[Byte1]

Originally Posted by jimjamuser

There is nothing to be gained by having a LOUD exhaust except to scare squirrels and rabbits. The seniors almost all ride in their vehicles with the windows up and the a/c or heat on (depending on temperature). And most have hearing loss. Actually, modern cars are designed to force people to have their windows up. Jeep Wrangler may be (?) the only modern car with vent windows. So no one can hear loud motorcycles anymore. The main selling point for the Harley machines is that they are a giant VIBRATOR.
.........I would NOT bring a motorcycle for only a week. As for being a resident, I would prefer an Electric motorcycle or if I had to have a gas vehicle, it would be a quiet Honda or a 3-wheel Italian Vespa type, which would seem to be a nice cruising ride.
.........Another point that has yet to be made (not read all pages) is older folks' lack of good balance. If you live here long enough, you would have to buy a new 3-wheeler or modify your current one. That is IF you are LUCKY enough to live long enough and without accidents and injuries until your balance deteriorates. Sorry, to be so negative, just trying to "keep it real"!!!!!!!

Loud pipes have saved me on several occasions, but I am not an expert.....just someone that really rides a bike and doesn't arbitrarily give advice WITHOUT real life experience on the subject. I have driven a Harley (as well as other brands) for most of my legal driving age. On my bikes, even though I do not enjoy constant loud pipes/sounds, I modified them for safety. A baloney cut facing outward allowed the noise to be focused against the quarter panel of cars on my right so that they would realize that I was in their "blind spot." The noise bouncing off their side of the car has saved me on numerous instances where I might have been forced off the road or crushed. "Trying to keep it real?" So many folks have OPINIONS that come from hearsay and not from experience.
The OP asked about bringing his bike down for a short period. He was asking for opinions, and probably did not expect lectures on safety or why you shouldn't ride in Florida. Someone suggested first enjoying the Villages and then return with his bike for riding. Some good advice was to contact the local motorcycle club here. Because I have driven(?) bikes in other countries, I do not fear the inattentive seniors in the Villages as much as some that probably have driven primarily in the U.S. on nice roads with less traffic and physically impaired drivers than we have accumulated in the Villages. If you are worried about bothering your neighbor for a few seconds as you pass their home while leaving or returning from a ride, then you simply drive slowly and do not rev your engine. It's as easy as that, IF you have driven a motorcycle before and really understand it's function. An "electric bike?" Hmm, that's a matter of preference. I don't have experience with an "electric bike" and the OP did not mention owning one. He simply asked the question of whether or not he should bring his bike with him for a one week visit. I have been to bike meets in other states and other countries that lasted only a week or so. I have driven hours to get there or have rented a bike while there. If he wants to bring his bike and enjoys riding more than golf, tennis, pickleball, etc. that his choice. I can relate to that.
For those that make recommendations without intimate subject knowledge, why?
To the OP: some on here have good advice on this subject, especially those that still ride, with or without the local bike club. I do not know how much riding experience you have, and it is none of my business. Riding IN the Villages is going to require constant attention and defensive driving techniques. Florida law does not require you to wear a helmet. I do wear a helmet, boots and long pants (most of the time). Florida law does not require motorcycle insurance, but I also have insurance. What you are allowed to do and what you choose to do is your choice. I have children and grandchildren that have visited here on their bikes and enjoyed it with no accidents...so far.
Enjoy.

[jimjamuser]

