Swingers Forum - Which Motorcycle Survey?

Wow...loaded question. I've riden a Harley Trike for about 3 years now. Definately different than a motorcycle...and quite frankly, just for cruisin' the twisty's.....for me..not the same fun a motorcycle is....BUT..for cruising distances..waaaaay nice! Love it for that. And..on the freeways..and open road..you even forget that it is a trike...because where you sit..you see nothing but motorcycle..and rides the same..at speed.

When I bought it..Leahman Dealer told me it would out manouver a motorcycle..once you got confidence in it's ability. Hard to believe..I know..but have found it to be true.

The Spider..I've not ridden..but all reports are that it is even more manouverable..and from watching them..I'd say that's absolutely true. It appears to me..it is more for the crotch rocket crowd..not me. For an old school biker ..give me a traditional Trike..


One real nice advantage of the trike..is people seem to notice it more than a motorcycle. I haven't had near as many people try to run me over when I'm on it.

Good luck in your search!

I'm a totally anal Harley guy - so it's hard for me to be objective.
But just for you, I'll try VERY hard.

Actually, the only exposure I have to the Can-Am is on the highway, either them passig me or me passing them.
Yeah, they do look weird, but the riders look comfortable.
My only negative at this point is, they sound waaaaaaaaaaaay louder than a Harley with aftermarket pipes.
Maybe it's just the oddity of the sound.
Or maybe it's just me.

Good luck with making the RIGHT decision for YOU!
Don't be influenced by others.

I have to harley's and American tradition my ass. over 80 percent of the bike comes from over seas. Unless you have a lot of money to pay to keep getting the thing fix I go with something else Honda or what have you. We rode a Can Am at Street Vibs in Reno this year and they where fun.

Oh, I have strong thoughts on this subject folks. And I am really doing my homework and shopping very thoroughly. I'm taking my time because I won't be buying until Feb/Mar at the earliest. And I've been watching the Can-Am develop over the past 3 years now. One of our nearby dealers carries them alongside Big Dog Choppers and Suzuki. Interesting line-up.

It's not that what others think will make my decision or unduely influence it, but I am interested in reading others' opinions and thoughts to compare to my own. And I'm checking with a few different demographic groups. Let's face it: swingers tend to march to the beat of their own drum more than most folks! LOL

I brought up the "cool factor" and image stuff in the context of what our own perceptions are of bike culture. I mentioned that we are cruiser types, not crotch-rocket people. I wear western style riding boots and a black leather jacket. But my jacket has armor inserts, all the modern upgrades, and even reflective piping on a traditional cruiser jacket frame. I wear a Bell military-style open face helmet and goggles. My wife rides a blacked out (Raven) 2011 Star Stryker. So we sort of blend the old w/the new a bit. I guess I'm hesitant about the style change.

Thanks for the input and please keep it coming. You're helping me cogitate. LOL

TRIKES FOR SALE IN GEORGIA.CLICK HERE.

If it isn't a Harley, then it is Jap Junk

The spyder is just weird......I say GO HARLEY

Just for those vocabularily challenged like me, so you don't have to google it....I had no idea wth that one meant lol

Cogitate....

JOHNEXPLORER wrote:

If it isn't a Harley, then it is Jap Junk

Hmmm..got two Harleys myself right now.....been riding for 40 some years...rode Hondas..Yamahas...Suzukis..Hell..even tote goats. Guess what..most dependable bike I ever owned and rode? Honda..sorry. Most fun..Harley..that's why I have two know..

Would hardley call the others junk tho..just not my preferance.

][/quote] Now that is cool...getting a late start in learning to ride we were thinking that a trike would be the safer, more secure way for us to ride but I really wanted the "Harley look"...with that you can do it to any bike...love it!!![/quote]

Hmmm...we'll give ya a ride on a Harley Trike Ms Naughty...hehehe

I own a 08 Road Glide and a 08 Victory Vision. The Harley I did everything possible to make it a great long distance riding bike but it is like riding in a Volkswagen compared to the Victory Vision. I ride at least 300 miles a week and have been on trips where we ride 700 miles a day and at the end of the day after riding the vision I feel like I could keep going. The bike comes stock with a heated seat a heated hand grips. Adjustable windshield, stereo, MP3 player, designed so if it ever falls over there is no damage done to the bike. A person that weighs 175lbs .can lift the bike up from its side. I've never had one problem with the bike. Once you ride one, you'll buy it!

