That big white one in the first post fairly screams Marlon Brando in The Wild Ones...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jtk7LsmpU1g

OK, now I understand the pricing, I reckon Gatorgordo is right on the money.

Damn but you guys in the States are just sooooooo lucky to be able to buy vehicles for the price you can! Here in SA we're faced with 100% import tax plus 14% VAT on pretty much any imported vehicle whether new or used.

Shakari, my brother, that kind of taxes will put you under. Does S.A. even have a motorcycle line?

Charlie, I don't see why you think the Indians are after the Sportster market when they look so much more like the Softtails, and Heritages. I would be very suprise if the Indian has the get up and go of a 1200 Sportster, which truly is a sports/crusier in my book. But that's just me.

Sorry I didn't catch the pun about the Confederates, I'm not that brite.

The price for my new fatboy 3 years ago with the extra "bling bling" did cost ~ 35K.

I dont want to know the prices i US because than i will start to cry.

Larry,

There's a few small companies making courier bikes such as 125cc with korean engines etc but no production line on 'proper' bikes that I know of.

Even spares from overseas get hit with the same tax.......and it's a real SOB if you're into classics. I have a 1980 Wagoneer that needs a new set of track rod ends. The only way I can get them and be sure I'm buying the right ones is to order the track rod ends and the track rods and it's gonna cost me something like US$550 in total.

I must be a glutton for punishment though because I'm also now trying to buy a Chevy Apache pick up that I want to restore but fit with the good old AMC V8 and 4x4 Jeep Quadratrac drive. It ain't gonna be cheap but hey, what a fun vehicle!!!

quote:

homebrewer: That big white one in the first post fairly screams Marlon Brando in The Wild Ones...

Not really, although it definitely screams 50s nostalgia. It is a H-D Heritage Springer, Brando rode a Triumph, a much lighter British twin.

whats the tax rate on parts there? if it's not as high you could get a bike in a box KIT bike.. have built a couple of them with S&S motors there ran great S&S 88cid really will stretch the wrinkels out of your face. but make to old lady wear a bar or her tits will be in the county you just left.

Recent production Indians definitely have the nostalgia thing down too, probably better than HD. No need to pay those ridiculous prices though, not if you buy used like I do. Too much depreciation on the front end. 2 or 3 year old bikes with low miles go for about the same as a similar Harley.

quote:

Originally posted by fla3006:
Recent production Indians definitely have the nostalgia thing down too, probably better than HD. No need to pay those ridiculous prices though, not if you buy used like I do. Too much depreciation on the front end. 2 or 3 year old bikes with low miles go for about the same as a similar Harley.

True enough, but there aren't any 2 or 3 yr old Indians out there now, the previous company quit production in 2003 and I don't think (stress think because I'm not sure at all) their bikes were anything like the current or when to be available Indians, which BTW, sound like a very nice bike. I wish them the best of luck, the more the merrier, but realism should be my middle name.

There are several now on ebay.

True, but they are not the same engine or company as current production (smaller cis), they have no warranty, I would think that parts or repairs would be difficult to obtain, and, like I said, the last of them is 2003 production, which makes them a minimum of 6 years old, not 2 or 3. However they are cheaper, without a doubt, but there's a reason for it.

Let me be clear, I'm not saying anyone shouldn't buy what they want, hell, this is American, personal consumption keeps the economy afloat, at least up until now. I will say this, I'd rather be broken down on the side of the road with a HD of any age than a 2003 or so Indian. With the Harley I know I can get help for a price and probably most towns of any size have someone who can work on them. Or, you can buy a Jap bike and keep riding. Personally I prefer the riding part to nostalgia, but that's my preference and they say Harley's are much more reliable these days, they'd have to be or they wouldn't be in business. I've seen some jap bikes on the side of the road, but I've passed literally hundreds of broken down harleys. You pays your money and takes your chances.

Nope, the same tax applies to pretty much everything, including all automotive parts, so a kit bike or buying in parts wouldn't be any better.

I'm a serious classic car and bike fan and to be honest, about the only new(ish) bikes I'd consider are a HD or an Indian and if I had a choice, it'd probably be the Indian and I'd put up with the spares problems......... all that said, I'm only a shortarse and the feet forward position on so many American bikes is a problem for me......... I guess I'd have to move the foot pegs and controls to a more traditional seating position.

I've gotta say, I'm jealous of the truck and the ragtop Gatorgordo bought a while ago........ both of those little treasures really are right up my street.

My ride, Oso Negro, a Honda VTX1300R, a truly fine and most reliable machine.

I'm enjoying this topic very much!! Maybe we need a MC forum?

Doesn't Polaris still sell their Victory models? I saw one on the showroom floor while getting 2 stroke oil for my brush cutter about this time last year.

Yes, they still make them and they are great looking bikes. I took the Kingpin for a test ride before I bought my Strat. I was impressed, I just liked the Strat. more.

quote:

Larry Matherne: I'm enjoying this topic very much!! Maybe we need a MC forum?

Ditto-

Yeah, maybe we could even ride out somewhere to some point on the globe and have a beer.

