"Full Circle of Life"

[kjelders]

this is my post on the general board regarding Honda not making a VTX Touring bike like we want....After looking at the pictures of the changes I made to the VTX...well...now you know what the "Full Circle of Life" means.... 8)

from stock
http://bigbikeriders.com/photopost/data/5017/2797Stock_082304-2-med.jpg

to this...
http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m7/kjelders/VTX%201800R/2797VTX_1800_06-med.jpg

to this...
http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m7/kjelders/VTX%201800R/resizevtxseat.jpg


Finally this...
http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m7/kjelders/VTX%201800R/VTX1800R45.jpg

I still wasn't satisfied...so I bought this
http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m7/kjelders/07%20Ultra%20Classic/Picture014-400.jpg

and the X is back to this...
http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m7/kjelders/VTX%201800R/Picture021-400.jpg

"the full circle of life"? 8)

[BlueFalcon]

I liked the way you had your X fully decked out with the bags and fairing. I also like the solo look, too.

What was it about the HD bagger that made you more satisfied than the decked out X? Just curious.

That's a couple of nice rides you got there!

Brian

[BIg Ron]

Both bikes are beautiful :lol: Nice to have a dresser and a lighter cruzzer for the shorter fun stuff. I think you said you have both of them still right or did I misread your trp out here.

[kjelders]

I liked the way you had your X fully decked out with the bags and fairing. I also like the solo look, too.

What was it about the HD bagger that made you more satisfied than the decked out X? Just curious.

That's a couple of nice rides you got there!

Brian

Thanks Brian... I like both bike equally well for their intended style of riding. When you buy the Ultra...it comes complete with fairing, bags, tour pack, radio, cb, automatic canceling turn signals, cruise, ect...just seems to fit better then putting pieces together. The leather tour pac I had on the X was actually a Road King Leather Tour Pak. The X has the power and torgue and fun to ride....The ultra has all the bells and whistles and very comfortable to ride for longer distances....

I still have both with me....although Jon has a neighbor who's interested in potentially buying the VTX.....right price...I would sell her

[Moon-biker]

Great looking bikes. Do you still have the fairing for the X?

[kjelders]

Great looking bikes. Do you still have the fairing for the X?

No...sorry...sold that before I moved here...

[bigd_74]

KJ - it's interesting that you posted this because I am thinking in the next couple of years to buy either an 1800R or Neo & do the full fairing & hard bags/hard trunk to it. I want to keep my 1300c & turn it into the solo ride.

I've rented a Street Glide & Electra Glide & put about 500 miles on each in the day that I had them. I like the Street Glide over the Electra Glide but they both were great with the bells & whistles.

Did you find that "putting the pieces together" was more of a pain in the rear or did they just not work as well as getting everything from the factory?

I think with a little C.R.A.P.py creativity & watching for good deals on the "pieces", I could pick up a used 1800R & have all the parts that I want for about 10-12k vs a used HD for 16-20k.

I don't know if you've met Russ (rrroberts) yet but he has a really sweet Street Glide that he got for a great deal last year. I really like Russ' bike.

Just trying to see what my options are. 8) Maybe this would be a good topic to discuss over a pint. :D

Dave~

[bobonaboat]

I can relate.

After my X went from this....

http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z107/bobonaboat/Change%20is%20good/vtx4.jpg

To this...

http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z107/bobonaboat/Change%20is%20good/stretchdone001.jpg

Then this happened..

http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z107/bobonaboat/Thunderinthesun011.jpg

And then I got an '83 wing to play with....pictures to follow someday..

[VTX-Ryder]

I can relate as well .. .. ..

But, are we done playing with them yet ?

Not as long as we own them!
You're "done" with a cruiser the day you sell it.

[psuedohippy]

Ill never be done as my tastes change so much over time. My thing is though that I dont sell my old stuff just incase I change my mind again.

For ex: if I bought my air cleaner when I first got my bike it would no doubt be a hyper. Soon my taste changed and all I could think about is the thunder. Now I dont know what I was thinking and my far fav. is the hurricane.

Thanks goodness Im so poor it takes me so long to buy something that by the time I do Im pretty sure what I want. In two years from now, who the heck knows :lol: If I somehow come into alot of money Ill be in big trouble 8)

I think I need 3 new X's to satisfy all my tastes, almost :lol:

[psuedohippy]

I know, that would be a really nice change-up bike.

[kjelders]

yep...we are never done changing them...

I would like to add the ST1300 to the stable....that 7.2 gal tank would be a great incentive...plus I would like to try a sports tourer...

[VTX-Ryder]

yep...we are never done changing them...

I would like to add the ST1300 to the stable....that 7.2 gal tank would be a great incentive...plus I would like to try a sports tourer...

Yep, wouldn't mind one myself.
Unfortunately though, I think I'm a one bike kind of guy. So I enjoy the one I have.

[Randy The X Man]

yep...we are never done changing them...

I would like to add the ST1300 to the stable....that 7.2 gal tank would be a great incentive...plus I would like to try a sports tourer...

That is 7.7 gallons and at around 40 plus mpg at the low end is a huge difference. I traded my VTX 1800 (sort of bagger) for a ST 1300. The ride difference was huge as I first road it.

http://www.motonorthwest.com/CMT_ST1stRide.html

But now after only 1100 miles or so I am adjusted. It is a huge difference now riding a bike that wants to run and corner. Passing gas stations is a lot of fun.

I have talked to a couple other cruiser to ST converts and they all pretty much said the same thing. They used to think as I did that a ST or Sport bike would be just to uncomfortable. But having never ridden on they did not know how the ride style and form fit the bike and together they work well.

Thanks
Randy The X Man
www.motonorthwest.com (http://www.motonorthwest.com)

[kjelders]

7.7 gallons....even sweeter....