JOHNEXPLORER wrote:

If it isn't a Harley, then it is Jap Junk

What part of Japan are BMWs and Triumphs built in?

Can-Am's are Canadian, there are a couple of excellent Italian motorcycle companies, and several smaller American-made motorcycle mfg's. Harleys are actually made in Mexico. And many Hondas say "Made in the USA" right on the bike. Some folks are just "stuck" on the propaganda and uninformed. Personally, I like some HD's. But I am not a brand-loyal type of guy. Never have been unless a brand warrants it based on quality and customer service. I am a consumer-loyal kind of guy. I don't believe in "what's good for General Motors is good for America." I believe in what's good for America should be good for General Motors. If not, GM should suffer the consequences. And that's not about politics. That's about micro-economics: what's good for ME and MY wallet and lifestyle. That is what made America great. Forgetting that is what is screwing us now...on a whole bunch of levels.

Now back to our regularly scheduled program.

A part of my issue is price point. I have to stay at about $20k. That essentially means I have to buy used if I go with a traditional trike. But I can buy a brand new Can-Am Spyder RT with great touring options for that and get excellent financing. That means less out-of-pocket now and pay it off at our convenience. I can finance a used trike, too. But the terms won't be as good. And I won't get as much bang for the buck in terms of features. At that price, the trike will likely have about 1,000 miles/$1,000 on it, too. If I go with a Suzuki Boulevard, Star, or Honda (non-Goldwing) conversion, I can get lower miles for that sort of jack or less. But...

Oh...and as for the Voyager kits, I've looked at those pretty extensively, too. They have a couple of drawbacks: ground clearance is really bad. On many bikes it can be as low as 3". And durability isn't as good as on a true conversion or factory trike for obvious reasons. The single biggest advantage is that you can find some nice used bikes and custom Voyager kits out there for sale for what I could pay CASH for! (but that tells me something about resale value)

CHRKE2 wrote:

After years on two wheels, I test-rode a prototype Spyder during the summer of '07. It was a promotional sales event for the 2008 National Rollout of the bike. It was love at first sight/ride. I ordered mine on the spot. My 2008 Premiere Edition arrived in March '08. My only concern was the potential for problems associated with the first model year of a 'new concept' vehicle. Not an issue! The Spyder has my full, unabashed endorsement - I love the thing (and it does go like a bat-outta-hell)!!! In other words, please take an extended test ride before you say "No" to a great piece of engineering.

Says the couple from the home state of HD.

I have taken one for a test drive, but it was an RS in 2008. (back when they were GS's, as you recall) I'm waiting for an RT to come in to the dealership now so I can take one for a spin. I'm very intersted in the rear air suspension/trailer package, too. We do a lot of fishing and camping and such. So having gear hauling capacity is a HUGE factor, although this is pretty doable with most trikes.

242 wrote:

