I am conducting an experiment.

[perterra]

Originally Posted by Zerk

Don't get mad at me, I am giving you me personnel review, same as other people do on here. Just because you don't agree doesn't mean its not my opinion.


.

Not mad, makes not a shit to me. But your talking out your ass and folks who dont know better may believe you.

[Zerk]

07 a Sportser finished 3rd. Not the model I would have expected. But when you riding one up, is not that big of deal. But a good seat on and set the bars and pegs the way you want them.

[dwoodward]

Originally Posted by Zerk

Not sure how people tour on these sport touring bikes. I think they just don't know any better. 100 mile rides and I am sticking my leg out trying to stretching. Hard on the knees. Bent forward is hard on the hands too. I thought my shoulders would bother me, but no. Has extended risers, I couldn't imagine a stock bike.

Funny, I say the same thing about baggers.

As you keep saying, you got it used and cheap. TANSTAAFL...

The generation Connie you own was designed during the AMF days of HD, when HD didn't exactly have the best name in reliability.

I rode an early ZG once, and a lot of your comments are spot-on. They buzz, the foot position did seem to be up high, they're hot, heavy, no airflow...

Rode the FJR to Missouri and back two weeks ago. 4300 miles, 4.5 days of riding (5.5 days total trip.) Rolled over 60k miles the day after I got back.

[dwoodward]

Originally Posted by Zerk

While I am bitching, WTF don't they have a dipstick for the oil. They put the sight glass down by the frame, lousy spot. I been looking for an aftermarkey one but no lock.

The bellypan block thes oil filter. I am going to cute a little out next time, but why didn't they at the factory. The cartidge filters is a PIA, especially when you have to load it upwards. Messy. I saw an after market adapter but not worth the money, to me.

Checking the oil: It could be done easier, but apparently isn't a major concern for most; maybe those silly Japanese invented a bike that doesn't use oil? The easiest oil check I have is the Aprilia, a semi-clear plastic tube that runs along the side of the oil tank (dry sump bike). Next easisest is the DRZ400, dipstick in the steering neck (dry sump, frame is oil tank). Coincidentally (???) these are the only two bikes in my garage that use any oil... and then only when run hard.

Changing the oil: FJR drain bolt & oil filter both removable w/o removing any plastic. Again, you're fighting a 25 year old design on that old Connie, and not finding aftermarket bits to fix the design because not enough of the (hundreds of thousands? of) owners thought it was a big enough deal to fix.

Newer models (FJR, ST1300, Concours14) have solved a lot of the issues one way or another.

[dwoodward]

Originally Posted by Zerk

Haven't used the glove boxes yet. Needing a key to open is just a PIA. Going to go to hardware store and see if I can find a cabinet latch. Maybe then I would use them.

Get one or two spare keys made. buy some nice knobs, and a tube of expoxy. Cut the key heads off, epoxy the key body to the knob. Insert in glovebox lid(s), forget.

Lots of moto cops do this, btw, with their keyed saddlebags; key is on lanyard that clips to bike frame in case it vibrates out.

It's nice seeing the design from someone foreign to the concept- everyone defending the old beast needs to keep in mind where you're coming from... and you need to remember, that bike was designed in the '80s. Lots of things have changed...

[ttpete]

High mounted pegs can be lowered with either Buell pegs or aftermarket ones. Google is your friend here. A couple inches can make a big difference. I lowered the pegs on my Versys and it's working well.

[Zerk]

Originally Posted by perterra

Not mad, makes not a shit to me. But your talking out your ass and folks who dont know better may believe you.

What have I said that is not true? I am comparing bikes, that I own. How about you? If anyone is speaking from their bowels it is you.

[Zerk]

Originally Posted by ttpete

High mounted pegs can be lowered with either Buell pegs or aftermarket ones. Google is your friend here. A couple inches can make a big difference. I lowered the pegs on my Versys and it's working well.

Not sure if that is what I want. I don't like how my knees are bent back. I would like my lower leg at 90 degree. This bike is hard on my knees.

[Zerk]

Originally Posted by dwoodward

Get one or two spare keys made. buy some nice knobs, and a tube of expoxy. Cut the key heads off, epoxy the key body to the knob. Insert in glovebox lid(s), forget.

I like that. Would double as a spare key.

[Zerk]

Originally Posted by dwoodward

Checking the oil: It could be done easier, but apparently isn't a major concern for most; maybe those silly Japanese invented a bike that doesn't use oil? r.

I am paranoid, after an oil change I like to check my bike. Especially when everything is not exposed. Which is one drawback of covers.

