Rebel a Decent Ride? - Page 3

**notasportster** · 03-08-2010, 03:30 PM

I like my 450 a lot, that overdrive and extra torque make it a reasonably quick bike. I mean its much quicker than my car, and comparable to many highend sport cars. im definitely going to keep it for a few years, and then move on to a sportbike. although it looks so good I might just keep it.

When I go into the the dealers I dont see anything I would want to buy, they killed the bread and butter bikes. since when is a iron 883 a beginner bike, I will never want a 1.5+ liter cruiser (goldwing, vtx1800) (my car only has a 2L), I miss bikes like the vtr 250 interceptor, that was honda's answer to the ninja 250 and I bike I wouldn't mind riding today.

And then harley killed off buell, they could have came out without some smaller sport bikes and expanded the line, (the blast doesn't count).

I just think american's went absolutely crazy, we dont need huge houses, big trucks and suvs. but apparently others believe otherwise. and thats were the market went. In the rest of the world motorbikes are for commuting not just for pleasure.

**rebelCAFE** · 03-08-2010, 03:36 PM

i hear ya brother. my 250 is for commuting and pleasure both. it may not be the biggest or most powerful bike, but i'm happy with it. i'm not in that big of a hurry anyway. i'm one of those people who prefer hitting the backroads and just cruisin' about 45-50 mph. its just more enjoyable to me to take it easy. but to each his own i guess.

**cagie** · 03-08-2010, 04:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by notasportster

I just think american's went absolutely crazy, we dont need huge houses, big trucks and suvs. but apparently others believe otherwise. and thats were the market went. In the rest of the world motorbikes are for commuting not just for pleasure.

Just wait until the gas prices go back through the roof, then you'll see some semblence of common sense...

**jax** · 03-08-2010, 05:07 PM

I agree with cagie, The gas prices here where I live have gone up 11 cents in the last two weeks. I live in what is called central Ca. half way between LA and San Francisco on 101. They went from $2.89 to $3.11 a gallon. I guess the gas co. aren't making a large enough profit.
I ride a 450 and do enjoy the mountain roads around here a lot more than the freeways. I am into the slow lazy riding in the mountains. If I have to go to another town around here I take the back roads whenever I can. the 6 speeds of the 450 make the freeway rides OK because it will keep up with the traffic, with no trouble.

ride safe

**Shadow Shack** · 03-08-2010, 08:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by notasportster

since when is a iron 883 a beginner bike

And then harley killed off buell, they could have came out without some smaller sport bikes and expanded the line, (the blast doesn't count).

I'm confused by your statement --- if the Blast "doesn't count" and Buell's next size up was an 883...how could they have come out with some smaller sport bikes?

Technically the Blast did count. After that one came out, Erik went with fuel in the frame/oil in the swingarm and perimiter rotors across the line on his bigger bikes. Without the Blast, Buells would have still been over glorified Sportsters with underslung monoshcks and mufflers.

**Shadow Shack** · 03-08-2010, 08:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cagie

Just wait until the gas prices go back through the roof, then you'll see some semblence of common sense...

You honestly believe that? It's already happened twice in the past five years: 2005 (Katrina) and 2008 (oil speculators) and nothing changed either time for the long haul. Everyone griping about the high gas prices during the specualtor summer had a 2005+ guzzler, everyone griping about gas prices today has a 2008+ guzzler.

The top ten list of most sold vehicles in America for 2008 was lead by the Ford F-150 and Chevy Silverado in first and second place (can't recall which was which), hot on the heels of both a "gas crisis" and a recession! Only a pair four-bangers occupied the list with the technicality that a V-6 was available in their upper trim lines (meaning anything above a base model, which is what typically sells).

I'm sorry, but it should really be called "rare sense".

**flitecontrol** · 03-08-2010, 10:05 PM

Well, the high gas prices of 2008 got me on a motorcycle for the first time. And since then I ride two wheels whenever it's practical. If it comes down to not being able to afford transportation or getting a higher mpg vehicle, folks will adjust. But I agree that too many Americans are going to keep and continue to buy huge vehicles, whether it's a Hummer or a 2,000 cc bike.

**cagie** · 03-08-2010, 10:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shadow Shack

You honestly believe that? It's already happened twice in the past five years: 2005 (Katrina) and 2008 (oil speculators) and nothing changed either time for the long haul. Everyone griping about the high gas prices during the specualtor summer had a 2005+ guzzler, everyone griping about gas prices today has a 2008+ guzzler.

The top ten list of most sold vehicles in America for 2008 was lead by the Ford F-150 and Chevy Silverado in first and second place (can't recall which was which), hot on the heels of both a "gas crisis" and a recession! Only a pair four-bangers occupied the list with the technicality that a V-6 was available in their upper trim lines (meaning anything above a base model, which is what typically sells).

I'm sorry, but it should really be called "rare sense".

No, but it looked good on paper.

But look at the sales of those hybrids, waiting lists until fuel prices got back down to a more 'acceptable' range. Then the Hummers, SUVs and big engine bikes took back off.

I knew a guy while I was in the AF. He was an officer, brought in good money, but drove an old Corolla and rode a scooter, lived in a very modest home with solar and wind power. As far as I know, still lives that way and is very well off. Something to be said for living 'smart' and not worrying about keeping up appearances.

His turning point was the '73- '74 oil embargo recession, didn't like waiting in line to buy gas...

But, who said Americans have common sense? very few indeed...

**Shadow Shack** · 03-09-2010, 12:45 AM

Ah, you remember the hybrid waiting list fiasco?

Yep, back in 2005 there was a huge waiting list for the Prius at the Toyota dealerships. By the time a lot of those names got checked off, gas dropped back down to $2.50/gallon and the dealers couldn't keep the Tundras in stock.

While I wasn't old enough to experience the 70s crisis, I still carry vivid memories of my folks griping about it. They didn't like my frequent requests for trips to the gas station so I could fill the go-kart tank so I rode my bicycle with a gallon gas jug in tow.

**Fridgitator** · 03-09-2010, 01:49 AM

I bought my 09 Reb at the height of gas prices a year and a half ago. I hadn't had a motorcycle in years, but my old cage was costing me a small fortune to commute to work, and was just plain wearing out. It was the best decision I'd made in a long time. Meanwhile, people with huge gas guzzlers were dumping them so fast that you could get an 8 cylinder pickup for less than a 4 cylinder with far more miles on it. SUVs were being dumped at losses that would have taken more than the life of the vehicle to recoup even if gas prices had held at the peak for years. At the same time, Texas rolled out a program whereby any vehicle over a certain age could be turned in for a credit of several grand toward the purchase of a brand new vehicle within certain MPG standards or some such. The old vehicles were fed a mixture of silica sand and water in place of oil until the engine was toast, and then the whole thing was scrapped, with no parts salvage allowed. Countless parts for old cars and trucks were destroyed in the program. Gas prices went down some, dealers made a killing reselling huge tanks, and there is no difference other than low income folks with no choice but to drive old beaters having to pay a premium for parts

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