprockets, and brake pads and fluid. I ride it hard and beat the hell out of it. It costs next to nothing to insure and gets me 50mpg. The vette is my project car to look cool and **** off rice burners.

For a motorcycle I want a full fairing, lots of speed, excellent handling, light weight, low price, and good gas mileage. That's just not something H-Ds offer. My next bike will be the Triumph Daytona 675 because it's unique, weighs less than all of the Japanese 600s, costs the same or less than the 600s, and is just as fast, if not faster. I also prefer LIQUID COOLING, which is another thing very few H-Ds offer, and the ones that do are way overpriced. I'm not about to ride out to Arizona in summer with an air cooled motorcycle. I use my bike as a commuter year round, I can't afford to have to constantly work on it.

OH and there's an old saying, 80% of Harleys made are still on the road today. The other 20% made it home.

 

Well, to quote a wise and knowing pair of philosophers, namely Shari Lewis and Lambchop, "This is the song that never ends, it just goes on and on my friend.....

John

 

Hehe I could also note that I've already got a slow and loud money pit, my Corvette. It's not exactly fast, right now, it's definitely loud, and it's definitely a money pit.

 

47 and finally got the first vette. Been waiting 36 years...

 

John,

Harleys are nice bikes for some people...Myself, I don't see the attraction with cruising on a gigantic softail with big saddlebags on it; it just reminds me too much of a Honda Gold Wing. The only Harleys that I like right now are the V-Rods, but that's me being superficial and going for looks. I think they're incredibly overpriced motorcycles that have become an icon for baby boomers who want the image of "bad boy", but really aren't.

Don't get me wrong, there are several guys out there that ride them that really do fit the whole idea of the biker lifestyle, but the majority now are the doctors, lawyers, and other white collar types who've never really gotten mixed up with the other side of the law, so to speak.

I myself have always liked performance over show, and given the choice of a Harley or a cafe racer, I'd take the cafe racer for the handling, and to avoid the stereotype that I'm a "wannabe" bad boy. Think about it; it's the same reason you (or most of the members of this forum, for that matter) wouldn't want to be caught in a "ricermobile" with the 3 ft wing on the back.

 

Happy Birthday..............................

 

24 Here, bought the vette when I was 18 and has been a major PITA ever since...

 

I turned 40 back in December. I bought my Vette in '95 from the original owner when I was 29.

 

I sold my motorcycle last year...One of the lesser reasons was the "new age biker scene" makes me nauseous. The only challenge to Harley ownership nowdays is your credit card limit. Guess I'm just not trendy enough any more to be a rebel . I wouldn't mind putzing around with old knucks and flatties, but I'm having enough fun with the car and it's all fresh and new to me. I sure enjoy that. Bikes? Been there, done that, got a thousand t-shirts. Time for a change.
Later, all.

John

 

I bought my first corvette ('76 L48) when I was 19 and sold it approx. 4-5 months later for a nice profit. I bought vette #2 ('97 coupe) when I was 20. I'm 21 now and still have the '97 but a '78 has made itself available to me for cheap, so I might add another to the stable.

 

18...and I can't wait to get her on the road and actually drive her.

 

Whoray...past the half century mark guys are winning!!!
Eddie

 

I'm almost 61 and driving the Vette makes me feel really good. Buying it 2+ years ago was the best thing I ever did for myself.

 

I am 23 I own a 1970 corvette and do all the work with my dads help...sometimes...he has a 1964 corvette..Its the best feeling when you can go out and cruze with your dad(his age like 50)...... each with our own vetts!..father and son bonding at its best..

 

16 and bought her myself when i was 13. Worked in my dads shop since i was able to walk. Almost sold my jeep last year to buy a c5 as well but parentals said one was enough for a 16 yr old. It would have been the same money but ya know. Someday i will have more than one. Maybe i will get through my teens first. Oh ya and i want a bike to, gsx-r 600. Madre said no to that too. hmmm. I personally like the *** bikes as well. Big cruisers just don't appeal. The only one that is close to likeable in the vrod and highly overpriced.

 

Oh boy, Oh boy, what'd I win?

 

I am the youngest on the WHOLE forum.

 

how old would that be?

 

37 old years..