I am a 61 yo male looking to buy my first motorcycle. I am also looking to
get the lowest maintenance cruiser type bike. I am seriously considering a
2005 Vulcan 1600. Quite honestly, I know very little about motorcycles.
Does this scenario seem to fit? Any suggestions will be greatly
appreciated.

Bill

From:	fuzzy
Subject:	Re: Buying first bike
Date:	Sun, 23 Jan 2005 17:42:32 -0500

Bill wrote:
>
> I am a 61 yo male looking to buy my first motorcycle. I am also looking to
> get the lowest maintenance cruiser type bike. I am seriously considering a
> 2005 Vulcan 1600. Quite honestly, I know very little about motorcycles.
> Does this scenario seem to fit? Any suggestions will be greatly
> appreciated.
>
> Bill

You should probably by a Miata ragtop and drive it for a
year or so with the top down befor you buy a bike
--
Fuzzy '99 FXSTB "Cridhe Dubh"
2000 chair flyin' Ural
SENS, BS#66, LFS#?, COBB

"If you ever reach total enlightenment
while drinking beer, I bet it makes
beer shoot out your nose."
Deep Thought, Jack Handy

From:	High Plains Thumper
Subject:	Re: Buying first bike
Date:	Sun, 23 Jan 2005 23:54:43 -0000

"Bill" wrote in
news:BnVId.50531$Tf5.46088@lakeread03:

> I am a 61 yo male looking to buy my first motorcycle. I am
> also looking to get the lowest maintenance cruiser type
> bike. I am seriously considering a 2005 Vulcan 1600.
> Quite honestly, I know very little about motorcycles. Does
> this scenario seem to fit? Any suggestions will be greatly
> appreciated.

Bill, since you are just starting out riding, first I'd
suggest before getting your bike to take the Motorcycle Safety
Foundation (MSF)'s Basic Rider Course (BRC). See
http://www.msf-usa.org for the state you reside in.

The MSF provides the bikes in the BRC. Costs vary per state,
but figure on around $160. They supply the bikes for this
course. Many states allow this course or state derivative of
this course to suffice for the written and road portions of
the test or one or the other for getting a license, you can
check the specifics on the MSF website. Also, you may get an
insurance discount for taking the course.

When at the course, you will link up with the instructors and
they can advise you what bike to start out with.

- HPT

From:	Bill
Subject:	Re: Buying first bike
Date:	Sun, 23 Jan 2005 19:42:22 -0500

HPT,

From everything that I have read and heard, you are absolutely correct. I
have planned on take the course at a local community college. It is a 3 day
affair and I understand I will learn a great deal and it is definately worth
it. I understand that in this area, SE VA, there is an insurance discount
for taking the course. I want to begin and probably continue as a Sunday
morning spring, summer, fall cruiser. This will be something strictly to
enjoy as a hobby and not as a mode of transportation. Safety (mine and
others!) is a primary concern. Thanks for the reply.

Bill
"High Plains Thumper" wrote in message
news:Xns95E7AC08FF4F3hpt@216.168.3.44...
> "Bill" wrote in
> news:BnVId.50531$Tf5.46088@lakeread03:
>
>> I am a 61 yo male looking to buy my first motorcycle. I am
>> also looking to get the lowest maintenance cruiser type
>> bike. I am seriously considering a 2005 Vulcan 1600.
>> Quite honestly, I know very little about motorcycles. Does
>> this scenario seem to fit? Any suggestions will be greatly
>> appreciated.
>
> Bill, since you are just starting out riding, first I'd
> suggest before getting your bike to take the Motorcycle Safety
> Foundation (MSF)'s Basic Rider Course (BRC). See
> http://www.msf-usa.org for the state you reside in.
>
> The MSF provides the bikes in the BRC. Costs vary per state,
> but figure on around $160. They supply the bikes for this
> course. Many states allow this course or state derivative of
> this course to suffice for the written and road portions of
> the test or one or the other for getting a license, you can
> check the specifics on the MSF website. Also, you may get an
> insurance discount for taking the course.
>
> When at the course, you will link up with the instructors and
> they can advise you what bike to start out with.
>
> - HPT

From:	Don Fearn
Subject:	Re: Buying first bike
Date:	Sun, 23 Jan 2005 20:07:39 -0600

Hear ye, here ye "Bill" doth declare:

>HPT,
>
>From everything that I have read and heard, you are absolutely correct. I
>have planned on take the course at a local community college.