My first bike a Yamaha 650, 82 or 83, the damn dip stick broke off in the tank. Flimsy. I was screwing around trying to get it out, and most not have tqed the drain plug. Couple hundred miles later I lost a mortal amount of oil.

My FLHR came with chrome covers. I got sick of putting them on, plus if some thing is weeping or leaking, you won't see it.

Like I said earlier, I am going to notch the belly pan for access to the oil filter.

Originally Posted by dwoodward

Funny, I say the same thing about baggers.
They buzz,.

The bike vibration doesn't bother me to bad, but the noise from the fair bugs me. Some of that is probably age, and not being together perfect.

[Zerk]

[QUOTE=dwoodward;16410648
The generation Connie you own was designed during the AMF days of HD, when HD didn't exactly have the best name in reliability.
.[/QUOTE]

That may be true, but Harley didn't keep making the same bike until 2008 or 09 when the C14 came out.

[ohgood]

Originally Posted by Zerk

I miss the reliability of a Harley. Jap stuff is just flimsy. You get what you pay for.

that's the funniest shit i've seen on a forum in months.

yes, sand paper-ing a switch to remove years of muck and grime so it pulls a contact is a terrible thing.

33,000 on a carb'd suzuki. only trouble was bad gas.
31,000 on a yamaha. only trouble was keeping the front end down.
13,000 on another suzuki. only trouble is pulling it out of trees, creeks, briars, ditches, other bikes

but i'm still young, and trying to get what i pay for.

[perterra]

Originally Posted by Zerk

What have I said that is not true? I am comparing bikes, that I own. How about you? If anyone is speaking from their bowels it is you.

I miss the reliability of a Harley

Jap stuff is just flimsy. You get what you pay for

Not sure how people tour on these sport touring bikes. I think they just don't know any better

I am not saying it doesn't run good, I am just saying its flimsy and lacks reliability,

I wasnt born yesterday and I didnt start riding yesterday, let's just say you have said some things that are very suspect. I wouldnt complain on it being short of power if I were short shifting it at 4500 rpm.

I have ridden and ridden with a lot of harleys, they are fine bikes though down on power. But in the last three long trips I took the only bikes to slow us down with issues were two ultra-classics and a road king. Exhaust pipe fell off one ultra, motor mount on the other and the RK transmission started howling and was filled with metal shavings.

Stuck in 102º bumper to bumper traffic with my bro inlaw on his screaming eagle ultra. Had to pull over and let his cool off because it was over heating. My GL-1800 wasnt even ticking in the heat and I could hear ticks and pops coming off his engine sitting on the side of the freeway with cars all around.

My wife and I fell in behind a couple on an Ultra going over Red Mountain pass, he got slower and slower and louder and louder all the time dropping gears.

I got nothing against Harleys because they really are cool bikes, but lets not act like they are the second coming.

And by the way, I believe that Sportster that finished up pretty high in the IBR was highly customized for the long haul, it failed and the sportster he finished on was a second bike. I follow the IBR every rally.

[Zerk]

Originally Posted by ohgood

that's the funniest shit i've seen on a forum in months.

yes, sand paper-ing a switch to remove years of muck and grime so it pulls a contact is a terrible thing.

33,000 on a carb'd suzuki. only trouble was bad gas.
31,000 on a yamaha. only trouble was keeping the front end down.
13,000 on another suzuki. only trouble is pulling it out of trees, creeks, briars, ditches, other bikes

but i'm still young, and trying to get what i pay for.

Actually I had to take a knife and bend the contact back up. The bike was three years old. I am not to forgiving of bikes that fail. That same bike, Magna, bolt for the my foot bag rattled out. Yep, parts fell off the Honda.

[Zerk]

Originally Posted by perterra

I wasnt born yesterday and I didnt start riding yesterday, let's just say you have said some things that are very suspect..

I am only writing about what I have experienced in my life. Jap bikes have not been that great to me. Now my 01 FLHR, has had a bunch of oil leaks, no drips, but weeping. My 07 hasn't. I replaced the volt reg at 45k on my 01, I had one bulb flash bulb, burn out black, so I replaced the volt reg. I don't like being left on the side of the road. Also at 45k I replaced CPK and MAP sensors. Carbed bike only has two, and they are only $45, so I figured I would get rid of them before they fail.

I didn;t say the CG1000 lacked power, I was just not supper impressed. 1str gear is gutless compared to Harley. Ask anyone they got lots of low down tq. The 98" I built kept up to 100. I think I got some bad head work, should have done better. The Concours is only 98 hp.


I am speaking honestly of bikes I have owned. Which is probably more then you can do. Have you owned a Harley recently?

If you are calling me a liar, well thats your problem, for not being able to except the truth. Which is sad for you.