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It is my understanding that the new Bonnies are much more reliable. I'm also 63 and still riding my 1984 Honda V65 Sabre. Old guys can still go fast when they want to! I ride fairly conservatively 95% of the time. I'm sure the Vulcan is a nice ride, but the Bonnie is more my cup of tea (that seemed like an appropriare expression).
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The V-65's were a great bike Catman. I had a 82- 650 and 83-750 Nighthawk at about the time the V065 came out. I thought about getting a V-65 but I wasn't satisfied with the trade in offered by the dealer. If you can find a decent V-65 in my area now it is bringing top dollar.
I still like to go fast but the reflexes aren't what they used to be and if I laid a bike down now I break a lot easier now LOL. I get my go fast thrills in the four wheelers now. They are a lot more forgiving.
Gunluvver2: Ten-four on the breaking a lot easier. I found that out in 2002, when I had a little spill at about 50 mph that broke a bone in my left hand. I had a nearly identical accident about 20 years earlier that didn't break anything!
I love my V65. It has 98K on it and is still running fine. The only thing I don't like about it is that it runs hot when it is trapped in traffic. I found out that the thermostat doesn't even open until it gets to 190 F, so apparently it's designed that way, possibly for lower emissions.
The Bonnie's practically the only standard bike left in current production. That's my preference, as well. I hate having my feet way out in front of me or shoved behind me.
I agree completely. I like a nice neutral riding position with a slight forward lean, so as to balance against the wind at highway speeds. The feet-forward, sitting up straight cruiser position just isn't comfortable IMO, and I'm too old to ride crouched over low bars for hours at a time.
I agree completely. I like a nice neutral riding position with a slight forward lean, so as to balance against the wind at highway speeds. The feet-forward, sitting up straight cruiser position just isn't comfortable IMO, and I'm too old to ride crouched over low bars for hours at a time.
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I know what you mean about the straight up seating position and wide handlebars catman. When I bought my 2006 Vulcan I was worried about that issue. However I did several 100 mile runs on the Interstate at 75mph and even though I do NOT have a windshield the seating was very comfortable and I didn't have that constant need to pull myself forward. The Kawasaki engineers did a fantastic job in seat and handlebars for my situation at least.
I have degenerative joint disease and I have to have a low slung bike that I can swing my leg over easily. That was the main reason I purchased the Vulcan 900. When I was in my 20's and 30's I made several trips from Nebraska to Santa Cruz, CA to visit my father. I did the 1800 mile trip several times in a day and a half on Sportsters with the 2-1/4 gallon tanks. I cannot stay in the saddle that long now. But then I am retired and if I have to get somewhere in a hurry I take the airlines or Amtrak. If I was in my twenties I would not be riding the Vulcan but now that I am in my sixties my riding style has changed. The old Yamaha commercial about different strokes for different folks makes a lot of sense.
Wow, that long trip on a Sportster with the small tank must have been something! And those were the old Sportsters that vibrated a lot more than they do now (they were fine at 60 mph, but 70 up was a big buzz). But at least you had to stop fairly often.
One big advantage of the Vulcan is that it doesn't have a chain to deal with. Chains are fine for short hops, but I don't think they are great for long trips, at least not on a frequent basis. Sooner or later you'll get into a dust storm or some other bad weather that will mess it up. I remember coming back from New Mexico with the chain and both sprockets trashed because of the grit blowing around and sticking to the poor chain.
I can remember when that 305cc Super Hawk (or 250cc Hawk) pictured was a hot bike! It would blow away all the 90s and 160s. And it is pretty, ya gotta admit that. There should definitely be more little street bikes. People shouldn't learn to ride on big bikes.
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