I don't like it... its rare that I see a bike and don't get that tingly feeling. Its like a cheaper looking vstrom but with more price and less cool. It honestly looks like a lot like their silver wing scooter... especially with those built in cases... It doesn't seem like it would fit smoothly into any motorcycle grouping... it's far from a cruiser, it isn't sporty and it isn't an off-roader.. and it falls short of being a tourer. I think the bike would be more popular if it were a bit more like its bigger brother, more sporty looking.. or on the other side of things, a bit more rugged like the vstrom.



speaking of honda, did anyone see the DN-01 yet? I saw one at the dealer.. it was weird as hell. It looks like it will get some attention thanks to its automatic transmission and small floorboards to keep your feet soo extra comfy... it looks like it should hold a huge engine but it doesn't. it kinda takes the bike out of the bike.

Yeah, no ugly-but-useful for me. I either want a supplement my current cruiser with a mid-engine sportbike like the Honda Interceptor 800 (or the Yamaha/Kawasaki equiv) or I think I might trade in my current Honda Sabre ('02) and get a VTX-1800C. The 2011 (?) Sabre (based on the Fury) has a bigger engine (1300cc vs. 1100cc) and looks pretty nice with its chopper styling aside from the usual junky trim pieces and the horribly ugly Fury exhaust. I've also been coveting the Yamaha/Star "Midnight Warrior" drag bike with its aluminum frame and roarin' powerplant. That thing is a sexy beast.

I want them all but can only swing getting one:

Honda Interceptor, 800cc

http://i919.photobucket.com/albums/a...nterceptor.jpg

Star Midnight Warrior, 1670cc

http://i919.photobucket.com/albums/a...rior-small.jpg

Honda VTX-1800C, 1800cc

http://i919.photobucket.com/albums/a...00Ca-small.jpg

Thoughts?

...

'Nother question: What kind of footwear do you suckas ride with?

I swear by my giant clunky Chippewa engineer boots. They cover most of my calf, no laces, and feel like they're an inch thick of bulletproof cowhide. The square box toe makes shifting a sure thing and the generous cowboy heel sits nice on the control pegs or the highway pegs. I see guys riding in tennis shoes and always wonder if they think about how easy it is to lose a few toes in a wreck. I like the idea of not snapping my ankle like a pencil.

shouldn't Napoleon be on a bike by one of these manufacturers?

* Gima
* Peugeot
* Scorpa
* Sherco
* Solex
* Voxan
* Wakan

---------- Post added at 07:16 AM ---------- Previous post was at 06:50 AM ----------

I wear a pair of black, synthetic leather Durangos in a style that's a cross between western (aka cowboy) and engineer. not optimal protection, to be sure, but WAY better than sneakers or flip-flops or sandals. and they're comfy as hell.

http://72.32.151.174/ProductImages/d...arge/DB515.jpg

this isn't exactly what I wear, but pretty close.

honestly, we should all be wearing a true riding boot such as this:

http://www.ironpony.com/CatImg/Large...retex-boot.jpg

but I've yet to see a pair that look good as well as being functional.

I have two pairs of boots a well armored simple styled racing boot and I just picked up a pair of waterproof and better insulated boots for the colder weather rides.

Most people will laugh and say I'm overdoing it but I've always been of the opinion that there's enough inherent risk already in motorcycling why take chances that a minor get-off turns into a majorly painful skin grafting experience. For boots in particular, pictures of a hot girl missing the top half of her foot were incentive enough to shell out some cash.

Sidi B2
http://www.newenough.com/image/path/5084/Default.jpg

Sidi Canyon Gore-Tex
http://www.newenough.com/image/path/7062/Default.jpg

Yeah, bingo.