So, why didn't you SAY so??

Sheesh.

OBTW, it's bad form to "top post", that is, to post your response
above the text that you're responding to. Instead, do what I did and
put your reply after the text (trimmed as needed) you've quoted.

It ruins the flow of the conversation.

Why should you avoid top posting?

pooder was here with some good advice
--
"Ladies and gentlemen take my advice.
Pull down your pants and slide on the ice."

-- Sidney Freedman

From:	Joe
Subject:	Re: Buying first bike
Date:	Sun, 23 Jan 2005 17:22:03 -0500

>I am a 61 yo male looking to buy my first motorcycle. I am also looking to
>get the lowest maintenance cruiser type bike. I am seriously considering
>a 2005 Vulcan 1600. Quite honestly, I know very little about motorcycles.
>Does this scenario seem to fit? Any suggestions will be greatly
>appreciated.

Depending on where you live, how big you are, etc. That is a LOT of bike to
start with as a first bike.

If you are looking at the Vulcan, make sure to check out www.vorc.org as all
the Vulcan experts hang out there...

Maybe look at the 800 first? Justy my opinion as a Vulcan owner who is
rather large and has ridden big bikes...
--

Regards,
Joe Agro, Jr.
http://www.autodrill.com
http://www.multi-spindle-heads.com

V8013

My eBay: http://tinyurl.com/4hpnc

From:	Odinn
Subject:	Re: Buying first bike
Date:	Sun, 23 Jan 2005 17:35:11 -0500

Joe wrote:
>>I am a 61 yo male looking to buy my first motorcycle. I am also looking to
>>get the lowest maintenance cruiser type bike. I am seriously considering
>>a 2005 Vulcan 1600. Quite honestly, I know very little about motorcycles.
>>Does this scenario seem to fit? Any suggestions will be greatly
>>appreciated.
>
>
> Depending on where you live, how big you are, etc. That is a LOT of bike to
> start with as a first bike.
>
> If you are looking at the Vulcan, make sure to check out www.vorc.org as all
> the Vulcan experts hang out there...
>
> Maybe look at the 800 first? Justy my opinion as a Vulcan owner who is
> rather large and has ridden big bikes...

That's http://www.vroc.org for you non-dyslexics out there :)

--
Odinn

'03 FLHTI ........... http://www.sloanclan.org/gallery/ElectraGlide
'97 VN1500D ......... http://www.sloanclan.org/gallery/VulcanClassic
Atlanta Biker Net ... http://www.atlantabiker.net
Vulcan Riders Assoc . http://www.vulcanriders.org

rot13 to reply

From:	Biff Bentley
Subject:	Re: Buying first bike
Date:	Sun, 23 Jan 2005 17:08:03 -0600

"Odinn" wrote in message
news:35in5gF4h75hvU1@individual.net...
> Joe wrote:
>>>I am a 61 yo male looking to buy my first motorcycle. I am also looking
>>>to get the lowest maintenance cruiser type bike. I am seriously
>>>considering a 2005 Vulcan 1600. Quite honestly, I know very little about
>>>motorcycles. Does this scenario seem to fit? Any suggestions will be
>>>greatly appreciated.
>>
>>
>> Depending on where you live, how big you are, etc. That is a LOT of bike
>> to start with as a first bike.

Wasn't there just a thread about this??

From:	Odinn
Subject:	Re: Buying first bike
Date:	Sun, 23 Jan 2005 20:12:40 -0500

Biff Bentley wrote:
> "Odinn" wrote in message
> news:35in5gF4h75hvU1@individual.net...
>
>>Joe wrote:
>>
>>>>I am a 61 yo male looking to buy my first motorcycle. I am also looking
>>>>to get the lowest maintenance cruiser type bike. I am seriously
>>>>considering a 2005 Vulcan 1600. Quite honestly, I know very little about
>>>>motorcycles. Does this scenario seem to fit? Any suggestions will be
>>>>greatly appreciated.
>>>
>>>
>>>Depending on where you live, how big you are, etc. That is a LOT of bike
>>>to start with as a first bike.
>
>
> Wasn't there just a thread about this??
>
>
>
I can't remember, I got oldtimers disease, and I got it early.

