Ever notice?

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Whiskerfish
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Re: Ever notice?

#16

Post by Whiskerfish »

Not to try and put labels on anyone but I have had more positive reactions to my bikes from the HD crowds than I ever get from the newer GL crowd.
"Agreement is not a requirement for Respect" CDR Michael Smith USN (Ret) 2017
"The book is wrong, this whole Conclusion is Fallacious" River Tam
2008 GL1800 IIIA "TH3DOG"
1975/6/7/8/9 Arthur Fulmer Dressed Road bike
1975 Naked Noisy and Nasty in town bike
and a whole garage full of possibilities!!

Psst. oh and by the way CHANGE YOUR BELTS!!!!
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CYBORG
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Re: Ever notice?

#17

Post by CYBORG »

+1 action1
1978 custom GL1000
1977 custom with 1200 engine
1985 gl1200
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robin1731
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Re: Ever notice?

#18

Post by robin1731 »

Whiskerfish wrote:Not to try and put labels on anyone but I have had more positive reactions to my bikes from the HD crowds than I ever get from the newer GL crowd.

Yup, they have looked down their nose at mine too.

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Re: Ever notice?

#19

Post by BikeMaine »

Whiskerfish wrote:Not to try and put labels on anyone but I have had more positive reactions to my bikes from the HD crowds than I ever get from the newer GL crowd.
Agreed.
Kevin
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77Gowing
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Re: Ever notice?

#20

Post by 77Gowing »

Bet the manure, I mean newer GW owners on average don't have as much blood sweat and tears invested in their rides.
Thus far on my New Indian I've pretty much only written checks and all the wrenching has just been to apply the accessories.
Won't really be mine till I skim a knuckle or two, but that'l come soon enough.
"Less is More" Anonymous

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1977 GL1000 "O'le Blue." (sold :crying)
2014 Yamaha 950 V Star (sold)
2017 Indian Scout Std w/ABS (sold)
2009 Honda VTX1300R "Me Brudder's" (sold)
1984 Honda Interstate "84' 2outa4." Gone
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brianinpa
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Re: Ever notice?

#21

Post by brianinpa »

Whiskerfish wrote:Not to try and put labels on anyone but I have had more positive reactions to my bikes from the HD crowds than I ever get from the newer GL crowd.
I can relate...
Brian
ADC(AW) - US Navy Retired 1983-2003
If you aren't having fun doing it, find something else to do.

1984 Standard - 18,000 miles - Naked... the way it should be
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Re: Ever notice?

#22

Post by DUGG »

This last weekend I entered my GL1100 into a show. I entered the metric full dresser class. The competition was three later model GL1800 decked out with every conceivable bolt on chrome covers, lights, cup holders etc. One was blue, one was white with some kind of air brushed something paint job the other a maroon color. When I was near the bike I noticed people spent more time checking my GL1100 out then the others, some even took pic's of mine but not the newer ones. But come trophy time It was the GL1800's that took home the hardware. I guess a older GL just isn't a "full" dresser anymore.
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Re: Ever notice?

#23

Post by chewy999 »

When I was still trying to get my bike on the road, I was sat in the pub talking to the landlady about it. She then went over to Steve, the village Hells Angel and Harley rider. She said to him, 'Jon over there is doing up a Goldwing'.
His response was 'why?' :shock:
Still talk to him.

anim-cheers1
Previous Rides,
1980 CB250N Good to learn on
1981 CX500 good mid range tourer, went to Austria on it!
1983 GL1100C Pride and joy, sold when I bought my 1st house, big mistake
1985 GL650 Silverwing another mistake, horrible bike
1986 CBX550 Good commuter
1989 Suzuki GS750 (1976) cheap and cheerful until a dog ran out in front of me on Xmas Eve, 1991
Current bikes
2010 CB1300 back on a bike after 19 years, two divorces, children grown up etc
1980 GL1100 NOW ON THE ROAD, still use CB1300.
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CYBORG
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Re: Ever notice?

#24

Post by CYBORG »

DUGG wrote:This last weekend I entered my GL1100 into a show. I entered the metric full dresser class. The competition was three later model GL1800 decked out with every conceivable bolt on chrome covers, lights, cup holders etc. One was blue, one was white with some kind of air brushed something paint job the other a maroon color. When I was near the bike I noticed people spent more time checking my GL1100 out then the others, some even took pic's of mine but not the newer ones. But come trophy time It was the GL1800's that took home the hardware. I guess a older GL just isn't a "full" dresser anymore.
You have to wonder what the judges rode.....I could make a guess action1
1978 custom GL1000
1977 custom with 1200 engine
1985 gl1200
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77Gowing
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Re: Ever notice?

#25

Post by 77Gowing »

CYBORG wrote: You have to wonder what the judges rode.....I could make a guess action1
In these times and in this culture I'd hate to ask. :oops:
"Less is More" Anonymous

77Gowing
1977 GL1000 "O'le Blue." (sold :crying)
2014 Yamaha 950 V Star (sold)
2017 Indian Scout Std w/ABS (sold)
2009 Honda VTX1300R "Me Brudder's" (sold)
1984 Honda Interstate "84' 2outa4." Gone
1982 Honda GL1100 "After thought." Gone
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Rednaxs60
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Re: Ever notice?

