Author Topic: New Guy..my first post (Read 4386 times)

Blue Racer · « **on:** May 11, 2007, 11:28:21 PM »

This is my first post to this site. I am George Lewis, live in the boondocks east of Boerne, TX. I ride a '02 Gold Wing with '05 Motor Trike kit. Left knee went out, so I triked. I am 74, started riding a scooter in 1948, wearing a football helmet...funny looking, but....

I also have a '03 Burgman 650 scooter. I had a '98 Bandit 1200, with a stage 1 carb kit, Yoshi exhaust and a K&N air filter...it would move right out. I sold it to a friend in'01 when I got my Wing...big mistake.

Thinking of getting a 1250 w/ABS. Local Suzuki guys want +/- $9600 OTD. Too high, I think, but ? Five dealers within 40 miles and all are within a few dollars. I think they meet in the back room...all charging freight and setup, which is BS (I think).

I have enjoyed reading your posts, especially about the new 1250. Good luck to all and ride safe...

Tarheel_Rider · « **Reply #1 on:** May 11, 2007, 11:51:07 PM »

Here's one on ebay in Ohio.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/NEW-0Mi-2007-Suzuki-GSF1250S-ABS-Bandit-1250-WE-SHIP_W0QQitemZ130108967687QQihZ003QQcategoryZ50026QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

ZenMan · « **Reply #2 on:** May 12, 2007, 12:06:07 AM »

Awesome trike, George!

Up here in my neck of the woods, Drinnon's Cycle in West Plains, Missouri has a non-ABS 1250 for $7849 OTD.... and I think Betty can get an ABS for just $400 more.

If you're interested PM me and I'll hook ya up.

"Down in Luckenbach Texas, with Waylon and Willie and the boys..."

Blue Racer · « **Reply #3 on:** May 12, 2007, 12:19:43 AM »

Thanks for the dealer info. This gives me something to work with. I have one dealer, my favorite, to deal with...

I live about 35 miles from Luckenbach...visit there one or two weekends per month...we ride the year around here as it doesn't get real cold and snow shuts down the world here...ha ha

Wllie and the boys don't come to Luckenbach very often, but when they do, look out. There is a narrow road in and a narrow one out...get there early and expect to stay late..

Thanks guys.

CWO4GUNNER · « **Reply #4 on:** May 12, 2007, 12:51:30 AM »

Welcome George, your Gold Wing looks great. If you don't mind me asking with all your motorcycle experience what is the single biggest advantage and disadvantage to a trike beside the obvious? Is it at some point a better trade off to 2 wheels? Oh and good luck finding a better price on the new b1250, they are up there in price although you are the first one to admit it.

Quote from: "George Lewis"

This is my first post to this site. I am George Lewis, live in the boondocks east of Boerne, TX. I ride a '02 Gold Wing with '05 Motor Trike kit. Left knee went out, so I triked. I am 74, started riding a scooter in 1948, wearing a football helmet...funny looking, but....

I also have a '03 Burgman 650 scooter. I had a '98 Bandit 1200, with a stage 1 carb kit, Yoshi exhaust and a K&N air filter...it would move right out. I sold it to a friend in'01 when I got my Wing...big mistake.

Thinking of getting a 1250 w/ABS. Local Suzuki guys want +/- $9600 OTD. Too high, I think, but ? Five dealers within 40 miles and all are within a few dollars. I think they meet in the back room...all charging freight and setup, which is BS (I think).

I have enjoyed reading your posts, especially about the new 1250. Good luck to all and ride safe...

Sven · « **Reply #5 on:** May 12, 2007, 12:57:56 AM »

George, welcome to the Alley. What a great picture you posted! The post office is really a great scene, and your trike is "real purty like". I would imagine a trike rides way different than two wheels. Please feel free to share your experiences, and any rides/routes that you want to recommend.

smooth operator · « **Reply #6 on:** May 12, 2007, 06:44:10 AM »

Great pic,reminds me of a cowboy movie in front of that old PO.
Nice looking GoldWing. I have a pal that went to a side car on his HD because of his back.(has ss pins in it) Couldn't get on and off his Triumph anymore.He also feels much better now that he moved out of the cold damp NE. He moved to Appache Jct.,AZ. and feels much better.And can ride year round. Dan

Blue Racer · « **Reply #7 on:** May 13, 2007, 11:17:49 AM »

Thanks for the comments on my trike. I really enjoy it. Here is the background on the trike. I started riding in high school in 1948...with a 4hp scooter...had two scooters and then went to m/c. Had a few during the last 55 years. (BSA, Honda and Triumphs) As I said earlier, I had a '98 1200 Bandit and sold it (mistake) and got a '95 Gold Wing. Got run over while at a stop sign, trashed the Wing, and bought '02 GW in Nov. '01.

