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Every couple of years I go to the "Biketoberfest" that dealers sponsor around this part of the country. Bascially you sign up to ride differnt bikes at different dealers booths/tents. With good scheduling you can ride 5 - 6 different bikes per day. You ride on regular roads and put on a few miles, BMW tends to take longer routes.
This is a good way to see what is happening from the manufacturer's world. Admission is generally $25 - $30 and youmust bring your own helmet and present a valid driver's license with a motorcycle endorsement to sign up for the rides.
After every one of these events I come back to my 4-cylinder metric bikes, both the XJ and the Concours. The big twins just shake too much for my taste. However, improvements are closing the gap.
Biggest diffrence I see is un upgraded braking. Suzuki, for example, uses Brembo components and has excelent brakes across the line. Victory has some units that come standard with forward controls, nice for longer distance cruising.
I cannot stand tank-mounted instrumets. You have to take your eyes off the road to look at them. IMHO this is a safety issue. Perhaps with more ecperience I would not have to look at the speedo so much, but I found it annoying.
Everyone rides for for different reasons and have different styles. For me, doing mostly longer hauls (commute is 115 miles a day) the smoother 4-cylinder rides coupled with a custom seat (Diamond on the XJ, Russell Day-Long on the Connie) beats the twins (except BMW) for my particular tastes.
Once in a while you get a real surprise, like the time Norton introduced their 3-cylinder bike in 2005 (?) It looked odd, but was a rocket with good handling. Fun ride.
If you have a chance to attend one of thes events, do so. Ride some of the new machines and compare notes. It's a great way to spend a day or two.
This is a good way to see what is happening from the manufacturer's world. Admission is generally $25 - $30 and youmust bring your own helmet and present a valid driver's license with a motorcycle endorsement to sign up for the rides.
After every one of these events I come back to my 4-cylinder metric bikes, both the XJ and the Concours. The big twins just shake too much for my taste. However, improvements are closing the gap.
Biggest diffrence I see is un upgraded braking. Suzuki, for example, uses Brembo components and has excelent brakes across the line. Victory has some units that come standard with forward controls, nice for longer distance cruising.
I cannot stand tank-mounted instrumets. You have to take your eyes off the road to look at them. IMHO this is a safety issue. Perhaps with more ecperience I would not have to look at the speedo so much, but I found it annoying.
Everyone rides for for different reasons and have different styles. For me, doing mostly longer hauls (commute is 115 miles a day) the smoother 4-cylinder rides coupled with a custom seat (Diamond on the XJ, Russell Day-Long on the Connie) beats the twins (except BMW) for my particular tastes.
Once in a while you get a real surprise, like the time Norton introduced their 3-cylinder bike in 2005 (?) It looked odd, but was a rocket with good handling. Fun ride.
If you have a chance to attend one of thes events, do so. Ride some of the new machines and compare notes. It's a great way to spend a day or two.
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