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I snuck my brother's BSA Lightning out for a ride when I was twelve and have never looked back. Most all my bikes have been Hondas including numerous smaller ones, three 750s over the years, a Sportster, and an older Goldwing (1978) that I still have. This past Thursday I brought home the first new motorcycle I've ever had, a 2004 Honda ST1300. ST for sport tourer. It's got a 120 HP V-4 liquid cooled engine that should do over 150 mph if I ever wanted to go that fast. And that's with the touring bags on the back. :-0
The STs have been more popular in Europe than the US since they came out in 1992. There they are used alot for police vehicles. Like the goldwing they have a reputation for reliability. And the seven year unlimited mileage warranty is nice. That should be good for about 100K miles if my mileage stays the same as the past few years.
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Wildman, I've heard that the Karwaski 650 is a good bike. All the looks of a late 60's Triumph without the leaks, the electrics or the ticklin' carbs.
I would really love to ride in your area, but I don't have an extra week available to get there and another to get back. 
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Murf, I'm guessing the Caravan has a payload after fuel of at least 2000 lbs? There was a time when I knew these things. My new Honda is over 700 lbs wet.
A trip to AK would really be fun. I can picture cruising around with mountains all about(in the air and on the ground).  ))
I haven't been there since 1985 and most of that time was spent around Juneau. If you ever seriously consider it...
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It was finally warm enough for the 1 hr ride to work this morning. Temps ranged from 39 to 46 degrees depending on the altitude. This bike is very quiet. Sounds like a turbine.
A ride to Alaska would be a real adventure. Funny how you think about adventures when you should be working.
Dave
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Tom, That's right, the single crank pin and the relatively narrow 45 degree V twin cylinder angle gives the distinctive Harley sound. Below is a site that shows some interesting dynamic schematics of various V configurations. It's primarily about the forces exerted than sound but illustrative nontheless. Page down past the math.
Dave
Link:
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Wildman, When I was a kid we used to say "Break 'em in fast and they are fast." At least it sounded good then because no on had anything new. Seriously It won't hurt to take it even near redline for short durations. And change oil early. Most of the metal is sloughed off in the first few hours that you run it.
Yes to Murf's suggestion. Let's see a picture. I have my new one on pic #7.
Dave
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"It's all coming back..including wheelies."
Wildman, you inspired me. Last night I changed oil and filter at 660 miles and took the ST out on a leak check cruise. I made a 20 mile loop and on the way back decided to find out if it would pull the wheel. So in first gear at about 4000 rpm I cracked the throttle and the front came up pretty easily. I love the acceleration.
Dave
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Wildman, I think I'll leave the wheelies to about 20' too. The longer ones are for the younger guys.
It seems the British Columbia police are buying honda ST1300s to replace their Harleys. The bad guys better have something pretty fast to outrun them. Link below
Dave
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Wildman, for chain oiling I had some stuff in a spray can that came out in a foam. The foam would cover the chain and soak in nicely. When the air bubbles were gone what was left was a substance that felt like STP. Very little or none of it would fling off which was nice.
Now I have a shaft drive on my Goldwing and ST. I just check the oil levels once a year. I still do have a chain drive Honda 750 that stays on the farm. That one gets a good chain soaking once in a while.
Dave
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Gas Generator Weather Protecti
04-11-2004, 19:28 
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