Those superbike / touring boots you posted are probably the best protection you can get... but they all look horrible. I'd feel like a Mighty Morphin Power Ranger even in the black ones. I think that engineer boots are sufficient for cruisers where the need for articulation of the feet is minimal.

ooooooooooooooooooo...new farkle goodness!!!...UPS delivered my Garmin Zumo 660 yesterday:

http://www.lc-motors.be/navigatie/garmin-zumo660.jpg

will be installed and ready for use this afternoon

I would love to have either pair of those boots but can't justify the 200-300 dollar price tag. you could get away with wearing those boots on the bottom with any kind of bike, sportbike, touring, or cruiser in my opinion.

mmm gps, talk about a price tag I've been trying to justify. Although the fact that some of them come with mounts for both car and bike helps.... some....

I have a very nice GPS "navigation unit" but no safe place to mount it on the bike (tank? bars?) and even if I did... I wouldn't be able to hear it tell me to turn, look at the arrows and pilot the bike at the same time. I think I'll stick to pitstops with a paper map for now.

I used a standard car TomTom ONE XL on my bike on a recent trip down to the south of France and Spain. It's got a car mount, but the slim mount design allowed me to stick it to my tacho. It held fast and didn't shift for 3000 or so miles! The tacho is tucked nicely under the windscreen, so I even had it out in the rain with no problems.

http://www.gpstekreviews.com/images/ONE-130-mount.jpg

On the ferry, loaded up for 3 months!
http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u...s/cbr600f2.jpg

Draggin' Jeans are crucial for summer riding! Sure, they don't have hip armour, but the kevlar is great light protection.
http://www.motorcyclenews.com/ImgGal...896_311923.jpg

I love my boots... cool enough for summer, warm enough for winter! Waterproof, and they don't look too Power Ranger.
http://assets2.revzilla.com/product_...ots_detail.jpg

the garmin zumo 660 retails (at Best (ugh) Buy, etc) for $799, but I found it on NewEgg for $641.98 including shipping. It features both car and bike mounts, a built in mp3 player, jpeg picture viewer, audio book capability and has a pretty good speaker. I love it already.

---------- Post added at 07:51 AM ---------- Previous post was at 07:44 AM ----------

I worried I'd have room to mount my zumo, but the included Ram motorcycle mount made it easy...as for hearing it, it's got pretty good sound, but even if it didnt, I've got it routed through my speakers, so thats a non-issue. optionally, you can plug in headphones, or if you've got bluetooth in-helmet speakers, it can pair up with most bluetooth devices...including cellphones.

I dont think I'll be bothering with the cellphone function though...one of the reasons I ride is to get away from the tedium of everyday life...dont think I want it intruding on my fun.

---------- Post added at 07:57 AM ---------- Previous post was at 07:51 AM ----------

btw, my speaker system

Motorcycle audio mirror speaker ipod + amp marine grade

or you can get it with a subwoofer for just a little more:

Motorcycle audio mirror speaker ipod sub + amp marine

and for a few bucks more, throw in an FM radio:

http://www.gooddeals18.com/product/S...m-w-radio.html

excellent bang for the buck on these systems...wish I had gotten the subwoofer though...without the sub, its a little thin on the low end

garmin handheld gps devices also make decent navigation units.. the etrex and colorado for starts and the garmin oregon is pretty nifty with a large touch screen... rugged devices, plus they work great for hiking and other outdoor stuff like geocaching.

GPS? Getting lost is half the fun on a bike. There's also zero chance I'm going to hear anything over my pipes.

I generally wear retired hiking boots on the bike. They may not have full armor; but they aren't bad and are fully paid for and depreciated.

I like the pants and will have to look into them. I wear a helmet, gloves, jacket, and boots; but get "Village People" flashbacks every time I consider chaps.

Oh shit, son. I've got a beauty blemish on my sweet ride.

My DG Kicker exhaust, that sexy piece of chrome... it somehow got a big swatch of gentle pitting on the necks where they go into the cylinders. What the fuck, over? Anyway, here's my question: Do you guys think I could pull them off, rough 'em up with steel wool, and use some of that 1500 degree engine block paint to do 'em in silver or black? I can't stand fucked-up chrome. Do you think the paint would stick?

not for long...consider what you put those header pipes through...hot, cold, hot, cold, etc. over and over and over again...if you want something on them that's going to last, you are going to have to go with powder-coating. or you could get that wrap stuff.

