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I feel like there is a journey with each motorcycle. You become aware of the bike. Maybe it is an impulse buy or maybe you research it extensively before you buy. Then you get to know it. Tweak it. Customize it. Get it dialed in just like you want it. And take some rides. Maybe short around town or epic cross country.
I think I am pretty well convinced that I want to take a CB1100 journey. In fact I have already begun my journey. I am in the shopping part. I am going to savor this part of the journey. Go look at some bikes. I have seen two so far.
I did that with the Versys. I added a windscreen, driving lights and top case. I have it set up just right for my needs and it has served me very well.
I am working on that with the Harley. I am not quite there yet. I have a noise I want to track down. I think I want to finish my journey on the Harley before I buy the CB1100.
I think my first step will be to sell the Versys. That will free a slot in the garage. But I want to finish the Harley. I think the last few items on my list for that bike will help me sell it.
Then, I will focus on my CB1100 journey. I go back and forth on which one I like best. I think I would like any of them. The 2013, 2014 Deluxe and 2017 EX are the ones that appeal to me the most at the moment. But the black 2014 in the "I Don't Understand" thread looks really cool. I could see myself going with the 2014 and working towards a look like that.
There are so many of the 2014s around for around $7,400 OTD it seems likely that that deal will be around for a while. The 2017 EX for $11K to 12K out the door seems like the standard deal so I do not think I need to be in a rush for that deal. If somebody beats those deals or if I find a private party deal, I might start my CB1100 journey before I am finishes with my Harley journey.
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It remains only to wish you good luck, Sorg. Please stick around and keep us posted.
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This sounds like serial monogamy to me (with a bit of bigamy mixed in) . . .
You must not really be in love with the Harley to have plans to sell it off. Hard for me to imagine giving up a Harley after owning one for a while. They don't do everything well, but what they do well, they do better than anything else.
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(06-22-2018, 10:50 PM)cookiemech_imp Wrote: This sounds like serial monogamy to me (with a bit of bigamy mixed in) . . .
You must not really be in love with the Harley to have plans to sell it off. Hard for me to imagine giving up a Harley after owning one for a while. They don't do everything well, but what they do well, they do better than anything else.
I have four motorcycles in the garage right now. And a fifth in Tuscaloosa my son is using at school. I have moved beyond bigamy and into polygamy...
I plan to give one to each of my boys. I would then be down to three. I would like to get down to one. And then perhaps it would be serial monogamy. Focus on one. Love it. Learn everything about it. Take perfect care of it. And when I have done everything there is to do on that bike, move on to another. Although, I think the CB1100 might be until death do us part.
(06-22-2018, 10:50 PM)cookiemech_imp Wrote: This sounds like serial monogamy to me (with a bit of bigamy mixed in) . . .
You must not really be in love with the Harley to have plans to sell it off. Hard for me to imagine giving up a Harley after owning one for a while. They don't do everything well, but what they do well, they do better than anything else.
I do love my Harley. And you are right. There are times when you could offer me any bike made as a straight up trade for it and I would say no.
I love all my motorcycles. Getting rid of one almost seems like getting ride of one of my kids. I have good memories with each one. And each one has something it does better than any of the others. I could probably have ten motorcycles and each one would have a special place in my heart.
But I do not ride enough to justify a fleet. I really want to get down to one bike I can focus on learning about, maintaining and customizing to my personal taste. At the moment, the CB1100 seems the best candidate to do everything I want to do on a motorcycle.
(06-22-2018, 09:24 PM)Cormanus_imp Wrote: It remains only to wish you good luck, Sorg. Please stick around and keep us posted.
Thanks, will do
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I also love my Harley. It was the first TwinCam sold in Columbus, Ohio and I can't believe that in August I will have owned it 20 years. I have built the motor myself and it makes over 100 hp and over 100 ft/lbs on the dyno, but is thirsty and cantankerous since it pre-dates fuel injected bikes. Mikuni flat slide, Wiseco forged high compression pistons, big cam, ported heads--and a blast. As far as a new EX, I just bought my 2017 brand new for $9,800 plus $350 freight, and sales tax of course. I don't know if I could do much better now, but I don't care. I really like the way the 2017 is equipped.
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My Harley journey is a bit different than yours. My 1992 softail makes maybe 50 hp. It rides like a tractor. But at cruising speed it purrs like a kitten and is a very pleasing ride. It is in good shape, but has lived outside for some of its life. It has some corrosion, but the paint is excellent. The saddlebags are original and weathered. But mechanically it is very sound. And for a softail, it is very smooth.
I want it to look like a well cared for 26 year old bike. I want it to run better than it did when it was new, but as it was designed to run - a slow reliable cruiser. I am currently chasing down a mystery noise and the turn signals do not work. I have a vinyl Mustang seat, but I would really like a weathered leather seat that would go well with the saddlebags. I am tempted to keep it until 2022 so I can get an antique plate for it. I thought you could get an antique plate at 25 years and was disappointed to find that you have to wait until 30 years. I think it would be cool to have it running just the way I want it, looking good, but showing a bit of age and weather.
But I am too excited about the CB1100 to take this all the way to 2022. Thinking if I can just track down the noise, fix turn signals and clean up a few other small items, I will be happy with my Harley journey. I am sure that if I get the CB 1100 now, it will take all my attention and the Harley will just sit. I do not like things that just sit. Use it or get rid of it.
