Economy Bike vs. Dream Bike

Now a dream bike is different for everyone, so this is how it stacks up for me. The contestants:

The Economy Bike - The Suzuki TU250X is the economy bike for this article. You can pick one up brand new for 4 grand, it gets 78 advertised MPG and is cheap to insure. In my case I don't even carry comprehensive on it as it is such an inexpensive bike.

The Dream Bike - A customized Harley Davidson 1200 Sportster will serve as the dream bike for this article. As she currently sits she cost about $13,500 and has been customized with new intake, exhaust, computer, seat, rear suspension, and handlebars. And in this case yes, she's fully insured.

So how do they stack up...

Price - TU250X - Well this is a no brainer, the TU is far cheaper than the Sportster even in it's unmodified form, let alone a custom one.

Fuel - TU250X - The TU gets a real life 60 MPG while the Sportster gets 40 MPG. Also, the TU will run on 87 octane while the Sporty wants 91. Another clear win for the TU.

Performance - Sportster - Even stock the Sportster makes 55 RWHP to the TU's 18 RWHP. My dream bike version is pumping out a verified 80 RWHP. And with a 220 lb rider (me) the Sporty is carrying a measly 9.5 lbs per HP while the TU has to haul around a portly 30 lbs per HP.

Handling - TU250X - This is actually damn near a wash, but the TU's light weight just makes her a little more flickable even though the Sporty's ultra-low center of gravity makes the 220 lb weight difference hard to notice. But I had to choose, and the TU has a slight edge.

Touring - Sportster - The Sporty is a hands down win here. On the open road, the TU struggles to maintain 75 MPH due to wind resistance while the Sportster will cruise at 80 without even trying. In safety, that is a clear win. The Sportster's only touring issue is it's miniscule fuel tank, 100 miles and you need to be near a fuel stop while the TU can do 180. Since the Sportster is a custom dream bike though, that issue will be solved with a modified touring bike tank. No matter though, the Sporty won on safe highway speed alone.

Comfort - Sportster - This is another easy one, Harley has a huge aftermarket and finding a comfortable seat was no issue at all. While the TU does have a decent driver seat, it's passenger seat is pure torture for long trips, not even an issue on the Sporty.

Appearance - Even - There is no loser here, the TU is designed to look like a vintage bike, the Sportster IS a vintage bike evolved over 60 years. They are both stunning.

Conclusion - Out of 7 criteria, they came out even. I bought the TU when I needed absolutely cheap transportation, and later when my financial situation changed I bought a motorcycle I had wanted since high school. What I have learned is that the TU is cheap thrills, it will do everything you ask of it, and for most things it is more than capable. I love my TU and I still ride it. The Sportster is living up to what I wanted. My personal Dream Bike Sportster is set up as a Cafe Racer with a touring seat and it will probably never stop evolving. It is the best bike I have ever ridden, and I can't get enough of it. So when I go into my garage, most days I do pick my Sportster, but I still get a cheap thrill everyone I do decide to twist the key on the TU. So is there a winner? Of course there is, me. I have two bikes that both can give me a fun time anytime I want.

Why all the hate???

I read an article today, and while it was extolling the virtues of dependability of the vintage Honda CB line of motorcycles, it just made me sad. So unlike all my other articles I have written to this point, this is really an editorial rather than a tech or fun article.

So why is it that one group of motorcyclists dislikes another? We have all seen it, and usually it is the Japanese bike vs. Harley bike war, or Japanese bike vs. Brit bike. I guess I just don't get it, I grew up loving British bikes, learned how to ride on Japanese bikes, and my current stable includes two Japanese bikes and my first Harley. I love them all, but there is definitely a divide.

So to the article's scenario... it took place at a Brit/Harley bike gathering in Britain. In the back of a pickup truck resided a poor old beat up  Honda CB250. Unfortunately it was there so that the rally attendees could go at it beating it with sledge hammers. But even that wasn't enough, after it's thrashing, the group fired the bike up (yes it still ran). Well, at that, they pinned the throttled wide open so it could blow itself up. Well, after several minutes of that, in a final middle finger to the group, the bike ran out of gas without blowing up.

Now I will bring up that the articles author did not appear to take part. So my question is, and I hope to hear from you on this, is why would we harbor so much dislike to a genre of cycles that we would want to kill the cycles.

Now I'll freely admit that I am probably more sentimental about cars and bikes than most. My old car and truck definitely have personalities that seem to transcend meer machines. But even if you don't have those feelings, being a cyclist in general is a little more bonding. A cyclist is a cyclist because they want to be, they are all to certain degrees enthusiasts. I would say that we all probably bond with our bikes, even the bad ones. Honda made scores of CB250's over the years, and one sacrifice won't be missed in the grand scheme of things, but at one time that old CB was new, and it probably introduced someone to motorcycling. I don't know about you, but I still love the old GS450 that taught me how to ride, and my TU250 is now teaching my fiancee to ride. These machines will forever be a part of me, and I hope they are never disrespected with a sledge hammer, they deserve better.

I know this is a sappy rant, but I had to write it. I would love to hear your thoughts on it.

If you are into more than just TU250's you can read this and other articles on my other blog EvilSportster.blogspot.com