Any Coalpailers/Crossroaders still riding motorcycles?

I thought I was done riding last Spring, when I sold my last bike, a kitted out Suzuki V Strom. Getting too old, shot knee, crazed junkie drivers and a variety of other med troubles. I regretted that sale many times. So, I recently bought a old beater UJM in not terribly bad shape. A Suzuki 1981 GS650G shaft drive, 24k miles. I always had a thing for the shaftie Suzuki's and came close to buying one a couple of times before. It was a 3 year model here and 4 in Europe. A 850, 1000 or 1100 would be more interesting, but this one is plenty heavy enough for an old man. Only a fool goes with an old 4 carbureted 4 cylinder with evidence of ham-fisted PO's. It has good bones and I have or have ordered much parts. Quite a few things on this model are different than any other similar Zuk ( Suzy, for the oldtimers). Including the bottom end ( plain bearing, high oil pressure) and the secondary drive system of the shaft drive. It has some sort of direct drive in top ( 5th gear only) which bypasses some components. That gets more of the modest power to the rear wheel in 5th. Surprisingly, it will tolerate being putted around at less than 4k rpm in the first 3 gears. My multi day road trips are behind me, but looking to hopefully a couple more years on 2 wheels.

What are you guys riding these days? Lots and lots of HD's around here. I enjoyed FT Fred's pics of his shovelhead and knucklehead. There had been a very long thread on member's bikes some years ago.The only dealers left in my area are HD, BMW, Triumph and KTM. Seems that Ducati, Moto Guzzi and many other dealers have disappeared into space. The only remaining Japanese dealers are 30 or more miles from me.

Cool ride!! Looks to be in great shape. I had a 2001 ZX9-R with some engine work some years back. That bike was insanely fast. Sold it when the kids and house came...regret it every day. I’ll be getting another...hopefully. Definitely a street bike, something about them scream sexy!!! Best of luck with the new to you bike.

Motorcycles are the only way to see the country. I try to get at least 5000 miles a season. I rode the wheels off a Yamaha maxi scooter and when I retired I got a Honda CTX700 DCT. Weirdest bike ever, but it does the trick. Most of my riding is Berks, Lehigh and Lancaster Counties. I get to Cherry Springs State park at least five times a summer for an over night camp. As long as my ass, legs, and balance permit, I'll keep going. I had a Suzuki 500 GS with tricked out jets for a few years. What a crotch rocket that was. The power band above 5000 rpm was outstanding. As MC rider says " I'll see you on the road "

tsb wrote: ↑

Mon. Oct. 21, 2019 9:17 am

Motorcycles are the only way to see the country. I try to get at least 5000 miles a season. I rode the wheels off a Yamaha maxi scooter and when I retired I got a Honda CTX700 DCT. Weirdest bike ever, but it does the trick. Most of my riding is Berks, Lehigh and Lancaster Counties. I get to Cherry Springs State park at least five times a summer for an over night camp. As long as my ass, legs, and balance permit, I'll keep going. I had a Suzuki 500 GS with tricked out jets for a few years. What a crotch rocket that was. The power band above 5000 rpm was outstanding. As MC rider says " I'll see you on the road "

Good stuff, tsb! It's been some years since I was in the 4000-8000 miles a year category. I was bike-less this past Summer. My usual out for a spin ride used to be a 120 mile loop up through western Schuylkill and part of Northumberland. Yep, nothing like traveling by bike. Nothing real distant for me, unfortunately. Allegheny NF, Va., W. Va. AMA Vintage days at mid Ohio. Flat track races in Md. I had full luggage on the V Strom and on an old '72 BMW airhead before that. Sargent and Corbin seats on them. Never been to Cherry Springs. Isn't that known for being a nice place for stars, no light pollution? I've known of some guys that have done some amazing travel on maxi and Burgman scooters, even far north into Canadian bush.

I ran into a guy and his wife upstate a couple years ago that had one of the similar NC700 models. He loved it. I think the first versions were 650's, based on half of a Honda Fit engine. I guess that they upped the redline from the original ones when they went up in displacement. Now a 750? I'll bet that that DCT makes for some relaxed riding. I'm guessing that the fuel mileage and range is great.

I'll ride all year. Usually 10-12,000 miles a year. The "Old Grey Mare" 2003 VStrom 1000 does just fine for me.

I lost my mojo when it comes to riding road bikes anymore. There is so much distracted driving in my area anymore I am to afraid of getting smoked. Have a 1999 Ducati Monster 900 Chromo Edition sitting in my barn that has not been started in 5 years.....absolute crime I know

Mine is a 06 softtail sitting in garage last 4 years. Did go for a short putt on the back roads last year. Some pimple face kid in mommies car about took me out!

artbaldoni wrote: ↑

Tue. Oct. 22, 2019 6:37 pm

I'll ride all year. Usually 10-12,000 miles a year. The "Old Grey Mare" 2003 VStrom 1000 does just fine for me.

Real impressive, Art! How many miles do you have on the DL1000? You probably know of the guy in Ga. with well over 400k miles on a '03 V Strom 1000. He used to post now and them on the Stromtrooper and ADV rider forums. I think that wera688 is his handle. If I recall correctly, he reported something like 425k miles a couple years a go. Tired but still running. I believe it's semi-retired now. The early Strom's odometer only goes to 200k, so he had replaced the cluster a couple times. First replacement was on Suzuki! Same guy took a '91 HD to 363k miles.

1985 Yamaha Vmax1200. 85+k unopened miles.

17" sport bike mags and Pirelli radials, brake and suspension upgrades, solid motor mounts ( cures the frame flex these things are famous for ), custom seat, massive wizardry with carbs and Vboost intake.

it's an intentional unwashed rat rod tittle taking street stock sleeper.

i'm probably down to 2k a year for the last few but, i'm retiring next yr and have a special one off build in mind to use up some of my free time. after 45 yrs. of all kinds of bikes it would be pretty hard to give up.

my riding mantra is " ride like a gladiator cause someone IS going to die today and only you can make sure it's not you "

@hank2
I've only been back to riding for the last 4 years and have actually had 2 identical bikes in that time. 1st one I bought with 22k miles on it ($2200). A chain "incident" holed the case so it got turned into a parts bike. I found an exact replacement within a week with 24k miles on it and put it into service right away ($2300). I had 50K on bike one when I killed it and now have 35k on bike two. This year was a low 8k mile year. Broken leg from a near miss on a deer that put me in a ditch in March, then a pulmonary embolism in June. Basically knocked me out of riding for 2 1/2 months. I'll do better next year...
Kith with his 400k mile DL1000 is a legend!

Fall in PA.

Real nice! I always have though that Fall is the best riding season.

I've been without a ride for a few years now but had a wide range of bikes since the early 70's. The first was a Yamaha R5C 350cc go fast and scare you bike. The last was sold a couple years ago to purchase a tractor I need to maintain my property. I miss that setup. Was a Ural 750 sidecar rig. I rode that thing all over the place in all types of weather. Simple, somewhat reliable and also somewhat slow. I couldn't park that bike anywhere without getting delayed by onlookers asking questions.
It could hold at least 2 large pizzas in the trunk along with a couple 6 packs. I used it to bring home feed sacks and even lumber one time tied on top of the sidecar. If I can get rid of some other junk around here I might have to get another one.

Nice on the side car set-up V!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!