There's some seriously nice eye candy here. I wonder if any/many memebers have Italian bikes?

I took a ride on a classic Laverda over the weekend but those low bars and heavy hydraulic clutch were far too much for my arthritic hands and wrists, so I had to make it a very short ride.

How about a custom Moto Guzzi bobber?



Or another Indian?

Italian bikes? Better yet, an Italian woman behind me on my bike.

quote:

Originally posted by fla3006:

quote:

Larry Matherne: I'm enjoying this topic very much!! Maybe we need a MC forum?

Ditto-

Tell me what that beautiful bike is.....

That is a Yamaha Stratoliner, minus the windshield, sissybar, and saddlebags, which pop off and on.

I think it is a beauty as well as it is my ride with a different paint job. She also handles well and will scoot.

I sometimes ride mine in that mode when I feel sporty.

Part of the decision making process is enjoying looking at, and even riding, some of the options. Don't buy anything until you've looked at and ridden an MV Augusta. They are works of art.

quote:

Originally posted by Wink:
Don't buy anything until you've looked at and ridden an MV Augusta. They are works of art.

Of course, a great deal depends on individual, personal taste, but I have to agree with that comment. Build quality and beauty are simply fantastic on these machines.

Just some of my other favourites are the Indians as I've mentioned before, the Ariel 1000 cc Square Four, the BSA 650 cc Rocket Gold Star and the Triton Cafe Racers......... the Tritons are even more individual, and you have to see individual machines to decide quite what suits or doesn't suit you though.

Problem is that I've only got room and money for one or if I'm very lucky, two at a time.

This thread has just made me think about my early bikes and I've just realised I got my first motorcycle aged 13 and there's hardly been a time in my life that I haven't owned at least one......which means I've been biking for 40 years. Eish, but I must be getting old!

To my mind a motorcycle is first & foremost a rapid form of transport & thus must be capable of taking twists & turns at speed.
Because I'm now on the wrong side of 50, "pocket rockets" don't fit any more but my ageing (1991) BMW K75s does well enough for me to put off buying a Triumph for another couple of years.

I am managing an 18 month project in Guam. I tried to rent a Harley here last weekend, but the no longer rent them due to the high number of wrecks. I thought about buying one to ride while I'm here and ship it back when I leave, but I can't justify it to myself, so I won't be doing much riding for a while.

You can rent a Harley Softail or a BMW here for about US$120 a day including insurance but despite good roads (in most areas) low traffic volumes and a great climate, there's very little demand for hire bikes here.

Not many people have actually seen an MV Augusta. Here's a link to some photos:

http://www.topspeed.com/motorc...2/picture176131.html

and here's another:

http://www.bikewalls.com/wallp...729531/1024x768.html

a front wheel detail (to show the superb machining detail) hit the high resolution options at the top of the photo:

http://www.bikewalls.com/wallp...133131/1024x768.html

Did I mention that they aren't cheap?

And lastly, a link to their USA web site:

http://www.mvagustausa.com/web...ta/08_BR_1078RR.html

Yeah, don't see many of those. Beautiful, more than I can handle at my age though. I considered a Laverda 750 some 30 years ago, also a great performance bike in its day.

I also like the Laverdas but find them a bit tall for my short legs. Favourite one is still the Jota.

My new ride, I purchased it two days before the wife and I went on a little 3500 mile scooter ride to the Grand Canyon and S. Utah. Had to leave it in the show room until my return. It is a Yamaha Raider, it has the same 1900 cc motor as my Strat. Different ride than the Strat. it does not have the cush feel of the Strat ride. Rides a lot like a Dyna-Wide-Glide, except tons of git up and go.

Will post some pics of the 3500 mile scooter ride when the wife downloads them from her camera.

Really a cool looking bike. Congrats.

Thanks Charlie, I really appreciate it. Problem here is I live on a gravel road and I'm not putting it on a gravel road, so off to Louisiana it goes, which will free up the Miss's bike to make the journey north.

By the way, I went through your neck of the woods comming and going on our scooter trip. We took Hwy. 82 from New Boston to Cedar Falls. Intresting ride going, way too long coming back. I was questioning God's purpose in making Texas so big.

Again thank you for your kind comments on the Raider.

Larry,

I've gotta say I'm not usually much of a fan of feet forward machines........ but one is just stunning!!!!!!

Thanks, actually my poor pictures do not do it justice. I had no intention on purchasing a new motorcycle, I had brought my Strat in for an oil change...but I couldn't help myself. I called my Stratoliner the Beast, and now I have Beauty to go with it. This Beauty has bite to go along with its looks.

Again Thanks Steve for taking a look and your kind remarks.

lm

Well, someone has to be different! A likeness of my '87 Kawi ZX-10, AKA Ninja 1000R AKA GPz1000 (in Europe). She's a bit of a beast. I like beasts...

I've never driven a crotch rockett but I would love to do so. I do admire powerful nimble bikes. I've had groups of CR riders go by me on one wheel for at least a quarter mile or so, with silly grins on their faces more than once.

Nice photo as well.

From this year...



Yes, I've seen the promised land...