I'm getting back into riding after 5 yrs. I want retro looks, with performance and comfort. What should i buy?

Question

The bikes I have been looking at are (listed in the order im leaning right now) Ducati GT1000 or Triumph America. While not so retro looking I am also considering the Victory Hammer, Triumph Rocket 3 and the Harley Davidson V-Rod.

I have extensive experience on dirt bikes having had my first one at the age of 6. I also have about 10 years of experience on the roads but riding nothing bigger then a 600 cruiser there. I havent ridden anything in 5 years and I'm nervous about some of the larger engines later on my list.

I will use the bike mostly around town but once every couple of weeks I will be hitting the highway for a couple of hours.

I would like some experienced riders comments on what they think would be best for my needs. I'm open to new suggestions but I have no interest in the Japenese bikes at all.

Answer 1

I ride a 2006 Harley Electra-Glide, and also have a 2002 Honda 750 ACE (a cruiser). I got back into riding about 4 years ago, after a 30-year or so layoff. I bought the Honda, took the MSF Basic Rider's Course, and rode it about 203 years before buying the H-D last Valentine's Day. First, let me recommend that you take an MSF course before you get back on a bike - it will tune up your riding abilities and help you a lot in adjusting to "life on the street" on a bike after your lay-off from riding. Next, I would have to say that you are looking at a pretty big jump from riding a 600cc cruiser five years and more ago to a Ducati, Triumph America or V-Rod. Frankly, the only one of those you should probably consider at this stage of the game would be the Triumph America. The Triumph Rocket, which is aptly named, should be off your list completely, at least until you get a year or two's current experience on a relatively big-bore bike - that thing could really eat your lunch. Exciting, extreme performance, and far too much temptation to twist that right wrist - it can get upwards of 140 MPH in a heartbeat. It is quite capable of leaving most riders mentally well behind it, but your body will still be there at the crash scene. The Ducati and V-Rod are awfully quick, too. The Triumph America is still pretty quick, but is probably in a more manageable range at your current level of proficiency. I'd probably recommend it as your best choice, from those you are considering, at this point.

I went through something of a similar process before I bought the Harley. I considered and tested a Honda VTX-1800, a Kawasiki Vulcan 2000, a Triumph Rocket III, and several other bikes before I bought my H-D Electra-Glide. Although I was a die-hard "chopper" guy back in the late '60s and '70s (when they were real choppers, that you had to build yourself, including any and all custom parts - there just weren't any custom m/c parts manufacturers back then - not the current "curved/swoopy" style bikes they call choppers now), I found that I had gravitated toward becoming a "bagger." My changes to the Honda, after performance mods, went through a series of mods improving lighting (both to see with and with to be seen, front and rear), better seating, and a series of saddle bags (when I was young, I detested saddle bags on motorcycles). In any case, that experience, and considering the best way to add bags that looked good and also had adequate storage to any of the big cruisers I was considering led me to desire hard bags. I was somewhat hesitant to buy an H-D, both because of price and my experience with some of the H-Ds I had owned back in the '70s (AMF days, not a happy time for H-D). However, I finally decided on the E-Glide, and I'm very happy with it. I'm not trying to tell you to buy one; however, I must say that I was glad I had put a lot of miles on the Honda after I got back into riding before I bought the 'Glide - it still took a bit of transition to get used to the much heavier bike, and I was glad I didn't just get on one right after getting back into riding. Don't over-do on your first bike when first returning to riding. You can always trade up a year or two down the road, and you may find your wish list to be a bit different at that time. In any case, have fun, and ride safe.

Answer 2

You are leaning the right way - go get the ducati GT1000. thats what i would do if i were you. i stopped into the local Duc store the other day - very impressive. I own a 1995 916. NOT comfortable and NOT retro - but fast as H*** in the cayons and truly a beautiful bike. the new 1098 actually looks a lot like the "old" 916. What goes around - comes around.

Answer 3

Not a slam here, but be sure to ride the Harley V Rod if you think you might go that route. I rode one, and I guess I'm not big enough for it, because the frame rails that go around the base of the fuel tank pressed into the inside of my knee area something fierce. No way I'd buy one because of that, I don't see how you could really "fix" that problem. I do kinda like the looks of the V Rod though, the newer "painted" ones. When I rode one it was still when they were that brushed metal look only, had just come out.

Answer 4

If you are really interested in the retro's, then i would lean toward the Triumphs. The America is nice, but leans more towards the cruiser end. For real retro looks, I would pick the Bonneville, Thruxton, or Scrambler.

Answer 5

Too bad you're not interested in the Japanese bikes. There are lots of good ones on the market and ruling them out really limits your choices.

Answer 6

I WOULD SUGGEST EITHER A HARLEY SPORTSTER 883 OR A HARLEY DYNA. EITHER RIDE REALLY GOOD. FOR COMFORT AND LONGER TRIPS I WOULD SUGGEST THE DYNA BUT FOR PURE FUN AND EASE I WOULD GO FOR THE SPORTSTER. I OWN A 2002 SPORTSTER 883 THAT HAS BEEN CONVERTED TO A CHOPPER AND ABSOLUTLY LOVE IT BUT SOMETIMES WISH I HAD GONE FOR THE BIGGER DYNA DUE TO THE FACT THAT I ENJOY LONGER HIGHWAY TRIPS. TOUGH CHOICES OUT THERE BUT TRY AND STAY AWAY FROM THE SO CALLED CROTCH ROCKETS. HOPE I WAS ABLE TO HELP.

Answer 7

It's like riding a bicycle,you never forget.Pick the bike you like and ride it.Good Luck and be careful.