I broke a 1,000 miles today and I was thinking about the bike and how I like/dislike it.
1st it's been a motorcycle nothing more BUT nothing less. Other than the bent exhaust flange and battery cable failure I have no beefs with it as far as reliability goes. Some people would be bent out of shape over those faults but I take things as they come. My KLR left me standing on the side of I-675 in the rain when the wiring rubbed through and the radiator fan on my Versys took a dump at 1 year and 1 month, of course it's a one year warranty and they want $450.00 for that dinky little fan...remember E-Bay/s your friend! I found one for $16.00. So a part that was replaced and a connector that failed and I had a replacement on hand...big deal. I find it the be a fine ride and every odd bike I buy someone has been telling me It'll be nothing but trouble and I should buy a Honda or a H-D. I'd rather walk myself than be another sheep.
The Ride! Most defiantly old school. I bought it to putt around on and just plain have fun no saddlebags or tail trunk no rack to make runs to the store. I have bikes for that I wanted a toy. And that's what I have. A very fun toy...it's a good thing. I didn't want another "Working" bike I wanted an escape to simpler times in my life. It's a "Way Back Machine" I don't mind it shakes at all. it's warm vibration not a nasty 4 banger buzz that puts my hands to sleep. I don't feel I should be running 9/10 all the time I just putt along enjoying the day.
The one thing I do hate is the saddle. after 1/2 hour I'm hurting BUT I have plans for that.
Last but certainly not least. This board and the people on make it possible to deal with any problems I run into quickly ans painlessly. When the bike started to misfire on bumps I knew what was going on and rode strait home and pulled battery finding what I knew I would. Without having the group knowledge I'd been trouble shooting for a hour or two until I found it, and the AGM is ready for pick Monday.
Coot