What V-twin?

500 mile days? I would take a Ducati ST3 over a Buell ST3.

For 500 mile days, you're gonna want this:

ransom wrote: Don't forget the 180-degree V-twins! BMW R1200S EDIT: Sorry, got caught up in the moment. Probably not going to hit the $4k budget.

Missed it with the 180-degree V part, too........

oldsaw wrote: Missed it with the 180-degree V part, too........

I stand by that part!

A harley is a 60-degree V.

A Ducati is a 90-degree V.

A Honda Hawk is a 52-degree V (!?)

A BMW boxer is a 180-degree V

ransom wrote:

oldsaw wrote: Missed it with the 180-degree V part, too........

I stand by that part! A harley is a 45-degree V. A Ducati is a 90-degree V. A Honda Hawk is a 52-degree V (!?) A BMW boxer is a 180-degree V

FIXED the Hog

Aprilia is what - a 60 degree?

EvanB wrote: Forgot one: Buell XB12, perhaps a Ulysses.

I rode a similar XB12STT (a little lower and not quite as comfortable) a while ago and was really impressed with it. I'd love to get a Uly if I had the money. However, I'm very tall and these have a ridiculously high seat height. Not exactly the right bike for everyone.

This thread is over, everyone can go hang out with their loved ones now.

Here's a vid with two guys who offer their own opinions:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=pPM_hvkVaF4

I rode from Richmond to Atlanta on a TL1000S. Comfort can be all about will power. No. I wouldn't do it again.

Hess has it right. If you want supreme comfort on a 500 mile day you need a road sofa. That or a BMW.

In reply to Rusnak_322:

Whoops! Thanks...

60-degree Harley, d'oh... That probably was my cue to stop posting today. Blew that one off...

SV1000 is an excellent candidate, but I'm hard pressed to understand how you could consider it boring.

900SS Ducati are going pretty cheap these days, too. I'm finding 90's models going for $2K+ across the country.

Ever ride a 900ss? Maybe I'm just too old, but flogging it up and down Mt. Equinox in Vermont was wonderful, straight line for 20 minurtes? Pass, tough on the wrists and neck..

Dan

stroker wrote: SV1000 is an excellent candidate, but I'm hard pressed to understand how you could consider it boring.

Was this for me? I'm saying a DL1000 could be boring. An SV or TL1000 is not a boring bike but more more sporting in it's seating position. 500 mile days on an SV/TL are tough. 500 mile days on a DL1000 would be vastly easier.

I was saying the SV would be a little more boring than the Italians because it is more common and lacks the personality of a Ducati or Moto Guzzi, that means it is more reliable and cheaper to run but right now I want something a little more exciting and unique.

There aren't many fun, unique, and exciting bikes that I'd want to do 500 mile days on. I don't know about where you're at, but seeing an SV1000 around here is pretty unusual. If you want more exciting, pick up an RC51 or TLR, lol.

I seriously want an 1125r punky buellster. Another choice is an M2 buell I think it is called, I think it is a 1000cc.

If I had my choice I'd take a 1200 sporty with buell engine. I can't imagine how nice a 100hp sporty would be; and running a harley you get to run with the right crowd. With 100hp you can run around alot of fat harleys.

EvanB wrote: I was saying the SV would be a little more boring than the Italians because it is more common and lacks the personality of a Ducati or Moto Guzzi, that means it is more reliable and cheaper to run but right now I want something a little more exciting and unique.

If you must have Italian nothing else will do until you get one. Go buy a Duc of any size and but I'd recommend a newer vintage.

I always liked the Duc Monster S4's

If you're a good wrench, an aircooled Monster is nothing you can't handle. Maintenance is required fairly frequently, but it's easy to do because - gasp! - it's designed to be worked on! The stuff you gotta do regularly, like valve adjustments and belt swaps, is all basically hanging out in the breeze. (Same deal with BMWs and Guzzis - in which case it's literally hanging out in the breeze.)

That said, if 500 mile days are a priority, you'll want some wind protection along the lines of a Strom, or a Duc ST2.

But if that's an occasional thing, go Italian and scratch the itch.

Of course, there's the other Italian V-twin with 72 degrees (Morini).

And no, I wouldn't want to ride my 3 1/2 on a 500 mile day.

I have thought more about it and I was kidding myself, I don't do 500 mile days more than once or twice a year, usually it is only a couple hours at a time.

The Subaru just sold a half hour ago so I am starting the search in earnest. Top of the list are Moto Guzzi V11, Aprilia Falco, and Ducati 900SS or M900.

benzbaron wrote: I seriously want an 1125r punky buellster. Another choice is an M2 buell I think it is called, I think it is a 1000cc. If I had my choice I'd take a 1200 sporty with buell engine. I can't imagine how nice a 100hp sporty would be; and running a harley you get to run with the right crowd. With 100hp you can run around alot of fat harleys.

Look up XR1200X. Its a Sporty with a (near) Buell engine. It also comes with an adjustable Showa suspension and a 2-year warranty.

EvanB wrote: Top of the list are Moto Guzzi V11, Aprilia Falco, and Ducati 900SS or M900.

The 'Priller is a great bike (any of 'em, really). I thought I owned a Falco Street Fighter like this for a couple days - long story...

That said, I'd take a hard look at my local dealer network if I were to own one. In terms of parts supply, they're a bit more complex than the aircooled bikes, and the parts supply sometimes leaves a bit to be desired.

Aprilia parts are generally cheap, even if they do take awhile to show up. There's a leftover Tuono nearby that I'm thinking about buying.

Put down a deposit on this tonight, it will be in my garage on Thursday night.