Originally Posted by Byte1

Loud pipes have saved me on several occasions, but I am not an expert.....just someone that really rides a bike and doesn't arbitrarily give advice WITHOUT real life experience on the subject. I have driven a Harley (as well as other brands) for most of my legal driving age. On my bikes, even though I do not enjoy constant loud pipes/sounds, I modified them for safety. A baloney cut facing outward allowed the noise to be focused against the quarter panel of cars on my right so that they would realize that I was in their "blind spot." The noise bouncing off their side of the car has saved me on numerous instances where I might have been forced off the road or crushed. "Trying to keep it real?" So many folks have OPINIONS that come from hearsay and not from experience.
The OP asked about bringing his bike down for a short period. He was asking for opinions, and probably did not expect lectures on safety or why you shouldn't ride in Florida. Someone suggested first enjoying the Villages and then return with his bike for riding. Some good advice was to contact the local motorcycle club here. Because I have driven(?) bikes in other countries, I do not fear the inattentive seniors in the Villages as much as some that probably have driven primarily in the U.S. on nice roads with less traffic and physically impaired drivers than we have accumulated in the Villages. If you are worried about bothering your neighbor for a few seconds as you pass their home while leaving or returning from a ride, then you simply drive slowly and do not rev your engine. It's as easy as that, IF you have driven a motorcycle before and really understand it's function. An "electric bike?" Hmm, that's a matter of preference. I don't have experience with an "electric bike" and the OP did not mention owning one. He simply asked the question of whether or not he should bring his bike with him for a one week visit. I have been to bike meets in other states and other countries that lasted only a week or so. I have driven hours to get there or have rented a bike while there. If he wants to bring his bike and enjoys riding more than golf, tennis, pickleball, etc. that his choice. I can relate to that.
For those that make recommendations without intimate subject knowledge, why?
To the OP: some on here have good advice on this subject, especially those that still ride, with or without the local bike club. I do not know how much riding experience you have, and it is none of my business. Riding IN the Villages is going to require constant attention and defensive driving techniques. Florida law does not require you to wear a helmet. I do wear a helmet, boots and long pants (most of the time). Florida law does not require motorcycle insurance, but I also have insurance. What you are allowed to do and what you choose to do is your choice. I have children and grandchildren that have visited here on their bikes and enjoyed it with no accidents...so far.
Enjoy.

OK. I respect that opinion. I rode often for over 5 years. I NEVER dropped my bikes. I did have to roll upside down once to void death when I was in Nebraska in a thick fog and some dork in a car tried to pass on a 2 lane road and ended up in my lane at about zero visibility. My life stopped for a long minute as I looked UP at my feet on the pegs as I rolled over on my back. This was one of the 3 near-death occurrences in my life, very exciting.
.......Truth be told, I could never afford a Harley as I always could purchase motorcycles that I considered better built and engineered that met MY NEEDS for MUCH less money. To me, truly, a Harley is just a big vibrator that I never needed. I never needed a cycle that went faster than 60 MPH because I never wanted a windshield and even at 60 MPH the wind force was like a hurricane that would slap around your clothes.
........The fastest cycle that I ever owned was a 2-stroke Yamaha 300 (or 400, I forget)that could go 80, but I never went above 60. It was a new one-year-older model Yamaha that was in a crate when I picked it up (save big bucks). I also owned several 4 strokes that same-same I kept under 65. Every cycle that I owned got at least 60 miles per gallon. The most that I ever paid for a cycle was about $5,000 in today's dollars. So, my concept of a motorcycle was to get from A to B in the least expensive way. I was NOT about to pay $30,000 for a heavy, vibrating Harley because I could only justify taking a chance with my life IF I got GREAT CASH VALUE for going from point A to B.
.......Different strokes for different folks (that was the old saying). And now you know the rest of the story!
........OH yes, there is another old saying. Honda and Yamaha owners RIDE their bikes from up north to bike week in Daytona......BUT Harley owners put theirs on a trailer and pull it down to Daytona because they are AFRAID that it will BREAK DOWN !!!!!!

[jswirs]

Originally Posted by Robbb

Renting a home in the Villages next week, thinking of trailering my motorcycle down to ride around the area. My concern is, from my limited experience, the Villages and surrounding area, are not really good riding areas due to heavy traffic and inattentive drivers. Looking for opinions from local riders. Tks

Far too dangerous for me. I'm from the Philla. area, and I have never seen such inattentive drivers as I have seen here. Many reasons, mostly age related problems. Not only for motorcyclist, but for bicyclist as well. I rode motorcycles for about 40 years, after what I have seen here, and after almost being killed while riding my BICYCLE, decided not to ride a MC here. I am now a certified cager, but my "cage" is a 6 speed performance enhanced Porsche. However, bottom line, your body, your choice.

[Byte1]

Originally Posted by jswirs

Far too dangerous for me. I'm from the Philla. area, and I have never seen such inattentive drivers as I have seen here. Many reasons, mostly age related problems. Not only for motorcyclist, but for bicyclist as well. I rode motorcycles for about 40 years, after what I have seen here, and after almost being killed while riding my BICYCLE, decided not to ride a MC here. I am now a certified cager, but my "cage" is a 6 speed performance enhanced Porsche. However, bottom line, your body, your choice.

These 35mph speed limit roads in the Villages must be rough on a Porsche...

