[Bob W]

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I have made a promise to my self not to purchase anything for the bike that will not make for a better touring experience. There is no chrome bling on my bike, no LED lights behind panels, no chrome trim on my gas door. I am a large guy and there is not a lot of riding gear in my size so I have not been able to go out and buy a special mesh panel jacket or pants. I got my riding gloves at Menards, they are deerskin and are made by Wells Lamont. I have not purchased special riding boots, got my boots at Farm & Fleet for $50. I use them around the house and at work too. And of course since I ride a Honda the pirate costume is optional. I have been seen riding in jeans and a golf shirt. My original seat seems to fit me fine. Two, one day, rides of over 500 miles and my butt never ached.
I spent more on my 81 gl1100 when I got it three years ago then I have so far on the 1800. I do spend a lot of time looking on line etc for good deals on what ever I do purchase (I prefer to call myself frugal).
My Helmets were purchased online, they were discontinued models or last years model that were brand new and heavily discounted. $35 for my GMAX 3/4 and $75 for my GMAX modular. Even with shipping costs they were less then the new models anywhere.
All I am trying to say is you do not need to spend too much money to enjoy riding. My expenses are for gasoline and lunch on the road.
Probably the only real extravagance I have is the little scale model of a wing that I have on my desk. it was $11.00 on ebay with the shipping.

 

[Bob W]

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Of course if you have the money and want to spend it all the more power to you. If I hit the lottery I am sure there would be a really sharp custom leather jacket sitting on my bike.

 

[Bob W]

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josephdphillips wrote:

Bob W wrote:

All I am trying to say is you do not need to spend too much money to enjoy riding.

Like others on this board I, too, am a little taken aback by the maintenance costs of riding my '09 Wing. I just got back from Wingstuff for my 12k service -- almost $400 and they tell me I need new tires already -- another $500. Geez! I've had my 2001 Tacoma for 7 years and have only spent $1,000 in all that time on maintenance -- new tires, struts, oil changes, fuel injection cleaning.

Anyway, this won't stop me from enjoying my GL1800 but I am now interested in lowering my maintenance costs, where possible.

You said you got helmets online and that you're a big guy. Me too. My helmet is a XXXL and fits OK, but I am looking for a second one, maybe a shorty. What do you recommend?

Also, what do you think of car tires on an 1800? They're certainly cheaper and last longer, plus I'm no speed demon anyway. What do you think?

I found both helmets on E-Bay. Both were last years models but were brand new. I do have a half helmet that I have had for several years. I haven't used it in at least three years. I rarely use my 3/4 helmet anymore and stick with my full face / modular now. Cousin Jack's photo of him holding up his full face helmet after his deer strike last year has convinced me that you need that much coverage. My modular G-Max is a XXXL and fits me perfectly.
I recently saw a diagram showing what area of a helmet that hits usually the ground in an accident. The lowest percentage of strikes was on the top. A shorty helmet just doesn't give you the coverage that you need.
Mind you I am not cheap, just frugal. I do have a service contract on my '08 wing so I do not have to handle any routine service for the first few years. I still manage all the service on my '81 wing and my '85 BMW myself. My garage is now set up just for bikes. I have a bike lift table and a bike jack. I have pretty much torn down and rebuilt the '81 and now I am looking to do the BMW.
My frugality is born out of necessity. Even though I have worked hard at it my career plan of winning the lottery has not yet payed off for me. Additionally as my clothing sizes are not routinely produced by the motorcycle clothing manufacturers I have had to find other reasonable substitutes. So since Vanson does not make a leather in my size King Size Direct did have a nice leather pilots jacket in 5XL for around $100. Blaine's Farm & Fleet has provided me with boots and gloves at reasonable prices. Levi and Wrangler provide the pants when I find them on sale. I did drop a fair amount for a HD rain suit. It fit and is extremely well made. I do not mind spending money on items that are quality and needed.
Truth is some of my bargans I think are better then some of the specialized items I see. Wells Lamont gloves make great deerskin gloves and hardware stores carry them. My Timberland work boots are waterproof and offer as much protection as most riding boots do but at a substantial savings.
The real problem is trying to find add ons that are not chromed.