Best Ride For You

Archive for the ‘Motorcycle Types’ Category

500cc motorcycles are many times either the first motorcycle or the first step up for many motorcycle riders. At 500cc, motorcycles just start edging into interesting performance levels, while still retaining the easy handling characteristics of a smaller motorcycle. Fun is the most noticeable factor for a 500, but lower motorcycle insurance rates and great fuel mileage are a big draw as well. The number of 500cc bikes offered is far less than in the past as manufacturers are leaning towards the 600 and 650 range to satisfy many customers, but there are still a few new models available and a plentiful supply of used bikes.

How would you like your cc’s served, in 1 piston, 2 parallel pistons, or in a V-twin arrangement?

This is a common question and the answer lies in the type of performance that you require. All motors are different and they can be tuned for specific applications, but in general:

• Single piston motors have most of their power in the low end torque range. They tend to be a drag at highway speeds, but they’re great in town or in the dirt where torque is required.
• Twin pistons in a parallel configuration lack low end torque, but once they’re wound up they tend to really shine. These motors may feel weak in town, but are really a smooth pleasure to ride.
• V-Twins are in between. They have good low end torque, but run well on the open road too. They tend to vibrate more at high rpm.

The Royal Enfield 500cc Thumper

“Thumper” is slang for a single piston motorcycle and Royal Enfield is the most popular new motorcycle offering a 500cc thumper now. Royal Enfield was originally a British motorcycle, but the brand sold out to an Indian company. These are beautiful motorcycles with old school engines. They are great for budget minded riders that don’t mind tinkering a little with the old technology. They make great bikes for commuters. I could see a new rider with mechanical skills taking great pride in riding one. Don’t get me wrong, they’re not inclined to break down, they just need more regular maintenance than computerized modern motorcycles. At an average 85mpg and most models costing only around $6300, they are a great deal.

500cc V-twins Are Now extinct.

There are no more 500cc V-twins being sold as new motorcycles in the United States now. The most popular was the Honda Silverwing in the 80′s. These motors ran easily over 100,000 miles with little or no problems and many are still running to this day. I suspect that they stopped making them due to the fact that the lasted so long. If you can find one and the idea of hunting for parts doesn’t scare you off, these bikes are great for commuting and highway travel.

500cc Parallel Twins Are Easy To Find

There are a couple of models of 500cc parallel twin motorcycles that are well suited for commuting and sport riding. The most popular are:

• Suzuki GS500 (GS600 is the only model available for 2012)
• Kawasaki Ninja 500

Both of these are fun bikes. Do some research to figure out which one’s attributes are the best for you. If you’re buying a 500cc to save on insurance, don’t expect these bikes to be much lower than some other sport bikes. Even though they don’t compare to their larger counterparts, they’re still considered a higher risk motorcycle just because of their design.

Bigger isn’t always better.

With motorcycles, bigger isn’t always better or even faster. Buy what you can afford and what you need. With 500cc, you just may find the sweet spot that fits your riding style and budget.

The Suzuki TU250 is a newer concept for the 250cc motorcycle class. Cruisers like the Honda Rebel and sport bikes like the Ninja 250 have dominated this class of motorcycle for many years. For those that wanted just a standard 25occ, the choices were limited and the styling was limited. The newer 250cc Honda Nighthawks were the closest bikes and if you didn’t like the 80′s styling, you were out of luck.

Image via Wikipedia

Now Suzuki introduces the TU250. At first glance, it reminds me of a Triumph, but there’s also some 70′s Japanese motorcycle look  in there. Only the looks are retro though. This bike has modern fuel injection that makes it easy to start and increases performance. It also handles well with a great chassis and suspension.

The TU250 is only new to the United States. Suzuki has been selling it in other countries with success for many years.

For beginners, this bike is wonderful if you’re tall enough for a seat height of just over 30 inches. Many will find this much more comfortable than the very low 250cc cruisers. The stand configuration is more stable than cruiser configurations too. It weighs 326 pounds, so it’s quite manageable for most riders.

For experienced riders, you’re not going to get many performance thrills of course. Although it’s fuel injected, it’s a lower compression than some of the sport bike 250′s. The lower compression does indicate a motor that will probably last longer. For commuting, this little motorcycle will do find and the TU250′s mpg is good. I’d like to give you a good number, but with fuel injection on a 250cc motor, the results are going to very wildly. I light rider riding conservatively can expect 75mpg+, but a heavy rider going fast may not see 60mpg.

