Considering buying a hardtail. Thoughts?

[mrhammer2u]

I'm kicking around the idea of buying a hardtail but I've never owned one. It would only be for local riding, maybe 75 miles 1 way at most. I understand the obvious but I've been polling and reading to get some insight. Some people love em, and then there is the extreme other side who claims to have had blood in their pee which I assume was from a very long ride on a very rough road and seat with no springs or cushion.

I've ridden one once (only a couple minutes) and it was a lot of fun feeling every nook and cranny on the road. Mostly I love the look.

I'm trying to decide whether it's worth the $5-$6k to buy a "cool looking" bike. Money "is" an object which is why I'm hesitant.

I'm 38 FWIW

Thoughts?

[BA80]

Don't plan on riding it much and I hope you have a good chiropractor.

[madmax-im]

thats alot of cash for "looking cool" for that money there are so many other options I'd consider before buying a hardtail...I have an XS1100 I'd sell you for $3500...but then you might chop it up......Just kidding

[mrhammer2u]

Don't plan on riding it much and I hope you have a good chiropractor.

I hear that a lot. But my buddy has a 69 Triumph hardtail with springer seat that he loves. We ride all over the place together. But he also weighs about 65lbs less than me. Not sure if that's a factor? I assume my extra weight is bad for the spine but better for ride quality (traction/stability),....so I hear.

He's the only 1st hand source I have though. All other reviews are online.

[mrhammer2u]

thats alot of cash for "looking cool" for that money there are so many other options I'd consider before buying a hardtail...I have an XS1100 I'd sell you for $3500...but then you might chop it up......Just kidding

I plan to keep my XS11,..which is chopped up already...lol. But still has suspension.

[dbeardslee]

Get yourself a kidney belt, and hope you don't hit any bumps going around corners. A suspension that's too stiff tends to bounce, and on a motorcycle you only have two points of contact with the ground. I want my two points in full contact with the ground all time. My $.02

[mrhammer2u]

By the way...here's the beauty that's been mesmerizing me into doing something dumb...... like buying a hardtail!!

http://newyork.craigslist.org/brk/mcy/5234387051.html

[dbeardslee]

Man! That thing doesn't even have a sprung seat! And just looking at where the footpegs are, it looks like your legs would be way bent. And those pipes look like a muffler burn waiting to happen. But it does look cool, though....

[madmax-im]

yeah its cool looking scoot but theres no way I would waste my money on that...there are so many other bikes out there that you could really ride and use...you're gonna spend more time gawking at it than riding it...all style no substance...my opinion is to forget this ...but then that means you'll prolly buy it...good luck with that...

[dbeardslee]

$6000 for a motorcycle with a rear fender that looks like this?! Everything else looks real nice, and then he put a rat bike fender on it.

[mrhammer2u]

$6000 for a motorcycle with a rear fender that looks like this?! Everything else looks real nice, and then he put a rat bike fender on it.

Fender is from a 34 Ford. It wasn't a cut corner. I dig it.

All of you are right,...it's not built for comfort.

The pegs would need to be under you on a hardtail otherwise it's a guaranteed herniated disc...instead of probable

I'm concerned about the seat as well. Easy enough to put a springer seat on tho.

As far as better for the money,...that's very subjective. I was specifically looking for a disc brake (front & rear), evo, hardtail, bobber. Price is actually low for this cup of tea.

Buuuuuttttttt.....I'm still concerned about actually riding the damn thing. Thanks for all the input guys!

[dbeardslee]

Here's an idea for you - take your SF, remove the rear shocks and bolt some steel bars in their place. Ride it around for a while, and see what you think of hardtails afterwards.

[mrhammer2u]

Here's an idea for you - take your SF, remove the rear shocks and bolt some steel bars in their place. Ride it around for a while, and see what you think of hardtails afterwards.

I thought of that. With the Progressive rears and custom seat I have, my bum needs a rest after about an hour of riding as is.

If I lost 50lbs I might not be so worried about the hardtail. I love food more than I love that bike tho

[crazy steve]

It's bikes like this that give Harley owners a bad name....

You'll almost never see one like this in a tour group for the simple reason they're just not practical. For a 'look at me' bike or bar-hopper, sure, buy it. With the unsprung seat, the ride will be brutal on anything but real smooth roads. Run the rear tire soft (about 25 PSI), that's your suspension. It's got the 2 gallon peanut tank, so max range will be 100 miles or less; probably less, given the open pipes. The low seating position is hard on your back even with suspension.

Even at all that, that bike is still overpriced for what it is. Basically a lower-end Sportster with a custom frame, if I couldn't duplicate that bike for less than the asking price I'll turn in my tools....

[motoman]

I'm kicking around the idea of buying a hardtail but I've never owned one. It would only be for local riding, maybe 75 miles 1 way at most. I understand the obvious but I've been polling and reading to get some insight. Some people love em, and then there is the extreme other side who claims to have had blood in their pee which I assume was from a very long ride on a very rough road and seat with no springs or cushion.

I've ridden one once (only a couple minutes) and it was a lot of fun feeling every nook and cranny on the road. Mostly I love the look.

I'm trying to decide whether it's worth the $5-$6k to buy a "cool looking" bike. Money "is" an object which is why I'm hesitant.

I'm 38 FWIW

Thoughts?

'love the look' and reality are two different worlds. Lack of safety and your backside ARE reality. Don't even consider the idea.