Well folks...the time and opportunity has come for me to add a playmate to my Savage's pen.

I found a 1993 Intruder VS800 with only 5800 miles on it just longing for a home.  

I don't actually have it yet, but if all goes well, I will by the end of the week.

I am VERY excited about this...Now, I will have a good interstate bike.  Plus, having a second bike around means hubby has no excuse for not learning to ride now.

VS800 handles like a pig on rollerskates on greased ice if the tire pressure gets low. Ask me how I know...

VS800 is an interesting machine. FWIW, the handlebar angle is NOT adjustable unless you own a die-grinder or Dremel tool. Risers have little locator "teeth" that lock the bar angle.   Takes about 5 minutes per to delete them.

My wife has a VS800, 1996, in a neat pearl teal. If you have any questions specific to riding the Intruder, shoot her an e-mail or private message through my contact info. Also check out IntruderAlert dot com. Good folks there as well.

The Savage will stomp a stock 800 into the ground stoplight to stoplight... And watch for the back end to rise if you really whack the throttle. Perfectly normal, but disconcerting until you get used to it. Driveshafts are for cars...not motorcycles.
-WD

She's keeping her thumper.

Don't worry GIT, santa has you on his "nice" list.

Honestly, I'd love to keep it.  It's a real hot dog, but;

1. I don't have a garage.  I keep the bike(s) on a covered patio in the summer and in a lawn barn in the winter.  There's hardly enough room on the patio for two bikes and certainly not enough in the shed.

2. I had to touch some funds that I promised my wife I'd pay back.  How much?  About the same as the Sookie will get me.

3. I need an easier riding bike.  I've got arthritis, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, and other issues relating to a pituitary tumor that cause pain and soreness.

4. The VStar and I were meant to be together.  I was looking at this same bike last year about April, when I decided to get the thumper instead.   The owner changed his mind after a few weeks and rolled it back into his garage.  Saturday he decided to try to sell it again, I saw it and rode it and bought it.  Kismet, if you ask me...

Nothing like kicking a brother when he's down!

actually the v-star is a fine ride - I've got a buddy that traded in a late model low mileage vstar for a new HD Classic ~18 months ago along with 10Gs+ and won't come out and say it - but seems to wish he hadn't - sure didn't endup w/10g more of a motorcycle!  

Gitarzan wrote on 12/31/69 at 16:00:05:

If you had got the VStar the first go-around you wouldn't have stumbled into this extremely friendly forum.  You wouldn't have posted the picture of you in your "Old Thumper" t-shirt.  I wouldn't have gotten the "Old Thumper" pump handle clip that is now sitting on my front fork.  And I have no idea why it should be there but I have long since quit questioning fate.

Selling the Thumper NEVER crossed my mind.  I don't plan on it.

Gitarzan wrote on 12/31/69 at 16:00:05:


I don't have a garage either.  My bikes are parked in the yard under a tree, under cover in the summer and in a leanto with a tarp over the end for the winter.

Gitarzan wrote on 12/31/69 at 16:00:05:


Can't argue with you about that one.  I'm the breadwinner in my family and while I generally play fair and am the good wife, when it comes to my bike(s), "I made it, I'll spend it" comes to mind a little to frequently.

Gitarzan wrote on 12/31/69 at 16:00:05:


Is the VStar that much different?  I have arthritis and CTS too.  I have a throttle boss, which helps a lot.  I don't seem to have as much trouble on the clutch side.

Gitarzan wrote on 12/31/69 at 16:00:05:


Well you can't argue with fate  .  That Intruder starting calling my name as soon as it rolled out into the lot...