Boston Motorcycle Injury Lawyer Blog

Not all metric cruisers are created equal. As a general class of motorcycles, metric cruisers offer fantastic performance for far less than Harley Davidson motorcycles. This fact alone makes metric cruisers attractive among cruiser buyers. Metric cruisers are also much cheaper to maintain.

Since 2002, the Yamaha Roadstar Warrior has been one of the most original, most powerful, and most highly sought after metric cruisers. While it has never been a huge seller like the Honda VTX line, the Warrior has been a favorite in the used motorcycle market.

There are several distinctions that make the Warrior very different from most metric cruisers.

• Style for Miles: The 2010 Roadstar Warrior is a stunning motorcycle with performance to match. Since the Warrior is not as big a seller as Honda and Suzuki, the Warrior provides a stylish options opposed to ‘ordinary’ metric cruisers.

• Air Cooled Engine: Most metric cruisers have liquid cooled engines and feature a large radiator in front of the engine. The Warrior is air cooled giving the motorcycle a cleaner, more streamlined look.

• Belt Driven:  Some of the early Honda Shadow motorcycles were chain driven but most current metric cruisers have maintenance free shaft drives. Shaft drives are great due to the zero cost of maintenance but the belt driven motorcycles have very low maintenance costs and much more flexibility. The fat tire look is very popular and the Warrior can achieve that look much easier than other metrics.

• Race Bike Inspiration: The Warrior has always been billed as the bike for the person who can’t decide between and race bike and a cruiser. The Warrior has low weight for a 1700cc motorcycle, lots of power and torque.

• Customization: The main benefit of the Warrior is its ability to be customized. As a platform for creating a radical custom motorcycle, the Warrior does not need to be re-invented. With a few changes, a Warrior can look like a completely custom bike; not a stock bike that has been enhanced.

It’s not surprising that the Warrior is one of the best cruisers on the market. Yamaha’s R1 race bike has been one of the best performing sport bikes for years and clearly the same level of performance has been built into the Warrior. Warrior’s also have great resale value. Frequently, 2002 Warriors sell in excess of $5000.

I have a beautiful 1600cc metric muscle cruiser. It’s loaded with chrome and accent lights, slammed, and performance tuned. It is exactly the way I want it and I’m very happy with the end result. Every time I ride my motorcycle, I have a huge sense of pride in my bike. I’m sure most bikers feel the same.

But it is not my dream bike.

I have always wanted to have a true original custom cruiser. To do that, it will have to be built from the ground up. Even though it may sound like a daunting task, it actually is achievable.

DIY: Best case scenario is that you have the room, the tools, and knowledge to do the work yourself. The investment of time may be high but the end satisfaction has to be the best. If not, find a mechanic buddy and pay him with beer and pizza to help you. Otherwise, your mechanic will need to lead the build.

Rolling Chassis: Starting with a rolling chassis is best since they come with tires, rims, fenders, and even handlebars. Depending on the style of bike you want, rolling chassis can generally range between $1500-5000. There are a variety of vendors offering chopper, bobber, race style, and other styles.

Engines/Transmission: Harley Davidson engines and transmissions are great for custom motorcycle builds. Crate engines and transmissions can be purchased from motorcycle dealers. Another great source is motorcycle grave yards. You can also search for parts bikes for sale.

Controls: Controls should always be brand new or as close to new as possible. You don’t want to risk your safety on used brakes or throttle parts that could fail at the wrong time. You can buy controls at your online motorcycle retailer of choice.

Paint/Fabrication: Paint should be done by professionals. Even flat black paint needs to be applied by the hands of an experienced painter. What’s the point of building your dream bike unless the paint matches the beauty of the bike?

Building your dream bike from the ground up is a task that could take several weeks to several months based on your time availability and budget. It’s a labor of love so every minute and every dollar spent is a great investment. Make sure that once your bike is ready for the road, have a mechanic give it a quick review to make sure it is road ready. If so, twist the throttle and go!

The Harley Davidson Sportster is hardly a new motorcycle. With its history dating back to the late 1950s, the Sportster is both a grandfather and contemporary among motorcycles. Looking at the full line of Sportsters from the 1950s through today, you can see Harley Davidson stuck close to the original design.

In a recent survey of Harley Davidson dealers, the low priced 2010 Sportster Line has been a best seller. In these challenging economic times, the Sportster offers a great option to capture the Harley spirit without spending over $20,000.