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The Harley Davidson Vrod is a motorcycle for those who want a performance cruiser. The Vrod specs are nothing short of impressive. No other cruiser matches it in performance and it’s combined with good looks and the Harley Davidson name. It doesn’t ride like any other Harley and it doesn’t share the same motor or heritage. It’s liqued-cooled 8 valve engine was designed by Porsche.

Image by Footprints via Flickr

The Vrod produces approximately 115 horsepower in it’s stock configuration and there aftermarket kits that can boost that much higher. This motor will keep a heavy pull of acceleration well into the triple digits and it will get their fast. It’s rated at 87 lbs. of torque. The Vrod’s mpg is rated at 37 mpg, but this decreases dramatically when spirited riding techniques are used. Premium gasoline is recommended. The motor has 11.5:1 compression with a 76.28 inch displacement.

The brakes are dual caliper front disk with single caliper rear disks. The bike can do a 32 degree lean on either side. The front has a 34 degree rake and the wheelbase is 67 inches. The front tire is a 120/70ZR-19 60W and the rear is a 240/40R-18 79V.

The Vrod is a great bike for those that love performance and do not need a long range comfortable bike. Of course, there are ways to add a comfortable seat and luggage, but the bike is still not made for long days of motorcycle touring. The cost of operating a Vrod will be high. The tires and insurance alone are expensive. Don’t let it’s $15,000 price tag fool you. Check the maintenance costs before you buy.

Another aspect of the Vrod specs that you may want to consider is the opinion of other Harley riders. Some don’t even consider the Vrod a “real” Harley. Very little about the Vrod follows the time honored traditions of Harley Davidson. The bike is meant to attract younger riders and they’ve strayed from the air-cooled v-twin in order to gain the performance edge. Don’t expect other riders to be awe-inspired by your choice of motorcycle. For many motorcycle buyers, it’s not about raw performance.

If you’re buying a used Vrod, the opinion that it’s not a “real” Harley Davidson can play in your favor. This opinion keeps the price of a Vrod low! Many buyers bought a Vrod new, but then found that the looks and performance that attracted them to it were just a little to much. It’s possible to find a used Vrod that’s in excellent condition with low miles. Buying a used Vrod is much like buying a Sportster. Don’t expect a huge savings over new, but do look for many add-ons.

Customized Sportster Image via Wikipedia

The classic Harley-Davidson Sportster is one of the most under-rated motorcycles. It’s an “entry-level” Harley-Davidson that has easily survived since 1952 due to it’s price, style, and versatility. Once Harley-Davidson reached a point where it was considered a status symbol, well, an entry-level status symbol isn’t going to cut it. Many started calling it “The Girl’s Bike” and claiming that it wasn’t a real Harley. Not a real Harley? It’s one of their best sellers and plays a major role in attracting many riders to the brand and it’s a great performing motorcycle. If it wasn’t a real Harley, I wouldn’t want a real Harley.

So is it the best ride for you? Here are some of the good things about the Harley Sportster, some many other Harley riders prefer not to discuss.

• It’s inexpensive and it’s still a Harley-Davidson. You get the same rumble and roar with the added benefit of a great handling motorcycle that with a few modifications, can be a comfortable touring machine.
• It’s easy to modify. Like all Harley-Davidsons, there is a huge aftermarket for them. Different exhaust, seats, handlebars, luggage, etc. are all easy to find. Even high performance modifications for the engine are easy.
• They last like a Harley-Davidson. Sure, they break more often that foreign motorcycles, but they are easy to rebuild and repair. It’s not unheard of to find owners with 500,000 miles or more on one.
• They hold their value too. Just like the big bikes, it’s never difficult to find a buyer willing to pay close to new purchase price for a Sportster that is well cared for.
• The Harley Davidson rumble. It’s got it.
• The only Harley that will work for new riders. It’s still not a great starter bike, but if one must have a Harley, they are well-balanced and lighter weight.

The Sportster may not be a good bike for the following reasons:

• Double up riding for larger people is tough. The Sportster simply doesn’t have the weight capacity or the frame design for a touring couple that has any size to them.
• It’s not a smooth ride. Not horrible, but not as smooth as many of it’s lower priced competitors.
• Not the best for very tall people. Sit on one and try it out for size.
• Status. Sportsters only offer a little. I admire them, other sensible riders admire them, but people that paid double or triple for that Harley name, not so much.

