Thinking about getting a motorcycle. Opinions wanted. -

[The Dude]

So I've been thinking about getting a bike and I'm having trouble deciding what kind. I'm probably going to get either a cruiser or a naked sport bike.

The bikes I'm considering are the Harley Fat Bob, Harley V-Rod Muscle, Victory Gunner, Victory Highball, the Moto Guzzi California Custom, Moto Guzzi Griso, Aprilia Tuono, Kawasaki Z1000, Ducati Hypermotard, and Ducati Monster 1200.

What do you guys think? Am I more of a cruiser guy or a sport bike guy?

 

[CatParty]

get a vespa

 

[A-Stump]

I thought you meant, like, opinions if you should or not because if that was the case, no. Unless you're totally confident in your fellow man and trust them not to be texting and turn you into a red smear on the asphalt.

 

[The Dude]

I thought you meant, like, opinions if you should or not because if that was the case, no. Unless you're totally confident in your fellow man and trust them not to be texting and turn you into a red smear on the asphalt.

I can handle myself on a bike. I used to ride everyday commuting when I had my old Buell.

get a vespa

My good fellow, I believe you are laboring under the assumption that I enjoy sexual congress with other men. I assure you, and I cannot stress this enough, that your assumptions about my sexual orientation are wholly and factually incorrect.

 

[Fishkill]

get a harley if you like to fix up bikes.

 

[A-№1]

So I've been thinking about getting a bike and I'm having trouble deciding what kind. I'm probably going to get either a cruiser or a naked sport bike.

The bikes I'm considering are the Harley Fat Bob, Harley V-Rod Muscle, Victory Gunner, Victory Highball, the Moto Guzzi California Custom, Moto Guzzi Griso, Aprilia Tuono, Kawasaki Z1000, Ducati Hypermotard, and Ducati Monster 1200.

Most of what you mentioned are what I would categorize as "expensive bikes" more than cruiser or sport.

I was under the impression you already ride, but if that's not the case I recommend getting a used bike for your first. There are two kinds of motorcyclists, those who have laid their bike down and those who will. It sucks a LOT more when you lay down a brand new $17,000 bike than a cheap $1,000 ride you picked up used from cycle trader. It's also much kinder on your insurance; new riders who start out with expensive bikes get fucked over the coals by the insurance companies. Not so with cheap bikes or with riders with a few insured years in the saddle buying their first new bike.

Also lessons. I cannot stress that enough, even for experienced riders. They can be expensive as all fuck in states that require them, but they are well worth the money in any state, and they often significantly reduce your insurance premiums.

Of course even if you have some miles in the saddle, I still recommend getting a used bike, because new rides are way too expensive.

What do you guys think? Am I more of a cruiser guy or a sport bike guy?

I think you should just ride whatever you enjoy riding the most and not give a fuck about what your motorcycle says about you. I would hate to think what mine says about me were I to actually give a damn. Ride whatever you like and to hell with whatever people think.

I don't often go to rallies or suchlike as a rule, but for all the fancy-schmancy bikes I've seen at them, the coolest guy I have ever met at one rode in on a restored Yamahopper.

 

[Bgheff]

Harley Fat Bob.

 

[The Dude]

I've been riding for years. Started with dirt bikes, then a 650cc Suzuki, and then my Buell which was a 1200. I've ridden some of the largest bikes around like the Triumph Rocket III and several Harleys.

 

[The Hunter]

http://www.indianmotorcycle.com/en-us/chief-classic-motorcycle

Here you go.

 

[A-№1]

get a vespa

Vespas are good for only three things:

1. Gas mileage.
   
2. Italians.
3. People wearing dresses.

And that's restored real Vespas. I think the current ones are Vespas in name only and are made in China or India or somewhere with even worse QC and have some ridiculous reliability problems. I wouldn't touch a modern "Vespa" with a 10 foot pole.

I've been riding for years. Started with dirt bikes, then a 650cc Suzuki, and then my Buell which was a 1200. I've ridden some of the largest bikes around like the Triumph Rocket III and several Harleys.

That's what I thought. It's just your initial post sounded like a first time rider.

If you're looking more for the sport / racer end, have you considered the Enfield Continental for only $6000? It's a bit smallish and impractical for long rides, but I've test ridden one and it was amazingly zippy and would probably be a very good in town commuter. And it costs less than half what most of the bikes you listed cost. Granted it's also made in India, so you have to work on it a bit more than some bikes, but at least it's really easy to work on. Break it in right for the first 500 miles or so and locktite the hell out of everything and they're pretty reliable. If you're leaning more towards a cruiser there's the Triumph America for about $8,000. That's more than the Enfield, but still much less than any of the bikes you listed. Neither of these are what I'd call high powered, but what with speed limits being what they are, I've found that high powered generally only means more tickets.

http://www.indianmotorcycle.com/en-us/chief-classic-motorcycle

Here you go.

