Curse you Ted DuPuis!!!

[Ted]

I joked with a guy a big Kawa(?) that at least I have a heater in the convertible, and he showed me that he has one, too! (It looked like a finned manifold that was part of the water cooling as in car.) Is that typical?

I haven't seen those before. More typically, you have heated grips and heated clothing that work just fine. I don't have heated clothing, but I've been happy with many layers and fleece-lined shirts and pants.

 

[Trapper John]

I don't really like the way the new VFRs look or sit on. I loved the VFR800i that I had, but that was more on the sporty side.

That triangular exhaust pipe/muffler is seriously ugly. Change that and it might be a different story.

A used Aprilia Futura would be pretty cool.

 

[PittsDriver]

What do you guys think about the claim that Goldwings or an equivalent bike is safer because other drivers will see you? I haven't looked at the Intercepters yet because I figured I'd be hurtin after a week of chasing around a pack o' wings. I'll give it a look.

 

[Sac Arrow]

I'm bike shopping is spring and a bit conflicted about which way to go. I'm a rice burner sport bike guy but all my riding buddies are now into cross county trips on their Goldwings. I'm looking at Honda ST1300, BMW K1300GT, or if I wait long enough, a K1600GT. I just can't bring myself to ride a Winabago on 2 wheels.

Me too, and I went through that exercise before (twice) to find a good long-distance bike. You might consider putting a BMW 1200RT on your list. In terms of sportyness, it's fairly light and well handling, but it has good ergos and it's comfortable enough to ride around all day on. I had no problem spanking noobs on sportbikes in the twisties on mine. It's a better long distance bike than my Concours - 50 mpg on long trips is no problem, and you can easily go 300 miles on a tank.

I ended up going with the Concours after the 1200RT because a) I didn't want to replace it with exactly the same bike, and b) my mission profile changed to medium distance commutes (under 100 miles a day) so I traded off some touring conveniences like a factory cruise control and long range for more sportbike like high speed handling and performance.

 

[Trapper John]

What do you guys think about the claim that Goldwings or an equivalent bike is safer because other drivers will see you?

I don't figure anyone sees me, ever.

 

[Sac Arrow]

I don't figure anyone sees me, ever.

Yes, that exactly.

 

[fgcason]

What do you guys think about the claim that Goldwings or an equivalent bike is safer because other drivers will see you?

Other drivers can't see my 5+ ton motorhome, what makes you think they will be able to see a dinky little motorcycle that I could easily fit at least 8 of them inside if I took the interior out.

You are invisible. Completely absolutely totally invisible. If a driver somehow manages to see you, it is their moral duty to the 4 wheel vehicle god to run you down and smush you like a bug. Act accordingly.

 

[Cap'n Jack]

I don't figure anyone sees me, ever.

Yes, that exactly.

+1. I've been surprised a few times seeing motorcycles in a lane I thought was empty. They have every right to be there; sometimes all I see is a helmet above the window frame as the rest of the rider and motorcycle is below the door frame.

There isn't as much of a motorcycle to see as other vehicles. Also please minimize time in my blind spot. I'll keep looking for you guys so we stay clear of each other.

 

[PittsDriver]

You are invisible. Completely absolutely totally invisible. If a driver somehow manages to see you, it is their moral duty to the 4 wheel vehicle god to run you down and smush you like a bug. Act accordingly.

That's always been my strategy. My friends with the 'wings are touting it as one of the advantages vs my point that performance is safety.

Those 'wings look awfully comfy though. I'm renting one in June to do a ride from Seattle to LA to Vegas in 6 days. We're doing the PCH. It was a choice between the wing or an Electra glide and I think I'm going with the wing.

 

[fgcason]

My friends with the 'wings are touting it as one of the advantages

You're friends are hilarious people.

This is how it really is out there: (full screen both of these and look close or you won't understand)
Humor:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Wp6pzQ3sbw
Not so humor: (warning this one is heart attack country)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lsJs4AYa8sU

 

[PilotAlan]

I just got back from riding that motorcycle. On the ride out, I was singing the theme in my head. On the way back, I was just listening to the engine and transmission sing to me. Ahh, I love these bikes.