--
Odinn

'03 FLHTI ........... http://www.sloanclan.org/gallery/ElectraGlide
'97 VN1500D ......... http://www.sloanclan.org/gallery/VulcanClassic
Atlanta Biker Net ... http://www.atlantabiker.net
Vulcan Riders Assoc . http://www.vulcanriders.org

rot13 to reply

From:	Calgary
Subject:	Re: Buying first bike
Date:	Mon, 24 Jan 2005 00:37:48 GMT

On Sun, 23 Jan 2005 17:08:03 -0600, "Biff Bentley"
wrote:

>
>"Odinn" wrote in message
>news:35in5gF4h75hvU1@individual.net...
>> Joe wrote:
>>>>I am a 61 yo male looking to buy my first motorcycle. I am also looking
>>>>to get the lowest maintenance cruiser type bike. I am seriously
>>>>considering a 2005 Vulcan 1600. Quite honestly, I know very little about
>>>>motorcycles. Does this scenario seem to fit? Any suggestions will be
>>>>greatly appreciated.
>>>
>>>
>>> Depending on where you live, how big you are, etc. That is a LOT of bike
>>> to start with as a first bike.
>
>Wasn't there just a thread about this??
>
>
There's always a thread about this.

Your Friend in Calgary
Don Binns
84 - Virago 1000

You start with a bag full of luck and an empty bag of experience. The trick is to fill the bag of experience before you empty the bag of luck

http://www3.telus.net/public/dbinns/reeky.htm
http://www3.telus.net/public/dbinns/
http://www3.telus.net/public/dbinns/banff.htm
http://www3.telus.net/public/dbinns/kananaskis.htm
http://www3.telus.net/public/dbinns/walkercalgary.htm
http://www3.telus.net/public/dbinns/calgarybrowning.htm

From:	Don Fearn
Subject:	Re: Buying first bike
Date:	Sun, 23 Jan 2005 20:00:05 -0600

Hear ye, here ye Calgary doth declare:

>On Sun, 23 Jan 2005 17:08:03 -0600, "Biff Bentley"
>wrote:
>
>>
>>"Odinn" wrote in message
>>news:35in5gF4h75hvU1@individual.net...
>>> Joe wrote:
>>>>>I am a 61 yo male looking to buy my first motorcycle. I am also looking
>>>>>to get the lowest maintenance cruiser type bike. I am seriously
>>>>>considering a 2005 Vulcan 1600. Quite honestly, I know very little about
>>>>>motorcycles. Does this scenario seem to fit? Any suggestions will be
>>>>>greatly appreciated.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Depending on where you live, how big you are, etc. That is a LOT of bike
>>>> to start with as a first bike.
>>
>>Wasn't there just a thread about this??
>>
>>
>There's always a thread about this.

Hey, I just said that!

pooder was here -- GMTA
--
"Ladies and gentlemen take my advice.
Pull down your pants and slide on the ice."

-- Sidney Freedman

From:	Calgary
Subject:	Re: Buying first bike
Date:	Mon, 24 Jan 2005 02:12:56 GMT

On Sun, 23 Jan 2005 20:00:05 -0600, Don Fearn
wrote:

>Hear ye, here ye Calgary doth declare:
>
>>On Sun, 23 Jan 2005 17:08:03 -0600, "Biff Bentley"
>>wrote:
>>
>>>
>>>"Odinn" wrote in message
>>>news:35in5gF4h75hvU1@individual.net...
>>>> Joe wrote:
>>>>>>I am a 61 yo male looking to buy my first motorcycle. I am also looking
>>>>>>to get the lowest maintenance cruiser type bike. I am seriously
>>>>>>considering a 2005 Vulcan 1600. Quite honestly, I know very little about
>>>>>>motorcycles. Does this scenario seem to fit? Any suggestions will be
>>>>>>greatly appreciated.
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> Depending on where you live, how big you are, etc. That is a LOT of bike
>>>>> to start with as a first bike.
>>>
>>>Wasn't there just a thread about this??
>>>
>>>
>>There's always a thread about this.
>
>Hey, I just said that!

