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@Amos_Umwhat said:
@CalvinAndHobo , I get that. My Goldwing test ride was, well, nice. Mr. Rogers nice. Smooth, efficient, sanitary. My motivation in buying it was primarily that it was a better transportation system for us, two up. 90% of my riding is two up. Also, the BMW's tall seat was getting to be a bit of a challenge for a couple of 70 year olds.

After I bought it I started making it mine. Ultimate seat and National Cycle's Comfort Bars so I could stretch my legs helped. A lot! I didn't think I'd like the backrest, but I do. And then, the Alaska Leather Sheepskin, much comfort.

I also added a luggage rack to the trunk, which was a more complicated task than I thought. Faye's reaction was great to witness: "You're going to drill holes in a brand new $30k motorcycle? Are you crazy?" I also put a Quiet Works windscreen on in place of the stock. I like the recurve lip, and it is wider than stock. I put adjustable wind deflectors under the mirrors as well, it gets hot down here, and sometimes it's nice to funnel all the wind in my direction.

Lastly, the engine. It's so smooth it feels tame. That's why there's the Sport Mode. I got used to this bike the same way I did with the BMW. I started out in Rain or Econ modes, and then moved up. I don't like surprises in traffic. While I'm almost always in Tour Mode now, all I have to do is flip the switch to Sport and the machine forgets its gentlemanly manners and becomes a beast.

I should add, I do appreciate your comments regarding Indian's future as a stand alone. That was pretty much what I figured would happen to Harley when they left AMF, and it was pretty much what happened to Harley when AMF bought them, although that ultimately turned out to be what saved them long enough for Harley's people to buy themselves back. What I fear will be missing is the passion. Motorcycling is truly all about the passion. Without it, the company, and the industry will die.

Sounds like I'll have to try sport mode on the next test ride before making judgement. If my bike got stolen tomorrow and I had an insurance check, I think I'd start my test riding with the BMW R18 Transcontinental and go from there.

@CalvinAndHobo , I get that. My Goldwing test ride was, well, nice. Mr. Rogers nice. Smooth, efficient, sanitary. My motivation in buying it was primarily that it was a better transportation system for us, two up. 90% of my riding is two up. Also, the BMW's tall seat was getting to be a bit of a challenge for a couple of 70 year olds.

After I bought it I started making it mine. Ultimate seat and National Cycle's Comfort Bars so I could stretch my legs helped. A lot! I didn't think I'd like the backrest, but I do. And then, the Alaska Leather Sheepskin, much comfort.

I also added a luggage rack to the trunk, which was a more complicated task than I thought. Faye's reaction was great to witness: "You're going to drill holes in a brand new $30k motorcycle? Are you crazy?" I also put a Quiet Works windscreen on in place of the stock. I like the recurve lip, and it is wider than stock. I put adjustable wind deflectors under the mirrors as well, it gets hot down here, and sometimes it's nice to funnel all the wind in my direction.

Lastly, the engine. It's so smooth it feels tame. That's why there's the Sport Mode. I got used to this bike the same way I did with the BMW. I started out in Rain or Econ modes, and then moved up. I don't like surprises in traffic. While I'm almost always in Tour Mode now, all I have to do is flip the switch to Sport and the machine forgets its gentlemanly manners and becomes a beast.

I should add, I do appreciate your comments regarding Indian's future as a stand alone. That was pretty much what I figured would happen to Harley when they left AMF, and it was pretty much what happened to Harley when AMF bought them, although that ultimately turned out to be what saved them long enough for Harley's people to buy themselves back. What I fear will be missing is the passion. Motorcycling is truly all about the passion. Without it, the company, and the industry will die.

Harley makes a great bike if you put a buttload of money in aftermarket parts. 😂😂😉

My next non customized Harley bike would probably be the BMW.

Spent 4.5 hours last night looking through a private collection of pipes. There was over 300 pipes, mostly unsmoked, from various artisans. The gentleman collected as a way of dealing with his PTSD. Let’s just say he had wonderful taste in expensive pipes to the tune of $175K. He kept every box, pipe sock and paperwork for almost every single piece. Then we had the pleasure of viewing the tobacco collection. All I can say is holy $h!t. There was 37 moving boxes (24” x 24” x 26”) filled with tobacco. Hundreds and hundreds of aged McClelland, McConnell, Solani, Butera, Capstan, MacBaren, Sutliffe, SG, Esoterica, Germains, Druquer, etc etc. It was absolutely amazing and incredible experience.

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