An enlightening conversation with a Harley owner

[st ryder]

what are these "wasted miles" of which you speak?

;-}

Using up expensive tires, chains, sprockets, oil, filters, plugs, and yes, serice interval mileage, on a less than gratifying ride that takes me nowhere special, when I could be burning up those expensive wear items on a ride that gives more joy, and takes me someplace more enjoyable than work. Those are the wasted miles of which I speak, and I get that feeling riding my BMW too, as I did with my Yammies, as I did with my HD. I exchange my money, and personal safety for the joy of riding a motorcycle as a recreational activity, not for commuting. My car is my commuter, my bike is my joy ride. No joy for me in riding it to work on the same roads, to the same destination. It defeats the purpose of owning a bike IMO. YMMV. 

[st ryder]

Yup, on my BMW it took Robert (BMW-K) and I just an hour or two. On my Ducati it took a dealer to do the work (when the bike actually ran).

james

Get back to us about BMW ease of service when you have to lube your shaft/pinion/clutch splines or bleed your abs.  

[atypical1]

Get back to us about BMW ease of service when you have to lube your shaft/pinion/clutch splines or bleed your abs.  

OK. My brakes were a breeze to bleed and I don't have to lube my shaft...that's why I got married.

james

[atadaskew]

Using up expensive tires, chains, sprockets, oil, filters, plugs, and yes, serice interval mileage, on a less than gratifying ride that takes me nowhere special, when I could be burning up those expensive wear items on a ride that gives more joy, and takes me someplace more enjoyable than work. Those are the wasted miles of which I speak, and I get that feeling riding my BMW too, as I did with my Yammies, as I did with my HD. I exchange my money, and personal safety for the joy of riding a motorcycle as a recreational activity, not for commuting. My car is my commuter, my bike is my joy ride. No joy for me in riding it to work on the same roads, to the same destination. It defeats the purpose of owning a bike IMO. YMMV. 

I agree.  My commute to work is 8 miles one way in stop-n-go traffic that has little to no room to lanesplit.  So I rarely bother.  But I think some people think it proves that they are a 'real' biker if they ride everywhere.  For me motorcycling is about enjoyment.  There's no feeling of freedom and enjoyment stuck in motionless traffic getting hot and sweaty.
I save it for my recreational rides.

[rauchman]

Using up expensive tires, chains, sprockets, oil, filters, plugs, and yes, serice interval mileage, on a less than gratifying ride that takes me nowhere special, when I could be burning up those expensive wear items on a ride that gives more joy, and takes me someplace more enjoyable than work. Those are the wasted miles of which I speak, and I get that feeling riding my BMW too, as I did with my Yammies, as I did with my HD. I exchange my money, and personal safety for the joy of riding a motorcycle as a recreational activity, not for commuting. My car is my commuter, my bike is my joy ride. No joy for me in riding it to work on the same roads, to the same destination. It defeats the purpose of owning a bike IMO. YMMV. 

+1  I work about 15 minutes from home and have considered riding to work numerous times.  Can't believe that riding to work would be an enjoyable experience.  Would rather save it for when I can savor it.

[chornbe]

For me, commuting on the bike gives me plenty of down time to ease my mind, let the stress slip away and allows me an hour at each end of the day to just be in my own head. I work a fairly high-pressure job and commuting on the bike is less expensive and far more satisfying than therapy or kicking the dog and kids when I get home.  

[st ryder]

OK. My brakes were a breeze to bleed and I don't have to lube my shaft...that's why I got married.

James

No ABS on your BMW? Nice.  

One thing marriage and your BMWs have in common, is you get the shaft either way. Your clutch/drive shaft/pinion spline lube time *will* come, and then you'll have to disassemble 1/2 the bike to smear some grease on your clutch splines. If you take it to a dealer, that's about 600.00+ in labour to apply 50 cents worth of grease.   If you do it yourself, and you want to do it *properly*, it takes about 6-8 hours. Enjoy.  

[chornbe]

... and every time I think about considering putting a BMW or Ducati in the garage, I read posts like this and come to my senses. I don't mind expensive bikes (clearly), but I sure as hell mind bikes I have to spend a lot on *after* the sale. I do far too much errand-riding, commuting, vacation trips and general-use riding to waste much time and money on "routine" stuff. It was a real factor in my decision on the Harleys. Never has a simpler machine graced the road than a modern Sportster.

[atadaskew]

 Never has a simpler machine graced the road than a modern Sportster.

Buell B-Last?

 

[atypical1]

No ABS on your BMW? Nice.  

One thing marriage and your BMWs have in common, is you get the shaft either way. Your clutch/drive shaft/pinion spline lube time *will* come, and then you'll have to disassemble 1/2 the bike to smear some grease on your clutch splines. If you take it to a dealer, that's about 600.00+ in labour to apply 50 cents worth of grease.   If you do it yourself, and you want to do it *properly*, it takes about 6-8 hours. Enjoy.  

My bike has switchblade ABS but the brakes bled just like any other ones do. I don't get the difference.

One time shot at $600 is way cheaper than twice a year services at my Duc dealer.

james

[bomber]

Blast was a great scoot! the honda 305 of it's generation -- ours was ridden into the ground by a bunch or learners/reentry riders, and now happily serves it's new owner --

not suitable for every mission, certainly, but great at the ones it was designed for

[st ryder]

...One time shot at $600...

  "One time shot"    

   

[atadaskew]

Hey now, pump those brakes fellas!
This is the Harley section, no Bimmer Duc wars allowed!  Take it outside.

[GilaMonster]

My bike has switchblade ABS but the brakes bled just like any other ones do. I don't get the difference.

One time shot at $600 is way cheaper than twice a year services at my Duc dealer.

james

James,

It's all in the timing.  I try to pace my riding on both bikes so the BMW is due for a valve check and annual at the same time as the Duc is due for cam belts.  Then for giggles, I go out and buy a can of beans to eat for the month.

[atypical1]

James,

It's all in the timing.  I try to pace my riding on both bikes so the BMW is due for a valve check and annual at the same time as the Duc is due for cam belts.  Then for giggles, I go out and buy a can of beans to eat for the month.

True. But then you didn't own my POS Multi  

james