Posted: 3/10/2012 1:04:22 PM EDT
| So I got a bit of extra money saved up this year, and am looking into getting a bike. I've been into choppers way before the OCC clown show started, but never actually rode a bike. I'm actually only 15 minutes away from OCC but refuse to go there. I've ridden quads, jet skis, and snowmobiles for well over ten years now, so actually riding one isn't going to be an issue, i'm looking more for what I can expect as far as pricing and what brands/models to look for. I'm just looking for something to cruise on, and preferably a flat black w/ chrome wheels paint scheme to match my truck. Basically something just mean looking to kill a few hours riding on a sunday. |
Soo 10 years ago
I have never ridden one, but I will give my observations. Don't turn well due to limited lean angle and extreme rake Don't stop well due to rear wheel weight bias I don't care about much else on a bike. Oh wait, loud is good. Too loud is annoying. |
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I'm a sportbike guy, so I might have a bias, but I've ridden a couple of choppers and while kind of fun, they got old for me after a bit. That long, stretched front end really flops over in turns, and the rising position gets old after a bit.
Still, I have buddies who have or have had choppers, and a few had American Iron Horse bikes which were great, ran well and had few issues.....much cheaper than anything OCC too (and I live about 15 minutes from OCC as well). Chooper fad has crapped out, so bikes are for sale on the cheap if you look. Get a test ride if you can before you plonk down the cash to make sure that it's something that you really want. Good luck! |
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Honestly, I could care less about ride quality. I've always had jeeps or trucks lifted on nothing less than 37's, so a soft ride isn't something I know much about haha. I've had enough issues with cops that speed isn't a high priority anymore, and I would definately kill myself on a sport bike, so I'm not even trying to go down that route. I know choppers are a played out fad thanks to cable tv and wannabes nationwide, but I've always had an interest in them, but never the finances to justify another toy.
I appreciate the input so far though Also, this isn't something I plan on taking trips with....just to kill a few hours on a nice day, so longterm comfort isn't a big deal either. |
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Quoted:
So I got a bit of extra money saved up this year, and am looking into getting a bike. I've been into choppers way before the OCC clown show started, but never actually rode a bike. I'm actually only 15 minutes away from OCC but refuse to go there. I've ridden quads, jet skis, and snowmobiles for well over ten years now, so actually riding one isn't going to be an issue, i'm looking more for what I can expect as far as pricing and what brands/models to look for. I'm just looking for something to cruise on, and preferably a flat black w/ chrome wheels paint scheme to match my truck. Basically something just mean looking to kill a few hours riding on a sunday. I wouldn't buy a chopper as a first bike, despite your experience with other powersports gear. (Nor do Gixxers and Goldwings make good first bikes.) Take the MSF class, get your motorcycle endorsement at the DMV, and ride a used metric cruiser for a season. Sell it, then buy whatever you want. Use that time to do research and get familiar with motorcycling. My MSF instructors were right - when you ride a motorcycle, everyone is trying to kill you. If you think you're fellow motorists are lousy drivers now, just wait until you get a bike. |
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Quoted:
So I got a bit of extra money saved up this year, and am looking into getting a bike. I've been into choppers way before the OCC clown show started, but never actually rode a bike. I'm actually only 15 minutes away from OCC but refuse to go there. I've ridden quads, jet skis, and snowmobiles for well over ten years now, so actually riding one isn't going to be an issue, i'm looking more for what I can expect as far as pricing and what brands/models to look for. I'm just looking for something to cruise on, and preferably a flat black w/ chrome wheels paint scheme to match my truck. Basically something just mean looking to kill a few hours riding on a sunday. Chopped styled bikes have been around for 50 years,OCC didn't invent the wheel here.They are not comfortable to ride,other than viewing it as a piece of art,I would invest in something else. How can you have been into choppers,but not actually ridden one ?  That statement makes no sense too me.
