Talk me out of this... - Page 3

Moses · 10-26-2009, 02:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mrmerlin

anyone thats a doubter should go take a Rocket for a quick test ride, it will quite possibly change your mind about riding a heavier bike.
The only reason i took one for a ride was it was sitting out front of the dealer and ready to go, I got on it and found that parking lot turns were the easiest things as the bike is so well balanced, as soon as the wheels turn you can put your feet on the pegs its not a hand full like my 03RK was.
Once underway the bike was definitely big, but one twist of the throttle and it felt like the bike was going to come from under me, and it was so fast and nimble,( not sure if you can use these words to describe a cruiser)
Anyway before you buy an any other cruiser type bike just take a ride on the Rocket let us know what you think.
I will bet you will really be surprised.
Not to mention you can pick up a used one with lo miles for about half of the one your considering, and in my opinion its way more bike without any hype, and it probably wont get stolen if you leave it out somewhere.
Good Luck with your search

Honestly the feet forward thing might bother me. I like having a little weight on my feet. Sometimes I felt like I was steering the old Triumph with my feet. Nice bike.

nynor · 10-26-2009, 02:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Moses

Wow. Its pretty simple then? I have no ego wrapped up in what I drive. I'm WAY beyond that. Immeasurably beyond that. I have no need to prove anything to anybody. And I'm not too keen on impressing folks either. I just think the bike looks pretty cool. Simple as that.

it does look cool. its just not functional in any way. it is going to suck in the city, it is going to suck in the twisties, and it is going to suck for any kind of travel. and you are going to pay out the nose for a bike that sucks.

Gogar · 10-26-2009, 03:04 PM

So, if you've ridden one farther than 10 miles, raise your hand.

That's what I thought.

holtjv · 10-26-2009, 03:09 PM

I'm not a cruiser guy but that bike is drop dead sexy gorgeous--kind of like a very pricey hooker.

Go for it--what's the worst that could happen? You get tired of it after a year and sell it?

nynor · 10-26-2009, 03:12 PM

that is a good point gogar.

however, i've ridden a few bikes. that v-rod weighs at least 600 lbs (or am i way off base?) and i don't need to ride one to know that it is going to be work to maneuver. the long wheel base is going to exacerbate this problem. then add the GOBS of torque and HP into the mix and you have a recipe for disaster.

Icemaster · Icemaster's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by BSiple

Nope, I don't think you touched a nerve at all, I could give a crap what you think.

Also I had no clue that you were lusting for a M491, I was only responding to island about machines that are more "show" than go.

Your generalization of Harley riders already points out what your mentality to them and their owners are, so having a rational discussion with you is pointless.

WTF would I want a goldwing?

I lust for more time with the car I have, not the car I'd like to find. I don't have digitals shots of the 81 Sportster I sold 14 years ago, otherwise I'd swap pics with you.

Overpaid Slacker · 04:47 PM

A friend has the Screamin Eagle version, and it's got plenty of power. He's a retired Sheriff, hotrod/ supermodified mechanic and works on the local Harley dealer's toys, so it's dialed in. And very very expensive in its current form.

I'm not a small guy, so I fit OK, and have ridden it for about 20 minutes. It sounds cool and gets a ton of looks, but it's not my ... "style" may be too strong a word. I don't dislike "Harley guys" per se, but I don't want to become, or be thought of as, one of them. I just turned 40 this summer, and have seen more than a dozen of my friends over the last 2 years get the lamentable Harley "bug". a few months later, every piece of non-work clothing says "Harley" on it; 3 of them have shaved their heads and grown goatees (I swear there's not a word of a lie in this) and many of them have developed a faux (to me, b/c I've known them for a while) swagger. This "posse" includes the former head of emergency medicine for a local hospital, a self-made multimillionaire (who's gone the most overboard on the "look like a douchebagtoughguy" aspect of Harleyphilia) and a couple of avionics whizbangs.

I usually bump into them at some ginmill and they've got some obviously new bike gear on (nothing looks goofier than brand new chaps) and, knowing I ride, I get "hey JP! I bought a bike!" .... "Really, what kind?!" I say, excited to have another member of the two-wheeled fraternity, and holding out some certainly vain sliver of hope that it's not a Harley .... "I got a [fill in the name/alphabet soup of Harley nomenclature]" ... And then I do my damndest to act excited for them. I keep hoping that the response from one of these guys will be something interesting some day.

Can the bikes attract broads? Yes, but not the kind of broads I'm interested in. I'd like to think that I don't have any of the toys I have to attract broads, and if they're some kind of evidence of mid-life crisis, I hit mid-life crisis at 24 years old. So I've got 8 years left...

