Freebird

Like many here, I have owned a lot of different bikes over the past 48 or so years. I have had a few that I liked better than others but none that I absolutely hated. They all have their own character. I owned an '88 Venture Royale and just couldn't adapt to the seating position. Most of that is because I am 6'2 and have long legs. I used to buy Levis with a 36" inseam but I guess my inseam is actually around 35". I just couldn't get comfortable on the first gen Venture. Then I bought a 1986 Harley FXRD. It was actually a great bike and I had no problems with it at all but the FXRD was a single year production model and aftermarket accessories, exhaust, etc. were almost impossible to find. When the RSV came out in 1999, I loved it and took delivery of mine in April of 1999. I will have to say that the '99 RSV topped the list, by far, of my favorite bike of all time. I rode it until 2013 when I got the itch for something different. I bought a brand new 2013 Harley Road Glide Ultra. Now it was somewhat of a spur of the moment decision. Not that I hadn't been thinking about it for a while but I woke up on a Saturday morning and just mentioned to my wife that I was really thinking about it again. She said, well, you've been wanting to do it for a while so get on the phone and see if you can find what you want. I actually planned to buy an Ultra Classic and called a few dealers. I found one in Medina, OH, about 30 minutes from my house, that had the Ultra Classic that I wanted. They closed at 5:00 on Saturday so we hopped in the car and drove over. We got there around 3:30. They actually had 5 or 6 Ultra Classics on the floor but right by the door, they had a brand new Road Glide Ultra and my wife spotted it. She liked it better than the Ultra. Once I sat on both bikes, I knew that the Road Glide was the choice for me. Though technically, they are exactly the same from the faring back, the Road Glide just felt much roomier to me. I felt really close and a bit scrunched on the Ultra but not on the Road Glide. So we did our negotiations and finalized the deal around 4:30. I asked the salesman what day they could have it ready and he told me that he had already had it taken to the back and it would be ready to go in about 30 minutes. So, I rode it home that day. Now, it happened that we had a lot of family illness issues start about that time so we didn't get to ride near as much as we expected to. I will say though that it came very close to being my favorite over the RSV. It depends on what you want out of a bike but I can tell you, it had plenty of power but more importantly, the power band actually suited the style of riding that I've settled over the past few years. My "speed demon" days are over for the most part and I loved the low rpm torque that the VTwins are so good at. The seating position was every bit as comfortable as my RSV and my wife thought that the passenger seat was better than the Yamaha. Though we didn't ride as much as we hoped to, we did get in a couple of decent trips. I also managed to complete two iron butt rides on it, one was the 1,000 miles in 24 hours and the other was 1500 miles in 36 hours or something like that. The 1,000 miler I actually did 1140 going and then the same coming back and completed he 2280 in just over 30 hours. Rode it non-stop there, slept about 4 hours, rode non-stop back home. I can honestly say that I was very comfortable for that entire ride. I only kept the Harley for about 2 years. Life got in the way and it ended up sitting in the garage most of the time. I think I put a total of around 19,000 miles on it and most of that was the first year. So, I decided to sell it. As for reliability, I can only say that for the two years and close to 20,000 miles that I owned it, it never went back to the shop for any reason other than the first service which was part of my deal. After that, I serviced it myself. Now if I had to place any fault on the bike, it was certainly the heat. I was just brutal on a hot day, especially if you got caught in traffic. We were coming home from the VentureRider rally in Illinois shortly after buying it and we hit Chicago at the wrong time. In that traffic, it was actually painful. I felt that my thighs were almost blistering. My wife didn't complain much but it was her feet that got roasted. Then we also took a little trip to Hilton Head, S.C. and though most of the trip was pleasant enough, when we were pulling into our hotel at Hilton Head it was 101 degrees and about 90% humidity. No doubt it would have been hot on the Venture also but I felt like I was sitting on a big heater on that Harley. If I could point at any fault of the Harley for deciding to sell it, it would certainly have been the heat. I did take several recommended steps to reduce the heat and it may have helped some but didn't ride it enough to really find out. Removed the catalytic convertor, free flowing exhaust and air filters, Tuner and richened up the fuel mixture, etc. To be honest though, it was more of a financial decision. I just couldn't see having that much money tied up in something that was now just sitting in the garage. So, after two years, I sold the Road Glide and then bought another RSV which I still have. There were things that I liked better about the Harley, primarily the low rpm torque but also the lower center of gravity, availability of aftermarket accessories, and yes, we even like the fact that there were so many shirts, jackets, etc. on the market. I wish that Yamaha would offer more branded merchandise as well. I would have no problem owning another Harley. I doubt I ever will but one never knows for sure. The fact is, we still aren't riding like we once did and my '05 RSV will likely last me my lifetime. It is completely setup the way I like it and I really don't know of anything else that I would need or want to add to it. I'm 63 now and we may or may not find that we like cruising in the Slingshot more than on the bike. I honestly don't think so but only time will tell. Like as been recommended, you should rent one first and get a feel for it. I would also try to test ride the Road Glide if I were you. I think that you have written that you also tall. You may, as I did, find the Road Glide to be a better fit. I'm almost sure that if I were to buy another Harley tomorrow, it would be another Road Glide. As for the Indian, I've seen some that really look great but personally, I'm just not a fan. I know those huge sculpted fenders are an iconic Indian feature but I simply don't like the look. I've also spent a little time on the Indian forums and have read many reports that the heat is actually worse than on the Harley. I have also read way too many reports about quality issues and, at least for a while, rider's had their bikes in the shop for extended periods of time while the dealer was waiting on parts. That issue may have been initial production issues and completely resolved by now.