Kawasaki Concours.
They say you buy a Honda for the fit and finish, a Suzuki for the price, but you buy a Kawasaki for the engine.

 

[flyersfan31]

1) I always thought Jon and Ponch "rode" Harleys, but thinking back, I do recall the Kawasaki tag on the engine.

2) It never even occurred to me that you could buy one of those babies. Pretty cool. Especially if you label one 7Mary3 or 4......:wink2:

3) On a few occasions, I remember them taking their bikes off-road in pursuit of a perp. Even though I knew doodly-squat about motorcycles I couldn't help thinking "those bikes don't really look like they're designed for that..."

4) Ted, just tell me you're not such a CHiPs fanboy that you have a mid-70s Firebird with the Flamin' Chicken on the hood!!!

 

[Trapper John]

4) Ted, just tell me you're not such a CHiPs fanboy that you have a mid-70s Firebird with the Flamin' Chicken on the hood!!!

If he does, I'll donate a '70s CB radio so he can be period-correct!

You know, I'd build a Jim Rockford car if I could find a decent '74-75 Firebird. No fire chicken decal, no snowflake wheels.

 

[Ted]

1) I always thought Jon and Ponch "rode" Harleys, but thinking back, I do recall the Kawasaki tag on the engine.

I had no idea what they were at the time, as I didn't know anything about motorcycles. But I thought they were Harleys, too. It's neat watching the theme now.

2) It never even occurred to me that you could buy one of those babies. Pretty cool. Especially if you label one 7Mary3 or 4......:wink2:

Much like used Crown Vics, the police departments will recycle them and sell them to people used after they get a few years and however many miles are appropriate. The KZ1000P was in use for probably 20 years or so, with only minor changes made to it. The one that my friend bought and keeps at my house is a '93 model.

3) On a few occasions, I remember them taking their bikes off-road in pursuit of a perp. Even though I knew doodly-squat about motorcycles I couldn't help thinking "those bikes don't really look like they're designed for that..."

I don't remember any of the details of the old episodes, but I've taken some rather large bikes down roads that you'd think they weren't designed for. It depends on how off-road is "off-road." Cops also do that with Crown Vics routinely. What's interesting is that out in Idaho and Montana (and I'm guessing other areas) I've seen cops with big F-250 4x4s with Ranch Hand bumpers. I asked one cop about it once, he said they need it to chase people who run off the highway into a field, which apparently happens often.

4) Ted, just tell me you're not such a CHiPs fanboy that you have a mid-70s Firebird with the Flamin' Chicken on the hood!!!

Ha, no. I'm not actually a huge CHiPs fanboy. An old friend of mine keeps his motorcycles at my house because I prohibit him from owning one in New York City. He was ready to upgrade from his Yamaha Seca II, and wanted something that would be good for him and his girlfriend on trips. The KZ1000P was a great choice, and he picked up this one in good shape for $900. It's hard to argue with that!

But once he got it, well, he changed his Facebook profile picture to Erik Estrada (who he actually bears some resemblance to), and it's been a downward spiral since. The song is permanently stuck in my head.

 

[wsuffa]

The song is permanently stuck in my head.

Cueing off of the thread title, perhaps Snoopy vs the Red Baron by the Royal Guardsmen will substitute?

Ten, twenty, thirty, forty, fifty or more
The Bloody Red Baron was rollin' out the score
Eighty men died tryin' to end that spree
Of the Bloody Red Baron of Germany

 

[jesse]

I'll probably be buying one sometime soon. Working on getting all the Bandit's squawks resolved so that I can sell it. Will also sell one of my other vehicles.

How is the seat comfort?

Picked up my '11 Kawasaki Concours 1400 tonight...it's in the garage now.

 

[TMetzinger]

Picked up my '11 Kawasaki Concours 1400 tonight...it's in the garage now.

Dear Jesse,

You Suck.

Love, Tim

 

[Ted]

Picked up my '11 Kawasaki Concours 1400 tonight...it's in the garage now.

It's shiny. I like.

Congrats on your first purchase of a new vehicle. Maybe I should replace my Honda RC51 Mad Max bike with a new CBR1000RRRRRRRRRRRRR to keep up with the Joneses... err... Angells.

