 What do you like and dislike about your bike?
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Joined: Oct 2010
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Ok, I'll start. I ride a Honda Steed 400cc
Like
Reliable. The ****** thing takes a licking and keeps on ticking. It's a really robust machine. The engine, drive train, everything about it is well built.
Stable. I've hit some big pot holes and I rode over a dead dog at 60mph. There's never been a point at which the bike felt wobbly or unstable. I feel pretty safe on it.
Inexpensive to fix and maintain. I live in Thailand and every mechanic here knows Hondas inside out. Parts are inexpensive and are readily available. Simple design means every mechanic is capable of fixing it. You don't need a super star or a brain surgeon to find a problem.
Low speed handling. Even though it sports a 21" front wheel, it's relatively easy to negotiate at parking lot speeds and the turning angle is pretty good as well.
Dislike:
Comfort. Even though I have an aftermarket touring seat, it's still not very comfortable. The seat is too close to the handle bars and I wind up sitting on my tail bone. I find that I have to stop every half hour or so to relieve the pressure.
Balance. It's not a well balanced bike. It feels a bit top heavy and the weight distribution is not ideal. Other bikes (Hondas and others) are much better balanced than the Steed.
Power. The power is adequate 90% of the time, although sometimes I wish I had a 600cc or bigger especially when riding two up with someone over 170 lbs.
Pillion. Everyone complains about passenger seating. It's too small and the passenger pegs are too high.
Let me know about your experiences. I wonder how other bikes and riders compare.
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Re: What do you like and dislike about your bike?
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,241 Likes: 64
Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,241 Likes: 64 |
Like almost everything.
Dislike Head design, starter boss design.
I learned all I need to know about life by killing smart people and eating their brains.
Eat right ,Exercise ,Stay fit, Die Anyway!
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Re: What do you like and dislike about your bike?
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Joined: Oct 2010
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What about the head and the starter boss design you don't like?
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Re: What do you like and dislike about your bike?
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,241 Likes: 64
Fe Butt
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Fe Butt
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 23,241 Likes: 64 |
I don't like the cam design with no renewable bearings and the older bikes had weak cases where the pin rides that the intermediate starter gear rides on.
I learned all I need to know about life by killing smart people and eating their brains.
Eat right ,Exercise ,Stay fit, Die Anyway!
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Re: What do you like and dislike about your bike?
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Joined: Mar 2010
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My XR650L
Likes: reliability of an anvil, go anywhere capability, power (it's heavily modded), cool factor of riding a true (dirt oriented) dual sport, the looks I get as I blow by people on the interstate at 90 - 100 MPH, comfort ( I find this style bike most comfortable).
Dislikes: small fuel capacity, low MPG (due to mods), excessive tire wear with dirt oriented tires.
My 2007 Bonneville America
Likes: Most everything, styling and fit and finish probably come first though.
Dislikes: limited dealer network in my area, the POS lasertec front tire, I could live with a little more power but I'm content with what I have.
Outside a dog a book is a mans best friend, inside a dog it's to dark to read.
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Re: What do you like and dislike about your bike?
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Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 476
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first my klr650.
likes: gas mileage and a 6g tank. i can go almost 300miles between fillups. carrying capacity. i have aluminum bags and top box. suspension. i bounce over all the crappy roads in sonoma co, ca.
dislikes: lawnmower feel of the motor.
speedmaster
likes: looks: it is the best looking bike around. good power. comfy on the highway. with the saddlebags i have i can carry all i want.
dislikes: suspension. some bumps i can feel my back compress when i hit them wrong.
If it isn't broke, I haven't messed with it.
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Re: What do you like and dislike about your bike?
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Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 10,735 Likes: 7
Should be Riding
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Should be Riding
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 10,735 Likes: 7 |
I like everything about my bike.
I don't like to clean spoke wheels, but I love the way they look.
Always remember to be yourself. Unless you suck. Then pretend to be someone else.
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Re: What do you like and dislike about your bike?
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Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 3,937
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 3,937 |
And you may see me tonight
With an illegal smile
J. Prine
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Re: What do you like and dislike about your bike?
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Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 12,964
Stickman Yogi
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Stickman Yogi
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 12,964 |
Quote:
I like everything about our America, EXCEPT... 
