icerigger

WOW! Talk about topic drift!
My original question was about people who used to own big bikes, in my case a '74 Kawi Z1B (900cc), and have moved to smaller bikes, like the Rebel. Just looking for motivation.
In my case the temptation of POWER lead me to ride the Z like a lunatic, don't ask, they were different times 35 years ago, and subsequently totalling the bike and grievously injuring myself. Getting back into biking at age 62 I have no interest in that kind of ride again. I find I have much more control over the Rebel than I ever had on the Z.
Any one else with similar experience?

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Livin' my life like a song.

1985 Rebel 250C - "Birdie"

Buickguy

Not exactly but sort of. I've always liked lighter cycles. Never really cared for more than 750cc in engine, at least the older 750s. I like under 600 lbs, preferably under 500lbs. I like large automobiles and as a youngster I abused the heck out of them. I had enough of a self preservation instinct to shy away from heavy and powerful cycles.

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1987 CMX250C Rebel

2002 FSC600 SilverWing

1983 Yamaha Midnight Virago XV920MK

Put your bike's year and size in your signature.
It helps others help you.

icerigger

Yeah, come the cold & damp nights some parts of my body make me wish I had shied away as well.

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Livin' my life like a song.

1985 Rebel 250C - "Birdie"

UltraBlue09

Going from the Harley V-Rod to the Rebel....that was downsizing, much better mileage for sure. But with the continued high gas prices, I'm thinking about downsizing again to a bike of my youth...a 1974 JC Penny Golden Pinto minibike...3.5hp of pure power, a scrub brake, and a kill switch that would electrocute the strongest of men.
But it had the best MPG....I could ride all day on a tank that held maybe a little over a quart of gas.........
Those were the days...........:l ol2:

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2009 Honda Rebel Ultra Blue Metallic

"Ignore me all you want, I will not go away"

marmetta

I'm just doing them from scratch. Shifting side was easy but im having problems with the brake lever. Im going to start back at it sometime near end of next month ill send you pics of the finished job

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07 Dyna Custom

Mojo Peterson

I rode a 2010 883 iron before I bought an xvs650 vstar. The bike was a decent rider. I was surprised at how smooth it was. I thought it would be kinda clunky. Then I rode a 2010 xvs 650 at a dealer. Superior machine hands down. It fit like a glove. I wish it had a 6th gear. (sound familiar?) For my first bike in 25 years the 5 year old xvs650 I chose was the way to go. 1/3 the cost of a new iron. Cheaper insurance. Plenty of power with the barrons torque rings and hypercharger. I think it launches better than that brand new sporty I beat on for 30 minutes at the dealer. This bike had $2800 worth of chrome extras real money. I paid $3100 take it home. The weight is about the same between them. The xvs was noticeably less top heavy. I am only 160 lbs soaking wet with 2 rocks in each back pocket. So I know the difference.
In comparison to those two machines, the Rebel 250 is 100x's the fun to ride. I grew up on Honda's and Yamaha's dirt bikes. Harley-Davidson didnt make a dirt bike for me in the 70's when I was being groomed as a future motorcycle rider. (AMF? HAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!! stop it) That Japanese bike feel is second nature. There is a huge difference in the ride to me anyways. It's a comfort zone.

Now I go to bike week each year in Daytona Beach for the last 7 years. Seriously, I am tired of looking at the same ole same ole. Harley-Davidson to me is a rich mans bike to play around with. Over 45 folks with infinite amounts of cash to blow. I callem like I see them. Not many people under 40 years old are interested in a Harley. Huge marketing error on thier part. The "Buy and Bolt on" has gotten old. I walk down main steet or beach street and don't even look at them anymore. I'm looking for that machine someone poured their heart and soul into. I dont care what brand of bike it is. Not some $60,000 chopper from Acme Motorcycle Company. Now I am not harping on Harley people here. It's their machines. It's played out! Harley folks all laugh at what I ride and then are usually complimentary. I take it in stride. For less than $2500 I've been able to build something just as neat as thier $25000 Harley on a $300 2000 Honda Rebel 250 platform. (photos soon) ..and I don't have a payment.
For the record, my dream bike is a 1975 Honda CB400F Super Sport, Red, Stock.

Rebel riders rock it and so does this forum!

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Bud

Hey, Ultrablue, can we get a picture of your footpet modification?

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Shadow Shack

I've actually been interested in a Harley for over a decade. Problem is our recession-proof dealer that asks $10K for $7K Sportsters and $18K for base model Dyna Super Glides (the two I'm interested in)...and the resulting hike in used bike prices that follows. Seriously, the only deals out here are if you can hunt down an early model EVO or a shovelhead...anything TC-88 and newer is ridiculously overpriced.

And the humorous part? At the end of every year they offer "leftover models for MSRP" along with "two year old leftovers for MSRP -$500". Which really kills their "supply and demand" argument for their jacked up new bike prices...

And that is what has kept me off a Harley all this time.

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"Ride Safe, Chop Safer"
Support your FLIBS (Friendly Local Independent Bike Shop)
3500cc worth of Honda: http://shadow-shack.20m.com

mojorisn

I always see good deals on fairly new HD's on CL, especially on the sportsters. That is the only way to buy one in my opinion. Going to a dealer is just asking to get ripped off when it comes to buying HD.

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1985 Rebel 250

Shadow Shack

See, it isn't just the dealers here. The used market reflects those inflated new purchase prices. None of the neighboring AZ or Cali dealers will sell to NV residents (not that I'd want the emissions packages from the latter), and the Utah dealers I've checked aren't any better in the way of pricing. The Cali used market is, well...probably the reason why the NV used market emulates the trend. Honestly, I don't know what it is about the southern California used bike market where they advertised used bikes at above new bike prices. I'm guessing the dealers there only get one new bike each year, based on the used bike prices.

So I either have to buy "really old" or travel to Colorado for an MSRP new deal.

Neither of which is stimulating any "need" to buy.

__________________
"Ride Safe, Chop Safer"
Support your FLIBS (Friendly Local Independent Bike Shop)
3500cc worth of Honda: http://shadow-shack.20m.com