My motorcycles I have owned


This page is a description of motorcycles I have owned and why I decided on those bikes..

I follow Alex Lovell as she rides her bike Cedric, she asked if anybody names their bikes. I do and I realized I should share the names.

Before you buy a bike read articles about How To Buy Your First Motorcycle so that you don't get (literally or figuratively) taken for a ride. I have always bought my bikes from dealers so that I can have someone to talk to in case something breaks, they have a reputation to uphold. But buying from a friend or colleague who is getting out of motorcycling or an individual on Craigslist can certainly be a cheaper option. Or not ... Check the Kelley Blue Book, some people don't want to believe that their vehicle are worth less than when they bought the bike. In my opinion 'upgrades' just add to whether or not I want to buy the bike or someone elses bike, they don't add to 'value'. Motorcycle upgrades and gear drop in value IMMENSELY after they have been bought. The worst example is used helmets which have NO value after they have been bought and worn, you can't always tell if they have been in an impact or not unless you mail them to the manufacturer (see bottom of page) for x-ray.

Current Motorcycle



Harley 2005 Road King (FLHRI CR)

After the Harley Heritage 100th anniversary bike was no longer with me (RIP) I immediately went looking for a comparable bike. Moon Motorcycles had a 2005 Road King in Black Cherry Pearl in stock and ready to go, Very nice looking. Same engine size as the 2003 Heritage. Feels like it has a better lean angle, like it can corner a little tighter. Haven't touched the moustache bars to the pavement yet.

My lesson from the last two bikes was that after 10 years I was becoming too relaxed while riding. Not paying enough attention to the fact that I am RIDING a MOTORCYCLE and that I was NOT in a cage. I found myself thinking about what I was going to do in an hour and not concentrating on riding a motorcycle. This attitude could be deadly. I have since relaxed and focused on the ride. The ride will end when it is done THEN I can think about what is next.

Shortly after getting the new bike I went on a road trip to John Day Fossil Beds, one of the places I stopped was the Painted Hills. Cleared my mind, fantastic trip:


This is also an older bike. This bike just runs. No funny issues or peculiarities yet. Since it is a travelling bike it can hold about 100 Lbs more, but the MPG is a *little* less than the 2003 Heritage. One of the benefits is that it has lockable panniers, the 2003 Heritage saddlebags did not lock. This bike, like the Hertage, has gotten me home every single time. I haven't chosen a name for this bike yet. The name may yet reveal itself.

Gone but not forgotten



Triumph 2000 Sprint ST 955 - Cerberus

The Triumph 2000 Sprint ST 955 was the first bike I owned, I named it Cerberus, often referred to as the hound of Hades, in homage to the Triple engine it had (and because I do like dogs, cute cuddly dogs :-)):



I was initially looking for a 650cc engine used motorcycle that had panniers and maybe a pillion seat. I am rather large / tall (See this picture of me standing next to the K1600 for reference) and I didn't want to look like a circus monkey on a tiny bike. Typically even a 650cc is a rather large size engine to start with and not usually recommended for a beginner rider. The other important item is to not go out and buy your 'dream bike' as your first bike. As the saying goes 'There are two groups of people in this world ... Those that have dropped their bike and those that WILL drop their bike'. And being in the first group does not necessarily mean that you won't be in the second group also. I have dropped all of my bikes, but my first bike the most often, less as my experience grew. Luckily all drops ocurred at VERY low (or stopped) speeds. And yes I have always been suitably embarassed. If you get a bike and someone says 'I have never dropped it' most likely either they don't ride much at all or they aren't telling the whole truth.

Another aspect about buying a used bike is whether or not the title is a 'salvage' title. A salvage title is when a motorcycle is in an accident and the cost of repairing is higher than the value of the vehicle. The insurance company declares the bike a total loss and gives it a salvage title. This CAN be because the frame is messed up. It could also be something as simple as all the fairings / external body parts were messed up enough to cost more than the bike itself and someone took the time / effort to replace / fix these parts. Some people will never buy a salvage bike, that risk is your decision. In the end it is worth it for a good mechanic to take a look at it to make sure there are no hidden costs or dangerous issues with the bike. Again, read up on all the 'gotchas' for buying a used bike. One of the big ones I see is the 'my bike has LOW LOW LOW miles'. This is not good. Seals dry out from not being used, parts get 'sticky' from not being used. If it is a carbureted bike the carburetor dries up and leaves a mess (I prefer EFI over carbureted). Did they always winterize their bike if they didn't use it during the winter? 'Normal' mileage is around 3,000 miles per year.

