| Author | Message | ||
     Peter |
Henrik, It was only a dream. You know you really want a GS  PPiA | ||
| Road_Thing |
Henrik, FMJ is right--just add to the collection! Now, what put you into this depressed state of mind? Is Court calling you "grumpy" again? Do I need to come back up there and take you out for some more dumpster-diving? r-t | ||
| Henrik |
Johnc: I know  it is however also likely to start and run reliably for thousands of miles, carry luggage and passenger (and the rider of course ) without a whimper. And should you choose to replace/upgrade parts, you will find plenty of aftermarket options that will fit because they were made for the bike ... Which, I guess, sums up my frustration. In short: 1) I changed the S2 front rotor to the Y2K SS - which led to abysmal braking. 2) since the PM caliper pad options are limited, I got a late model Buell/Nissing caliper ($$). 3) That caliper will only truly give me what I'm after with a 1/2" master cylinder. Since Buell went with a non-standard bolt spacing on the calipers, dual front brakes is a very pricey option ($1500 - up). 4) With the S2 1" bars there is no 1/2" master cylinder option. 5) There are no 7/8" bar options specifically for the S2 6) The 7/8" bar option I found will have to be a custom fabrication = big $$ 7) since I'd have to run those 7/8" bars reversed, the integrated 1/2" master cylinder/reservoir I bought ($$) will not clear the clip-on riser. 8) a remote reservoir master cylinder will *just* clear, but will not allow me to run a bleeder banjo bolt (not a biggie, but still), and will cost me more $$ 9) when all that is said and done, I'll still need to figure out the differences in wiring, and whether I can make new style switch gear ($$) work with HD style wiring harness and turn signals. And that's just the bar/brake/switch gear story... FMJ, I know, but space, monetary and relationship limitations prevents that as an option these days  R-T; I'd be happy to go dumpster diving with you anytime Henrik (who in advance apologizes for a slight case of Cecilitis - hopefully with the right treatment, it will pass) | ||
| Henrik |
Peter; honestly, the GS really would be a good option. I had a great time with it in CO last year. Takes a bit more work to toss it around the tighter stuff, but very doable. Henrik | ||
| Court |
The GS is a fabulous option and a KILLER bike. BMW provided me one when they came out with the 1150. I expected it to be a top heavy slug, I found quite the opposite. I "found" so passionately that I kinda forgot to bring it back A group of pals was here for dinner last Wed, celebrating the conclusion of the nasty little Pauline Hailwood thing, and reminded me once they were laden with sufficient w(h)ine. The downside to the BMW is the $16,500 tag. I can not, in good faith, even think of parking one on the street in Manhattan. Each time I do the process, one bike emerges...the used KLR. Unchanged after 14 years, wheelie monster, chains to anything (NOTE: Do NOT chain to 7 yard roll-off dumpster in Manhattan....looooong and ugly story) and can be replaced overnight. My riding partner has 3 (in additon to the Bandit 1200 and Hayabusa) which he used to commute to work every day of the year. Court P.S. - THING...I DARE you to come back! Henrik's grouchy, I'm going into the 8th month of unemployment...we are PRECISELY the type of folks who make great dinner company. Hey, wanna ride the sub way with us?...we have a trick we'd like to show you. | ||
| Ara |
Before I bought my S3 I lurked on the BMW list to see what kind of problems and comments BMW owners posted. Believe me, I saw that BMWs are at LEAST as quirky as Buells. Several things stick in my mind. One was problems with the throttle position sensor. Another was the way the two throttle bodies are linked together in a way guaranteed to produce imbalance problems. I decided on a Buell and never looked back. | ||
| Peter |
Ara, I own both. They are quirky. No doubt, but if was I unable to have more than one bike in the shed, as much as I enjoy Buells, that one bike would be a GS. It is just that much more versatile. PPiA | ||
| Aaron |
