|
|
Post by sidheguitarmichael on Sept 24, 2020 16:22:23 GMT -5
While it’s no status symbol or “dream bike,” I had an ‘82 GS850G in college. Of all the bikes I’ve owned, it sticks out in memory as the most balanced, and practical. I took many cross-state trips on it. So this thing comes up on CL: spokane.craigslist.org/mcy/d/spokane-1982-suzuki-gs-850/7195785021.htmlI have a rule about never buying the same car, bike, guitar, or watch twice: when it’s time to move on, I move on. But the allure of this coming-of-age-vintage bit of clean history is something that I find myself thinking of at odd times through the day—which in itself is odd, since lord knows I’ve seen hundreds of ads on CL for sexier bikes that I haven’t owned yet. What to do, what to do. |
|
|
|
Post by paleo on Sept 24, 2020 16:30:09 GMT -5
Follow your heart.
My first motorcycle, at age 15, was a 1200 Harley. Thought I was done with motorcycles after selling my Yamaha FJR 1300 this spring. Since then I've bought 2 more motorcycles, the latest being an 883 Sportster. I started with a Harley and I really think this Sportster will be my final motorcycle purchase.
|
|
|
|
Post by fauxmaha on Sept 24, 2020 17:01:52 GMT -5
That thing looks really clean. What to do? Heh. You know what to do.  |
|
|
|
Post by Dave Poor on Sept 24, 2020 18:27:39 GMT -5
What's your current bike?
Dave
|
|
|
|
Post by sidheguitarmichael on Sept 24, 2020 21:13:06 GMT -5
What's your current bike? Dave Don’t have one. I suppose that’s part of the problem here. |
|
|
|
Post by Russell Letson on Sept 24, 2020 23:07:26 GMT -5
Dunno about being done/moving on. I've bought the same shirt any number of times.
|
|
|
|
Post by mnhermit on Sept 25, 2020 8:05:57 GMT -5
Guess you don't have to worry, ad is gone now.
Didja buy it?
|
|
|
|
Post by Marshall on Sept 25, 2020 8:58:41 GMT -5
Your link doesn't work anymore. Is this what you mean?  |
|
|
|
Post by majorminor on Sept 25, 2020 9:02:57 GMT -5
This is the one I want. With a rifle rack  |
|
|
|
Post by Marshall on Sept 25, 2020 9:14:04 GMT -5
After selling my Honda Magna 2 years ago, like this;  I got the bug again this year. I rented a big Harley and a Triumph Bonnie. I seriously started looking at buying another Honda Magna. Mine had had mechanical problems which I fixed before I sold it. Probably good for another 10 years. But being stranded twice on the road somewhere left a bad taste in my mouth. But now that I've gotten back up I really liked the ergonomics and performance of the Magna 750 best. But do I want to mess with 20 year old technology? So, I've been eyeing a Kawasaki Vulcan S lately. It's a little down sized from the Magna 750, @ 650cc and 495 lb. But it has similar ergonomics and gets very good reviews.  I sat on one in a showroom and really liked the ergonomics. It was in the middle of about 50 bikes and I couldn't take it for a test drive, but I'm leaning towards trying one and possibly getting one. |
|
|
|
Post by billhammond on Sept 25, 2020 11:04:40 GMT -5
Mo' better in blue, Marshall:  |
|
|
|
Post by Marshall on Sept 25, 2020 11:44:47 GMT -5
Yeah, that's nice. I'm probably going to go "used" when I get a round tuit.  And color selection is not always what you'd like it to be. |
|
|
|
Post by Marshall on Sept 25, 2020 11:54:42 GMT -5
The one I saw was in all green.  Not something I would like. |
|
|
|
Post by Russell Letson on Sept 25, 2020 13:42:39 GMT -5
The only nostalgia ride I qualify for.  Though maybe one of these--  |
|
|
|
Post by Marshall on Sept 25, 2020 13:57:30 GMT -5
The Suzuki, the Magna, and the Bonneville are all 550 lb bikes. That's a comfortable size for maneuverability and stability. The Harley 883 is the same. The Harley Heritage Classic I rode was 680 lb. Comfy on the open road, but a walrus around town. I was constantly worried on slow city turns that the thing would tip over. The 550 lb Bonnie was fine in town and quite fine on open road. Did 65 on it a couple of runs. And there was no windshield.
I am concerned the Vulcan S might not be as stable (being 495lb). I'd have to get it on an open road to see if I like it enough.
|
|
|
|
Post by fauxmaha on Sept 25, 2020 14:03:23 GMT -5
The Suzuki, the Magna, and the Bonneville are all 550 lb bikes. That's a comfortable size for maneuverability and stability. The Harley 883 is the same. The Harley H eritage Classic I rode was 680 lb. Comfy on the open road, but a walrus around town. I was constantly worried on slow city turns that the thing would tip over. The 550 lb Bonnie was fine in town and quite fine on open road. Did 65 on it a couple of runs. And there was no windshield. I am concerned the Vulcan S might not be as stable (being 495lb). I'd have to get it on an open road to see if I like it enough. There's no doubt that really heavy bikes take a fair amount of getting used to. My RoadSofa comes in at about 800 pounds. It took a couple of years of continuous use before I got comfortable with it in parking lot maneuvers. |
|
|
|
Post by sidheguitarmichael on Sept 25, 2020 14:45:09 GMT -5
Your link doesn't work anymore. Is this what you mean? Yup.    |
|
|
|
Post by sidheguitarmichael on Sept 25, 2020 14:51:42 GMT -5
^^^Those pics are clickable, if one wishes to enlarge their trip back to the glory days of 1982.
The last bike I owned was an ‘11 Kawasaki Vulcan 900; very weighty, very cruisery. I’m a lot more of a “standard” guy. They didn’t have Japanese standards in 2011; it was either insect-like sport bikes, or Harley imitations. I’m just a die-hard 70s/80s UJM guy, only I like the idea of fuel injection and ABS brakes... that sort of upgrade. Thankfully, lots of good standards exist these days.
That said, with my eyesight, I shouldn’t be on one, so if I get another bike, it has to be way cheap enough to justify parking on the lawn and looking at while I barbecue. Because that’s all I will do with it besides ride to the coffeeshop 5 blocks away.
|
|
|
|
Post by Marshall on Sept 25, 2020 14:52:04 GMT -5
Cool. You're a controls-shifted-back guy. The Bonneville I rode was like that. First time I haven't had true forward controls. It was OK. I got used to it. But I didn't ever really like it. My Magna I had the dealer install forward controls that moved the pedals forward, like a Harley. I loved that. If I got another Magna, I'd have to do that upgrade all over again. Whereas the Vulcan S comes with forward controls.
Whatever you like.
I imagine that 850 would run great iff'n it's in top shape. I like the one-pipe-on-each-side look. The Magna actually has 2 pipes per side, being a 4 cylinder. Looks cool,but they get in the way if you have a passenger. They really should have one pipe per side.
|
|
|
|
Post by sidheguitarmichael on Sept 25, 2020 19:45:48 GMT -5
Magnas are killer. I think the V-4s are the best engines that Honda made. Magnas, Interceptors, ST1100... they’re all classics for good reason.
|
|
