2010 HONDA FURY
MSRP: $13,999
Caretaker: Bartels
Measurements: 6'/190 lbs./33" Inseam
Odometer: 1428
Miles This Cycle: 950
In case you're sick of our candy asses putting on 300 miles an update, I thought I'd throw some real miles on my new long-term Fury.
But I was quickly struck with reality. The Fury has a couple of issues that keep it from racking up distance. For one, the basic layout of a chopper with seriously raked-out forks and a long wheelbase is a challenge to suspend properly. It's difficult to make it not wiggly around corners, yet smooth on fast, straight pavement. In stock form, it straddles the line pretty well, as it's great on the open road...as long as that road is smooth. Otherwise-especially on LA's washboard freeways-it runs out of suspension and starts bouncing around, making for a very rough ride. The answer is to slow down, which I apparently don't do well (I already have a ticket on this bike).
Thankfully the rear shock is easy to adjust just by taking off the right side cover (no tools required) and cranking on a big knob to set up the spring for your load (passenger or no passenger, etc). But there's only so much it can handle.
The other comfort issue was much easier to take care of. The stock seat is low and lean, but it's also completely unsupportive. Browsing around for seats I came upon Corbin's King and Queen. A literal throwback to the 70s, this seat not only changes the look of the bike dramatically, it also makes for way more back support. Same goes for the previously forsaken passenger who has a generous integrated sissy bar to lean into. Back seat reviews so far are positive too.
I like the seat so much that the rest of the bike is going to follow in its retro footsteps: upswept trucker pipes, metalflake sunburst paintjob... it's gonna be rad.
2009 TRIUMPH BONNEVILLE
MSRP: $7699
Caretaker: Trestick
Measurements: 5'5"/30" Inseam
Odometer: 5160
Miles This Cycle: 1630
It has been a quiet month for the Bonneville, I've just been enjoying riding it. I had a three-day trek up the California coast through Big Sur and some of my other favorite roads. One of the places that the Bonnie shines for me is that it's an easy bike to handle in unfamiliar territory and is equally happy on city streets as well as twisty roads. If my regular riding put me on freeways more often I would consider a windshield since this bike does get a lot of windblast, but I really prefer the look without it.
My single issue on that trip was a flat tire on the first day. I think I picked up a piece of glass when I stopped for coffee and it cut the tire. A plug wouldn't work for this particular cut so I gave Tire Slime a try. Luckily it worked for me and the tire never lost air for the rest of the trip.
Due to the Bonneville's tire problems, a new set of rubber just moved to the top of my modification list. I'll be looking for something other than the stockers. I'm planning on giving up a little bit of durability in exchange for something a bit grippier.
After tires, the next thing I'd like to get sorted is the suspension. Now, I'm a large woman and the Bonnie's shocks are a little challenged when the going gets twisty. It will squat when I push it because the damping gets overwhelmed. I'll be looking to make it a little more composed.