9:49AM Harley-Davidson VROD sales disappoint some dealers (HDI) 38.94 +0.68: Upon completing its Harley-Davidson dealer survey this week, Merrill Lynch continues to suspect that sales of the Harley VROD are below expectations, which would have implications for co's long-term growth, and therefore, HDI's multiple. Twenty-three of thirty dealers told firm that they were disappointed with VROD sales. On positive note, sales of HDI motorcycles were likely stronger than expected in March as a result of pent-up demand following harsh winter. | ||
| Jim_Sb |
Henrik, on our last lil' SoCal Bueller ride up to Willow Springs one of the guys (Saro or James) pointed out that it should be relatively easy to machine a billet piece that would mount onto the tops of the forks in lieu of the S2 clip-ons. The billet piece could be designed and drilled to accommodate typical handlebar clamps so you could get any handlebar you like (most I've seen are very inexpensive and darn near unlimited designs available). As you know I too would like to switch to 7/8" bars for my S2 but haven't yet found the answer. Shall we look into this? I am certain we could get someone like Banke to do the work. We would just need to find someone in the Bay Area with an S2 so Banke could do some measurements and test fitting. I'm willing to sign up for one. How 'bout you, Amigo? | ||
| Jim_Sb |
PS. While Banke's at it maybe we can coerce him into making some Aaron Wilson Replica S2 Kickstands... | ||
| Mikej |
With the less than expected VROD sales I wonder if they factored in premiums that dealers add to the cost, and if they looked at what the customers were buying instead, and if they inquired why the customers were not buying into the VROD concept. Is it the styling, the headlight, the overall look, the water cooling, what? Without data there can only be blind assumptions and errant conclusions. ===== Side question: anybody have an opinion of the dollar worth of a 1979 80c.i. FLH with a sidecar. Stock, less than 30,000 miles, fairing needs a little work, bike needs some general attention, basically showing it's age. Seems to run fine though. Thanks. Just looking for a two-up cruiser with a passenger backrest. | ||
| Davegess |
JIM WITT, Thanks for the purchase!! Jim is the first to buy th eGhost RW750 picture from my website so I am excitied. You are gonna love that print. They are off to the custom color lab next week so should ship the week after and be at your place by the end of the month. Thanks again Dave | ||
| Davegess |
Henrik, the VFR is a great sport tour kinda bike. It is pretty much without fault. If you want a bike to ride and just ignore when not riding it is the way to go. The S2 is cool, certainly a unique bike with lots of cool, neat stuff BUT not a ride and ignore device. IF, and that is a big if, there is a XB touring bike (more comments later on my web site) I would think it might do the trick. But until that happens I would go for the VFR. A buddy and I rented 1990 models for touring to the Isle of Man and they where great. He rides a standard bike and found it qutie comfortable. I like a more agressive riding position and found it great. Plenty comfortable at 100 mph in drizzle on the motorways. Good range on a tank. Good luggage available. Handling was impeccable. Slamming through small roundabouts at 80-90 mph (legal on the Isle of Man) the bike was under control and inspired great confidence. You'll still be a Bueller to everyone who counts. Dave | ||
| Jmartz |
Banke makes an upper yoke that will allow the use of 7/8 bars. $400 plus everything else you are going to need. Alternatively one could drill S2 upper tree and use '96 model year or aftermarket risers. | ||
| Henrik |
First off, please don't take any of my whining as Buell bashing. I love the S2, and it has mostly worked well for me. The front brake/7/8" experience has just been one of those, where you think you find a solution, only to have another problem pop up. And after a lot of that happening, you realize that it *may* work out if you spend enough $$, but then again it may not. Jim_SB: I like the idea, except for the lack of adjustability with tubular bars. And while $400 for a top triple is not unreasonable, it's more than I originally intended to spend when I bought a new rotor for just over $100 Dave G: first off thanks  I'm not a ride-and-ignore kinda person, but trust is a necessity for a long distance ride. Thanks for sharing your VFR experience. Henrik | ||
| Peter |
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| Mikej |
Now that's just mean. . . . . . . . . | ||
| Madduck |