Can-Am's are Canadian, there are a couple of excellent Italian motorcycle companies, and several smaller American-made motorcycle mfg's. Harleys are actually made in Mexico. And many Hondas say "Made in the USA" right on the bike. Some folks are just "stuck" on the propaganda and uninformed. Personally, I like some HD's. But I am not a brand-loyal type of guy. Never have been unless a brand warrants it based on quality and customer service. I am a consumer-loyal kind of guy. I don't believe in "what's good for General Motors is good for America." I believe in what's good for America should be good for General Motors. If not, GM should suffer the consequences. And that's not about politics. That's about micro-economics: what's good for ME and MY wallet and lifestyle. That is what made America great. Forgetting that is what is screwing us now...on a whole bunch of levels. Now back to our regularly scheduled program. A part of my issue is price point. I have to stay at about $20k. That essentially means I have to buy used if I go with a traditional trike. But I can buy a brand new Can-Am Spyder RT with great touring options for that and get excellent financing. That means less out-of-pocket now and pay it off at our convenience. I can finance a used trike, too. But the terms won't be as good. And I won't get as much bang for the buck in terms of features. At that price, the trike will likely have about 1,000 miles/$1,000 on it, too. If I go with a Suzuki Boulevard, Star, or Honda (non-Goldwing) conversion, I can get lower miles for that sort of jack or less. But... Oh...and as for the Voyager kits, I've looked at those pretty extensively, too. They have a couple of drawbacks: ground clearance is really bad. On many bikes it can be as low as 3". And durability isn't as good as on a true conversion or factory trike for obvious reasons. The single biggest advantage is that you can find some nice used bikes and custom Voyager kits out there for sale for what I could pay CASH for! (but that tells me something about resale value)

Harleys are made in Mexico??????
Man, that's gonna be shocking news to the folks at the Harley factories in York, PA and Milwaukee, WI.
There they are, going into work every day - and building NOTHING.

Harley-Davidson's powertrain plant is in Milwaukee. The Softails and Touring bikes are assembled in York, PA, the Dynas, Sportsters and VRODs are assembled in Kansas City, MO. Harley does get some Delphi electronic components, very few, from Mexico. That is because Delphi is a General Motors product and that's where GM has them built. Some of the front forks are still Showa and made in Japan but very few.The new 42mm forks are US built. The fairings and fiberglass saddlebags are make in Tomahawk WI., where the old Tomahawd boat factory used to be years ago. About 15% of Harley parts are built outside the good ol US of A.
I hope that may clear up some miss-information.

Cheers!

We ride a Softtail Duece. We have ridden just about everything in the Harley and Honda lines. I like the feel of a bike over a cruiser.

I have riden a trike and I have riden a motorcycle with a side car. My issue with a trike is that the center of gravity is different, the feel of the road on turns is different and you lose the safety of the wheels working as gyros.

We ride in the mountains a great deal and a trike is just work on the winding roads.

I have never riden one but the Spider looks like it would fix most of my issues.

How about a little humor, my baby brother has always riden Hondas. He now has his Honda all tricked out and with pipes to look and sound very much like a Harley. He calls it his Har Ree Davee San

I can guarantee you Hungharleyman knows what he's talking about when he speaks of where they're made...I don't wanna toot his horn or anything but he has a little inside knowledge on the subject...just sayin' (yeah I said IT lol)

Kisses...Naugh-Ty

HUNGHARLEYMAN wrote:

Harley-Davidson's powertrain plant is in Milwaukee. The Softails and Touring bikes are assembled in York, PA, the Dynas, Sportsters and VRODs are assembled in Kansas City, MO. Harley does get some Delphi electronic components, very few, from Mexico. That is because Delphi is a General Motors product and that's where GM has them built. Some of the front forks are still Showa and made in Japan but very few.The new 42mm forks are US built. The fairings and fiberglass saddlebags are make in Tomahawk WI., where the old Tomahawd boat factory used to be years ago. About 15% of Harley parts are built outside the good ol US of A.
I hope that may clear up some miss-information.

Cheers!

Great Post! Thanks for relaying the truth

CARRIERMAN wrote:

OK, so - I'm older than either 242 or HUNGHARLEYMAN.
That doesn't make me any smarter, but it does give me a bit of an edge in the experience department.
And I've been able to make a few more observations throughout my life, based solely on the fact that I have more "time on the job".
One of the things I've learned over the years that has served me very well is - NEVER argue with an expert.
#1. You can't win
#2. You accomplish NOTHING by allowing yourself to be dragged into the arguement
#3. No matter how much you know to be FACTUAL information, it will pale by comparison to mythical info.
#4. A true expert isn't defined by how much they know - but rather, by how much they know that just isn't right.
#5. You STILL can't win.

