|
History of My VX
I bought my bike in Spring of 2000. I rented a van and drove to Maryland to pick it up. The previous owner said he had bought
the bike with a salvage title, and that it drove fine except that if you took your hands off the bars, the bike would change
a lane in a half mile or so. When I had finally gotten through NY's arduous salvage title process, I rode the bike and found
that the p.o. must have meant the bike would change DIRECTION in a half mile or so. The bike pulled, badly. I rode it about
100 miles that way all together. Not only was it not safe, it was not fun. Someone on the VX800 listserv sent me some information
on Computrack. Finally I decided to go ahead with the chassis correction. This and the other repair work that has been done
was far from cheap, but has resulted in a bike that handles better than new.
My Background
I've been riding streetbikes since 1993. Bikes I have owned in the past include a 75 Honda CB360T, an 81 Yamaha XS1100
Midnight Special, an 85 Suzuki Madura 1200, and an 82 Yamaha Vision 550. Of those bikes, the Vision was my favorite. V-twin,
shaft drive, water cooled, standard styling and ergonomics. It was a little small for me though... I always wished there was
a 750-900cc version. Then I learned about the VX. Everything I had loved about the Vision, in a size that was more comfortable
for me and frankly, didn't look so silly with a guy my size on it. I was hooked.
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
My CB360. Somewhere between Rochester NY and San Antonio TX. Great little bike but not a tourer.
My dad's 82 GS650G which he still has, along with my old XS1100. I liked the looks of the bike and what an engine.
But the handling and long distance comfort left something to be desired.
My Madura 1200, pictured in front of Ponderosa Steakhouse in Watertown NY. 100+ horses was fun, and it handled
better than you'd expect. But the feet forward, sit up position had my tailbone screaming after the 1st 100 miles.
Not a great looking bike, either.
82 Yamaha Vision. The bike that indirectly led me to the VX. Fun engine, nimble handling, shaft drive.
Too small for a guy my size, a little unreliable. Still, a nice little ride. You may notice a slight resemblence
to...
My VX. I'll be keeping this one a while :) OK until Fall 2003, to be exact... gone but NEVER forgotten.
And here's the bike that finally came between me and the VX.
|
|
|
|
|