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oh, you ride a V-twin . . . NO THANKS

Discussion in 'Hangout Lounge' started by prince_albert3, Aug 20, 2011.

  1. prince_albert3

    prince_albert3 Member

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    I went for a ride the other day with my mother-in-law's boyfriend. This one was just a little country block ride. Anyhow, as we arrive back at his place, he tells me that I can take his bike for a little ride to the store, if I wanted.

    Right on, I'd love too! He rides a V-star 1500 or 1600 something like that, maybe 4 years old. So, I parked the XJ and took his bike to the store, maybe 6mi round trip. It was comfortable, great suspension, great brakes. I wasn't feeling it though! All big and heavy, lots of shifting, can't throw those cruisers around like the XJ either.

    Perhaps I am partial to my own bike but I wasn't impressed at all. I'd much rather prefer my little 4cylinder!
     
  2. ZaGhost

    ZaGhost Member

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    That's why you look fotr a different twin that those land yachts...

    Sv650, GT 650 , Ascott

    Small light and a lot more fun


    But I agree, those big cruiser would be great if you want to run straight lines on a highway, but where's the fun in that?
     
  3. santos750

    santos750 Member

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    i'm with u guys. My buddy has a fatboy low, he let me take it for a ride one time. its gorgeous to look at, chrome, loud, low and mean. hes got these forward controls and foot boards. well this ride cant turn worth shit. Its awkward and heavy.he rode mine and told me that my xj750 is actually funner to ride than his. its quick and nimble.
     
  4. bigfitz52

    bigfitz52 Well-Known Member Premium Member

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    Buell Firebolt; ANY Ducati... do Moto Guzzis count, being transverse mounted and all? It's not that it's a V-Twin, it's the whole design philosophy.
     
  5. prince_albert3

    prince_albert3 Member

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    I get the design philosophy business. Don't get me wrong, its a nice bike and all. I'm just saying, if I had them both parked in my garage, I'd choose the XJ for all my solo riding!

    When I got back, I told him he needs to take mine for a ride sometime. Its like night and day. Performance wise, the XJ has it, hands down. His is a MUCH bigger engine and all so I understand it takes a little more. The XJ is way more responsive though. Thats why I love it so much. I ride the bike. The bike doesn't take me for a ride...
     
  6. sevesteen

    sevesteen Member

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    I've never rode a traditional slow-revving V-twin, but my other bike is a Honda CX500--sideways, shaft-drive water cooled 4 valve V-twin, 9650rpm redline. It is a vastly different feeling engine than the XJ. The XJ is smoother (except between about 65-70, where mine is kind of buzzy) pulls from a much lower RPM without chugging. Shifting is also vastly different--downshifting the Honda, the bike slows as much as the engine speeds up. With the Seca, the engine just spins up to match the new gear, with almost no change in the bike's momentum.
     
  7. Maxim-X

    Maxim-X Well-Known Member

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    A few years back I rented a Harley for the day (long story), anyway my wife loved sitting in the big armchair behind me. So I go to the dealer that I have dealt with since the early eighties and said I might be interested in a big V-Twin.
    He really surprised me when he said "Graham, I have had a lot of guys come in that have been riding in-line fours for a long time, buy one of the big twins and some of them come back literally within months and want to get back on an in-line four"
    It's the high revving, fast response, handling, etc, etc that they miss and knowing me as long as he had, knew that I'd be making a big mistake.
    Who would believe that a dealer would turn down a possible sale based on knowing what I'd been riding for the past 30+ years.
    My 2 cents on the subject.
     
  8. hogfiddles

    hogfiddles XJ-Wizard, Host-Central NY Carb Clinic Moderator Premium Member

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    Well.... I have a number of the XJ's and I love each one for each one's different feel, and character. I also have a Suzuki VL1500. I love that one, too. Yup, it is a LOT bigger, slower, less responsive, etc..... BUT it comes down to-- if I want a quick ride into town or long fuel-efficient ride, I take the xj700. If I want a quick, fast, zippy ride, I take the xj900. If I'm going on a benefit ride, or want a long slow 'armchair'cruise where I'm going to be lumbering along, I'll take the Suzuki.

    Each one has it's own merits. don't ride the big ones hoping for a fast, throw-it-around kind of ride, and don't ride the small ones hoping for a laid-back-cruiser ride.

    The only thing I don't care for is the crotchrockets.....and yeah, I know---the 900 is their grandfather.....................

    Dave Fox
     
  9. Militant_Buddhist

    Militant_Buddhist Member

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    what these guys said ^
    my good good friends and riding buddies and I are all pretty free and easy with riding eachothers bikes. A 'Guzzi Quota 1100 (big red tractor) , A weestrom (DL 650), oh and I guess there's a pretty quick V-twin in the stable, that TL1000S. Rode his goose V11 with high comp pistons when he had it, pretty rockin.