Maybe I should just say the hell with participating on this Forum and go out and buy myself a bright shiny new Supero Glido - or mabe a Roado Kingo, or even a DeLuxo Softo Tailo and ride off into the sunseto.

Omg...just the thought of that motor rumbling gets my motor purring.....I'll be waiting for ya to pick me up on your way to the sunset

wife rides a ninja zzr600... I have a ninja zx1400... way fun, way fast, but now I know why you don't see very many 40 yr olds on crotch rockets... oh my back !!!

NAUGHTYGIRL101 wrote:

RIDERZ wrote:

Ride the one that blows air up yer skirt and wave (or don't) at the other guy as ya pass each other on the road.

Careful....if you blow my skirt up there may or may not be panties under there

Hmmmm...first warm, and WINDY day..we'll be up...hehehe

HUNGHARLEYMAN wrote:

KARMICSUNRISE...I forgot to mention Kehin and Makuni carburators which are made in Japan. Your parts tags are from carb parts. Which by the way, aren't used on Harleys any more since a few years ago they went all fuel injection. Just sayin...

But as far as the trike thing goes...the CanAm gets my vote for cool, spacy, high tech looking. I bet they are fun to ride too. Personally, I like to lean

Lots of good machines out there....ride and have fun.

We agree.. test drive them and then "Drive-Em like you stole them" Just keep the Wheels Down.

In your opinion...What MY (Model Year) Harley was 100%, equivocally US made for our reference?

Thanks

NAUGHTYGIRL101 wrote:

CARRIERMAN wrote:

OK, so - I'm older than either 242 or HUNGHARLEYMAN. That doesn't make me any smarter, but it does give me a bit of an edge in the experience department. And I've been able to make a few more observations throughout my life, based solely on the fact that I have more "time on the job". One of the things I've learned over the years that has served me very well is - NEVER argue with an expert. #1. You can't win #2. You accomplish NOTHING by allowing yourself to be dragged into the arguement #3. No matter how much you know to be FACTUAL information, it will pale by comparison to mythical info. #4. A true expert isn't defined by how much they know - but rather, by how much they know that just isn't right. #5. You STILL can't win. Maybe I should just say the hell with participating on this Forum and go out and buy myself a bright shiny new Supero Glido - or mabe a Roado Kingo, or even a DeLuxo Softo Tailo and ride off into the sunseto.

Omg...just the thought of that motor rumbling gets my motor purring.....I'll be waiting for ya to pick me up on your way to the sunset

Sturgis - 2011.

NAUGHTYGIRL101 wrote:

CARRIERMAN wrote:

OK, so - I'm older than either 242 or HUNGHARLEYMAN. That doesn't make me any smarter, but it does give me a bit of an edge in the experience department. And I've been able to make a few more observations throughout my life, based solely on the fact that I have more "time on the job". One of the things I've learned over the years that has served me very well is - NEVER argue with an expert. #1. You can't win #2. You accomplish NOTHING by allowing yourself to be dragged into the arguement #3. No matter how much you know to be FACTUAL information, it will pale by comparison to mythical info. #4. A true expert isn't defined by how much they know - but rather, by how much they know that just isn't right. #5. You STILL can't win. Maybe I should just say the hell with participating on this Forum and go out and buy myself a bright shiny new Supero Glido - or mabe a Roado Kingo, or even a DeLuxo Softo Tailo and ride off into the sunseto.

Omg...just the thought of that motor rumbling gets my motor purring.....I'll be waiting for ya to pick me up on your way to the sunset

OMG... just the thought of you riding behind me makes my jeans feel like they're a size too small.

Harley---But if you have to go TRIKE--Can-am Spyder is the answer---Stable, Comfortable, 10K-15K less than other trikes....I currently ride a 08' Yamaha Silverado S 1700cc (Junk)(anyone looking $9500) 2500 miles-Mustang Seat-Batwing fairing.-- Dumping in New Year back to Harley...Maybe when I'm 80 I'll seriously lQQk at Trikes

If it were me, I would look into the insta trike kits and buy a bike you are familiar with and comfortable on. http://towpacusa.com/products/instatrike/

CARRIERMAN wrote:

Sturgis - 2011.

omg...that is my dream...I think I just wet myself *giggles*

we just wish we could find some hotties to ride with..!!!

