"Unlikely" Touring Bikes

[Daddyo]

Originally Posted by thatdirtykid

Yes pictures please. That's a tough combo to picture.

as for what others think, most harley owners don't consider the v rod to be much a harley to begin with.

I've read that on the internet about 2 million times but I've never encountered it in real life.

I usually hear "how do you like that thing", "I hear those are fast", "well, it's different for sure", "where is the gas cap".
That's about it.
It does get quite a few people who will walk up, look, and grin and shake their head kind of like "what was he thinking". I'd probably do the same thing if it wasn't mine. It's not something a lot of people would put together but it's comfortable for me and my Wife/Chic.
I understand it's a goofy ride but I really like riding it.
Some friends and family goof on it, in fun. But I goof on their rides too, in fun.
It's easy to pick out in a crowded parking lot.
I had one guy telling his buddy how stupid/rediculous/ignorant a bike it is, he didn't know I was standing behind him. He was driving a car at a Patriot Guard welcome home event so whatever. I just chuckle and say different streaks for different freaks.
I don't care what other people ride, who they ride, what music they listen to or how they like their steak cooked.

DO

on edit: Wow, I left off the most common comment I get, "apehangers on a Vrod huh"? Heard that one 3,974 times.
With my shoulder and wrist injuries the bars let me go lot's farther in comfort and my hands go numb pretty fast with more conventional bars.

On the interwebs you see lots of hate for the Vrod. And you see lots of hate from the Vrod riders for the big twins. I like everybody's bike if they are happy with it so I don't join in any form of MotoHate. I can't imagine that there is a motorcycle out there can't somebody can't have fun on.
I don't recieve the Vrod hate in person tho. So either I never run into those guys or they are only a badass while at the keyboard.

[MillenniumWright]

I think I can just barely justify slipping in on this post. In August I put about 2000 miles on my 99 Ducati. But only because when I tell people that I rode half the coast of CA they look at me and go, "On a DUCATI?!"

Now I'm in Japan with no bike to ride for a little while until I get another guy's dualsport fixed.

I'm trying to decide what to do when I get home. Do I bolt some ammo cans to the Duc and hit the road for some Kerouac-style touring, or find a proper touring bike? Decisions decisions...

[Jimmy the Heater]

I'm quite proud of my Lil'Ninja 250. Longest trip was 3k through WA, OR, CA, NV, ID, then back home to WA. Did I want more power? In places yes. Climbing up to almost 10k feet had her gasping for breath, and headwinds in NV had me down to 50mph wide open.

But we made it and I would do it again provided that I was going solo and not trying to keep up with my friends on their bigger bikes.

[Jimmy the Heater]

My other unlikely touring bike. 03 Suzuki SV1000N
Still trying to find an aftermarket seat that isn't a vinyl covered brick but other than that I love it.

[Daddyo]

Touring on a 250 Ninja, that is "unlikely". '
I bet you had fun.

DO

[Jimmy the Heater]

[QUOTE=Daddyo;17495132]Touring on a 250 Ninja, that is "unlikely". '
I bet you had fun.

DO[/QUOTE}\]

Some of the most fun was seeing the look on peoples faces when I told them it was a 250 not a 750 and a thousand miles away from home

Most looks were of utter disbelief

[LOE200]

Only a newbie tourer but plan to add a bit more luggae on and leave as soon as work says yes :)

[Birdmove]

I toured Washington and Oregon in 1975 on a 1975 Honda XL350 dual sport thumper, with full camping gear. Had a fine time too.

jn

[Walterxr650l]

Well I suppose a lot of people wouldn't have considered my CX500TC a touring bike, but I put almost 150,000 miles on it, a lot of them touring. Including one 4 week 10,000 mile 31 state trip in the fall of 83. I dug out some old photos and scanned them.

The top of Central Oregon's Paulina Peak near the start of the trip.


Blue Ridge Parkway


The Maine coast


Getting ready to head for home, from my Grandparent's Place near Ashville NC. Note the wooden box on the back, that houses an auto battery, because of my stator failing.


Walter

[See red]

04 Aprilia Atlantic.... Did over 50k miles on it touring

[thatdirtykid]

Originally Posted by Daddyo

I've read that on the internet about 2 million times but I've never encountered it in real life.

I usually hear "how do you like that thing", "I hear those are fast", "well, it's different for sure", "where is the gas cap".
That's about it.
It does get quite a few people who will walk up, look, and grin and shake their head kind of like "what was he thinking". I'd probably do the same thing if it wasn't mine. It's not something a lot of people would put together but it's comfortable for me and my Wife/Chic.
I understand it's a goofy ride but I really like riding it.
Some friends and family goof on it, in fun. But I goof on their rides too, in fun.
It's easy to pick out in a crowded parking lot.
I had one guy telling his buddy how stupid/rediculous/ignorant a bike it is, he didn't know I was standing behind him. He was driving a car at a Patriot Guard welcome home event so whatever. I just chuckle and say different streaks for different freaks.
I don't care what other people ride, who they ride, what music they listen to or how they like their steak cooked.

DO

on edit: Wow, I left off the most common comment I get, "apehangers on a Vrod huh"? Heard that one 3,974 times.
With my shoulder and wrist injuries the bars let me go lot's farther in comfort and my hands go numb pretty fast with more conventional bars.

On the interwebs you see lots of hate for the Vrod. And you see lots of hate from the Vrod riders for the big twins. I like everybody's bike if they are happy with it so I don't join in any form of MotoHate. I can't imagine that there is a motorcycle out there can't somebody can't have fun on.
I don't recieve the Vrod hate in person tho. So either I never run into those guys or they are only a badass while at the keyboard.

Nice philosophy, gotta live by that to ride something that special. Just imagine what buell would be doing now if he had the v rod motor to play with? I just guess its tall dudes like me on sportsters who get ragged on and told to buy a real harley. And then they get confused when I tell them I sold a dyna for the sporty. The iron and nightsters are fitting in better, but are no where near the fun an r is.

[barnyard]

It was not that long ago that a 750 was the biggest bike on the market. In the early 80's there was only 2 friends that had bigger bikes than mine. I rode a CB 450 and rode it all over the place. My cousin put 45,000 miles on a Ninja 250, including many rides from SE Wi to central Mn.

Everything that is old is new again.

[JimOBrien]

1979 Honda CM 400T
18000 miles in 3 months this summer. Redding, Ca to Baja to Key West to Lebec, Me to Redding
front end is '81 CB900f with '95 Duc Monster headlight and fairing
'81 CB450 tank

[jspringator]

1985 Honda Nighthawk 650. Modified, but quite comfortable. Here we are at the Tennessee North Carolina line.



Note the homemade backrest. I've since gotten a Rider's Friend, and may not need the topcase.

[Closed Casket]

Originally Posted by nwdub

I tour a naked 1989 kawi zx-10.

needs new headlight and a windscreen. it's getting HID projector headlights and a windscreen next. other than that it runs right as rain.

it's hard not to go 100+ all day

I rode cross-country on my '89 ZX-10 in '89, from Boston to San Francisco, 8 days, all back roads, zero rain. Just soft luggage. Loved every minute of it.