In '03, left knee started acting up. Wing tipped a little and I tried to hold it up...(mistake) and knee really went to hell. I always liked the looks of a trike so I added a '05 Motor Trike kit to my '02 Wing in Oct. '05.

I love the trike. You steer it as you would a ATV. Takes about 1K to get used to it. I get on, sit, adjust my privates, put on gloves, helmet, turn on my XM radio, program my GPS and away I go. I don't worry about sand, gravel, oil on the road, ect. If I wish to turn around on a slope, pull left, push right and do a 180...love it. It is great for long distance riding.

I have a trailer hitch and plan on getting a trailer. I also have an optional air compressor to adjust the air shocks. 20# while on the Interstate and 35# in the twisties. More air for the rear passenger if real heavy. I can adjust the air while riding. Rear tires are 235 70R 15's.

It corners very well and I ride as quickly as the others I ride with. I have no problem keeping up...it will corner much better than I have the guts to go there. My blood turns to wee-wee before it comes close to breaking loose. Never close to tipping over...you would have to do a stupid, violent maneuver to tip it. Some say the will tip over, but they have never ridden one..

Bottom line...I will be 75 in August and my trike will extend my riding life many years. I can ride that trike as long as I can get my leg over the seat...no worry on tipping over. It is hell getting old...

Is it for everyone...no, but it sure fits me. I also have a '03 Burgman 650 scooter...runs like a hose. I cruse 75 all day long on it. Great acceleration.

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http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r158/Georgephoto72/GOODPIC-2.jpg

CWO4GUNNER · « **Reply #8 on:** May 13, 2007, 11:30:31 AM »

Thanks George, that really answers the questions I needed to know as I see more trikes trikes appearing on the road it must be a great option especially on a wing and your wing looks awesome and comfortable. Your an inspiration, I guess I shouldest complain about being 50 anymore.

JReviere · « **Reply #9 on:** May 13, 2007, 02:51:27 PM »

Howdy, George...
Another X-WINGER here... Rode GW's for close to 20 yrs, like you started as just a kid of 15 on a Cushman Scooter, then a "Famous James" (who else ever heard of one of those?) It was a 350cc, vertical vibrator twin... I downsized from a GL1500SE to a 97 ST1100 in 97, rode that for years, sold it, Did my first Bandit in 01... got scared of the thing in the TX Hill Country twisties (lived near Marble Falls at the time), sold it... messed around with other things... ended up with an 03 ST1300ABS for just over a year... too big, too complex, too HEAVY for a 76 year old... sold it, bought a used 01 B12S... Still saddling up w/2 wheels. Probably ride that way until I can't walk. No health problems, just AGE... Old enough to know better, too stupid not to try. If you want to challenge that Trike, try Park Road 4 thru Inks Lake State Park up northwest of Marble Falls.... BTW... You might try at the Zuke dealer on I-35 in New Braunfels... but don't be surprised at their prices... OUCH... DOUBLE OUCH.

JR
Lake Livingston, TX

Tarheel_Rider · « **Reply #10 on:** May 13, 2007, 03:18:29 PM »

Quote from: "JReviere"

ended up with an 03 ST1300ABS for just over a year... too big, too complex, too HEAVY for a 76 year old... sold it, bought a used 01 B12S...

JR, I missed seeing that transition, but will enjoy reading your insight and wisdom here. I see you have a pic of your B12S on the st site, nice bike! Joel

Blue Racer · « **Reply #11 on:** May 13, 2007, 07:57:40 PM »

Yeah, JR, we ride the three sisters west of Medina, TX. Hwy 335, 336 and 337. I do pretty well on those with my trike. Used to ride my 1200 there 7-8 years ago. Fun stuff.

SteelD · « **Reply #12 on:** May 16, 2007, 07:22:42 AM »

George, that's one of the best-looking trikes I've ever seen. It looks, practical, comfortable, modern and streamlined. I'm not really into trikes but if I ever did get into them, I'd feel real good having a trike like that.

zeebandit · « **Reply #13 on:** May 16, 2007, 02:32:16 PM »

From one George to another. Hello and welcome. Nice bike, and I wish the Bandit came in that color.

Blue Racer · « **Reply #14 on:** June 01, 2007, 11:04:11 PM »

I am back. Did not go anywhere, just lurking around. Went to a dealer friend and ordered a 1250 w/ABS today. He did not have any, but will order from the warehouse. We have five dealers within 60 miles of me. I shopped four of them before going to my friend....I told him I shopped them and he said "Don't tell me what they offered you, I would know that I am giving you too good of a deal". ha ha It was much better than I expected and he asked that I not mention the price to anyone, saying "I won't sell to anyone else at this price".

I could not stand it...I love my trike and scooter, but can not shake that desire to "rake on" as they say in the Southern Illinois hill country where I was raised. Just gotta have a power fix once in a while.

I have sure enjoyed this site. I have learned a lot since joining up with this fine group. Later