Silver Dream Machines -
Superb Motorcycle in Western Massachusetts
One of the American dreams is having a motorcycle and be riding free and easy to nowhere in particular and to be in no hurry to get there. What a wonderful way to spend a vacation, meeting up with some good friends; you’ve got a few clothes packed and your camping gear and away you go.
This summer, as soon as the spring term ends in June, I am thinking about leaving Hampshire College and heading through Western Massachusetts and out to Chicago, so that along with five or six friends we can ride on the original historic Route 66 to LA. It is awesome to discover the sights of Hampshire, Western Massachusetts and Chicago by bike. I will definitely take my digital camera along!
Nevertheless, this trip isn’t for anyone with a Kawasaki Eliminator 125, which is a good machine for town riding. We’re fortunate I guess but, being biker nuts, we all ride what are classed as superb motorcycles.
Ok, so they’re not all brand new or all the latest motorcycle models, but you’ve only got to sit on one of these beauties to appreciate the almost spiritual feeling that biking can give you. In the following are some thoughts and comments on some current premium motorcycles.
Harley Davidson - a premium motorcycle
What can you say for the classic American motorbike - affectionately known as the Hog - other than Harley-Davidson? I defy, no I better dare, anyone to say any Hog model isn’t a premium motorcycle!
For a journey across the USA you’d have to especially consider the touring range of bikes for the journey. Here you’ve got a choice between a Road King or Glide model - for me personally it’s no choice at all!
I give you a clue, my all time favorite road movie is ‘Electra Glide in Blue’. So, yes, my choice would have to be the FLHTC Electra Glide Classic. Of course the Electra Glide isn’t exactly the lightest weight bike in the world! If you want something a little lighter in weight then the Softail range has a lot to recommend itself. Just take a look on a Harley-Davidson website at the classic Hog front fork design on the FXSTB Softail Night Train.
Indian Chief
Staying with one of the American motorcycle makers for the moment. Unfortunately you won’t be able to buy a new Indian Chief until 2009 but, the Chief is another classic all-American premium motorcycle. Instead you will be able to get hold of a second-hand bike from the 1999-2003 production run, the problem is of course - which model? Well for me being a student in Hampshire College - I’ll give you some clues.
The college is in the town of Amherst, which is in the county of Hampshire in Western Massachusetts and is about 25 miles (around 40km) from Springfield, Massachusetts? You got it - it’s the single seat Indian Chief Springfield. For those of you whoknow the bike history, Springfield - MA - was the home of America’s oldest motorcycle manufacturer, Indian Motorcycles, for over 100 years.
Following the recent acquisition of the Indian Motorcycle brand name, by the Stellican Limited private equity group, production of the new model will move to North Carolina in 2008.
A Honda Goldwing
Presumably currently the ultimate luxury in superb motorcycles has to be the Honda Goldwing range. As usual Honda left just about all the other premium motorcycle manufacturers scrambling to play catch-up when the specifications, available on the Goldwing range, became public.
I’m not too sure about have SatNav on my bike; it would just be against my karma I guess. Anyway, I’m not a ‘live fast- die young’ biker. I want to enjoy all that life gives me for many years to come.
Given some of our car driving cousin’s skills (!) - the idea of airbags on a bike does seem a logical progression in the development of the motorcycle. After all you can’t buy a Ferrari or a Lotus sports car without airbags! So, I think I’ll go for the Honda Goldwing Airbag. However, having said that I’d still think it looks like a Hog Electra Glide clone?
A Triumph Rocket
As I’ve only chosen one Japanese motorcycle I’ll also only chose one European bike. It’d be tempting to go for a BMW or Ducati model, but I remember my father talking about having a Triumph Bonneville in the 60’s.
They still make the Bonneville and it’s definitely a 60’s retro model for enthusiasts of that era. Nevertheless, the Triumph Rocket III Classic Tourer can tick all the boxes for a premium motorcycle touring across the USA on Route 66. There’s absolutely no doubt about it, that the Triumph engines have a distinctive roar that can almost match a Hogs.
Finally - ride aware & ride safe!