Topic: I think I moved to California

[Klark Kent]

Happy thanksgiving y'all
back east for the holiday and a bit, reunited with my beloved sohc4.  Went for the first ride in four months on the 550 yesterday and it was pure joy.  I miss the hell out of that bike to the point where -because it looks like i will be living in northern california for a while- I was considering riding it cross country tomorrow.  Turns out the time and money that would eat up could be better spent working and buying a bike on the west coast.  my first choice is an sohc4 of course.  but was wondering if anyone knows a lot about dual sports or something that will be better for the million miles of national forest roads near where I am.  also if anyone knows of good bike for sale by honest folks in the bay area or north (mendocino county) I would be all ears and some dollars.

I miss you guys too
-KK

[DarkRider]

dont tell us you plan on selling the CB man...

[KeithTurk]

I've bought 4 of these things off eBay for less then 500 bucks.... and they've all been fine... ( 550k's )

The real mountain roads are up in Syscou county... on the Oregon boarder... man is there some riding up there...  was there as a kid for a couple of summers on my 350.. would love to have another shot at that...

In the mean time I've also bought a cheap F650 Bmw that would be a blast to ride around that area...

Keith ( tried to fix syscou co. cause I know it's spelled wrong )

[tramp]

those cross overs sound pretty good
most have a semi knobby tire i would not trust on wet roads

[andy750]

Keith what is your impression of the F650?

cheers
Andy

[KeithTurk]

My F 650 is truly the best bike in my shop by FAR... it's a 2000 Bmw F650... often called a Funduro... ( but not labeled that way in 2000 )

single cylinder twin carb's, exhaust, so on and so forth... cruises at 80mph ALL day with no issue... doesn't transfer vibration much ( I want to say at all... it's that good )...

Thing has brakes from hell... and enough HP to wheelie like a champ if your that sick... the handling is incredible...

Down side is that it's tall... and the CG is a bit high...  parts are pricey...

I've ridden it 1000 miles in a day... ( 20hrs actually ).. for the Iron butt gig... and taken it on several overnight trips... the thing rocks...

As a side light it taught me I really like to ride long distances... and I built a 550 touring bike for the trip to Mexico...  frankly... it's just about as good as the BMW... and cost less by a substantial margin...  I need a better seat but after that... the 550 actually offers two more feet positions then the F650... and moving my legs around makes the time less boring... oh and I'm Inth's away from having a Stero in the Windjammer fairing on the 550...

Keith

[pdxPope]

   Siskiyou.


(Don't feel bad. I went to college in Ashland. It must have taken me a whole year to learn how to spell it correctly.) 


-JP

[333]

You could ship the 550 out there.

[super pasty white guy]

333-

That's what I was just going to say.  I just priced sending a 550 out to colorado and came up with ~$550 bucks (do they use the $1/cc rule?)

Anyway, you'd still have your bike for roughly the cost of buying a runner...
And if you need someone on this end to help with the movers, just pm me.

spwg

[Klark Kent]

 I like having a vehicle on the east coast, and spending 550 bux to have what I've already got just seems wrong.  I may also want something a little more geared to riding cross country that an unfaired 550 with rocker post wear, or something more geared to the west coast roads than straight street bike.  I really dig the guzzi 850Ts and old airheads for better touring rigs and the honda xl650 and suzy xr650 seem like a good duals. 

DR- never gonna sell it it's my first bike.
KT- pm me if you want to sell a runner for less than $500 
Keep spitballing and sharing bike reviews, It is much appreciated
-KK

[Dusthawk]

Well, when you get out here, give us all a heads up, Rita is still waiting for some work but there are several more of us in this area, maybe we could have another West Coast Meet, Greet and Ride.

[Uncle Ernie]

SR500?

[Klark Kent]

DH- that sounds cool- i have yet to meet any of you guys in person- at least as far as i know. 
UE- I'll check it out.

Anyone have any strong feelings either way about the honda xr600 ('87 model with dual carbs and exhaust)?