Ahh, but I was quicker with the keyboard

Your Friend in Calgary
Don Binns
84 - Virago 1000

You start with a bag full of luck and an empty bag of experience. The trick is to fill the bag of experience before you empty the bag of luck

http://www3.telus.net/public/dbinns/reeky.htm
http://www3.telus.net/public/dbinns/
http://www3.telus.net/public/dbinns/banff.htm
http://www3.telus.net/public/dbinns/kananaskis.htm
http://www3.telus.net/public/dbinns/walkercalgary.htm
http://www3.telus.net/public/dbinns/calgarybrowning.htm

From:	Don Fearn
Subject:	Re: Buying first bike
Date:	Sun, 23 Jan 2005 20:16:59 -0600

Hear ye, here ye Calgary doth declare:

>>>>Wasn't there just a thread about this??
>>>>
>>>>
>>>There's always a thread about this.
>>
>>Hey, I just said that!
>
>Ahh, but I was quicker with the keyboard

Hey! C o u l d y o u t y p e s l o w e r ? I ' m h a v i n g
t r o u b l e k e e p i n g u p w i t h y o u r p o s t s !

p o o d e r w a s h e r e
--
"Ladies and gentlemen take my advice.
Pull down your pants and slide on the ice."

-- Sidney Freedman

From:	Calgary
Subject:	Re: Buying first bike
Date:	Mon, 24 Jan 2005 02:18:48 GMT

On Sun, 23 Jan 2005 20:16:59 -0600, Don Fearn
wrote:

>>>Hey, I just said that!
>>
>>Ahh, but I was quicker with the keyboard
>
>Hey! C o u l d y o u t y p e s l o w e r ? I ' m h a v i n g
>t r o u b l e k e e p i n g u p w i t h y o u r p o s t s !
>
>p o o d e r w a s h e r e

Calling Mavis Beacon ;-)

Your Friend in Calgary
Don Binns
84 - Virago 1000

You start with a bag full of luck and an empty bag of experience. The trick is to fill the bag of experience before you empty the bag of luck

http://www3.telus.net/public/dbinns/reeky.htm
http://www3.telus.net/public/dbinns/
http://www3.telus.net/public/dbinns/banff.htm
http://www3.telus.net/public/dbinns/kananaskis.htm
http://www3.telus.net/public/dbinns/walkercalgary.htm
http://www3.telus.net/public/dbinns/calgarybrowning.htm

From:	Don Fearn
Subject:	Re: Buying first bike
Date:	Sun, 23 Jan 2005 19:59:34 -0600

Hear ye, here ye "Biff Bentley" doth declare:

>
>"Odinn" wrote in message
>news:35in5gF4h75hvU1@individual.net...
>> Joe wrote:
>>>>I am a 61 yo male looking to buy my first motorcycle. I am also looking
>>>>to get the lowest maintenance cruiser type bike. I am seriously
>>>>considering a 2005 Vulcan 1600. Quite honestly, I know very little about
>>>>motorcycles. Does this scenario seem to fit? Any suggestions will be
>>>>greatly appreciated.
>>>
>>>
>>> Depending on where you live, how big you are, etc. That is a LOT of bike
>>> to start with as a first bike.
>
>Wasn't there just a thread about this??

There is ALWAYS a thread about this.

Joe, take the MSF course before you do ANYTHING else about riding a
motorcycle.

pooder was here with the standard answer
--
"Ladies and gentlemen take my advice.
Pull down your pants and slide on the ice."

-- Sidney Freedman

From:	Don Fearn
Subject:	Re: Buying first bike
Date:	Sun, 23 Jan 2005 20:02:27 -0600

Hear ye, here ye Don Fearn doth declare:

>Joe, take the MSF course before you do ANYTHING else about riding a
>motorcycle.

Uhhhh, that should have been BILL, of course.

pooder was here with the same standard answer for Bill

--
"Ladies and gentlemen take my advice.
Pull down your pants and slide on the ice."

