Thx everyone for the suggestions and discussion. Sorry for all the quotes, but I'll tackle everything in one shot.
Keep the VTX for a few more years and put the money saved towards the Star Venture (ie buy it in 3 years rather than 5).
Considered that. Last year, actually. Reality is that the VTX is still worth something right now with it's current mileage, but at the pace I ride the VTX will have close to 175,000KM or so on it in another 3 years and will have a significantly diminished value at that point despite the reality it'll still be a solid machine - lots of them go well into the 250-300,000KM territory.
Cruiser guys. I'm stuck on a cruiser. I like my current cruiser and want another cruiser.
Thanks though.
Yamaha Royal Venture or Kawi Vulcan Voyager. Both are full touring with top box. Suzuki C90T does come with an optional top box as well.
I went back today over lunch and spent some time looking at the Voyager again. I rode a buddy's a few years ago for an hour or so and do remember that I liked it. I'm still not 100% enamoured with the front fairing design, but it's growing on me. I actually found one in a colour scheme and optioned out nicely - going to look at it Sunday.
I have to say, I was never a fan of the HD Tour Glides but after borrowing a friend's and spending some time cruising out on the open road, I get it! They are popular for a reason. I'd never get one for the city, too big, but on the highway with or without the stereo playing.......comfy.
I've never been a huge HD fan to begin with at all in general honestly (as many here are likely aware of), but I refuse to rule them out based on "feelings" if ultimately one ends up being what fits the bill. I'm just not seeing it yet though.
The Evo engines didn't have a cam chain. It was the Twinkies that had it, and it's not a problem if you change it every 50k like you should. Budget is pretty tight. If you got up to 12k you could get a nice Electra-Glide Classic. My friend just sold one for 12k that was mint. Lots of old croakers selling cheap these days because of medical problems.
Guess I had the generational name wrong, but the price range I'm looking in it's cam chain territory.
The thing with the "inspect it regularly" and "Replace it at 50,000KM" thing is...I rode 30,000KM last season. I really don't want to be into a $1000 job potentially every 1.5 years on top of all the other regular maintenance and consumables. It basically equates to a higher cost of ownership in the bigger picture vs alternatives that don't need this level of attention.
Is selling or trading in your bike part of your budget?
Yes. Hoping to get somewhere in the $2750-$3500 range for my VTX depending on as-is vs certified.
If you can bump the budget up to $12,000-13,000 you should be able to find a pretty nice 2008 or newer Harley with the 96ci engine that didn't have tensioner issues.
Ultimately, I could go buy a brand new bike and finance it tomorrow with zero issue. But I don't want to. I'm not a big fan of financing depreciating assets, so I've got my budget in mind and aim to stick to it.
Anyhow, as above, I'm looking at a 07 Voyager Sunday, and potentially a 2000 HD Ultra tomorrow night. The HD fits all the bills so far as being unmolested (mature owner, no tuner), right price, 1 owner, and a paper trail of maintenance and cam chain / cam plate upgrade etc etc etc...but I'm just not totally fond of the colour honestly. The price is right, but I'd spend the savings getting the thing painted. Going to go look anyways in case the colour looks better in person vs online.
www.kijiji.ca
