Bike dilemma: the upright position is just better, I think...

[garry]

That's odd (re: Cerinis). I went there last year (April) to demo a Uly. It was a painless experience. Sign the usual wavers and got to lead (with directions) a guy from the shop on his (self-proclaimed) "Geezer Glide". Nice folks there. My other Uly demos were at New Castle HD/Buell. Nice folks there too and the owner actually rides a Uly. I got to take his personal bike out one ride since it was already broken in.

I'm still attracted to the Uly, but I found the Multistrada to be the most fun in the twisties, for me anyway. Haven't ridden the new Tiger yet though.

[RideWV]

Jesse, Garry,

Pardon the threadjack...I've called Cerini's a couple times and they are a bit confused about test rides but they said to try to make it on a monday or wednesday and they would try to accomodate.  I can guarantee that if I ride all the way up that boring road to ride one and can't, I'm taking my free bag anyway!  Ironically the bike I wanted to test ride was the TT and that was the only one they didn't have as a demo. (though they did have one in the shop and they said I might be able to ride it even though it wasn't officially a demo).

I sat on a Multistrada and Tiger the other day in pittsburgh and I have to say, I was pretty well smitten with the Duc, more so than the tiger.  But, I need to ride both of those too.  I definitely prefer euro dealers to Buell/HD and big 4 dealers.

I'll still probably end up with a V-strom because that's the one I can afford, lol.

James

[Jesse]

Jesse, Garry,

Pardon the threadjack...I've called Cerini's a couple times and they are a bit confused about test rides but they said to try to make it on a monday or wednesday and they would try to accomodate.  

James

James,

You might want to give them a call before you leave home to make sure they have someone to go out with you. The manager gave me his card so that I could call before my next trip and he did say that some days were better than others in terms of having extra personnel around to accompany people on test rides. I also got the sense that they felt a lot of the Buell test riders were just coming for the free bag.....

[Dichotomous]

why not keep the VFR and put a set of helibars on it?   Would bring the bars up and back a bit to give you more of an upright position.

yeah why bother getting a whole new bike when seating position is your only issue?  convertibars also must make a kit to put the bars anywhere you want, adjustability on the fly too, have you sportbike and tour it too!

[SWriverstone]

yeah why bother getting a whole new bike when seating position is your only issue?  convertibars also must make a kit to put the bars anywhere you want, adjustability on the fly too, have you sportbike and tour it too!

Good point...except seating position isn't the only point—I also want a bike that can go on or off the pavement, and I'll never take the VFR off-pavement. I do think Heli-bars make the VFR more comfortable...but it's still not the same as an upright bike.

Scott

[ctfz1]

FZ1 s have been described as big dirt bikes. I've got the Rizona bar (slightly flatter and wider and prettier) and never hesitate on gravel. Some tires work better than others. At least one cummuter uses DP tires as gravel roads are his quickest way to work and enjoyable.
Fz is lowest cost easy maintaince, lightest, best brakes, easiest to mod or upgrade.
And the perma grin comes stock.

[servicerifle]

Scott, I think you've gotten as much nitty-gritty as you're going to get on things.  Time for you to actually put your butt on some of these bikes and make a gut decision.  

[forester]

With interests like this:

I didn't mention it before (and this is all still speculative) but I'm considering selling BOTH the VFR and KLR. See, right now, I have opposite extremes...and after riding these two for a while, I'm realizing that what I'm aiming for is right in the middle of the two, which is where the bikes listed above fall: good power/performance on the street, but capable of mild offroad riding. That's the "sweet spot" for me!

...and an attitude like that:

Many people also mentioned increased turbulence/wind buffeting with the more upright bikes. While this may be true, I rode a KLR (with the stock "windscreen") 5,000 miles to Canada and back, and I was never particularly bothered by buffeting. So if the KLR didn't bother me, I know I won't be bothered by any of the bikes above. (My personal take is that if you want a quiet ride, get a Goldwing!)

There is currently only one path to follow:   Welcome to the pod.  Resistance is futile!    

P/S Having adjusted the shield angle on the strom, I can ride visor up (pair of shades on) down the freeway at 80, and it's quiet enough to hear yourself talk.  

P/S2  I had to adjust the slack in my chain at 7500 miles.  Now at 14000+ miles, I've got to adjust my clutch now....Damn I hate high maintenance bikes!  

[chornbe]

I think too many people confuse being "in the air" with buffeting. Any cruiser or naked or sport bike will put you in the air. Put a 'shield on a cruiser, for instance, and you will know true buffeting. Anything less is simply not worth complaining about.

[ctfz1]

Had a YZF1000R, no turbulence problem before or after I raised the handlebars. I have an 01 FZ1, fairing is too far ahead of rider, which makes almost everything you do a compromise. Mirror mod reduces turbulence, minimized works best (shortened), Givi fits me, turbulent in triple digits. Right posture on an unfaired bike or nose faired works very well. Some fairings, for whatever reasons make this more difficult instead of easier.

[FlowBee]

I think too many people confuse being "in the air" with buffeting. Any cruiser or naked or sport bike will put you in the air. Put a 'shield on a cruiser, for instance, and you will know true buffeting. Anything less is simply not worth complaining about.

Exactamundo!  

The Guzzi with the bigass barn door NC touring windscreen is excellent at 40-80mph, with little noise and no buffetting.  No wind either, so it gets downright HOT in summer traffic. Earplugs optional, ventilation mandatory.  The classic upright tombstone windscreen beats the hell out of you at anything above 50mph.

The ST1100 with a Laminar System allows wind to strike mid-faceshield, elbows, upper arms and shoulders.  It has little buffetting, but lots of noise.   Its great for most situations, but gets a bit hot in traffic.  Some of the tall narrow screens beat the heck out of you at 80+ mph.  My passenger hates all Rifle screens and the stock screen, as the envelope collapses around her helmet above 70mph.

The KTM is relatively quiet and smooth, with a smooth even flow of air pushing back from above the lower chest. Its best at 50-70mph.   With a Shoei X11 earplugs are almost optional.  Any ventilation feels GREAT in hot weather.  And colder than hell below 40F.   -  oh, and you get great abdominal exercise at 80mph plus.   100mph very serious exercise for the upper body.

[thatguy]

pppppppppppsssssssssssssssstttttttttttt tttttt..............hey you!..............yeah,you Scott!..............I gotta word for you...........................TUONO