-- Sidney Freedman

From:	Joe
Subject:	Re: Buying first bike
Date:	Sun, 23 Jan 2005 22:23:34 -0500

> That's http://www.vroc.org for you non-dyslexics out there :)

waht?
--

Regards,
Joe Agro, Jr.
http://www.autodrill.com
http://www.multi-spindle-heads.com

V8013

My eBay: http://tinyurl.com/4hpnc

From:	Jason
Subject:	Re: Buying first bike
Date:	23 Jan 2005 15:16:43 -0800

From:	Andrew
Subject:	Re: Buying first bike
Date:	Sun, 23 Jan 2005 15:31:13 -0800

"Jason" wrote in message
news:1106522203.202318.239590@z14g2000cwz.googlegroups.com...
>
> Bill wrote:
>> I am a 61 yo male looking to buy my first motorcycle. I am also
> looking to
>> get the lowest maintenance cruiser type bike. I am seriously
> considering a
>> 2005 Vulcan 1600. Quite honestly, I know very little about
> motorcycles.
>> Does this scenario seem to fit? Any suggestions will be greatly
>> appreciated.
>>
>> Bill
>
> I've gotta agree with some previous posters. A 1600 would be a lot of
> bike for someone new to motorcycling. Maybe you should consider an 800
> since it makes a great begineer cruiser that can be very versatile. I
> also encourage you to check out vroc.org for more info about vulcan
> cruisers.
>
> Jason
>

Don't forget about their 500 cc parallel twin cruiser. I imagine that would
be a great beginner bike.. and there are probably plenty of good used ones
out there.

--
Andrew
00 Speed Triple
00 Daytona

From:	Tecumseh
Subject:	Re: Buying first bike
Date:	Sun, 23 Jan 2005 19:57:01 -0800

Hey Bill,
I would personally get the 800 Classic as I had one and loved it. You can
still double up but your HP just will not be there.
After a year or so, move up....not before.
Honestly, you dont want to start out on a 1600...too heavy and too much
power.
Good Luck
Tec
"Bill" wrote in message
news:BnVId.50531$Tf5.46088@lakeread03...
> I am a 61 yo male looking to buy my first motorcycle. I am also looking
to
> get the lowest maintenance cruiser type bike. I am seriously considering
a
> 2005 Vulcan 1600. Quite honestly, I know very little about motorcycles.
> Does this scenario seem to fit? Any suggestions will be greatly
> appreciated.
>
> Bill
>
>

From:	Don Fearn
Subject:	Re: Buying first bike
Date:	Sun, 23 Jan 2005 20:08:49 -0600

Hear ye, here ye "Tecumseh" doth declare:

>Hey Bill,

OBTW, it's bad form to "top post", that is, to post your response
above the text that you're responding to. Instead, do what I did and
put your reply after the text (trimmed as needed) you've quoted.

It ruins the flow of the conversation.

Why should you avoid top posting?

pooder was here with some good advice
--
"Ladies and gentlemen take my advice.
Pull down your pants and slide on the ice."

-- Sidney Freedman

From:	mjt
Subject:	Re: Buying first bike
Date:	Sun, 23 Jan 2005 16:26:51 -0600

Bill wrote:

> I am a 61 yo male looking to buy my first motorcycle.

.... why do you want a motorcycle??
--
<< http://michaeljtobler.homelinux.com/ >>
brunette bush, n: The dark side of the moon.

From:	Bill
Subject:	Re: Buying first bike
Date:	Sun, 23 Jan 2005 19:02:07 -0500

I have wanted a bike for years. I was however, unable to justify the money
for what I would consider for myself, a toy of sorts. A number of friends
have bikes and love it (All are over 45). One has a 100 aniversary Harley
Heritage Classic. Trimmed out it cost around 23k. I like Harley's but that
is much more that I want to spend especially for something I will ride 1000
or 2000 miles per year and that in spring, summer and fall.

I was told that I will probably want more that a 750 or 800 after about 6
months to a year. I would also want to take my wife riding with me. So,
that was the reson for a larger bike. One of my friends, who is smaller
than I, has a 1800 Honda and enjoys it very much. I am 5'-11", 200lbs and
in good shape. Just thouht I would get additional information from a wide
assortment of people.

That, primarily is the rationale for getting a bike at my age. I just want
one. Thanks very much for the question.
Bill

"mjt" wrote in message
news:35imnfF4m6okdU2@individual.net...
> Bill wrote:
>
>> I am a 61 yo male looking to buy my first motorcycle.
>
>
> ... why do you want a motorcycle??
> --
> << http://michaeljtobler.homelinux.com/ >>
> brunette bush, n: The dark side of the moon.