[Daxdog]

Originally Posted by Robbb

Renting a home in the Villages next week, thinking of trailering my motorcycle down to ride around the area. My concern is, from my limited experience, the Villages and surrounding area, are not really good riding areas due to heavy traffic and inattentive drivers. Looking for opinions from local riders. Tks

You are correct sir! I don’t ride anymore, people here the eyesight and reflexes aren’t as good as they once were, and contractors (lawn care people) are in a rush getting from one job to another, and the locals and younger people don’t care for us.

[MrFlorida]

I sold my bike, and gave up my motorcycle license when we moved here....too many close calls.

[ThirdOfFive]

Originally Posted by jimjamuser

OK. I respect that opinion. I rode often for over 5 years. I NEVER dropped my bikes. I did have to roll upside down once to void death when I was in Nebraska in a thick fog and some dork in a car tried to pass on a 2 lane road and ended up in my lane at about zero visibility. My life stopped for a long minute as I looked UP at my feet on the pegs as I rolled over on my back. This was one of the 3 near-death occurrences in my life, very exciting.
.......Truth be told, I could never afford a Harley as I always could purchase motorcycles that I considered better built and engineered that met MY NEEDS for MUCH less money. To me, truly, a Harley is just a big vibrator that I never needed. I never needed a cycle that went faster than 60 MPH because I never wanted a windshield and even at 60 MPH the wind force was like a hurricane that would slap around your clothes.
........The fastest cycle that I ever owned was a 2-stroke Yamaha 300 (or 400, I forget)that could go 80, but I never went above 60. It was a new one-year-older model Yamaha that was in a crate when I picked it up (save big bucks). I also owned several 4 strokes that same-same I kept under 65. Every cycle that I owned got at least 60 miles per gallon. The most that I ever paid for a cycle was about $5,000 in today's dollars. So, my concept of a motorcycle was to get from A to B in the least expensive way. I was NOT about to pay $30,000 for a heavy, vibrating Harley because I could only justify taking a chance with my life IF I got GREAT CASH VALUE for going from point A to B.
.......Different strokes for different folks (that was the old saying). And now you know the rest of the story!
........OH yes, there is another old saying. Honda and Yamaha owners RIDE their bikes from up north to bike week in Daytona......BUT Harley owners put theirs on a trailer and pull it down to Daytona because they are AFRAID that it will BREAK DOWN !!!!!!

The prevailing "wisdom" was always "if you want image, get a Harley. If you want dependability, get a metric bike". That was probably more true before Y2K than now, new bikes seem to have more quality across-the-board but then the issue of cost rears it's ugly head. All things considered you'll pay more for an HD than for just about any other equivalent bike. Often a lot more. Image is expensive.

I've gone both ways. To be honest riding a Harley is much more tiring than, say, a Suzuki C90T which is built from the ground up as a touring bike and fits the bill very well. The shaft drive and the way the motor is tuned makes it virtually vibration-free, and the soft suspension maybe gives you a bit less responsiveness but you'll be thanking it after, say, eight hours in the saddle.

I really have no dog in this particular fight either way. People ride what pleases them. As it should be.

[jimjamuser]

Originally Posted by jswirs

Far too dangerous for me. I'm from the Philla. area, and I have never seen such inattentive drivers as I have seen here. Many reasons, mostly age related problems. Not only for motorcyclist, but for bicyclist as well. I rode motorcycles for about 40 years, after what I have seen here, and after almost being killed while riding my BICYCLE, decided not to ride a MC here. I am now a certified cager, but my "cage" is a 6 speed performance enhanced Porsche. However, bottom line, your body, your choice.

I can understand owning a Porsche as a "need for speed" and acceleration (within the speed limits of course) as a BETTER combination of uniqueness, pride of ownership, and safety than a motorcycle for THIS senior environment - relatively high population density with bad drivers (both residents and commercial vehicles trying to set speed records), narrow streets, and side-by-side walkers, and unpredictable golf cart pilots.

That way you may be "caged", but you are still a TIGER.

[jimjamuser]

Originally Posted by Daxdog

You are correct sir! I don’t ride anymore, people here the eyesight and reflexes aren’t as good as they once were, and contractors (lawn care people) are in a rush getting from one job to another, and the locals and younger people don’t care for us.

I am with you about lawn care people. And recently a truck with a big sign HOME TOWN drove by our house at approximately 50 MPH in a 25 MPH residential street........so, we will NEVER have any HOME TOWN people do ANY work around our house. I wish that I could have gotten a video of that CLOWN speeding. I wonder if Apple makes an app where a video would show the speed of a vehicle. Then we could do a version of VIDEO SHAMING.