Here’s why the Sportster has been Harley’s best seller:

• New Style: The Sportster has three new appealing styles and a variety of color options. Vivid black is always a great color for Harley but for buyers looking for more flair, these new styles have it in abundance.

• Low Weight: All of the Sportster models weight under 600lbs making them great commuter bikes and easy to maneuver in traffic and in parking lots. The low weight also adds to the fuel economy of the Sportster line, which gets between 40-45mph.

• Engine Options: The Sportster has two engine option; 883cc and 1200cc. Their air-cooled Evolution engines kick out some serious torque so riders will have no problem keeping up with larger bikes.

• New Rider Appeal: With its low seat height, low weight, and curb appeal, the Sportster makes an immediate impact on new riders wanting a piece of the Harley spirit. Also, with 2010 883cc models starting at $7000 and 1200cc models starting at $10,000, the price is great for the cost conscious.

In recent reviews by motorcycle.com for 2010 standard motorcycles, the entire Sportster line ranked in the Top 10 with the Iron 883 and the 1200 Nightster ranking #1 and #2.

Harley Davidson is the undisputed king of the heavy cruiser but in light of their success with their Sportster line, perhaps we will see a wider variety of smaller bikes in the future. With the unfortunate discontinuation of Harley’s Buell Motorcycles, the company will need to find a way to recapture that market segment.

There is no argument around the fact that Harley Davidson is the undisputed champion in the cruiser motorcycle world. There are dozens of motorcycle brands that compete with Harley but none evoke the same level of passion. Harley Davidson’s place in motorcycle legend is secure.

Myth and history aside, Harley Davidson motorcycles are not always the best motorcycles dollar for dollar as some other brands. These brands have eroded some of Harley Davidson’s customer base, especially during tough economic times.

Metric cruisers, loosely defined as bike with engine sizes measured in cubic centimeters, have established domination the global motorcycle markets in all segments except heavyweight motorcycle class.

Even in the heavyweight class, the gap is closing quickly as the metric motorcycle producers offer newer and more innovative motorcycles.

Honda Motorcycles, the largest motorcycle company in the world is Harley’s closest competitor in the heavyweight section with about 14% of the market, is still a dwarf compared to Harley’s 50% share. Honda is still a huge threat with several motorcycle offerings that Harley cannot touch. At the same time, smaller competitors like Suzuki, Kawasaki, and Yamaha are offering bikes with the same level of innovative style and price.

• Honda Fury is a bike sure to lure some potential Harley buyers away. With innovative, air cooled, chopper styling, The Honda Fury is a great buy for under $13,000 and a great option against Harley’s Softail line.

• Suzuki Boulevard M109R2: The Boulevard M109R2 is one of the most distinctive heavy cruisers on the road and its mix of style and race inspired performance is unmistakable. This bike is ready for the open road for approximately $13,000.

• Kawasaki Vulcan 1700 Voyager: Aimed at the Harley Davidson’s large touring bikes, the Vulcan 1700 Voyager offers 10 gallons of storage and all the amenities of a cross country touring bike for under $18,000. That is nearly $10,000 less than some Harley models.

• Yamaha VMax: Voted the Best Cruiser for 2009 by Motorcyclist Magazine, the VMax is the ultimate muscle cruiser.  At $19,000, it is a bet on the expensive side but right off the showroom floor this bike is a show stopper.

Harley Davidson makes beautiful motorcycles but with lower prices and aggressive styling, metric cruisers are beginning to close the gap. For now, Harley is still the king.

People like to think that big time celebrity bikers are immune from the everyday mishaps that regular bikers face. Celebrities often feel the same way.

But just like regular motorcyclists, they have to suffer through the same things everyone else does. Unfortunately traffic jams, rude drivers, road hazards cannot be avoided; even with all of their wealth and fame.

Just ask Brad Pitt.

In late October 2009 in California, Pitt dumped his very expensive custom motorcycle trying to avoid some menacing paparazzi. At a stop light, Pitt attempted to maneuver between parked cars on his right and traffic on his left. Apparently, he clipped the side mirror of a parked car, lost his balance, and dumped his bike.

Luckily for Pitt, he was uninjured. He moved his bike off the road, called for a tow, and disappeared.