She loves the Murano. It is a 2015 I think...first year of the new model. We've had no problems with it, a couple of very minor recalls. It has about 36,000 miles on it now. It's really a nice ride. It is the Platinum model also and has the "chestnut" color interior. My only small gripe is that the towing capacity is really low, 2000 lbs. if I remember correctly. Not a huge deal because about the only thing we pull with it is the two Waverunners on a double trailer. Even that is getting close to the limit. The old Murano's were rated at 4,000 lbs. and the drivetrain is basically the same. Nobody has been able to explain why they reduce it so much.

Eileen did ride with me. Actually, she almost insisted that we take it out for a while. It was the first time we had driven it since purchasing it on March 4th. It is fun and handles great. It is certainly not a motorcycle but absolutely not a car either. It is a bit rough on bad roads and there is certainly some drivetrain whine but us RSV riders are used to that. Overall, it is a fun machine. Plenty peppy as is so I doubt I'll add any of the performance goodies that are available for it. Will very likely change the exhaust not because I'm not happy with the sound but from what I've read, there are some issues with heat as the exhaust is laid out from the factory. Will probably add a header, do away with the cat, reroute the exhaust. Not sure when I will get around to all of that though.

LOL....I couldn't even get her to drive it on Saturday. She will though. She drove Larry's when he was here a couple of years ago and really loved it.

Temps were in the mid 50's on Saturday so Eileen and I finally got to take the Slingshot out for the first time. Still haven't had the RSV out this year but will soon. Here is a picture from Saturday. I've added the top, taller windshield, trailer hitch, some bar pads to the side bars. Sorry that my ugly mug is in the picture but Eileen insisted on taking it.

We shoot for 400 average but it can be more or less depending on where we are and where we hope to be. We have done as few as 300 and as many as almost 800.

Not from the factory. I've seen people make a lot of mods so that it can be but it requires some work.

WOW....just amazing. Loved it.

You just sunk DEEPER....snowing here again.

No, I allowed him an honest 1,000 and that is what I paid the dealer. I did that a few times when I worked there. Took a trade in for a one owner '83 Venture with 17,000 miles from an elderly man that had to stop riding shortly after buying it.

Here is the one I had. Years ago, I worked at a local small Chevrolet dealership for a while. I had a customer that wanted to trade this bike in on a truck but the owner said that he didn't want to take motorcycles on trade. So, I asked him if I could work my deal if I agree to buy the bike for whatever I allowed him for trade in. He had no problem with that. So, I allowed the guy $1,000.00 trade in, paid the dealership for the bike, and rode it home. Only had it for less than a month but it was a great running bike. It did have the high/low selector but I don't think I ever tried it. Don't remember for sure but I sold it for somewhere near $2,000.00.

I'm getting renewals and have not heard of any issues.

WOW...looks GREAT. That's some very nice work.

