Went for a ride the other weekend, the Military Police Motorcycle Rally on Vancouver Island and had a wonderful time. The '85 LTD performed flawlessly. We are heading off this weekend for a few days to head up island and tour around for some four/five days.
While we were out on the ride, met a lot of couples and individual 1500 owners. One fellow had a very impressive, loaded 1500, including a rack with a heated luggage bag for his trusty passenger, Sparkles:
He made a comment that if I was to buy a 1500, it would be the last bike I would work on and own. Now I am a frugal person and have been looking at 1500s in BC and have found a lot of apparently well maintained 1500s at varying prices, even for the same year and model. The major downfall as I see it, is no fuel injection. Having mentioned this, I know that a major issue with carburated engines is if you lay them up for a period of time without properly conditioning the fuel. I also think that when a bike is laid up for the winter season, fogging the engine much like a snowmobile can help as well. Since I live in Victoria and can ride all year round, this should not be an issue. Using a fuel additive such as Sea Foam or Lucas to keep the carbs clean helps with any issues as well.
I have looked at the specs for the 1200 and 1500, and there is only 5 HP difference, but the torque of the 1500 is significantly more. I will also relent and state there is no replacement for displacement.
Lots of comments in favour of the 1500 over the 1800 - the other way also, as well as excellent thoughts on the 1200; however, most of the people who commented favourably on the 1200 as an exceptionally good ride and touring bike have for the most part moved on to the 1500/1800.
Have been searching the internet and perusing the forums to get a good feel for the 1500 and so far it looks positive. Lots of good upgrade info and recommendations for items that would be nice to have, and those that can enhance the ride and touring aspect.
Sonya commented on the 1500 and how quiet it is. Good feedback for someone who will only ever be a passenger. This is not to say that she does not enjoy the ride of the 1200, she does, and since the 1200 is fitted to suit us and touring - it will always be up there as the bike of choice.
The 1500 has some amenities that are very desirable such as reverse, feet warmers -pleasant memories from the 1800, not sure if the seat is heated. It does not have as much instrumentation as the 1200 Limited Edition such as oil pressure/temp dash readout, switching from Kms to miles at the press of a button, a fuel monitoring system and travel computer to input distances and such. Don't know if you can access the on board air compressor system to use externally for tires or not.
The 1200 and 1500 need an aftermarket GPS, and connections such as USB and the likes have to be installed.
I would surmise and submit that the 1200 is probably easier to work on than the 1500, and the 1500 easier than the 1800. I expect the 1200 to be more sporty than the 1500, but have to keep in mind the good points of both. I think my '85 LTD is quite sporty, but having Race Tech suspension in the front and Progressive non-air 412 shocks in the rear is attributed to this. I would think that a 1995 1500 that has not had the suspension upgraded/updated would not perform as it did new. Found this to be the same with the 1800 I owned.
All bikes that are older and previously owned will entail initial and long term maintenance - how much is a personal issue, but the cost can add up fast.
I am going to sell my second '85 LTD knowing that I will never get back what I have put into it, kept track of the costs - already have it listed on Kijiji/Craigslist and Used Victoria. I do have the satisfaction to know that I kept an old girl out of the parts bike market, that I can, with the right work environment, get a bike street legal and roadworthy and ride some 7000 Kms to its new home, and have a very enjoyable ride to boot. I did not do this to make money as I submit there is very little profit in flipping older motorcycles.
Selling the '85 LTD will cover quite a bit of the cost for the 1500 I am looking at. I'm a realist and know that something is only worth what a person will pay for it, and prices are negotiable, especially if you want to move it. A 1995 1500 with 145,000 Kms (90,000 miles) is just barely broken in. Already have a list of what needs to be looked at and possibly done in the short term peculating in my mind.
I am getting better at keeping the costs down and in perspective. Don't have to bring the bike back to as close to original as possible/practical, not required. Learned this with the second '85 LTD. If the bike is in good nick, suspension and making sure the bike is safe to ride - brakes, possibly bearings. I am also confident I can tackle these issues without a second thought. Have my sister picking up a 1500 OEM service manual for a very reasonable price.
The bike being a 1995 model is only two years away from collector plate status and very inexpensive insurance - this helps as well.
I am keeping my Victoria '85 LTD, never recoup the cost, and always need a second bike. Besides, I do enjoy my '85, it will always be my "baby" and I have had some good adventures with it. Who knows, it may prove to be the most reliable of the two.
