Most of us started out on three wheels. In motorcyclcing three wheels are best; well in many ways: 1. In snow country you can ride all year. 2. If out adventure riding, you can carry so much gear you will think you drove the pick up 3. You won't drop it 4. You will never have to pick it up if it did fall over, and we all have dropped our bikes. 5. Hot days you can ride in shorts - I mean, not like you will fall over! So there I was on a business trip to Houston, Texas and stopped by a BMW INDIAN motorcycle dealership. Have been riding BMW's for forty-two years. Was looking to replace my 2005 BMW R1200GS. Yikes, I have either shrunk or the seat height has gotten taller becausse it was difficult to swing my leg over or to get "flat footed" while on the bike. Wondered around the dealership and saw this beauty above. Darn, it was pretty. Brand new 2017 Indian Vintage Chief and priced to sell. I bought it! Since I love sidecars, had it shipped to HANNIGAN MOTORSPORTS to have one of their classic sidecars built and painted to match. Above left, is my first sidecar rig, 1966 BMW R60/2 with a Ural sidecar. Right, my 2005 BMW R1200GS and a custom built sidecar by Claude Stanley at FREEDOM SIDECARS. Big difference in the riding style of a European bike and an American. Forty-two years of riding BMW's with a more "aggressive" sitting possition and pegs. The Indian, or Harley, is more like sitting back in the saddle of a horse and spending hours upon hours of riding the great American Plains. My R90S and the R100's were guick and nimble. Lean into the turn and zip around. The Indian more like you "drive" into the turn. Sure footed; but at twice the weight of the Beemers, totally diferent ride. As to the build, experiened some issues. Hopefully both INDIAN and HANNIGAN will step up and make it right. More on the problems later. The next post will speak to the issues and how they were resolved.
1 Comment
Sheena
1/7/2020 12:19:37 pm
I love that 2005 BMW R1200GS do you still have it and is it something you would consider selling??
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