I've had my 81 for 2-1/2 years but today was my first real ride. I didn't know what i was getting when I bought this not running at a yard sale. I'd never ridden one or any bike in this size category. But I am a big fan of the Boxer engine design, old Goldwings are plentiful and very inexpensive, lots of parts are available, and I was intrigued by the idea of the single carb conversion. Now that I've worked on and ridden one, I have opinions.
1. Good Lord, these are heavy. Getting it up that little ramp to get it on the lift takes most of what I have. I am very careful doing it for fear of losing control of it because if anything happens my best option is to run away and leave the bike to its fate. Trying to regain control could get me really hurt and I'm too old for that. I have an electric boat winch and I plan to add it to the lift for safer on-offs.
2. Somebody put a lot of thought into rider ergonomics because even this 81 is darned comfortable. I always thought the handlebars looked a bit oddly positioned but they put the grips in exactly the right spot for me. I considered changing the bars for a different look but any change would be less comfortable.
3. I feel safer on this than any other bike I've ridden. It's big, has big, high lights. It's much more visible to the 4-wheelers.
4. It is not for carving twisty back roads, duh. Attempts to take turns hard caused scraping footpegs sooner than I am used to. All part of learning a bike's limits and strengths. If I have the urge to carve twistys, I should ride a different bike.
5. I'm hooked. I'll never part with this machine. I will have other bikes but this one will be customized to my liking and when I'm done no one else will like it anyway!
1. Good Lord, these are heavy. Getting it up that little ramp to get it on the lift takes most of what I have. I am very careful doing it for fear of losing control of it because if anything happens my best option is to run away and leave the bike to its fate. Trying to regain control could get me really hurt and I'm too old for that. I have an electric boat winch and I plan to add it to the lift for safer on-offs.
2. Somebody put a lot of thought into rider ergonomics because even this 81 is darned comfortable. I always thought the handlebars looked a bit oddly positioned but they put the grips in exactly the right spot for me. I considered changing the bars for a different look but any change would be less comfortable.
3. I feel safer on this than any other bike I've ridden. It's big, has big, high lights. It's much more visible to the 4-wheelers.
4. It is not for carving twisty back roads, duh. Attempts to take turns hard caused scraping footpegs sooner than I am used to. All part of learning a bike's limits and strengths. If I have the urge to carve twistys, I should ride a different bike.
5. I'm hooked. I'll never part with this machine. I will have other bikes but this one will be customized to my liking and when I'm done no one else will like it anyway!