Mmm, cross overlapped header wrap would be very post-apoc. I could get into that.

I guess I'll have to see where I can get the thing powder-coated locally. I want matte gray.

sure, getting lost can be fun, but when you are trying to get somewhere on time, or are running out of gas....

as for your pipes, if your exhaust is so loud it would overpower a set of ear-buds or in-helmet speakers, then I'd say the only thing it accomplishes is making us all look bad in the eyes of the cagers.

I never could understand the attraction of super loud exhaust...sure, it's kinda cool...for about 5 minutes, then its just annoying. "Loud pipes save lives" is utter hogwash...loud pipes cause bad laws to be written.

---------- Post added at 11:35 PM ---------- Previous post was at 11:30 PM ----------

the guy who did my fender (and the rest of the chrome, as time and $$ permit) assures me that he can do many different colors. I'm sure matte gray would be possible. He's very reasonable (my front fender was $30 for matte black). If you're anywhere near central Ohio, I could hook you up with him.

Sadly, I'm a million miles away from Ohio. But if it was only $30 for a fender, I'd imagine $100 will get my Kickers covered in matte gray. They're just 2.5" pipes. I think I'd do some header wrap near the top before I crush 'em back on the bike. That'll be so sick, bro... flat gray with cross overlapped wrap. Heh! I'm friggin' excited now. Maybe I should have the guy do my wheels as well. They're all nasty looking but not in a cool way.

Different strokes, I guess. The concept of wearing ear buds while riding is just wrong to me.

My exhaust is intentionally tuned to be barely legal. I use 18" glass packs; because 16's were 5db too loud. My bike sounds more like a 60's muscle car than a Harley with drag pipes.

It's odd to talk aesthetics and motorcycles; but the sound of my engine during a full throttle acceleration is part of my enjoyment while riding. I'd also propose that crotch rockets weaving in and out of traffic give bikers a worse reputation than loud pipes. :rolleyes:

Update:

My exhaust and VTX cylinder shields are being powdercoated with a matte black ceramic. It's gonna be sweet. I should have 'em hung by next week.

The problem with being barely legal is that the laws vary from state to state and town to town...you'll probably find that out the hard way one of these days. Meanwhile, I fully agree with your second paragraph.

---------- Post added at 12:21 AM ---------- Previous post was at 12:19 AM ----------

be sure to post pics...I'm gonna get some on here of my Maggie one of these days...

Ehhh, maybe; though there's a gazillion Harleys that are louder than me.


I'd also be interested in seeing that. I wavered for a month between flat black powder and chrome. I opted for chrome; but black is probably easier upkeep.

I don't know wtf they put on the roads in Colorado; but my OEM aluminum rims turned to crap very quickly here. It's only been a year or so; but the chrome seem to be holding up fine.

For boots I just wear my steel toe work boots. Suppose I could get something a little more bike oriented for them, but they are sturdy and come up like 6 inches I think.

Here is the bike, just got it out of the garage and installed highway bars, highway pegs and a throttle controller on it. Also modified the seat by cutting out an ass-groove into it. So far it feels pretty darn comfortable sitting on it and putsing around in the yard. I need to insure it and try it out on a fair sized trip though.
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-..._7993221_n.jpg
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-..._5361607_n.jpg

Rockin' additions, BlahBlah. I think we have the exact same highway bar and pegs.

What throttle controller did you go with? Plastic paddle? Or did you go deep and get something pricey like the BrakeAway?

I think I posted it before, but check out CruiserFX - Honda for other toys you might want. I own a lot of their products and really like 'em.

I got the "Vista Cruise Universal Cruise Control - Metric Cruisers" from cruisercustomizing. So far it seems to be alright. I wont get a real chance to try and of this stuff out until sometime in May when I insure the bike again.