    Actually she's trading the TL tomorrow for a Bandit. Upright seated Gixxer 1100? yes plz.
     
  10. Metal_Bob

    Metal_Bob Active Member

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    It was great today on a run with all but 2 harleys I believe.

    I was in 4th gear 55mph 5k upto 75mph 6.5k (to close that gap at times) with ~500 lbs with 2 people and full touring pieces - bike barely even noticed it was loaded down as we zoomed up to 75+ w/o a hiccup! VROOM VROOM!
     
  11. maybe4

    maybe4 Member

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    Lets get those old school yamaha engineers back to design an all new state of the art 4 cylinder cruiser......Don't get me wrong I love the maxim and it's beautiful simplicity but I think there is a hole in the market here as far as new bike cruiser options go!
     
  12. carbineken

    carbineken Member

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    I love my '82 XJ and I love my '74 XL. When they are both running well at the same time, very rare, it's a hard choice on which one to ride. Usually comes down to who do I feel like getting hassled by today-the Harley riders for riding a jap bike or the Harley riders and the jap riders for riding a Harley/girl's bike. How much do I want to exercise my dirty finger?
     
  13. xRedemptionx

    xRedemptionx Member

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    My wrists feel like they're gonna break after riding harleys, and my shoulders scream for hours after riding sportbikes.... the ability to getup'n'go on my maxim paired with the comfort, reliability, and maneuverability that i find when riding my x makes me think im never gonna sell this beast.... i may just buy a motor or two for way down the line.... this is a bike i want to pass on to my children.
     
  14. yamafella

    yamafella New Member

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    My brother has a V star 650 and my Dad has a V star 1100, both are good bikes, they look nice, sit nice and sound nice, but......my 82 XJ650 is smoother, easier to handle, corners much better, and will run off and leave both of them just watching my tailight, Heck I actually like riding my old 76 XS650 better than I like the V Stars, the V Twin Cruisers are nice to look at and I know many people really like them, but I'll take an inline twin or a inline 4 anyday myself over them with exceptions maybe to some I haven't road on and cant really judge.

    Personally I like the old school bike to best, I dont ride to show off what I have or to look like a "biker" I ride for my own pleasure and could really care less what anyone else thinks of the bike I'm on, I ride my stuff on dirt roads and they stay dusty most of the time anyway so nothing I ride is ever very showy looking anyway.

    I agree whole heartedly with what maybe4 said about there being a hole in the market, people really dont have that many different options anymore, what do we have now, scooters, single cyl. 250's, crotch rockets, v twin cruisers..... thats about it, I think we need Yamaha and the others to put us some Inline twins and inline 4's back on the market, I think many of the people that are on some of the others now days would enjoy the smoother better handling inlines if they had that option.


    Just my $0.02 nothing more, nothing less.

    Peace
     
  15. PTSenterprises

    PTSenterprises Member

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    What about the Triumph upright twins? What about their inline Triples? BMW Boxer twin or better yet inline 6 anyone? They also make some pretty nice upright inline twins like the F800R. If you are a dedicated Yamaha fan dont forget about the FJR1300. Smooth as butter L4, I have a buddy that rides one and he RAVES about it. Dont let the bodywork fool you its a very upright bike.

    I know what you are are saying. You want a classic looking upright seated, inline 4 that doesnt look like it fell out of a Michael Bay movie. but lets face it, you are in a minority group. Minority groups dont translate to sales.
     
  16. LVSteve2011

    LVSteve2011 Member

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    I owned a monster of a bike the KZ 1300, Kawasaki's transverse 6 and ever since I was exposed to the "multi" I have been hooked. Once while riding my BMW R90s, I mixed it up with a Yamaha 650 turbo, It was no contest, that turbo left me in his dust much to my surprise. My preference is for no vibration, my 350 Honda was horrible, both of my beemers were delightful and I love my fours, even if they can be buzzy at certain RPM's
     
  17. Maxim-X

    Maxim-X Well-Known Member

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    This is one of the best uses for old Honda 350 twins
    [​IMG]
     
  18. maybe4

    maybe4 Member

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    the FJR is a sweet bike for sure, but more of a sport bike in my opinion. The "hole" is in the 4 cylinder cruiser options (or at least sport-cruiser). I don't think you can assume there is no market for a bike like this just because they aren't being made. After all, that's what entrepreneurs do - identify a need that's not currently being met and fill it. The Maxim did exactly that in the early 80's and was immensely popular as a result. My personal opinion is that this need or market opportunity is wider and deeper than any of the current manufacturers realize. Look at the title to this thread "you ride a V-Twin.....NO THANKS". You are also right about there being a few BMW options, also awesome bikes, but a lot people like Japanese bikes (like me) and I don't see much out there.
     

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