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So you're a big cruiser guy, eh, Elderon? I'm curious, just what is it in that bike you picked out from the Suzy lineup that you liked? It's not that I don't like it, but compared to the SuperSport/fully faired machines... I dunno, it's like saying you like a Studebaker instead of a late model Lamborghini. You know, a doughy round curves vs sharp scalpel-like edges and points.
I've always liked the look of the V-twin engines. Albiet, I have a straight 4 engine (1981 Honda Nighthawk 750). The commonallity is they both have that classic motorcycle look. I ride the bike I do because it's actually a huge bike (that fits me well) and the 750cc bikes are the things legends are made of. They were the cat's *** in their time.
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It's the same with H-Ds for me. The whole chrome, a$$-less chaps, and leather fringy things flapping in the wind? To me the only thing missing is a black leather basket attached to the handlebars or a leather pinwheel decorated with silver studs on the sissybar. I don't get it, I guess.
You'll notice that the bike I chose does not have tassles (leather fringy things) or anything extra that one would put on the bike to dress it up. I am a big fan of bare bones bikes that have little or no ferrings to cover up the inner workings. I want my bike to be a very transparent piece of art that I can ride and be proud of. The number one thing you will find in the cruiser world vs the ricer world is that thousands of dollars are spent in customizing one's bike. It's about making the machine yours, much like a guy who restores and soups a car would. My bike for instance is one-of-a-kind. I know for a fact that not one other person on the planet has a bike even close to mine. Sure the pink slip says they are the same, but everything has been customized from from intake to exhaust and even the drive train! It's an ongoing project and a sense of pride and ownership. Something you don't get from a ricer.
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My impression of the Gixxer 1K still stands: It feels for all the world like an F-16 fighter jet without the wings. It truly does give the impression you could barrel roll or loop the thing if you were inclined to give it a try.
I do know what you are talking about. The first street bike I ever rode was a 1986 Kawi Ninja 900cc (The widowmaker). I weighed about 140 at the time, so this was a HUGE bike to learn on. I would bearly touch the throttle and the front wheel would leave the ground. It was truely a crotch-rocket. If I wanted an adrenaline rush, that would be the kind of bike I'd go for. However, that is not my goal. I want to see the country-side on something I made, discover new roads in my own backyard, I don't want it to blur by at 200mph.
The guys I ride with do 1000mile - 3000mile rides at the drop of a hat, just for something to do on a weekend, to see new places. Try that on your ricer. Your back will be screaming at the end, but you will have gotten there faster!
Edit: Fixed kawi cc Edited, Fri Jun 2 11:33:54 2006 by Elderon