#26

Post by Rednaxs60 »

I have had more interest and compliments on my '85 LTD then I have had on my 1800. People make comments such as I had one, or I remember riding on one. I do get asked why I would want to ride a 33 year old bike and my comment is I like it. My HD friends pick on me in jest, but they appreciate what I have done and accomplished.

I would submit that in our throw away society, and the need for instant gratification there is little appreciation for older items that still have value. I would also say that the newer generations have different skill sets, expectations and sense of what is, and with this comes a change in interest(s) from cars, bikes, whatever from days past. Try to sell a mahogany dining room set and you may get a nickle on the dollar.

Stick around long enough and some things come full circle, maybe appreciation of these older GWs and other bikes will come back into style.

Cheers
"When writing the Story of your life, don't let anyone else hold the pen."

Ernest

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2021 Royal Enfield Himalayan
1995 GL1500 SE CDN Edition (sold)
2012 Suzuki DL1000 VStrom (sold)
Ontario 1985 GL1200 Limited Edition (sold)
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Re: Ever notice?

#27

Post by chewy999 »

Rednaxs60 wrote:I would submit that in our throw away society, and the need for instant gratification there is little appreciation for older items that still have value.
I don't necessarily agree with that.
Sure a new Wing can look impressive, but if you see an old bike or car, especially if they are clean and as near to original as possible, they will always draw interest, especilly to the older generation who may say something like 'I used to have one of those' or 'I wish I had one of those now'. Seeing a new GL in the showroom, it looks (to me) like two chairs bolted together in line, with rows of buttons doing God only knows, and even if I had the money, I wouldn't buy one. I like a motorbike to look like a motorbike, although I accept people have different tastes and opinions.
I even get a lot of people look at my CB 1300, when it is clean, and that is a mere 7 years old.

anim-cheers1 anim-cheers1 anim-cheers1
Previous Rides,
1980 CB250N Good to learn on
1981 CX500 good mid range tourer, went to Austria on it!
1983 GL1100C Pride and joy, sold when I bought my 1st house, big mistake
1985 GL650 Silverwing another mistake, horrible bike
1986 CBX550 Good commuter
1989 Suzuki GS750 (1976) cheap and cheerful until a dog ran out in front of me on Xmas Eve, 1991
Current bikes
2010 CB1300 back on a bike after 19 years, two divorces, children grown up etc
1980 GL1100 NOW ON THE ROAD, still use CB1300.
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Whiskerfish
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Re: Ever notice?

#28

Post by Whiskerfish »

It is hard to say what motivates different people.
Some people work at job 60-70 hours a week and have decent paychecks and want a turn key no hassle escape. It is easier for them to write a check every month. Others like many of us do not have that and make do with what we do have financially. When I first got back into bikes I still had a job and spending several thou a year was not uncomfortable. Now it is unthinkable. I have had thoughts about going back to just one but I doubt it will happen any time soon as they are paid for and their maintenance costs are minimal.

If I had the money I would probably have a nice 1800 for rides with the Better Half. I have given her rides on my Fathers several times and she really appreciates the comfort compared to the 1000. I think she would ride with me much more often and I would like that very much. And if I had money after that I would probably have a Rune or a Valk as well just for me. :twisted:
"Agreement is not a requirement for Respect" CDR Michael Smith USN (Ret) 2017
"The book is wrong, this whole Conclusion is Fallacious" River Tam
2008 GL1800 IIIA "TH3DOG"
1975/6/7/8/9 Arthur Fulmer Dressed Road bike
1975 Naked Noisy and Nasty in town bike
and a whole garage full of possibilities!!

Psst. oh and by the way CHANGE YOUR BELTS!!!!
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ericheath
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Re: Ever notice?

#29

Post by ericheath »

Older autos, cars or bikes, still draw my eye when original. But the ones which have been modified, whether old-school style or modern also draw my eye. Retro cars have resurfaced as new cars. Look at the Mustangs, Chargers, etc which are new cars with their 70's styling. My better half likes to go to movies at the theater- a lot. It's funny that not much new is coming out of Hollywood either. Movies today are so often remakes or spinoffs of old-old-old stories/movies. Can anyone write something new?

My guess is that the creative folks are still out there, but the establishment doesn't dare take the risk to see if people will like their creativity. If so, it's a shame.
Whatever I suggest here should be given ample time for a moderator to delicately correct. I apologize in advance.
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Re: Ever notice?

#30

Post by 77Gowing »

Last night I went up to Bike night with my GW for the first time. This is the first time I've been able to ride my GW out and about. Anyway, among-st all the HD, Indians and Victories I parked my old gal. I could not believe the attention my girl got all evening. I got lots of compliments and questions. Some people that obviously had poor eyesight said it looked brand new.
I pointed out that she is crusty in a few places. I not knowing what I was getting into did not do a very complete restore, I just basically put her back together and made her go. And not without making a lot of rooky mistakes. It was way more fun to take to the show than my new Scout.
"Less is More" Anonymous

77Gowing
1977 GL1000 "O'le Blue." (sold :crying)
2014 Yamaha 950 V Star (sold)
2017 Indian Scout Std w/ABS (sold)
2009 Honda VTX1300R "Me Brudder's" (sold)
1984 Honda Interstate "84' 2outa4." Gone
1982 Honda GL1100 "After thought." Gone
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