There are literally thousands of combinations available from Harley-Davidson. There are 2 different engine sizes, the 883 and the 1200. They are the same engine block, but the bore and stroke is different. No other motorcycle allows for this level of customization and much of it can be done with only moderate mechanical skills. Simply adding custom Sportster saddlebags can turn it into a nice touring bike that’s also great for running errands.

The Sportster is one of those motorcycles that a potential rider knows they’ll like as soon as they sit on one. Harley Dealers love to show them off and free test rides are common.

Here’s one of the best reviews of a Ural Gear-Up that I’ve seen yet. Great motorcycle if you’re into this sort of thing.
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My problem with the Ural is that I want one bad, but can’t justify the cost yet. Motorcycles are simply to much enjoyment in and of themselves. Add a sidecar and it changes everything. A Gear-Up simply isn’t going to cut it for a long distance bike. I’ve seen them on the highway and they struggle at high speeds.

What i would like a Ural for is it’s on/off road capabilities. An ATV is a serious purchase and you can only use it off-road. I don’t have land to enjoy one on, so that means I’d have to trailer it(another cost) everytime I wanted to ride it to one of the many miles of great trails in the area. There’s no need for all of this with a Ural and it can transport 3 people.

Why not just buy an on/off road bike for the trails? Camping gear is tough to carry on them and they too fall shy on performance on the road.

The other plus about the Ural is that it’s probably the last vehicle sold in the U.S. that is not a complicated nightmare to work on. This thing is simple, but this is also a shortcoming. Because the engine is so simple, it is severely lacking power.

Sadly, the people that would enjoy one of these most, probably don’t even know they’re out there. The Ural answers many of the reasons that some do not ride motorcycles: I can’t carry anything on it, the insurance is to high(it’s cheap for a Ural), health issues make it tough for me to handle a motorcycle, etc. These people don’t follow motorcycles close enough to even know that the Ural exists.

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Screaming Eagle Harley Davidson Electra Glide

This is Harley-Davidson Screaming Eagle Edition Electra Glide. With the economy like it is, the price of these could change, but they generally hover around $45,000. These bikes are upgraded in nearly every way. The best paint, the highest performance engine parts, best seat, best handlebars, and I could go on. These CVO models are designed to be exactly what a rider wants with only slight modifications to personal taste after the initial purchase. They are custom bikes that come right from the dealer.

So are they worth the extra expense? Generally, yes. If you want all of the features, buying them all in one purchase saves the rider the time and trouble of getting them done afterwards at the shop. Since all of the parts are installed by the manufacturer, they are part of the warranty too. The day you purchase a bike like this, you have a new motorcycle with the highest performance possible right out of the door. The company that designs the bike has ensured that these upgrades work seamlessly with the motorcycle too. There is no guessing which part you should add on.

Screaming Eagle Harley Davidson Electra Glide Engine.

Only Harley Davidson puts the effort into producing motorcycles of this level of quality for their customers. Much research and testing goes into ensuring that these bikes are the absolute best for what they’re designed for. Look at the beauty and detail that is in the engine.

The Honda Shadow has long been one of the best selling motorcycles. Some years, The Shadow is the best selling motorcycle. Their popularity is a simple formula of good looks, reliable motors, and affordable pricing. For 2011, all models have the 745cc engine with 4 different styles -

• Aero – classic styling with wide fenders
• Spirit – move or the American “chopper” styling
• Phantom – blacked out cruiser look
• RS – sporty look comparable to a Harley-Davidson Sportster.

As you can see, the Honda engineers easily change the look of the motorcycle easily. The base frame and motor are easily suited to different configurations. There are many custom configurations done after the sale too.

Honda Aero Customized With A Solo Seat Configuration

This simple fender mounted bolt on luggage rack completely changes the look of the Aero. Few motorcycles can have their appearance so easily modified for so little money. The Honda Aero proves that custom cruisers do not have to be expensive. It’s something to think about if preferences lean towards $50,000 or more choppers, but your budget is far less. A budget can really stretch far with Shadows and their performance is on par with many larger motorcycles.