BMWs and Triumphs, not Jap junk, but still no Harley

OK, we seem to have gotten back on track and over the "Harley hump." LOL

As Riderz said, all motorcycle discussions seem to go there and it's really unfortunate. And "whatever blows your skirt up" is the way we live our lives and relate to others.

The last 24 hours there have been some very good posts on this thread and I really appreciate them.

Carrierman, in "my world," I happen to be THE world's leading expert in my subject matter (which is an insignificant and tiny field of endeavor). I'll tell you what a REAL expert is: someone who is open-minded about their subject and collaborates heavily with others who have quality to contribute, doesn't lead with their ego, and on balance the product of whose labor always speaks louder than the words of their detractors. A real expert has little to nothing to prove because it is already established to anyone who matters to them. But a real expert NEVER forgets that they are first and foremost a student. You get there by learning more and faster than the other guy, and if you don't continue to do so you will lose your place...which will happen eventually anyway. So, no, it doesn't pay to argue with an expert because they generally have little desire to argue or patience with ego and emotionally-based rhetoric. Generally speaking, they will disengage...shut down...walk away...unless you happen to be interrupting a presentation they are giving, sitting in their classroom, or similar such things. In that type of setting they have an obligation to everyone else who is there as well.

Frankly, I started this thread SEEKING opinions. Opinions, and much less facts, do not threaten me. I appreciate your input and was only exchanging information and opinion. I don't generally post information I have not vetted. It's not my nature. But that doesn't mean 100% of it is going to be 100% current and 100% accurate. We all do the best we can. And this certainly isn't my area of expertise! But you were becoming argumentative, and that's why I said I wasn't going to argue with you. And think about the quote you remarked about confusing you above...

How many people on this website own motorcycles that are not HD's? How could ANY swinger with half a brain post something that says, "Hey, hundreds of y'all (maybe more than the # who own HD's) bought junk?" Is that really going to improve their attractiveness to people who read it? Is that really going to elicit emails and invites to get together? Something tells me it is not likely to help them achieve their obvious goal - the reason they are even on this website to begin with.

Well, I've ranged FAR afield of the real topic at hand, but all of this stuff actually does play into the intangible aspects of my shopping decision. I stated at the beginning that when it comes to nuts and bolts I already know what the most bang for the buck is. But what I am trying to factor into the formula are those intangibles: culture, style, taste, image, and the impact on social interaction. That's why I posted that big ole glossy pic of the 2010 Spyder RT right up front and no other trikes. I wanted to gauge the psycho-emotional responses.

The poster who said they ride a Ninja and now understand why not many 40-somethings ride them because his back hurts struck close to the bullseye on this one. I have a degenerative type of arthritis that is really beginning to reach the upper end of my pain tolerance threshold without impacting my lifestyle. And due to head injuries from my years in the military, I have some balance issues and sporadic and temporary blurred vision (only lasts a few seconds, rarely ever happens, and I can clear it with 1 hand using accupressure). In order for me to continue to enjoy riding and not be totally stressed out by it, I have to switch to a far more stable and easier to manage motorcycle. I have to go for the comfort factor, ease of handling, and high stability/safety in terms of sudden stops, obstacle avoidance, one-handed operation (for up to 30 seconds), and things like that. And yes...the harder you worked and played when you were in your teens through 30's, the more of this sort of crap you're likely to deal with once you hit 40-something. Paybacks are a bitch!

CARRIERMAN wrote:

NJBLONDE wrote:

we just wish we could find some hotties to ride with..!!!

How about a luke-warmy that rides.

LMAO! My sentiments exactly.

Funtimesutah,

You hit the nail on the head. Speaking of passion, nice pics!