New Play Toys

[LeeDavis]

Very nice! Hard to go wrong with one of those.

[Broz]

Broz,
You are gonna love that bike... super fun! However, they don't have seats... they have a covered 2 X 4!! It will fit right between the cheeks of your ass! However... you may love that I don't know. Bring it up here and let's ride some of the gravel roads here... you can leave us with the big adventure bikes in your dust!

Lmao. As soon as it warms up I'm looking forward to riding those roads. Bob has been telling me about all the great fire roads thru the national Forrest.
Broz

[007]

A good friend and well seasoned rider just bought a Honda NC700X and he is raving about it (for half the price of the new VFR). I sorta like the idea of storage for a full face helmet in the tank and 64mpg on a bike that is semi-adventure styling and looks like it can take a beating.

I could see an NC700X as a nice inexpensive (relatively) for daily commuting. What in particular does your friend "rave" about re. the bike, and what else does he/has he ridden?

He grew up on two stroke dirt bikes and likes the pulsing action of the twin. It has a low center of gravity and a good balance between a cush ride that you can whip through the corners. Very comfortable (the main reason he bought it). He is pushing his 60s and has ridden almost everything, either having owned it or ridden his buddy's. He currently owns a 2007 VFR, recent Tiger 800, first gen Versys, and now the NC700X. He is looking at a Grom for his 16 y/o daughter-in-law (sorta, long story). He has spent decent time on everything from sportbikes to cruisers to dirtbikes. I figured I would just cut to the chase and buy whatever he decides is the overall best experience when all is said and done to avoid the merry go round of motorcycles most of us enter. Remember, the perfect number of bikes is "one more." Be wary of following a RWB VFR with a top box who looks like he is delivering pizzas on the Dragon. You are likely to enter a few corners hot without knowing it.

[007]

He also compared the NC700X to a "reliable" Norton.

[Ed]

Congrats, Broz!

[007]

Not "needing" a new play toy has lasted all of 7 months. An bike storage shed later, and the itch needs scratching. Since I am still young enough to temporarily contort my body into the unnatural sportbike position, I am thinking I might as well get one while I can ride it. Anyone know about the 2004 Aprilia RSV1000R? I have read horror stories about electronic SNAFUs. That is about it. There are a few Factory versions with Ohlins suspension on it in the Charlotte area, but are overpriced. There is one in Winston that has been wrecked, but it appears* superficial.

[Brick]

I have a friend in the MSTA who lives over in Pisgah Forest who has one. Billy, we call him the flying flee small and extremely fast.
He has had a shit pot full of problems. The biggest is he added an external oiling line to the alternator just to keep it from burning up. I could connect you and he if you want to talk with him.

[007]

I have a friend in the MSTA who lives over in Pisgah Forest who has one. Billy, we call him the flying flee small and extremely fast.
He has had a shit pot full of problems. The biggest is he added an external oiling line to the alternator just to keep it from burning up. I could connect you and he if you want to talk with him.

PM sent.

I have heard about the RR/Stator/Battery issues, which doesn't seem that much different than the VFR problems. I will pull it apart with one of my VFR buddies and get it sorted.

If the bike aggravates me too much, I will probably just sell it on. I am willing to bet the riding position will aggravate me long before it fails.

[Bob]

Why screw around with the obscure brands? Getcha one of these-->>
http://www.bmw-ducati.com/new_vehicle_d ... lYear=2014

Man thats a pretty machine.


And here's a used 1000cc for only $11K. 700 miles on the clock.
http://www.bmw-ducati.com/new_vehicle_d ... ov=3858574

[007]

Why screw around with the obscure brands? Getcha one of these-->>

I would consider MV Agusta more obscure than Aprilia. There is good documentation on reliability of the Rotax engine developed for the RSV, which has a more detailed racing heritage than MV. I would consider the Factory model with Ohlins suspension, but debate whether dropping $6-7K on a "throw away" bike is necessary when I might get one for $3K that scratches the itch.

[007]

The Aprilia in Winston sold. I wasn't planning to make a serious offer on it with all the parts that needed fixing after the wreck. A few other problems, like no records or even an odometer reading on the title sealed the "no deal."

Which one of you Charlotte guys wants to negotiate a price on this one and ride it home for me?

http://charlotte.craigslist.org/mcy/4605013689.html

[Bob]

Looks nice--and never been a track bike (so he says ). Want me to check it out? Dunno what I'd be looking for....

Is this one gonna be your track bike?

[007]

This would be my change of pace bike when I want my neck and back to be sore the rest of the week. I would probably ride it locally and run the BMW on longer touring and 2 up trips.
Alternatively, I considered a new CBR600RR since they are on sale now - $9400 out the door for a new 2013 in red. However, I am not sure the bike truly speaks to me. I have to say, I almost threw money at the kid yesterday with his beat up RSV. It sounded wicked - the little devil on my shoulder was ready to buy it, but I told him I would wait until the shed was delivered. Probably saved me from endless electrical problems.

[Bob]

So if you want something that "speaks" to you, get the new Panigale 899-->> http://www.motorcycle-usa.com/101/17185 ... -Ride.aspx

One of our other members (capo) just got one.

[Brick]

Did you speak with Billy?

[007]

I'm going to look at the SV650 on Craigslist tonight before I call Billy. Might end up buying a Tuono Factory on ebay if I go the Aprilia route. Part of me wants the SV650 to be smart about this and not buy a literbike worth of power so I stay out of trouble. The K bike power corrupts me enough. The RSV/Tuono will turn me to the dark side, lol.