Henrik, If you can find one left, there was a 2003 R1150GS sport imported into the US in limited quantities. It came only in yellow but it has the top gear of the adventurer and no abs and a few other weight savings tricks. The retail on them was also only $13,000. The one I have is much an absolute hoot to ride. The different/closer gear ratios seem to make it a completely different beast. Hope to see you at Bonneville again this year Paul | ||
| Peter |
Paul, I think Bigj bought one of those as well. PPiA | ||
| Jb2 |
Henrik, The VFR isn't quite the cornering giant that the S2 or the XB9R is but neither of those two will go across the country as well as the VFR. What the VFR lacks in cornering ability and lightweightness it gains in comfort and more so comfort at just about any position on the speedo. And the whole reliability issue... you can't argue against the Honda here. I've owned more than my share of Buells, three of them S2's, and I would have never believed that a metric sport bike could inspire me like the S2. I was WRONG. The GS is cool, but on the right day you can buy a new VFR for 9K and some change. Buelless, JB2 | ||
| Court |
Henrik: You are a grouchy, incorrigible, ornery, argumentative and super-surly curmudgeon. Any wonder I love you so? Court | ||
| Bigj |
I did buy the GS Sport. $12,9 retail. | ||
| Henrik |
You are a grouchy, incorrigible, ornery, argumentative and super-surly curmudgeon. Oh yeah ... whatcha gonna do aboudid? Paul - I'll be there, weather permitting JB2; glad to hear you still like the VFR - and good to hear from you in general. See you soon. Henrik (Peter is a meanie) | ||
| José_Quiñones |
Which is Harley's best selling model in Europe? | ||
| Ray_Maines |
Did they sell two of something? Maybe an 883 Sportster? | ||
| José_Quiñones |
Multiply two by 10 thousand and you would be closer, among these 20,000 plus bikes sold in Europe, which was the best seller? | ||
| Ferris |
Have not been following the board for a week or so.....so am out of touch with the comings and goings, and maybe I have missed a message or two.....but is Ferris doing ok? .........Ferris let us know if you're there.........there's a lot of us here.....Jocklandjohn John, thank you so much for your concern. i've been laying pretty low, only checking here every few days or so, trying to get my head screwed back on. life goes on, and the wounds are slowly beginning to heal. ALL: my Mom was moved to tears at my sister's service, when i presented her with a burgundy binder filled with your responses to my sister's death. there ended up being something like 11 or 12 pages worth, all carefully collated and printed on burgundy paper with floral highlights (all stuff that my sister woulda loved). even now, Mom and i can barely bring up the subject of this book without both of us crying our eyes out all over again. as i knew she would be, Mom was incredibly taken by the fact that so many people, from all corners of the globe, would take a moment to reach out and help. the strength, love, and support of your words continue to wrap around us like a soft, warm blanket, providing shelter from the icy grip of tragedy. my dear BADWEB family, we are eternally grateful. FB | ||
| Bluzm2 |
Ferris, I'm very glad to hear the healing for your family has begun. You sound like a very neat person, I'm going to have to meet you in person sometime.. Brad | ||
| Firemanjim |
Henrik,first off ya shoulda just got the EBC pro-lite front disc and skipped all o'that.And I have tried several different brands of front pad--have you gone to a decent sportbike store.I just took mine to the shop I get all my dirt/used stuff to and they had no problem.And for master cylinders HD made a bunch of different bore sizes--or check with the PM dudes that sell all those fancy brakes for HD big twins,they all have 1" bars.Take a set of your S-2 bars and hack/machine the ends so you can put 7/8" controls or even just a master cylinder.Bar could just have a 7/8" spot for m/c and be 1" everywhere else.Use that noggon,boy.I thought of all of this while reading these posts.Who knows what a little time might bring. | ||
| Blake |
Peter, The May issue of Cycle World has a good article about an American privateer who ran the Dakar this year. Got me started dreaming again, also made me think of you. Check it out if you can get a hold of the rag over there. |