From:	bowman
Subject:	Re: Buying first bike
Date:	Sun, 23 Jan 2005 19:34:26 -0700

Bill wrote:

>
> I was told that I will probably want more that a 750 or 800 after about 6
> months to a year.

I bought a 883 Sportster with the intention of turning it into a project
bike, with a 1200 conversion, cams, and so forth in the works. So far, I've
redone the front end with RaceTech springs and cartridge emulators, went to
15" after market shocks in the rear, and did a few other things. It still
is the 883 I bought in '97. Maybe if I ever have to go into the engine, but
it's gettign close to 50K miles and still going strong.

The other bike is a 650 dualsport. Both top out a little short of 100 mph
and can get out of the way of SUV's at stoplights. It's all what YOU want
out of a bike, not somebody else.

otoh, bikes do come equipped with something called a throttle. A 1600 can be
just as placid as a 250 if you have want. You have a couple of years on me,
but I think we've both learned that a throttle has more than two positions
someplace in the last 40 years or so.

From:	Tim
Subject:	Re: Buying first bike
Date:	Sun, 23 Jan 2005 21:48:00 -0500

bowman wrote:

> ... I think we've both learned that a throttle has more than two positions

WHAT???????

From:	bowman
Subject:	Re: Buying first bike
Date:	Sun, 23 Jan 2005 22:26:49 -0700

Tim wrote:

> WHAT???????

Yes, I know it's hard to believe. I, too, once thought the throttle was a
bang bang controller, but then I took a G-level course and learned about
PID.

Never did understand why motorcycles have positive feedback built in,
though. Experimentally twist the throttle on the Huya, the acceleration
repositions you, the death grip on the throttle incrementally opens it a
bit more, leading to further displacement of the rider, until the system
becomes unstable at 150 mph, or the first large, solid object, like the
back of a garbage truck.

On second thought, maybe the OP should be looking at 250's? 4-cycle 250's,
that is, to avoid the famous narrow unexpected powerband.

From:	Cam Penner
Subject:	Re: Buying first bike
Date:	Sun, 23 Jan 2005 22:04:12 -0800

In article ,
ragsdale@cox.net says...
> I was told that I will probably want more that a 750 or 800 after about 6
> months to a year. I would also want to take my wife riding with me. So,
> that was the reson for a larger bike. One of my friends, who is smaller
> than I, has a 1800 Honda and enjoys it very much. I am 5'-11", 200lbs and
> in good shape. Just thouht I would get additional information from a wide
> assortment of people.

I've riden through the mountains (and those are British
Columbia classed mountains, not some pansey ones) with my
wife on the back of a 350. No power complaints at all.
Sure, on some of the hills I had to downshift an extra gear
or two, but my speed was limited WAY more by those pokey
Chevy Corvettes who thought the "fast lane" was their sole
domain.

--
Cam
'89 RZ 350

From:	Andrew
Subject:	Re: Buying first bike
Date:	Sun, 23 Jan 2005 16:09:48 -0800

"Bill" wrote in message
news:wWWId.50536$Tf5.14304@lakeread03...

>
> I was told that I will probably want more that a 750 or 800 after about 6
> months to a year. I would also want to take my wife riding with me. >

I think you should ride for a least a year before taking chances riding with
a passenger.
Remember, you are resonsible for your wife's safety.

--
Andrew
00 Speed Triple
00 Daytona

From:	Odinn
Subject:	Re: Buying first bike
Date:	Sun, 23 Jan 2005 17:33:21 -0500

Bill wrote:
> I am a 61 yo male looking to buy my first motorcycle. I am also looking to
> get the lowest maintenance cruiser type bike. I am seriously considering a
> 2005 Vulcan 1600. Quite honestly, I know very little about motorcycles.
> Does this scenario seem to fit? Any suggestions will be greatly
> appreciated.
>

A shaft drive motorcycle will definitely not be the lowest maintenance
in costs. While you don't have to do much to them too often, when you
do have to work on them, they get expensive while a belt drive requires
a little more dealings in insuring they are maintained at the proper
tension, they're cheaper (and easier to fix) than shaft.

As long as you keep the engine, intake, and exhaust stock, FI is lower
maintenance over carbs, but both are very low with stock setup. If you
want to modify, then carb would be cheaper.