I think the Triumph is just a better bike; I agree it's not as "Daytona stripper" sexy as the Screamin Eagle V-Rod, but it's got more presence, more character, and, frankly, less baggage.

If you ride it and like it, buy the dayum thing. Just please, please, please don't buy a stitch of Harley gear. Enjoy the bike if you can't help yourself, but leave the maverick, rebellious "lifestyle" in the multimillion dollar corporate bikeshop.

I don't think I could ever start a conversation with a guy on a Harley about his bike ... OOOH, you got the chrome clutch cover from the 2006 catalog! That's a hot piece, they sold out of those! And the screamin eagle kickstand! Man, that really pulls the whole thing together! Whereas, some random stranger on a Guzzi or a Norton or a BSA and I have talked for 30 minutes at a gas station about esoteric bike stuff.

I did almost buy an XLCR w/ under 2000 miles this year ... immaculate, fully original, etc. But for $10k I can find much much better motorcycles. The siamesed exhaust pipes did look sweet...

JP

VINMAN · 10-26-2009, 05:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BSiple

Nope, I don't think you touched a nerve at all, I could give a crap what you think.

Also I had no clue that you were lusting for a M491, I was only responding to island about machines that are more "show" than go.

Your generalization of Harley riders already points out what your mentality to them and their owners are, so having a rational discussion with you is pointless.

WTF would I want a goldwing?

Bill, havent you learned by now that any discussion about HD on here is futile??
Its impossible with the nose in the air, "Eurovehicle" snobbiness, that some of these guys have. Its really sad and pathetic.

Moses only one persons opinion that means anything. That is yours. Period.
You like the bike, buy it!!

Moses · 10-26-2009, 05:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VINMAN

Moses only one persons opinion that means anything. That is yours. Period.
You like the bike, buy it!!

I LOVED the old Triumph. It was pretty upright. I liked that. I need to go ride a V-rod. Not sure how I'll feel about having my feet so far forward. Triumph still makes the Bonneville and the Triumph Thunderbird looks nice, but a little big.

nostatic · nostatic's Garage

A tricked out Bonnie can be very cool. These guys do amazing customs

California, Triumph, motorcycle, dealer, South Bay Triumph

Gogar · 10-26-2009, 05:57 PM

Yeah, go try a new Triumph along with the V-Rod. You might love it.

herr_oberst · 10-26-2009, 05:57 PM

Moses, how do I say this without sounding like a total narcissistic jerk, but have someone take some pictures of you on it, or drive it by a plate glass window to check yourself out on it - they aren't for everyone, (and I am one of those doofuses that don't look good on these, not at all)

(course, if you do look terrific on it, ride it for a while, too. then make the plunge)

Dottore · 10-26-2009, 06:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Moses

Honestly the feet forward thing might bother me. I like having a little weight on my feet. .

Yes it might. I drove a few "feet forward" Harleys this summer and hated the feel. Absolutely hated it. You just cannot hustle the bike the way you would like in that position. It forces you to cruise. You can't attack corners at all. It's a deal-breaker for anyone who's ever owned a sports bike IMO.

911boost · 911boost's Garage

I know Vinny, I should learn.

Ride it Moses. Hell, if you have the itch ride everything that you like. I know thats what I did.

Gordo2 · Gordo2's Garage

Ever seen the movie - if you are looking for something to push you over the edge, watch it, then try to resist.

Gordo

Moses · 10-26-2009, 07:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gogar

Yeah, go try a new Triumph along with the V-Rod. You might love it.

This Triumph looks sweet. It would be like a reunion...

Gogar · 07:35 PM

That is nice!

IMO, it has a few too many Harley-influenced styling cues, ie: the console on the tank, the chrome rear fender supports, the seat shape, and forward foot controls.

Here's a 2009 T100. Same engine, upright stance, tank cutouts, a real emblem on the tank, less weight!

And don't count out the real thing! But, if you're concerned about "ride quality" this is pretty much out of the game.

Shaun @ Tru6 · 10-26-2009, 07:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Moses

Wow. Its pretty simple then? I have no ego wrapped up in what I drive. I'm WAY beyond that. Immeasurably beyond that. I have no need to prove anything to anybody. And I'm not too keen on impressing folks either. I just think the bike looks pretty cool. Simple as that.

what about the bike looks cool?

Dueller · 07:56 PM

Might as well think about this contender...better foot peg placement, it will corner and with 200 hp it has 80 ponies on the V-Rod:

Comparo vid:

Road test:

nynor · 10-26-2009, 08:46 PM

the v-max is quite the machine. i wouldn't count on it cornering well, however.

if i were to go back to a triumph, it would be the thruxton. the critics also really like the new daytona.