|
|
Post by beekay on Jan 8, 2008 19:30:16 GMT -5
Just a thought
I've posted here a few times, but I'm still a noob.
I've been thinking about these bikes and the kind of guy it takes to be an XS owner/rider.
You guys are all the things that Harley guys used to be, minus the drunken brawler stigma.
Which is pretty much what I like to see in cycle riders.
XS riders have to know their bikes inside and out to even make them go anywhere reliably. And there's always talk about cams, and carbs, and exhaust, and pistons and gears etc.
It's gotten so the Harley guys are more about spending big$$ and ordering bolt on stuff from a catalog, as long as it doesn't void the warranty.
Probably sounds like I have Harley envy doesn't it?
Maybe I do.
I'd still rather know XS guys though, just cause the topic of conversation centers around fabrication and mechanics.
If you knowhutimean...
|
|
|
|
Post by Burns on Jan 13, 2008 1:52:41 GMT -5
Seems to me the XSers are more like the old Brit bikers.
|
|
|
|
Post by Six-Five-O on Jan 13, 2008 12:21:12 GMT -5
Seems to me the XSers are more like the old Brit bikers. I agree.. |
|
|
|
Post by beekay on Jan 14, 2008 16:51:25 GMT -5
I was the only guy with a Brit bike in our group.
Not even sure how other Brit riders behave (or misbehave)
I was a geek, I couldn't stand most Harley guys cept the ones who werent drug addict alchoholics.
|
|
|
|
Post by Six-Five-O on Jan 14, 2008 18:47:48 GMT -5
I've owned a couple of Harley's in the past. The worst thing about the typical H-D owner/rider back in those days, was the attitude of most of them..Come to think of it..The worst thing about the typical Harley's today is their attitude...I guess the more things change the more they stay the same. What has changed is who is buying them and who can afford to by them. With the advent of the motorcycle "lifestyle" clothing stores, the local banker, doctor, or lawyer can buy "pre" distressed leathers, and thrown on a doo rag and become an instant bad a$$ H-D rider..Just the type of guys I like to flog with my V-Max.. ;D  I have also owned a couple of Triumphs in the past as well. A 1962 pre-unit TR6 and a 68 T120R.. Both I wish I would hung on to..I feel the typical British bike rider tends to be more in touch with the performance aspects of owning and riding British machines and perhaps is more of an intellectual type. As far as the XS-650 crowd goes..It's a mixed bag of folks from all walks of life....I know from my involvement with the board here for nearly 4 years and the 2 prior years on the old "Garage" board, that there are some genuine and great folks here on this board and I am proud to be involved.. Best Regards John |
|
|
|
Post by Burns on Jan 14, 2008 19:19:31 GMT -5
John's pretty much said it all, but I'll add 2 more cents just to say XS650 guys just really LIKE this bike for what it is, although nobody is really quite sure what that is. We got nothin' to proove.
|
|
|
|
Post by shifty on Jan 14, 2008 19:37:22 GMT -5
........... We got nothin' to proove. .... the holy XS grail ... I'm in awe of that ... ;D ... man! |
|
|
|
Post by burge on Jan 14, 2008 21:11:08 GMT -5
I gotta agree on the new harley riders (as a rule) met some go guys though. A friend said that the new greating at the harley riders gathering ( hey guys look i got my side stand chromed) Here in sturgis we have about 500,000 come trough every august i have seen it all!! Interesting but not for me.
Dwayne
Stirgis SD
|
|
|
|
Post by 5twins on Jan 15, 2008 1:51:45 GMT -5
OK BK, I'll bite here. This isn't one of the usual columns I post in but ..... you're right as far as I can see. Although I'm a relative newcomer to the XS scene, I'm a life long biker (well, more correctly, a life long MOTORCYCLE ENTHUSIAST). My first love for many years has been European bikes, in particular '70s BMW twins. I've been all over the country on them. They're swell, I must say, but this XS ..... well ..... it's just grabbed me. It's my favorite (local) bike now. I'm trying to learn everything I can about it. I've got mine just about all fixed up. Now I need another  . |
|
|
|
Post by Burns on Jan 15, 2008 10:51:15 GMT -5
"I've got mine just about all fixed up. Now I need another one"
That's it. That's XSer's in a nutshell.
|
|
|
|
Post by beekay on Jan 15, 2008 15:08:24 GMT -5
I have also owned a couple of Triumphs in the past as well. A 1962 pre-unit TR6 and a 68 T120R.. Both I wish I would hung on to..I feel the typical British bike rider tends to be more in touch with the performance aspects of owning and riding British machines and perhaps is more of an intellectual type. I had a '62 TR6 too #DU18843... I still remember. A '68 Bonnie too. I had the engine mount brackets and rear hub and brake drum chromed on the '62. I like the XS cause you can build em up and they hold together, unlike Brit bikes or sportys. But those early Brit bikes and Harleys etc are such an eye feast! |
|
|
|
Post by grepper on Jan 22, 2008 15:24:33 GMT -5
Just putting my 2 cents in..
My older brother is a banker and a brand new Harley owner (plus, all the Harley garb). The way I see it, he bought his bike to be seen on a Harley, while I'm more interested in the whole experience. While I have my 3 xs650s (special, standard, and a chopper) all purchased for $400 or less, rebuilt and restored by me alone, he takes his to the harley dealer. He jokes with me, saying I ride rice burners. The funning thing is that when I ride to a bike shows/night the old-time riders always comment on my bike. I've had a few ask to buy, but they are worth way more to me then what they are willing to offer.
Yeah, I ride a rice burning. The best ever built and mine are paid for.
|
|
|
|
Post by beekay on Jan 24, 2008 19:52:54 GMT -5
XSs are unique in the rice burner arena too.
... An air cooled Jap twin that's actually worth rebuilding.
XS guys have dirt under their fingernails.
|
|
|
|
Post by XSv650 on Jan 31, 2008 0:48:40 GMT -5
"I've got mine just about all fixed up. Now I need another one" That's it. That's XSer's in a nutshell. Yup, I've got the XS bug too... BAD, but in a GOOD way!! and no disrespect to every Hardly rider, but I heard a description about Harleys years ago... "Harleys are like a**h@les, everybodys got one..." Sorry, makes me laugh! |
|
cattrim
New Member
73 TX650,'80-'82XS Chop
Posts: 43
|
Post by cattrim on Jan 31, 2008 22:06:55 GMT -5
I have rode many bikes over the years, Honda's, Harley's, Kawi's etc. The 2 that I find most appealing are the XS 650's and the HD Evo sporty's. They have a lot in common. Easy to work on, fun to ride, and can be a platform for what ever kind of ride you want, Cruiser, Chopper, Tracker, Street fighter. Just basic twin fun.
|
|
.