Good Luck |
BallisticTip's ride looks like it was a labor of love, but most choppers, customs are bar hoppers. I rode from Martinsburg, Wv. with a Guy who had a Iron Horse Chopper from a KC builder I think ( paid $30,000 ) to Chambersburg for some bike thing and as He wanted to slab it ( I-81 ) He had to let air out of His rear tire so it would not rub the rear fender at high speed on the highway bumps. Once the initial excitement of hopping on Your own bike and running on the road has passed ( new bike smell  ), You spend Your time in the saddle figuring out how to make it more of a personal fit IE: seat, tires, springs, shocks, highway pegs, tunes, bags or whatever because believe Me after that first stop for a fill up after running 110 miles You can tell those who are not the comfortable riders LOL LOL. For a first road ready bike I would get a used cheap cruiser . See if riding is for You, find out your needs, likes and then if Your hooked get the right " Harley " for You ! ........WVleo
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So I got a bit of extra money saved up this year, and am looking into getting a bike. I've been into choppers way before the OCC clown show started, but never actually rode a bike. I'm actually only 15 minutes away from OCC but refuse to go there. I've ridden quads, jet skis, and snowmobiles for well over ten years now, so actually riding one isn't going to be an issue, i'm looking more for what I can expect as far as pricing and what brands/models to look for. I'm just looking for something to cruise on, and preferably a flat black w/ chrome wheels paint scheme to match my truck. Basically something just mean looking to kill a few hours riding on a sunday. Chopped styled bikes have been around for 50 years,OCC didn't invent the wheel here.They are not comfortable to ride,other than viewing it as a piece of art,I would invest in something else. How can you have been into choppers,but not actually ridden one ? That statement makes no sense too me.
Good Luck I've never driven a Cobra Daytona Couple either, but i've been into them since I could drive. Frankly no one I know owns a bike, so I've never had the opportunity to ride. I just enjoy them for what they are.... |
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That's what I did when I got back into riding and I think it's the way to go.
Take the MSF class, get your motorcycle endorsement at the DMV, and ride a used metric cruiser for a season. Sell it, then buy whatever you want. Use that time to do research and get familiar with motorcycling. - Bought a '96 Yamaha 750 for $1500 - Put about $1000 into it for new seat, new tires, etc., - Averaged a 1000 miles per month for about a year and loved every minute of it - Found a great deal on a newer and much larger bike that is perfect for me but not something I would have considered when I first started looking around - Am selling the old bike for what I originally paid plus some to cover some of what I added to it. 
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I say buy what you want when you can. I waited many years before I made my purchase of a chopper. Wish i would have bought way sooner.
Picked up a new 06' AIH Texas Chopper and put 38k+ miles on her 
Love it ....big fat tire, loud as hell 
Takes a bit to learn how to ride her. Just like anything else....no one is going to be great at anything without practice. But remember....these are custom bikes.....they don't come cheap when you need a new back tire. Service it on a regular basis. Find a good mechanic in the area to work on it. Preferably someone who is familiar with the chopper you buy. Some brands require a bit more attention then others. If you can do the work yourself it can help save you some cash. Learning how to change the oil and plugs are a good start. Good luck on your purchase
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Does the OP understand what exactly a "chopper" is? It meens the frame neck has been cut and the rake of the forks changed and then longer forks installed. (see easy rider, the bike fonda rode).
A bobber is just a stripped bike, normally the front fender is gone and rear is trimmed to as small as possable. I think something like a Harley Iron or Nightster would suit the OP well, at least for now since he has never even riden before. Check out xlforum.net they have a bobber section on there also. If you want a nightster to look like a chopper, you could just put longer for tubes on it (about $200-$400). I put 6" over tubes on my custom Sportster, it looks pretty meen now. |
| Youd say youd kill yourself on a gsxr...you realize a cruiser can still go 100 and get there in a fairly short time...not sport bike quick but the point is if you are an idiot it wont matter. First bikes are always touchy in opinion. Gt what you like and will ride. Just because one person likes putting 50k miles on a hardtail doesnt mean you will. Your wife/gf will enjoy it alot less than you if thats a factor. However dont listen to the sales guy when he says the 300 tire and 18 foot bike handles like a gsxr. Good luck and remember to enjoy the ride. |