Let's Talk about sweet cars

[ghostrunner]

Drove it home from the dealership for about an hour and I think my favorite thing is how quiet it is. Been wanting a quiet car my whole life and used to joke that I should get a Cadillac. Pretty nice to be able to hear background instruments in music without having to crank the sound all the way up.

I had a Prius for a bit and I really liked that except if someone is walking in front of you in a parking lot or on a neighborhood street and don't even realize you're there.

I think I need to buy two cars in the next few months. Not looking forward to it.

I think they’re required to make some noise and I hear it, but it’s still pretty quiet. I think my electric mower makes more noise.

[Popeye_Card]

I'm feeling that it is time to upgrade my motorcycle. Planning on checking out some Moto Guzzi's this week, but I'm a bit torn right now which model I prefer.

V7 Stone:


vs.

V9 Bobber:


I like the tank and seat on the V7 more, but I like the tires and stance of the V9.

[thrill]

Popeye's vehicle taste still undefeated.

[haltz]

Popeye's vehicle taste still undefeated.

No kidding.

I don't know anything about these bikes but according to a reddit thread the V7 is a more comfortable and neutral riding position which is what it looks like from the pictures and that would be the deciding factor for me, at least at this point in my life. V9 looks [expletive] rad though.

[BottenFieldofDreams]

How much [will] you pay for your bad Moto Guzzi? Either will support a Rock n Roll lifestyle. Excess ain't rebellion.

I pulled an unused Harley out of my dad's garage a couple years ago and fixed it up, put quiet pipes on it, and had it going well. He had sent it down to these experts in California who bored it out and sanded smooth every rough surface and it was fast as [expletive] off the line. But my brother 'needed' it and I let him take it. I actually enjoyed getting hate for the quiet pipes and being the 'starter Harley' (Sportster 883 to begin with), especially when I'd have a chance to blow past the effers in chaps driving 3.5 miles to a bar on a Thursday at 11 loud as the apocalypse.

I really want something more nimble anyway. And honestly, maybe slower. My kids don't need the burden of a quadrapalegic for 40 years.

[Popeye_Card]

Popeye's vehicle taste still undefeated.

No kidding.

I don't know anything about these bikes but according to a reddit thread the V7 is a more comfortable and neutral riding position which is what it looks like from the pictures and that would be the deciding factor for me, at least at this point in my life. V9 looks [expletive] rad though.

Normally I'm not overly concerned with riding position, as 98% of my riding is a whole 1 mile to the office and back on city streets. But recently I've been going out on some longer rides with friends that have bigger bikes, and the ol' 500cc Royal Enfield becomes a death trap above 70 mph.

Still I'd probably only be looking at rides of 1-2 hours at most, which the V9 would probably still be fine for. I just wish the fuel tank had a bit more of the classic Moto Guzzi styling.

I actually enjoyed getting hate for the quiet pipes and being the 'starter Harley' (Sportster 883 to begin with),

The Iron 883's are still my favorite Harley, and likely what I would get if I were ever to purchase one. Though I do like the Fat Bobs too.

Loud pipes on motorcycles are super annoying, even as the rider. I love turning opening the loud exhaust on the Jag, but it is nice to be able to put it back in "quiet mode" rolling through neighborhoods especially at night.

[IMADreamer]

Popeye's vehicle taste still undefeated.

It really is. Top notch taste.

[Popeye_Card]

Well, I pulled the trigger on the V9 Bobber. Great bike, and the style is fantastic.

Now the bad news.

[SHOW]

I made the foolish decision to ride it back home from the dealer yesterday, rather than returning at a later time to pick it up since it is about 1.5 hours away. It was a foolish decision since I knew rain was coming in, but I thought I could beat it back.

Nope. The rain came in early, and I started running into it about 30 minutes into the trip back. No turning back now - just be extra careful and push through it. About 30 miles from home, it intensifies to a steady, soaking rain. OK, I'm on a 2 lane highway with no great place to pull off - just corn fields around - so I still just have to push through it and get home.

About 20 miles away, there's an angled railroad crossing with the steel plates between the rails. I see a big gap right in front of me between the plate and the rail and think "oh [expletive], I'm going to catch my front wheel in that gap!" I tap the brakes and make a slight move to try to miss it - wrong move. Bike spins out from under me, I go skidding down the (thankfully very wet) pavement at about 50 mph. Thank god I had all my protective gear on, and other than a few abrasions on my knee and hand where my glove wore through, I'm no worse for the wear. The bike? Well it was still operable and I got it home, but I'm already going to have to replace several parts that are all scraped up. Thankfully the tank didn't get scratched at all - the raised eagle logo on the one side somehow took the brunt of it, which I think I can just pop off and replace.

All in all, not a fun day. However I'm happy to say I'm in one piece - it could have been a LOT worse.

[thrill]

Now I remember why I don't want a motorcycle in rainy, crowded Florida.

[G. Keenan]

The very pants I was returning . . .