I can't wait! I just need some people to ride with, its a damn ghost town out here.

Thanks for that link, I am going to check some of that stuff out!

---------- Post added at 05:07 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:04 PM ----------

I like those Headlight modifications... do you use anything like that?

Well that is no fun, that Ice Crystal headlight does not fit the VT750 Aero, which is what I have.

You take off your insurance during the winter? My insurance is only ~$150 for 12 months. I just keep it insured all year to avoid the license plate hassle.

...

Damn, Aero750 is the only one it doesn't fit in. Too bad. I bought the crystal headlight for the Sabre and really like it. I recommend upgrading the bulb in your stock headlight, though. You can never have too much light out front, even at noon on a sunny day. Keep the cagers awake, ya know?

...

Heh, yeah... I have no excuse not to have riding buddies but here I am. I guess I need to find a forum for local cruiser guys and do a meet 'n greet.

It costs me about $120 a month for insurance on the bike out here. Insane!!! So not a chance on keeping it insured. I switch it over to "storage insurance" or some such during the off months, that costs me like $60 a year.

$120 a month? Yikes. That's more than I pay for my little POS rollerskate automobile. Vehicle insurance is expensive in Canada.

...

I think the next time I have to replace the tires on my bike that I'll do a fender chop and Line-X my fenders / tank.

would you wear this helmet?

Make: Online : CNC pr0n: 5-axis mill carves a motorcycle helmet

awesome!

Update: Took forever, but ceramic coating is finished on the parts, exhaust is done and installed. Will get pictures tomorrow. It's friggin' beautiful.

Where are those pictures at home slice?

Put the saddlebags back on the bike...still filthy as hell, but it gets me around:

http://i872.photobucket.com/albums/a...e/498c9ac6.jpg

Sorry, I'm balls deep in finals right now. I'll get a real picture when I get the VTX cylinder shields unfucked.

Overall, I'm very pleased with the ceramic coating. It's hard as hell and tight on all the edges. Pricey, though.

...

Check it out... DG Kickers exhaust in flat black ceramic coating:

http://i919.photobucket.com/albums/a...pingCerami.jpg

My next project is to mount the EZ Brackets onto the soft bags I have. Notice the fat studs beneath the passenger pad.

I think it's funny that I've put all this effort into customizing this gnarly bike only to realize that I want something bigger.

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_7gYNb3GSh4...Fk/s400/m1.jpg


????....xoxoxoxo

---------- Post added at 11:42 PM ---------- Previous post was at 10:57 PM ----------

http://digilander.libero.it/guido_19...ducati-750.jpg

xoxoxoo

So, here's some pictures from my trip to East Tennesse (Tellico Plains, to be exact):

bikes loaded up and ready to roll

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_DHlzVeEKYKY/S-...cument_022.jpg

buncha bikes in front of Tellico Plains Motorcycle Outfitters

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_DHlzVeEKYKY/S-...cument_006.jpg

where we stayed, Hunt's Lodge Motorcycle Campground (and part of my finger...DOH!)

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_DHlzVeEKYKY/S-...cument_019.jpg

Hunt's Lodge Motorcycle Campground - Tellico Plains, TN

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_DHlzVeEKYKY/S-...0/document.jpg

If you should take a trip there, it's a great place to stay. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED. Jack and Lori Hunt own and run the place and they couldn't be any nicer.

The cabin next to ours

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_DHlzVeEKYKY/S-...0/P0000001.jpg

Our cabin and bikes

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_DHlzVeEKYKY/S-...0/P0000015.jpg

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_DHlzVeEKYKY/S-...0/P0000017.jpg

---------- Post added at 07:37 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:01 PM ----------

ok, now that I've figured out how to hotlink from Picasa, let the show continue...

inside the cabin...notice the safe on the wall to the left

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_DHlzVeEKYKY/S-...0/P0000018.jpg

thats a boot dryer on the floor under the coat hangers

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_DHlzVeEKYKY/S-...0/P0000019.jpg

towels for showering...and a basket of rags to wipe your bike down

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_DHlzVeEKYKY/S-...0/P0000020.jpg

Lori Hunt, hostess extraordinaire

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_DHlzVeEKYKY/S-...0/P0000021.jpg

Jack and Lori outside the office/bathroom/shower facility

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_DHlzVeEKYKY/S-...0/P0000024.jpg

the picnic shelter and shower building...festivities in full swing

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_DHlzVeEKYKY/S-...ips%20pics.jpg

---------- Post added at 07:45 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:37 PM ----------

more...