Every few years someone tries to resurrect Indian, thinking that a little extra silly fiberglass and plastic will justify a $20,000 sticker price. And every time they are wrong.

Unless they're bringing back the Indian Four or the 841, there's no point even looking at Indian.

 

[The Dude]

Indian and Victory are sister companies Now since they are both owned by Polaris. If anyone can make Indian successful again it'll be Polaris.

 

[BALLZ-BROKEN]

Get a FJR1300

Spoiler

I've never driven a motorcycle, except for the Honda Express moped I had in middle school

 

[A-№1]

Indian and Victory are sister companies Now since they are both owned by Polaris. If anyone can make Indian successful again it'll be Polaris.

Well Polaris does have more money to dump into overpriced fairings and fenders than any of the previous contenders, but unfortunately their business model for resurrecting Indian is also indistinguishable from the previous attempts (overpriced fairings and fenders).

If you absolutely must spend $20k on a motorcycle, a Victory Cross Country is a much more useful bike for the money than the Indian.

What do you think of the Guzzi Stelvo?

 

[The Dude]

Well Polaris does have more money to dump into overpriced fairings and fenders than any of the previous contenders, but unfortunately their business model for resurrecting Indian is also indistinguishable from the previous attempts (overpriced fairings and fenders).

If you absolutely must spend $20k on a motorcycle, a Victory Cross Country is a much more useful bike for the money than the Indian.

What do you think of the Guzzi Stelvo?

Out of all the big Adventure Tourers it's my favorite, but not my cup of tea. I tend to go for performance nakeds and muscle cruisers. I just found out Honda has brought back the Valkyrie and I'm really digging it.

 

[A-№1]

Out of all the big Adventure Tourers it's my favorite, but not my cup of tea. I tend to go for performance nakeds and muscle cruisers. I just found out Honda has brought back the Valkyrie and I'm really digging it.

The thing I like about the Stelvo is if you get it in the right colors and pop off some of the touring stuff, it's almost a sport. Then you can pop it all back on if you ever want to travel long distances with it. Or go pick up groceries. I think it has the same engine as the Guzzi Greasy, just slightly better cooling, though admittedly it will never have the same smooth lines.

I've always thought the Valkyrie was more marketing than engineering, trying to turn a Gold Wing into something it manifestly is not. I know a guy who has a Valkyrie trike and he loves it, but as to the bike itself I think I'd rather just get a Gold Wing (assuming I have the $25,000 to spend - expensive motorcycles are expensive).

 

[hellbound]

Don't get a Harley. For the most part they're expensive shit for accountants and dentists who want to pretend they're badass on the weekends. If you aren't locked into the brand name, and I reckon you aren't, you'll get a far, far better bike for your bucks with a Japanese cruiser. Can't really go wrong with one of the big Japanese companies - Honda, Yamaha, Suzuki, Kawasaki...

My personal dream bike is a Bonneville, preferably an old one with a kickstart, but that's my own personal preference.

 

[cypocraphy]

Don't get one. Save the money.

 

[exball]

Get a segway.

 

[Mourning Dove]

Always wear a helmet. It always pisses me off/worries me whenever I see people riding motorcycles without wearing a helmet. It's like they want to be concussed/quadriplegic/a premature organ donor/dead.

 

[The Dude]

Always wear a helmet. It always pisses me off/worries me whenever I see people riding motorcycles without wearing a helmet. It's like they want to be concussed/quadriplegic/a premature organ donor/dead.

I ALWAYS wear my kit when riding. Good boots, heavy duty riding gloves, heavy leather riding jacket with crash padding, and a high quality skid lid (helmet). I always shake my head in disgust when I see dumb asses not wearing riding gear.

So after much deliberation, consideration, and scouring of pics and specs I've come up with this list of my top bike choices in no particular order.

Honda CB1000R


BMW S1000R (this one is REALLY high on my list in terms of looks, performance, and price)


Ducati Monster 1200


Ducati Hypermotard 1200


MV Agusta Rivale


Moto Guzzi Griso


Aprilia Tuono (I've riden one and it was one of the most incredible riding experiences of my life VERY high on my list)


Moto Guzzi California Custom


And the new Honda Valkyrie (The Valk is one of my all time favorite bikes and I'm really excited they brought it back)