As you can see by most of these pics, we can load these bikes down pretty good. And, I must add, still pass every thing else on the Interstate, other than a larger displacement machine of course, but I find most of them don't ride as fast as I do anyway. Ever.
Loaded or not, two-up, or not, I tend to ride at least 9 miles over posted speed limits, and allowing for speedo error, that means (to me), keeping my tach over 5K, and my speedo needle north of 85 mph in a 70 mph zone. Loaded or not, two-up, or not. And my 790cc twin isn't even breathing hard after a 10 hour day, and I'm comfortable enough to look forward to the next 10 hour day tomorrow, too.
You are where I found myself 8-9 years ago, when I thought I wanted (needed) that Honda VTX, and then the 1300 came out, and that seemed to be the perfect starter bike for what I thought I wanted to do. No way, no how, would I have ever put 80K on a VTX 7 years...nor had half as much fun doing it.
People(like me now) on this forum convinced me the Triumph twin in a cruiser frame could do what I wanted without all the extra cc's. Or engine coolant. Or fans. Or shaft drive. Or an extra 150-200+ lbs. of extra weight.
AND, THESE ARE TRIUMPH! I still can't stop for gas without attracting attention....