Walt's BBQ, just down the road from Hunts...GREAT food

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_DHlzVeEKYKY/S-...%20%283%29.jpg

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_DHlzVeEKYKY/S-...%20%287%29.jpg

views from the Cherohala Skyway looking south at an elevation of about 4000 ft above sea level (the skyway tops out at about 5400 ft)

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_DHlzVeEKYKY/S-...0/P0000003.jpg

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_DHlzVeEKYKY/S-...0/P0000004.jpg

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_DHlzVeEKYKY/S-...0/P0000005.jpg

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_DHlzVeEKYKY/S-...0/P0000006.jpg

Awesome pics, I love Telico it's so close to the dragon's tail and also the skyways. I stayed at the KOA campground last time I went down. :thumbsup:

too bad my camera doesn't capture how beautiful it is up on the skyway...maybe if it wasnt a 20 year old digital...?

anyway...here's more

Deals Gap at the Tail of the Dragon (US 129 at the NC/Tenn border) an 11 mile stretch of road with a claimed 318 curves (I'd estimate its more like 200-250)

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_DHlzVeEKYKY/S-...0/P0000010.jpg

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_DHlzVeEKYKY/S-...0/P0000011.jpg

the Tree of Shame (tradition dictates that if you get "bitten" by the Dragon, you leave a piece of your bike/car/whatever on the tree) there's probably 200+ mirrors hanging off that sumbitch. I, however, did not get bit, so I had nothing to leave on the tree

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_DHlzVeEKYKY/S-...0/P0000012.jpg

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_DHlzVeEKYKY/S-...0/P0000014.jpg

here's an old (early 70s?) BMW 900r in fantastic shape

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_DHlzVeEKYKY/S-...0/P0000013.jpg

a couple of the 4 T-Rex cycle-car things we saw

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_DHlzVeEKYKY/S-...0/P0000008.jpg

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_DHlzVeEKYKY/S-...0/P0000009.jpg

and finally, Mike, the owner of this ST 1100, took an unscheduled swim in one of the local rivers...the bike was in 6 feet of water for nearly 2 hours....

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_DHlzVeEKYKY/S-...20%2828%29.jpg

after getting it back to the campground, Mike spent 8 hours getting the water out and the electrics sorted...then another 6 or so the next morning getting it running...then rode it home to Connecticut!

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_DHlzVeEKYKY/S-...20%2830%29.jpg

despite considerable cosmetic body damage, including no right side mirror, no windshield, a speedometer held on by zipties, and the need to reattach the hard saddlebags with bungies, he didnt get stopped by a single LEO (law enforcement officer)!

---------- Post added at 08:14 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:03 PM ----------

All in all, it was an absolutely fantastic trip. The weather cooperated perfectly (only caught the tail end of the deluge that swamped West Tennessee and Kentucky on sunday evening...after dark and the bikes were already under cover). Everyone we met was super friendly and we had an absolute blast! I can NOT wait to go back.

If you ride a motorcycle and are looking for a nice place to take a trip...you can't do much better than SE Tennessee and/or NW North Carolina...the roads are great and the scenery is georgeous. It may truly be the Mecca of Motorcycling in America.

Ride On...

Really great post, Sion. It's on my list.

Nice pictures,

I'd love to post a Colorado rebuttal; but there's 18" of white crap on top of my bike at the moment.

Sion, awesome photos!! love the steelers stuff!