[jimjamuser]

Originally Posted by ThirdOfFive

The prevailing "wisdom" was always "if you want image, get a Harley. If you want dependability, get a metric bike". That was probably more true before Y2K than now, new bikes seem to have more quality across-the-board but then the issue of cost rears it's ugly head. All things considered you'll pay more for an HD than for just about any other equivalent bike. Often a lot more. Image is expensive.

I've gone both ways. To be honest riding a Harley is much more tiring than, say, a Suzuki C90T which is built from the ground up as a touring bike and fits the bill very well. The shaft drive and the way the motor is tuned makes it virtually vibration-free, and the soft suspension maybe gives you a bit less responsiveness but you'll be thanking it after, say, eight hours in the saddle.

I really have no dog in this particular fight either way. People ride what pleases them. As it should be.

That was a classic top 10 post. It made clear what I was trying to say about how I felt about Harleys versus smaller more approachable, quieter, less vibration, user friendly, and better gas mileage"as you say" "metric bikes". Many years ago I admired and coveted a BMW motorcycle, but it was out of my league from a cost perspective. I ALMOST purchased a long time ago a Russian-made copy of a BMW 2 cylinder with a horizontally opposed motor. Some guy in Miami had some for sale at a reasonable price. I read a story about some Canadians liking the bike for snow driving. I could be wrong, but I think that they somehow got the front wheel to drive also. I even went to the address of the seller in Miami once after work, but they were closed. It was basically a "fly-by-night small operation out of a small rental warehouse. I started thinking about how HARD it would be to get parts and I never followed through on the idea.........I kind of regret that, but then I have a lot of those.......regrets.

So sorry for digressing, I will call myself on it because I know some others might also. But, Harleys are an IMAGE THING. I think that Marlon Brando made a movie wearing a black leather jacket and riding a Harley with a gang -
where he was some kind of an antisocial rugged anti-hero and I IMAGINE that it made an impression (pro-Harley) on some people needing to be "rebels without a cause".
........Thanks again for saying in a much better way what I was TRYING to say.

[jimjamuser]

Originally Posted by ThirdOfFive

The prevailing "wisdom" was always "if you want image, get a Harley. If you want dependability, get a metric bike". That was probably more true before Y2K than now, new bikes seem to have more quality across-the-board but then the issue of cost rears it's ugly head. All things considered you'll pay more for an HD than for just about any other equivalent bike. Often a lot more. Image is expensive.

I've gone both ways. To be honest riding a Harley is much more tiring than, say, a Suzuki C90T which is built from the ground up as a touring bike and fits the bill very well. The shaft drive and the way the motor is tuned makes it virtually vibration-free, and the soft suspension maybe gives you a bit less responsiveness but you'll be thanking it after, say, eight hours in the saddle.

I really have no dog in this particular fight either way. People ride what pleases them. As it should be.

Oh, I forgot to say that some of my VERY BEST riding experiences came riding OFF-ROAD in Arizona up and hills on a 250 cc Honda on and off road bike. To me that was more exercise and skill enhancing and seeing wildlife than I ever got riding on a road, which is just A to B. Animals do NOT run from a QUIET dirt bike or a bicycle. I know this won't impress anyone, but I also owned a Honda 90 which got about 100 miles per gallon and had a top speed of only 40 MPH on the street. It could be used as a DECENT off road bike in a pinch as it had a lever that gave it a low range with lots of torque. I took it with me deer hunting out west a couple of times - great for scouting. That 90 cc 3 stroke was a MASSIVE seller throughout the Far EAST for a very long time until the middle classes there got more money to afford cars. I am surprised that Honda stopped making them - there were very rugged....... ACTUALLY unbreakable !

[JMintzer]

Originally Posted by jimjamuser

I am with you about lawn care people. And recently a truck with a big sign HOME TOWN drove by our house at approximately 50 MPH in a 25 MPH residential street........so, we will NEVER have any HOME TOWN people do ANY work around our house. I wish that I could have gotten a video of that CLOWN speeding. I wonder if Apple makes an app where a video would show the speed of a vehicle. Then we could do a version of VIDEO SHAMING.

You must live on the worst street in TV...

40 mph golf carts, 50 mph drivers whizzing by on a daily basis... Lawn mowers every single day...

It must be awful...