New riders that desire the best beginner motorcycle in the sport bike category are a wise bunch. A 250 sport bike can be a huge amount of fun and it takes longer for you to “outgrow” them than it does for others with the small cruisers. The biggest benefit of a 250 sport bike is that it is easy to ride. The biggest complaint is those that do not like the sport bike riding position. These bikes are capable of some impressive speeds considering their limited engine size, but the rest of the motorcycle has many of the same properties of a larger sport bike. The brake systems are high performance and their light weight allows for very easy handling. Now that gas is over $4/gallon, they can also exceed 70mpg depending on how they are ridden. The 2 main motorcycles in the 250cc sport bike class are the Kawasaki Ninja 250 and the new Honda CBR 250. Both of these motorcycles are very good bikes, but each has their subtle advantages that draw different riders. The 250 Ninja has been around for a long time. It’s tried and true. The Honda CBR250 comes from a company that is known for very high quality and dependability.

Honda CBR250 Photo courtesy of The Adventurous Eye

The Honda’s price is right at $4,000. It’s top speed is 87mph and it gets a reported 57 mpg. Easy riding could make for more even miles per gallon. The Honda uses some advanced technology like fuel injection and a DOHC(dual overhead cam). It is only a single piston engine, but there is a counter balance integrated that stops the usual vibration that a single gives at highway speeds. In true Honda style, they’ve used a 6 speed transmission and water cooling to increase the 250cc motor’s life, even under demanding riding. This is a serious machine for a 250cc starter motorcycle. The Kawasaki Ninja 250R is a parallel twin. If you’ve never ridden a parallel twin, it’s like revving a very powerful sewing machine motor. They’re that smooth. The Ninja is at that same $4,000 range as the CBR250, but the Ninja is rated at a slightly higher 61 mpg. It’s old school fuel system uses carburetors. In true Kawasaki style, the 250R Ninja is faster with a top speed of 110mph. Again, both great bikes that will perform well. They’re both so close that the choice may only come down to color and style for some.

Kawasaki Ninja 250R Photo courtesy of PekePON

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Victory Vision Touring Motorcycle Image by nwkids via Flickr

The facts on the Victory Motorcycle company have been elusive to me. As an American company, I love the idea of a competitor for Harley Davidson. The truth of the matter is that no company will compete in Harley Davidson’s market without some seriously difficult clout and knowledge about the motorcycle industry. Victory is not going to win customers simply by being an American company. There is much more to Harley Davidson’s loyalty than the fact that they are based in the U.S.A.

It appears that Victory’s plan is to not indulge in over-speculation or over-production. They realize that they’re not going to gain market share without a very slow entry into the market. They’ve already made mistakes years ago when the chrome quickly eroded off of the bikes and they’ve taken steps to improve all areas of quality. These quality improvements have added to their high price to slow entry into the market even further. Through all of this, my number one concern of a company failure has been avoided though. Who wants to find parts for a motorcycle brand that has gone out of business? Considering they’ve recently made the bold move to buy Indian Motorcycle, I think they have plans to continue and that they are profitable enough.

For some, Victory is already considered the best motorcycle and most of them are owners of the Victory Vision. The Vision is a strong competitor for the touring market and it’s one-of-a-kind styling and quality makes it a serious contender. For cruisers, we’re still waiting for someone to make the “best motorcycle” claim.

Victory Jackpot Motorcycle

Victory Cross Roads Motorcycle

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Sport bikes are primarily for performance. Very little attention is given to rider comfort. The aim of these bikes is nothing short of making them fast, light, and sometimes easy to steer. Other priorities take from these categories and is passed over in most models. There are touring versions, but they’re don’t compare to a true sport bike.

The raw power and speed that these bikes produce is incredible. Cars producing the same types of performance are priced at 10 times the price of a regular car, but sport motorcycles are not much expensive than any other type of motorcycle. Due to the price and lure of speed, these bikes sell well to younger riders. Sadly, they’re often sold to inexperienced riders looking for the thrill instead of the utility that a motorcycle can provide. This tends to give the sport bike a bad reputation as a dangerous machine. In fact, it’s the type of rider that is the dangerous factor.

Sport bikes play a significant role in the development of all motorcycles. The technology to create them and use them on the race track ends up improving all motorcycles. For those that ride them, they glad trade the comforts of other motorcycles for these motorcycles that provide a ride like nothing else on the ground at a price the average person can afford.

If a new rider desires a sport bike, they can have some speed, all of the handling characteristics, and all at a very low price. Models like the Suzuki GS500 and other models 500cc and under are great starter bikes. The only lacking aspect is comfort. Their top speeds are well over 100mph, they just don’t have the enormous torque to get the rider there as quick as larger sport bike models.

Sport bikes are a great way for a motorcycle performance purist to enjoy riding. So long as you don’t expect comfort and you realize that what the bike your buying is designed for, you’ll enjoy your choice.

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