 

[PittsDriver]

Picked up my '11 Kawasaki Concours 1400 tonight...it's in the garage now.

I dropped by the local dealer here yesterday who told me that Concours were getting pretty hard to find and that shipments where slowing. They didn't have one to show me. I did see the FJR and while I'll reserve judgement on it until I get a chance for a ride, I'm still thinking Beemer or Honda. I'm on the call-back list if anyone decides they don't want their K1600GT they ordered. Not holding my breath on that...

It's a awesome looking bike Jesse. I'm looking forward to hearing more about it when you've had a chance to put some miles on it.

 

[ScottM]

Cool Jesse! That thing is huge. I guess this means you are goig to be stepping up to comfort on your long bike journey's!!??

I am looking to pick up a new bike pretty soon myself. I am looking at a Triumph Bonneville T100 in green and white. I may make the deal as early as next week for a later April pick up to give them time to put the saddle bags on and for me to get back from my trip.

 

[Sac Arrow]

The Sac Arrow is jealous!!!!

Actually no I'm not. I have a '10, which is close enough. It's blue. I probably would have held out for an '11 if I could get that Triumph Green color they offer in Europe.

Jesse, you will enjoy it. It's a comfortable rocket ship. Great for long trips. The one thing I really wish it had was a factory cruise though, like my Beemer. I installed a Throttlemeister, which works well enough for my needs.

 

[Capt. Geoffrey Thorpe]

What do you guys think about the claim that Goldwings or an equivalent bike is safer because other drivers will see you? I haven't looked at the Intercepters yet because I figured I'd be hurtin after a week of chasing around a pack o' wings. I'll give it a look.

I'm sitting at a stop sign in a red Ford Econoline waiting for a gap in the cross traffic. Red Econoline. 6 feet tall. 6 feed wide. Red. Sitting, waiting, waiting, waiting... Then - Wham! I get rear ended.

I'm sure she would have seen a Goldwing.

 

[PittsDriver]

I'm sitting at a stop sign in a red Ford Econoline waiting for a gap in the cross traffic. Red Econoline. 6 feet tall. 6 feed wide. Red. Sitting, waiting, waiting, waiting... Then - Wham! I get rear ended.

I'm sure she would have seen a Goldwing.

I was sitting first in line on my GS550 at a red light on Spring St in downtown Atlanta and got hit from behind by a Marta bus hard enough to knock me into the middle of the intersection where I was narrowly missed by a Ford Torino with it's brakes locked up. I got a ticket for that one because the Marta bus driver told the cops that I changed lanes in front of him.

Another time a car stopped hard and in an unexpected spot in front of me and when I heard the brakes locking up behind me, I turned off into a front yard only to have the car behind me rear end the car that was in front of me. I don't think any bike would be much in safety margin vs. stupid.

 

[Ted]

I dropped by the local dealer here yesterday who told me that Concours were getting pretty hard to find and that shipments where slowing. They didn't have one to show me. I did see the FJR and while I'll reserve judgement on it until I get a chance for a ride, I'm still thinking Beemer or Honda. I'm on the call-back list if anyone decides they don't want their K1600GT they ordered. Not holding my breath on that...

I think you might be surprised once you ride them. The FJR1300 is actually a very nice piece of machinery and rides great. My only complaint with it is the exhaust is too quiet (easy fix). The Concours I've never ridden, but I've heard it's even better. I've put probably close to 1000 miles on an FJR1300, and loved every minute of it.

The ST1300 is a great bike, but the BMWs... egh, I wouldn't want one. The new ones I find don't handle nearly as precisely as any Japanese equivalent, nor do they look as good. But they do cost more. I think in this market, the Concours and FJR have it cornered.

I am looking to pick up a new bike pretty soon myself. I am looking at a Triumph Bonneville T100 in green and white. I may make the deal as early as next week for a later April pick up to give them time to put the saddle bags on and for me to get back from my trip.

Triumphs have gotten a lot better. We recently got a Daytona 675 that I've been rebuilding it started riding recently. A great-running, great-riding, sexy-looking bike.