According to California motorcycle law, motorcycles are allowed to split traffic lanes if they do so in a safe and prudent manner.  Pitt must have forgotten the ‘safe and prudent’ part of that law. Make sure if you are trying the same maneuver to use caution. Unlike Pitt, you may not have the money to fix your bike as quickly as he can.

In my opinion, cruisers are by far the coolest motorcycles. On the streets, you can see anything from vintage bikes from the 1950s to one of a kind, custom fabrications. Even everyday bikers can very quickly and easily make their bikes go from completely stock to stylish with minimal investment. Sport bikes can’t even come close.

When buying your first cruiser, it is important to balance style, performance, and new rider safety. While it would be great if every new biker received a new Harley Davidson Road King as a motorcycle rider safety course graduation present, that bike is not the best first bike for most new riders.

Whether you are buying a new or used motorcycle, the Yamaha V Star Custom is one of the best choices for a new cruiser. It offers a great mix of performance, style, and safety perfectly suited for new bikers.

The V Star Custom is a 650cc motorcycle, small by today’s standards, but it is not lacking on the road. Because of it’s low weight (slightly over 500lbs), the V Star Custom has no problem keeping up with larger cruisers.

The low weight of the V Star Custom makes it a great bike for trips and local commuting. Stops, turns, and parking maneuvers are much more easily achieved with a lighter bike for new riders. In the event of the bike falling, it is much easier to lift unlike larger cruisers weighing in excess of 700lbs.

This is not a watered down cruiser.

The V Star Custom has a long wheel base giving the bike a low and lean look. Along with a long wheel base comes a low 27.4 inch seat height giving the rider more control and confidence during stops, walking maneuvers, and low speeds. Park a V Star Custom next to a group of cruisers and it holds it’s own. It even has a 170 rear tire.

If you need a few more reasons to consider the V Star Custom, consider the 2010 models cost under $7000, late model used V Star Customs can be found between $3000-4000, and these bikes get nearly 50 MPG. If you are a new biker in the market for a cruiser, the V Star Custom is worth a close look.

Orange County Choppers (OCC) has been great for the motorcycle community. The show has introduced the art and technical prowess required to take a concept and make it into a one of a kind motorcycle. Paul Teutul, Sr., Paul, Jr., and the rest of the OCC Team have turned their passion for motorcycles into wealth, fame, and the respect of the motorcycle community.

Along with their bikes, viewers have also fallen for the family drama involved with the OCC business.

Founded in 1999 as a side business/hobby, Paul Sr. started Orange County Choppers in Orange County, NY and began making limited run custom choppers. Already successful from his steel manufacturing company, Orange County IronWorks, OCC reached new heights when the Discovery Channel (now The Learning Channel) decided to do a feature show on their chopper business called American Chopper. Every episode, OCC creates a custom themed bike documenting everything from the creative process through delivery of the bike.

And then there’s the family drama.

Other than the amazing bikes, what makes American Chopper compelling TV is the constant arguing between Paul Sr. and Paul Jr. Essentially, they cannot agree on anything. Their feuding is not a product of the show but from long simmering hostilities from years ago. Paul Sr. has been very frank about his past problems with alcohol and anger, and while he is sober, he is still angry. Paul Jr. shares his father’s passion for motorcycles but does not share his approach and work ethic. With every custom motorcycle build, their clashes have become increasingly intense.

6 Seasons later, American Chopper is a mainstay on The Learning Channel (TLC) and OCC is a multi-million dollar business with international recognition and fame. Their modest original shop in Rock Tavern, NY has been replaced with a huge, modern show room and fabrication center in Newburgh, NY. The Teutul family has also become pop stars appearing on TV shows like ‘My Name is Earl’ and movies like ‘Wild Hogs.’

With their fame and wealth at an all time high, so is their family drama. Both Paul Jr. and Mikey, Paul Jr.’s hapless brother, have left OCC and are not on speaking terms with Paul Sr. Just like the OCC bikes, the drama is getting better and better.

Times are tough nowadays and most people are feeling the pinch of our slumping economy. In times like these, luxury items like motorcycles sometimes become the casualty of tough economic situations. Even the biggest motorcycle lovers will sell their bikes before losing their homes.

The same is true for motorcycle retailers. Dealers have to find ways to sell motorcycles in tough economic times to keep their doors open. If not, they may be forced to shut down.

New and used motorcycle sales slow down significantly in the winter months; particularly in cold weather States. Those looking to buy a motorcycle tend to wait until the riding season to buy so they can immediately go out and ride their shiny new sport bike or cruiser. This makes sense from a riding perspective but from a fiscal standpoint, this logic is seriously flawed.