[007]

The Panigale 899 is on my short list, but want to reduce costs a bit. And it falls under the category of too fast for my own good.

[007]

http://charlotte.craigslist.org/mcy/4604622569.html
Spoke with the guy who owns this bike and he sounds pretty knowledgeable. Overpriced a bit, but I think I can convince him to do some work on it for me (new tires) before he lets it go, and he will deliver it to my house, which is a plus.

Something like this would be awesome, but way too powerful:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/400750963403?_t ... EBIDX%3AIT
or this:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/301264845185?_t ... EBIDX%3AIT

[Marc K]

My concerns with a "rebuilt" title. Does he have photos of the wrecked bike before he rebuilt it ? What extent was the damage - forks / swing arm / frame ? Does the bike track straight ? I'm leery of salvage bikes unless I'm the one who rebuilt it. It will also lower the resale value if you decide to sale it. Just my 2 cents. I worked 3 years as an Insurance Fraud Investigator and I saw a lot of salvage crap sold at auction that came back out on the road.

[007]

He rebuilt the bike, himself. It had front end damage, and the previous owner made it into a streetfighter with upright bars and triple (which are also included in sale). Current owner converted it back into an S with clipons and bought all the lights, and plastics which were painted. He inspected the frame for damage and insists everything is straight. Front end was off a used bike without damage, which apparently had a pink front wheel (he says some of that is starting to show through). Lots of parts are new. I will get out a flashlight for close inspection and take a test ride. He still has the gnarly front wheel from before. If anything looks crooked or it feels bad, I won't buy it.

[Bob]

Wouldn't touch it with a 10 ft pole.

[Marc K]

For front end damage I would closely inspect the headstock for cracks. Esp if it is an aluminum frame. Alum frames are light but they are brittle.Did he replace the headstock races ? They will egg shape in a hard front ender. Maybe offer him $2K ?

[007]

Wouldn't touch it with a 10 ft pole.

I am starting to think the same thing.

How about a Z1000?
http://winstonsalem.craigslist.org/mcy/4563060591.html

Clear title, paid $4K a little over a year ago. No wrecks, hardly any scratches. Looks great. $2500

[Marc K]

Wow that is one clean bike ! I always loved the "Eddie Lawson" edition. At $2.5K that would be a deal.

[007]

http://charlotte.craigslist.org/mcy/4605853687.html
However, this Street Triple with lots of tasteful mods is the one that really has me drooling. Someone want to go check it out for me and keep it in their garage?

[Bob]

http://charlotte.craigslist.org/mcy/4605853687.html
However, this Street Triple with lots of tasteful mods is the one that really has me drooling. Someone want to go check it out for me and keep it in their garage?

Now there's one I could like! Love the triple. Let me know if you need any help locally.

Being a naked bike, wind protection won't be so swift in the winter....

[007]

http://charlotte.craigslist.org/mcy/4605853687.html
However, this Street Triple with lots of tasteful mods is the one that really has me drooling. Someone want to go check it out for me and keep it in their garage?

Now there's one I could like! Love the triple. Let me know if you need any help locally.

Being a naked bike, wind protection won't be so swift in the winter....

This will not be a winter bike. Summer only, really. If he gives me a phone number, I will definitely set something up and give you a call, Bob.

[Bob]

http://charlotte.craigslist.org/mcy/4605853687.html
However, this Street Triple with lots of tasteful mods is the one that really has me drooling. Someone want to go check it out for me and keep it in their garage?

Now there's one I could like! Love the triple. Let me know if you need any help locally.

Being a naked bike, wind protection won't be so swift in the winter....

This will not be a winter bike. Summer only, really. If he gives me a phone number, I will definitely set something up and give you a call, Bob.

Buy it--he has a Porsche and Beemer in his garage.

Call me if I can help.

[Bob]

You see this one? Gotta be a scam....

http://charlotte.craigslist.org/mcy/4599338795.html

[007]

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[Bob]

Dayum. Is that a new one (almost) ?

[007]

It felt brand new on the ride. I had planned on taking a more extended test ride but I already knew I wanted the bike the way the engine ran and the way it shifted. I rode it up and down the street and that was all I needed. Suspension felt like new. Brakes need a fluid flush and pads need some scuffing (felt glazed). His chain is adjusted too tight, but I should be able to fix that before I put any serious miles on it. I will also run some fuel injector cleaner on my first spirited ride. Will probably benefit from plugs and a coolant change, too. Now for some farkles.

[Bob]

Congrats! What year is it?

[Brick]

Cool bike!

[007]

Congrats! What year is it?

007, of course.

[007]

It is apparently #36 of all the Anniv VFRs produced, which the previous owner said was cool because the first 20 are not available to the public went to private collections.

[LeeDavis]

Nice bike, that'll be a ton of fun!

[yamadog]

Sweet ride! I couldn't keep up with you before, well, I may not even SEE you with that! Well, maybe the back of you for a second... Congrats on your new ride.

[007]

Sweet ride! I couldn't keep up with you before, well, I may not even SEE you with that! Well, maybe the back of you for a second... Congrats on your new ride.

It doesn't have the power or the brakes of the K bike, but it sure does corner - wow! I need to remove the peg feelers since my knee goes down about the same time as the feelers and it is very distracting.

A shot up by Hanging Rock from today's inaugural ride:

It was so nice to be back on a V4. She's a keeper! Farkles are on the way!

[Bob]

A really cool looking machine!