Work up early this morning, once again saw my pile of paper by my recliner reminding me that I was going to have to stop procrastinating and get my taxes done. So, got me a big cup of coffee and got busy. Wasn't all that bad and every year I get irritated at myself for stressing over them and not just getting them done. So, they are done and filed. Always a big load off my mind. Next year I'll do them early...yea...right.

Well I'll add my two cents here. I've been using a Carbtune for many years. I have had decent success with it and think that it does just fine. I agree with Cowpuc that the sticking is a nuisance but some little taps on the tubes seems to work ok. I admit though that it bothers me that there is really no way to calibrate them. You can test them by hooking each tube to the same carb one at a time to see if they are the same but if not, there is really no good way to correct them. V7Goose never liked the Carbtune and I defended it many times in discussions with him but sometimes I just have to admit that I am wrong. I don't understand Condor's comment that you can't adjust them side to side and front to back with the gauges. Maybe I'm not reading correctly what he is saying but you can do anything with a good 4 gauge setup as you can with a Carbtune. In addition to that, you can calibrate them easily when needed. I still have my Carbtune and will probably continue using it but if I were in the market for a new system, I would certainly go with the 4 gauge setup. Just my opinion, your mileage may vary.

LOL...no I don't.

I watched very few westerns when I was a kid. The only ones I watched on a regular basis were: Rifleman Gunsmoke Wagon Train Johnny Ringo Branded Wanted Dead or Alive Palladin, Have Gun Will Travel Big Valley Bonanza Wild Wild West and the others that I am forgetting.

Yea, there have been a few recalls. That one came out after I bought it and I have to get it checked. The previous owner was up to date on the others.

In my opinion, the Slingshot is in no way a motorcycle. Side by side seating and a steering wheel make it closer to a car than a motorcycle in my book. The Spyder has motorcycle style seating and handlebars so I think it is much more of a motorcycle trike than the Slingshot. That being said, it doesn't matter to me. There are many ways to get your face in the wind and the Slingshot is just another way to do that. I wasn't wild about the way the Spyder handled. It didn't handle like a motorcycle in any way but didn't handle like a car either. I admit that I didn't ride it enough to get used to it but it just wasn't for me. I'm not knocking the Spyder, some people absolutely love them and have ridden them enough to get used to the handling but for my tall frame, it just wasn't comfortable enough for me to put the miles on it to reach that point. The Slingshot does handle very much like a sports car and is fun to drive but obviously in a much different way than a motorcycle. I think that Polaris worked a miracle by getting this thing approved as a motorcycle for licensing purposes. Due to it's lack of safety features like airbags, shatter proof windshields, and so many other things required for automobiles, it would never pass government requirements as a car so getting it accepted as a motorcycle was essential to its success. Like Larry said, more and more states are coming up with the new autocycle classification and I wonder where that will eventually end up and what safety requirements could someday be added. At this point though, it is just another way to enjoy that wind in your face experience.

Years ago, I loaded all my own ammo for pistol and rifle. Never got into reloading for shotguns. I really enjoyed doing it. I used a Rock Chucker press. Not real fast but I found it very rewarding being able to experiment and optimizing my loads. I shot a lot back then. Life changed, new job, moved a couple of times and just didn't shoot nearly as much as I did back then so sold the reloading equipment and never got back into it. Probably never will but it was fun at the time.

I can tell you, accessories for the Slingshot are probably more expensive than for the Venture.

I listed hotels/motels in the second post in the rally section. http://www.venturerider.org/forum/showthread.php?135026-Freebird-s-Maintenance-Day

Well, haven't actually done ANYTHING to the Venture this year. Also, haven't moved the Slingshot since the day I nearly froze to death riding it home. BUT...i have added a few things. Bullet Speed V-Back top. Madstad adjustable windshield. Carbon_One trailer hitch. Trailing wiring isolator and connector.

Come on folks. Only 27 people signed up so far. Remember the "good old days"...we had around 250 people one year. Come on now, don't miss the great time. Please sign up on the calendar if you are coming. http://www.venturerider.org/forum/calendar.php?do=getinfo&e=505&day=2018-6-2&c=1

Nice guns. I really like the Bisley style. May have to add one if I come across a good deal.