BMW Motorad K1600 2016 GTL - Das Kind

The K1600 was the second bike I bought, I knew I wanted a long distance bike that was reliable. I was torn between a classic Harley touring bike, an Indian touring bike and the BMW K1600. They all had their advantages but the styling and the technology on the BMW K1600 eventually won out. I have an affinity / bias for American and European bikes even though I *know* the Japanese bikes are just as good and very reliable.

This bike was named 'Das Kind' because it would have cost as much as having a grandchild :-)


The BMW Motorad K1600 touring bike when I first bought it without the arm rests:


The K1600 is comfortable and has good capacity that allowed long trips to Canada (1500+ miles), Colorado (3,500+ miles), and Utah (3,400+). We have also taken shorter trips to the Olympic Peninsula, Moclips, the Columbia River and Coeur d'Alene along the Palouse Scenic Byway. All pretty much clean rides with no issues on the ride.

Harley 2003 Heritage Softail Classic (FLSTCI) - Charon

This was the third bike I owned. After 5 years of riding the 2000 Triumph Sprint an issue with the bike appeared that forced a decision. The alternator on the bike had failed and replacing the alternator was going to run about $1,000. Considering that this was an older bike there would probably additional issues that would be costing more in the (near) future.

So I visited Moon Motorcycles, a local shop. I had heard good things about Moon Motorcycles at work and have found them to be VERY reliable and easy to work with.

I wanted to get a Harley Davidson. A classic ride. Just because ;-). I had heard the reputation of the Harley reliability but I loved the looks of the bike anyway. Had to see for myself. I like to deal with local companies, inject my money back into the local economy. In addition I didn't want to go to a 'dealership' where I get the 'here are our used bikes but when you add these upgrades / needed things you might as well buy a NEW bike'. In addition years ago when I wanted a motorcycle (but really didn't have the resources) the Harley Davidson 100 year anniversary bike was what I lusted after. Moon Motorcycles JUST HAPPENED to have the Harley Heritage 2003, again the 'classic Harley' bike. We discussed the price and the tradein for the Sprint and settled on a price.

This was a bike for me, I chose the name of Charon, The Ferryman from Greek lore. This is the bike that would ferry me around and, of course, has that hint of darkness. As with the K1600 I bought a license plate, this one from BilletFrames, highly recommended, came as ordered:


This is an older bike. When you buy a used bike they all have their own personalities. This bike is no different. I have to completely turn off the engine and leave the Engine Stop switch in the 'stop' position until I get on to ride it and start it up. Otherwise if it sits in the 'start' position too long the engine cuts out a few miles down the road but works perfectly when that switch is toggled. Another 'funny' is that I have a 'needy' Harley. If I stop at a stoplight and stand up to stretch my legs SOMETIMES (not always) the engine will cut off. No rhyme or reason, and only if I stand up. And yes, I put a plastic cap on the battery terminal just to make sure that the battery isn't shorting out somehow. Needy. Older bikes have personalities that you have to learn, you just come to an understanding with them.

Speaking of personalities, I suspect that this is true of many Harley Davidson Motorcycles, you MUST be authoritative. When riding the Heritage I get a MUCH better workout than when riding the K1600. When shifting from first to second, I have to put my foot as forward as possible and shift using the bridge of my foot in a VERY decisive / definitive manner with no hesitation. The mechanic that worked on the Heritage noticed this while testing, adjusted the clutch and the shifting became MUCH smoother. Likewise when steering it requires a little more vigor than other bikes. A different ride, not bad, not better, just different. I like it. All in all it has gotten me home reliably.

I have a short video of me riding the Harley 2003 Heritage Softail Classic (FLSTCI) 88 Cubic Inch:




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