I DON'T LIKE THAT IT HASN'T RAN FOR A MONTH NOW!!! 
I was almost afraid to read this post.
Live to love, love to live.
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Re: What do you like and dislike about your bike?
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Joined: Oct 2010
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Quote:
I like everything about our America, EXCEPT...
I DON'T LIKE THAT IT HASN'T RAN FOR A MONTH NOW!!!
Whose fault is that though? 
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Re: What do you like and dislike about your bike?
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Joined: Jan 2005
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Loquacious
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Loquacious
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Bonnie-A My 2002/3 America : after progressive suspension ,21" front wheel , additional 3.5 degree to the rake , 904cc kit and a Speedmaster seat.......  I like the ride, the power, the comfort and its highway manners....... wont trade it !  at 6'1" and 200+ lbs it provides me all day comfort.....great acceleration now... just ask the Oklahoma H.P. no comparrison to my KZ1000, Sprint S , or to past bikes like my GL1000, Kawi 800A, Benelli or my old Yamaha... however my old Trophy was great in all the Bonnie departments except changability..... my Bonnie-A can be a real camelion with a change in the bars and a set of rear-sets................................... I have not ridden, or test riden another bike I like as much.....after my changes.
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Re: What do you like and dislike about your bike?
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Joined: Feb 2010
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With my 2006 Honda Shadow 600cc, I liked that it was a light bike to start riding with. Did not like how it often stalled in first gear and tried to dive to the ground each time it did, and I was very uncomfortable on freeways because it felt too light and balance was not good for me at those speeds, always felt like it was ready to slide out from under me. Also hated only having four gears and couldn't carry my teen daughter without the bike struggling. My 2006 America is my dream bike. I LOVE everything about it, and it just keeps impressing me more with every trip I take on it. The only thing I don't care for, is finding stuff to fuss over her easily. I have a few things on her that can't be found anymore, and it is a treasure hunt to look for cool stuff at times. All in all, I can honestly say like everyone else here, I like everything about her. She really is my dream bike and I expect years and years of reliable rides in our future. Oh and I sometimes get stopped by people wanting to ask about her, when I would rather be riding, but that is also a like. Kind of feels good to have a bike people do a double take to admire. 
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Re: What do you like and dislike about your bike?
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Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 8,393 Likes: 1
Second Wind
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Second Wind
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 8,393 Likes: 1 |
The only thing I dislike about good ole Matilda is I can't spend enough time on her.
I have no faith in human perfectability. I think that human exertion will have no appreciable effect upon humanity. Man is now only more active - not more happy - nor more wise, than he was 6000 years ago.
Edgar Allan Poe
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Re: What do you like and dislike about your bike?
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Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 1,738
Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 1,738 |
2006 Black Speedmaster Custom exhaust, Freak conversion, Nology wiring, Iridium plugs, Pingel petcock,  , AI removed, Progressive forksprings, Progressive 812 flame Shocks and numerous cosmetic additions / changes. Whats not to like?  Maybe that feeling you get when a crowd gathers around her and ignores all those over priced Hardlysons parked alongside her... Nah... thats good too.
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Re: What do you like and dislike about your bike?
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Joined: Oct 2010
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Quote:
With my 2006 Honda Shadow 600cc,
I liked that it was a light bike to start riding with.
Did not like how it often stalled in first gear and tried to dive to the ground each time it did, and I was very uncomfortable on freeways because it felt too light and balance was not good for me at those speeds, always felt like it was ready to slide out from under me. Also hated only having four gears and couldn't carry my teen daughter without the bike struggling.
My 400cc is a 5 speed and the bike doesn't struggle even with two up. The only time I wish I had more power is when I want to pass in a hurry or going up a steep hill with two up.
I tried the same bike with a 600cc and that was powerful. I did feel like the bike was going to run off from under me. I agree with you as far as comfort goes. However, I don't find the bike to be poorly balanced at highway speeds. More so at medium speeds at around 25-40mph
Last edited by AlexO; 11/04/2010 3:15 PM.
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Re: What do you like and dislike about your bike?
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Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 3,937
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Apr 2008
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Quote:
Quote:
I like everything about our America, EXCEPT...
