New Motorycylce!

[Brando]

And I shall dub thee... Blackout!



2010 Kawasaki Vulcan 900 Custom Special Edition (like that means anything), matte black & silver stripes. Bought with less than 1 mile.

So why the purchase when lending sucks, economy is down, etc? The good news is I have an awesome woman who has stellar credit and she agreed that it was time to actually build me some credit if we're going to try and get a house in the next year. I've got a pretty darn big chunk of change coming my way from when I was hit on my Yamaha Virago 750 in February (settlement process is going). So the plan is to pay this thing normally for 6 months to a year, then pay the rest off in a lump sum. I can definitely afford the monthly so its no big deal in that regard. I've been wanting a new daily-rider since I was hit in February to keep the miles on the Carrera low(er). I know it's already got 214k but still, the car is in great shape and I want to preserve that.

So far I have planned on the horizon:
• Superbright LEDs for the indicators.
• New windscreen
• Quick-release Passenger backrest for the woman and/or cargo
• New backpack
• New bar risers and "Bullhorn" style bars (for comfort).

You will notice I'm in full weather gear and there's water in the bike. "But Brando, you can't ride in the rain!" These machines are made for riding, not sitting in a garage. I bought it with the intent to ride it and that's just what I'll do. I rode for years, rain or shine, wind or hale. It comes down to having the right gear for the day and always keeping your head on a swivel!

Now, who wants to do Ortega?!

[Gogar]

Congrats, that looks like a fine bike!

[Rot 911]

Most excellent!

[crustychief]

Nice bike. Be careful with the newer tires in the rain though. Don't forget, nobody has gravity acting on their cars because of the rain.

[Jeff Higgins]

Originally Posted by Brando

You will notice I'm in full weather gear and there's water in the bike. "But Brando, you can't ride in the rain!" These machines are made for riding, not sitting in a garage. I bought it with the intent to ride it and that's just what I'll do. I rode for years, rain or shine, wind or hale. It comes down to having the right gear for the day and always keeping your head on a swivel!

Now, who wants to do Ortega?!

Good man; up here in the Pacific Northwest we ride in the rain or we ride very little at all. Like you say, it's all down to the proper gear and staying alert.

Nice bike, too.

[Moses]

I love the look of a naked bike. Sweet. Love the color, too.

[Porsche-O-Phile]

Keep the shiny side up!

Or is that, "keep the matte side up"?

Nope, darn... how about "keep the black side up".

Nope... maybe, "keep the tank side up". Yeah, that works. Kinda.

Ride safely my man. Awesome ride.

[Brando]

Thanks guys! This is the much needed first-step in getting my credit built. I guess it doesnt hurt that I also wanted a new bike for daily rides.

Hey Jeff, when you coming back to SoCal? We'll hit Belmont brewery again.

I forgot to add to the list of goodies: Tachometer and magnetic Decepticon logo. It's just awkward looking down at the tank for the speed when I should just drive by the tach anyways...

Any local pelicans up for a ride sometime soon?

[Porsche-O-Phile]

Maybe pretty soon... Depends on whether we get awarded a contract we're a finalist on. We'll see how that plays out.

Even if it works out favorably I might take a trip back that way come this winter. It'd be nice to go visit a few folks back out that way and maybe swing by AZ/TX on the way. Plus the better half has been buggin' me to take a vacation so... We'll see.

[Jeff Higgins]

Originally Posted by Brando

Thanks guys! This is the much needed first-step in getting my credit built. I guess it doesnt hurt that I also wanted a new bike for daily rides.

Hey Jeff, when you coming back to SoCal? We'll hit Belmont brewery again.

I forgot to add to the list of goodies: Tachometer and magnetic Decepticon logo. It's just awkward looking down at the tank for the speed when I should just drive by the tach anyways...

Any local pelicans up for a ride sometime soon?

My Road King has the traditional old tank mounted speedo. I've thought about getting a small tach to mount up on the triple tree, but I keep deciding not to. It's kind of contrary to the whole vibe of riding this kind of bike. They just don't need a tach; power is so even and friendly accross the range that you just won't be using it like on a sport bike or something.

I find I never look at the speed anymore on that thing either. There is so much feedback from the bike, from that big old thrumming twin, that there is no problem ever knowing how fast I'm going. Just knowing what gear I'm in, and feeling the feedback from the bike, is enough.

I like the clean look your bike has right now. Just my opinion, of course, and it is your bike, but I think anything up on the bars would detract from that.

[scottmandue]

Nice bike and nice riding gear...

If you boys get down to the Belmont Brewery and don't notify me I will hunt you down like the dogs you are!

[Heel n Toe]

Beautiful. But you obviously stole it off the set of "Sons of Anarchy."

[Brando]

Jeff, John, Scotty: All valid points. Scotty, you crack me up. I thought Belmont Brewery was outside your designated travel distance? Hehehe

I do like the naked look of the bike as it is... But as a 135lb rider, at 70+ mph the wind buffeting is crazy. It feels like I've got a parachute on... I'll do some frodoshopping and see how it turns out with some different bars and the windscreen I want:



But, gotta wait til next month before I can start spending for that stuff... Then, supposedly, the settlement comes in

[herr_oberst]

Nice bike.

Hope you don't mind, but I went ahead and fixed your picture.

Live long and prosper!!

[Jeff Higgins]

Originally Posted by Brando

Jeff, John, Scotty: All valid points. Scotty, you crack me up. I thought Belmont Brewery was outside your designated travel distance? Hehehe

I do like the naked look of the bike as it is... But as a 135lb rider, at 70+ mph the wind buffeting is crazy. It feels like I've got a parachute on... I'll do some frodoshopping and see how it turns out with some different bars and the windscreen I want:

But, gotta wait til next month before I can start spending for that stuff... Then, supposedly, the settlement comes in

I have to agree on the wind buffeting thing. One of the big selling points (to me) on my Road King was the easily detached windshield. The Electra Glides have a permanent fairing, with the instruments mounted in it. I really didn't like that.

As it turns out, though, the Road King is just about unrideable without its windshield at anything over in-town speeds. Even 40-45 mph country roads get tiring very quickly, and freeway speeds are a real test of upper body strength and determination. It's that bolt-upright, feet slightly forward posture. Comfortable as can be, but it really needs a windshield.

You can easily add a windshield without making it look "cluttered". There are a lot of them on the market that go really well with the theme of your bike, and offer outstanding wind protection.