In basic economics, when demand for a product increases so does its price.

When it comes to getting great deals on motorcycles, the best plan is to wait until there are lots of sellers and few buyers. And that is in the winter.

The downside to this plan is that you will probably have to wait a few months until you can ride your new bike comfortably. You can probably get a few rides in provided you have great winter motorcycle gear but, generally you will have to wait until spring.

When shopping for a new motorcycle, make sure to shop around and make the dealers fight for your business. Don’t be afraid to ask a dealer for their best price and let them know if their price is the best price you’ve received. Believe me, the motorcycle dealers want to sell the motorcycle to you more than you want to buy it. They will do everything they can to win your business.

With used bikes, cash is king. Often, used motorcycle dealers or individuals will be happy to take a quick cash offer than to wait week or months for another buyer to come along.  This is especially true among motivated motorcycle sellers who need to turn their bike into quick cash.

You can still use the winter riding break to your advantage by taking the time to make sure your bike is ready for the riding season. During the winter months, you can get great deals on accessories like motorcycle exhaust, chrome, tires, brakes, and other items. You’ll probably find your local motorcycle mechanic will be happy to do the work at discounted labor charge.

There is nothing like riding a Harley Davidson. It is the ultimate motorcycle and like the old Porsche tagline, there is no substitute. Harleys have a sound, a ride, and a mystique that is unparalleled. Sure there are bikes that are flashier, more expensive, and louder, however Harley Davidson motorcycles are uniformly considered to be among the finest bikes in the world.

Since the mid 1940s, bikers have ridden Harleys as a symbol of being a true American rebel. Some of the original motorcycle clubs required that all members only ride Harley Davidson motorcycles. The legend of Harleys can be seen everywhere in American culture:  in books, movies, and among celebrities. From movies like the Wild Ones to Wild Hogs, Harley motorcycles are the only motorcycles that capture the spirit of true rebel bikers.

Now it’s time for you to get your first Harley and you are excited. It is a major step because not only are Harley’s the coolest bikes on the road, they are among the most expensive to purchase and maintain. Buying a Harley is not a decision to take lightly regardless of your income level.

• Cost: Even used Harleys can cost over $10,000. Carefully research the bike you want and consider miles, wear, and overall condition against your budget.
• Rider Skill: Harleys, especially the larger ones, can weight close to 1000 lbs fully loaded. While they are fun to ride, they require a higher level of rider skill. Some Harleys are not ideal first bikes.
• Storage: Harleys need to be stored in a garage or an enclosed structure to keep the bike running and looking great.
• Maintenance: Maintenance of a Harley, especially used ones, can sometimes be an unforeseen expense. Talk to other Harley owners to get their opinions on the best and most cost effective ways to keep your bike out of the repair shop and on the road.
• Riding Style: Harleys have a great ride but they are not race bikes. If you have a need for extreme speed, then a Harley may not be for you.
• Noise: One of the best or potentially worse things about a Harley is its sound. For riders with noise sensitivity, Harleys can be overwhelming.

The main thing about buying a Harley is to do your research. There are lots of Harley riders, clubs, associations, and online sources to get information about the Harley of you desire. Have fun as you research and when you find that perfect Road King or Street Glide, go for it!

The superbike, race motorcycles modified for legal street riding, are awesome machines. These motorcycles started hitting showroom floors in the 1980s and today, they are some of the most highly desired motorcycles. Today’s superbike can hit 140 mph within an eighth of a mile and reach top speeds of 200MPH.

Some people claim that because the superbike is so powerful, they are causing motorcyclists to exhibit more risky riding behavior.

With all that power comes the responsibility to be committed to safe riding. One bad decision on a superbike can be fatal. The numbers don’t lie.

• In 2005, superbikes were 10% of the motorcycles on the road but accounted for 25% of motorcycle fatalities

• The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety and the Highway Loss Data Institute reports that superbike owners are 4 times more likely to die in an accident than other motorcycle riders.

For about the price of an average car, street racers can buy a superbike that is faster than a Ferrari. This may sounds exciting but the numbers show that making a bad decision on a superbike could be the last decision a street racer makes. So ride smart and ride safe!

If you or someone you love has been injured in a motorcycle accident  contact biker and Andover personal injury Tom Kiley.