I DON'T LIKE THAT IT HASN'T RAN FOR A MONTH NOW!!!
Whose fault is that though?
Well, It's NOT my fault that it quit running, and it's not my fault I can't afford to take it to the stealership, or that I can't afford to even buy the part, once I find out which part it needs. 
(or IS it!?) 
Furlough days HAVE TAKEN THEIR TOLL. 
And you may see me tonight
With an illegal smile
J. Prine
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Re: What do you like and dislike about your bike?
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Do you have to take it to a dealership? There are no shops near you that could find and fix the problem for a reasonable price?
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Re: What do you like and dislike about your bike?
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Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 12,964
Stickman Yogi
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Stickman Yogi
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 12,964 |
Quote:
Like almost everything.
Dislike Head design, starter boss design.
I'm with Ian on this one. I love my bike... absolutely adore it, but I cringe at the thought of... well, let's not go there. Otherwise I'm rather annoyed we have to put up with electrical problems. Ghosts of Lucas I suppose. Sweep all that aside and I have a perfect bike!
Live to love, love to live.
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Re: What do you like and dislike about your bike?
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Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 3,937
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 3,937 |
Quote:
Do you have to take it to a dealership? There are no shops near you that could find and fix the problem for a reasonable price?
Your missing the point. read the parts about "can't afford". 
That means I can't afford service right now, at ANY rate, and I can't afford the parts right now.
Myself and a friend are working on diagnoses right now, at NO cost. But when it's time to buy parts, again, "I can't afford them. 
I'm still p1ssed that a coil, cdi, or crank trigger would go out after only 12K miles.
I've NEVER even known of a jap bike having these components fail at the rate our members have posted. (unless they were B.S'ing?)
And the part about REASONABLE,(parts or labor), 
With the work situation as it is right now (and the last year and a half), if I had payments on any of the bikes, I'd have to sell. Being their all paid in full (from better times), I'll just mothball them. Then I'll have more time to be here, at BA.com. 
And you may see me tonight
With an illegal smile
J. Prine
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Re: What do you like and dislike about your bike?
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Joined: Oct 2010
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Quote:
...if I had payments on any of the bikes, I'd have to sell. Being their all paid in full (from better times), I'll just mothball them. Then I'll have more time to be here, at BA.com.
How many bikes do you have and are they all in non-running condition? If so, perhaps it's not the bikes that are an issue... Just a thought.
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Re: What do you like and dislike about your bike?
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 18,825
"Lighten up, Francis."
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"Lighten up, Francis."
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 18,825 |
Like? Everything. Even the warts.
Dislike? Incessant stupid questions.
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Re: What do you like and dislike about your bike?
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,531
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,531 |
Quote:
Like? Everything. Even the warts.
Dislike? Incessant stupid questions.
Triumph ??? who makes that ??
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Re: What do you like and dislike about your bike?
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Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 3,937
Loquacious
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Loquacious
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 3,937 |
Quote:
How many bikes do you have and are they all in non-running condition? If so, perhaps it's not the bikes that are an issue... Just a thought.
Frijoli revisited. 
And you may see me tonight
With an illegal smile
J. Prine
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Re: What do you like and dislike about your bike?
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Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 257
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2008 America:
Like: Styling - its the best looking bike on the planet for my money; uniqueness compared to all the Hardleys and bland Yamahondasuskis I see around town (can anyone REALLY tell the difference between a V-Star, Vulcan, Shadow, and Boulevard from a distance? I think not!); mechanically bulletproof in the 3 seasons and 16,000 miles I've had her.
Dislike: lack of top end grunt. I can probably correct this with the right mods, and probably will next season (any suggestions?) Propensity to attract wrinkly old guys who want to talk about the 1964 Bonneville 750 their brother-in-law's cousin's friend had.
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Re: What do you like and dislike about your bike?
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Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,690
Learned Hand
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Learned Hand
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,690 |
Like= Everything Dislike= Nothing. (2005 America, 4+ years and 48,000 miles).
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Re: What do you like and dislike about your bike?
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Joined: Nov 2008
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What's not to like ? Best bike on the planet !! I love this thing !!!
08 America
Rinehart exhaust, Clearview shield, Viking bags and magic carb's
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