As always, good comments and critique of a 1995 1500 is always appreciated.
If you get this far, thanks for reading. Cheers
While we were out on the ride, met a lot of couples and individual 1500 owners. One fellow had a very impressive, loaded 1500, including a rack with a heated luggage bag for his trusty passenger, Sparkles:
He made a comment that if I was to buy a 1500, it would be the last bike I would work on and own. Now I am a frugal person and have been looking at 1500s in BC and have found a lot of apparently well maintained 1500s at varying prices, even for the same year and model. The major downfall as I see it, is no fuel injection. Having mentioned this, I know that a major issue with carburated engines is if you lay them up for a period of time without properly conditioning the fuel. I also think that when a bike is laid up for the winter season, fogging the engine much like a snowmobile can help as well. Since I live in Victoria and can ride all year round, this should not be an issue. Using a fuel additive such as Sea Foam or Lucas to keep the carbs clean helps with any issues as well.
I have looked at the specs for the 1200 and 1500, and there is only 5 HP difference, but the torque of the 1500 is significantly more. I will also relent and state there is no replacement for displacement.
Lots of comments in favour of the 1500 over the 1800 - the other way also, as well as excellent thoughts on the 1200; however, most of the people who commented favourably on the 1200 as an exceptionally good ride and touring bike have for the most part moved on to the 1500/1800.
Have been searching the internet and perusing the forums to get a good feel for the 1500 and so far it looks positive. Lots of good upgrade info and recommendations for items that would be nice to have, and those that can enhance the ride and touring aspect.
Sonya commented on the 1500 and how quiet it is. Good feedback for someone who will only ever be a passenger. This is not to say that she does not enjoy the ride of the 1200, she does, and since the 1200 is fitted to suit us and touring - it will always be up there as the bike of choice.
The 1500 has some amenities that are very desirable such as reverse, feet warmers -pleasant memories from the 1800, not sure if the seat is heated. It does not have as much instrumentation as the 1200 Limited Edition such as oil pressure/temp dash readout, switching from Kms to miles at the press of a button, a fuel monitoring system and travel computer to input distances and such. Don't know if you can access the on board air compressor system to use externally for tires or not.
The 1200 and 1500 need an aftermarket GPS, and connections such as USB and the likes have to be installed.
I would surmise and submit that the 1200 is probably easier to work on than the 1500, and the 1500 easier than the 1800. I expect the 1200 to be more sporty than the 1500, but have to keep in mind the good points of both. I think my '85 LTD is quite sporty, but having Race Tech suspension in the front and Progressive non-air 412 shocks in the rear is attributed to this. I would think that a 1995 1500 that has not had the suspension upgraded/updated would not perform as it did new. Found this to be the same with the 1800 I owned.
All bikes that are older and previously owned will entail initial and long term maintenance - how much is a personal issue, but the cost can add up fast.
I am going to sell my second '85 LTD knowing that I will never get back what I have put into it, kept track of the costs - already have it listed on Kijiji/Craigslist and Used Victoria. I do have the satisfaction to know that I kept an old girl out of the parts bike market, that I can, with the right work environment, get a bike street legal and roadworthy and ride some 7000 Kms to its new home, and have a very enjoyable ride to boot. I did not do this to make money as I submit there is very little profit in flipping older motorcycles.
Selling the '85 LTD will cover quite a bit of the cost for the 1500 I am looking at. I'm a realist and know that something is only worth what a person will pay for it, and prices are negotiable, especially if you want to move it. A 1995 1500 with 145,000 Kms (90,000 miles) is just barely broken in. Already have a list of what needs to be looked at and possibly done in the short term peculating in my mind.
I am getting better at keeping the costs down and in perspective. Don't have to bring the bike back to as close to original as possible/practical, not required. Learned this with the second '85 LTD. If the bike is in good nick, suspension and making sure the bike is safe to ride - brakes, possibly bearings. I am also confident I can tackle these issues without a second thought. Have my sister picking up a 1500 OEM service manual for a very reasonable price.
The bike being a 1995 model is only two years away from collector plate status and very inexpensive insurance - this helps as well.
I am keeping my Victoria '85 LTD, never recoup the cost, and always need a second bike. Besides, I do enjoy my '85, it will always be my "baby" and I have had some good adventures with it. Who knows, it may prove to be the most reliable of the two.
As always, good comments and critique of a 1995 1500 is always appreciated.
If you get this far, thanks for reading. Cheers