There's way to many things to calculate into what would be the cheapest
to maintain cruiser, because it depends so much on what you modify on
the bike, and how many miles you plan on riding.

My Harley has been no more expensive to maintain in the 2 years I've
owned it than my Vulcan was in it's first 2 years, and probably cheaper,
since there was a valve spring problem on the early VN1500Ds that caused
some engine problems (thankfully covered by warranty), and I had done
some engine, intake, and exhaust mods.

--
Odinn

'03 FLHTI ........... http://www.sloanclan.org/gallery/ElectraGlide
'97 VN1500D ......... http://www.sloanclan.org/gallery/VulcanClassic
Atlanta Biker Net ... http://www.atlantabiker.net
Vulcan Riders Assoc . http://www.vulcanriders.org

rot13 to reply

From:	Paul Calman
Subject:	Re: Buying first bike
Date:	Sun, 23 Jan 2005 16:23:45 -0800

> A shaft drive motorcycle will definitely not be the lowest maintenance in
> costs. While you don't have to do much to them too often, when you do
> have to work on them, they get expensive

Yup, I'm just dreading when the final drive quits on my 76 Goldwing ;-).
Depends on the bike and you.

Follow the good advice about taking a safety course, you get to ride their
bike and then make an informed decision of how large a bike you want to
start out on. Buying an old used bike first, allows you to not worry about
the dings you will probably put in it learning about things like how not to
park it, and probably re-sell it when you upgrade for enough to get your
money back.

--
Paul Calman, Hathaway Pines, California

From:	Odinn
Subject:	Re: Buying first bike
Date:	Sun, 23 Jan 2005 20:17:32 -0500

Paul Calman wrote:
>>A shaft drive motorcycle will definitely not be the lowest maintenance in
>>costs. While you don't have to do much to them too often, when you do
>>have to work on them, they get expensive
>
>
> Yup, I'm just dreading when the final drive quits on my 76 Goldwing ;-).
> Depends on the bike and you.

I was actually referring lubing the splines and such for the
maintenance. For the mechanically inclined person, this is no issue,
but it's expensive to have the shop do it. The pres of the MC that I
used to ride with busted the shaft drive twice on his beemer within a 2
year period, got pretty expensive. But yes, typically, they will last a
long time :)

--
Odinn

'03 FLHTI ........... http://www.sloanclan.org/gallery/ElectraGlide
'97 VN1500D ......... http://www.sloanclan.org/gallery/VulcanClassic
Atlanta Biker Net ... http://www.atlantabiker.net
Vulcan Riders Assoc . http://www.vulcanriders.org

rot13 to reply

From:	Bownse
Subject:	Re: Buying first bike
Date:	Mon, 24 Jan 2005 03:01:56 GMT

Odinn wrote:
> A shaft drive motorcycle will definitely not be the lowest maintenance
> in costs. While you don't have to do much to them too often, when you
> do have to work on them, they get expensive while a belt drive requires
> a little more dealings in insuring they are maintained at the proper
> tension, they're cheaper (and easier to fix) than shaft.

True enough. But then, I'm on my 4th shaft driven bike without a drive
failure.

72k miles on an 83 GL1100 when I sold it
78k miles on an 84 GL1200 when I sold it
60K miles in 2.5 to 3 years on an 98 GL1500 when I sold it
26k miles on the current FJR and running
--
Mark Johnson, Ft. Worth, TX
http://www.bikes-n-spikes.org
There's a fine line between fishing and standing on the shore looking
like an idiot. - Steven Wright

From:	bluestringer
Subject:	Re: Buying first bike
Date:	Sun, 23 Jan 2005 18:58:35 -0500

"Bill" wrote in message
news:BnVId.50531$Tf5.46088@lakeread03...
> I am a 61 yo male looking to buy my first motorcycle. I am also looking
to
> get the lowest maintenance cruiser type bike. I am seriously considering
a
> 2005 Vulcan 1600. Quite honestly, I know very little about motorcycles.
> Does this scenario seem to fit? Any suggestions will be greatly
> appreciated.
>
> Bill
>
>

I'm 53, and started out on the Vulcan 500. I now have an 800 and it is
plenty of bike. It has plenty of power and handles really well. The 1600 is
really nice, but it's a lot of bike for a beginner who has no bike
experience at all.

bluestringer