[Byte1]

Originally Posted by jimjamuser

That was a classic top 10 post. It made clear what I was trying to say about how I felt about Harleys versus smaller more approachable, quieter, less vibration, user friendly, and better gas mileage"as you say" "metric bikes". Many years ago I admired and coveted a BMW motorcycle, but it was out of my league from a cost perspective. I ALMOST purchased a long time ago a Russian-made copy of a BMW 2 cylinder with a horizontally opposed motor. Some guy in Miami had some for sale at a reasonable price. I read a story about some Canadians liking the bike for snow driving. I could be wrong, but I think that they somehow got the front wheel to drive also. I even went to the address of the seller in Miami once after work, but they were closed. It was basically a "fly-by-night small operation out of a small rental warehouse. I started thinking about how HARD it would be to get parts and I never followed through on the idea.........I kind of regret that, but then I have a lot of those.......regrets.

So sorry for digressing, I will call myself on it because I know some others might also. But, Harleys are an IMAGE THING. I think that Marlon Brando made a movie wearing a black leather jacket and riding a Harley with a gang -
where he was some kind of an antisocial rugged anti-hero and I IMAGINE that it made an impression (pro-Harley) on some people needing to be "rebels without a cause".
........Thanks again for saying in a much better way what I was TRYING to say.

I believe you are attempting to speak of the Russian made URAL. You might want to Google it, so you can better understand them. That they are sold all over the place, including the U.S. and are used in many countries. They have been around for over 80 years. As for finding spare parts, you will find parts for the Ural in most other countries easier than finding parts for Harley motorcycles. I've seen plenty of them in my travels but I have never operated one. I do enjoy operating different motorcycle brands and do not disparage one over another, like some uninformed dabblers. Some folks accuse HDs of leaking of not being reliable, but that was the old models, like many other brand bikes. None of the four HDs I have owned leaked or ever broke down on the road. I have owned and operated several different "rice burners" to use the non-PC term for Asian made bikes, and have owned and operated Britt made bikes.
This is off the actual subject, but I found it worth responding to. Harley Davidson motorcycles are not loud when they come from the factory. They do have their own distinct sound. Some folks believe that "rice burners" sound like sewing machines or chain saws, but most just have a distinct metric sound. I know many folks that have modified their metric bikes to make much louder "music" than those that own HDs.
The OP question was whether or not he should consider bringing his bike down here for a week visit. My answer is that it depends on what he is seeking in his visit; to learn about the Villages or to tour the area on his bike. If he wishes to ride his bike, then he is warned of the inherent dangers of senior vehicle operators in the area. There are hundreds of bike owners in the Villages that have NOT been involved in a traffic accident while operating a bike. I would venture to say that there are far more Villagers that have been victims of scams since they have moved here.

[ThirdOfFive]

Originally Posted by Byte1

I believe you are attempting to speak of the Russian made URAL. You might want to Google it, so you can better understand them. That they are sold all over the place, including the U.S. and are used in many countries. They have been around for over 80 years. As for finding spare parts, you will find parts for the Ural in most other countries easier than finding parts for Harley motorcycles. I've seen plenty of them in my travels but I have never operated one. I do enjoy operating different motorcycle brands and do not disparage one over another, like some uninformed dabblers. Some folks accuse HDs of leaking of not being reliable, but that was the old models, like many other brand bikes. None of the four HDs I have owned leaked or ever broke down on the road. I have owned and operated several different "rice burners" to use the non-PC term for Asian made bikes, and have owned and operated Britt made bikes.
This is off the actual subject, but I found it worth responding to. Harley Davidson motorcycles are not loud when they come from the factory. They do have their own distinct sound. Some folks believe that "rice burners" sound like sewing machines or chain saws, but most just have a distinct metric sound. I know many folks that have modified their metric bikes to make much louder "music" than those that own HDs.
The OP question was whether or not he should consider bringing his bike down here for a week visit. My answer is that it depends on what he is seeking in his visit; to learn about the Villages or to tour the area on his bike. If he wishes to ride his bike, then he is warned of the inherent dangers of senior vehicle operators in the area. There are hundreds of bike owners in the Villages that have NOT been involved in a traffic accident while operating a bike. I would venture to say that there are far more Villagers that have been victims of scams since they have moved here.

The story behind the Ural is interesting (maybe just legend, I don't know...). The reason Urals so strongly resemble BMW bikes is because near the end of WW II the Russians commandeered a BMW factory in Germany and basically disassembled and shipped the whole works back to Russia, where they basically began producing a bike that was a more--or-less carbon copy of BMW hardware. Maybe less, because I've heard that Urals resemble "a collection of parts flying in loose formation". Typical Russian product; they rattle, belch, and smoke, but always seem to get where they are trying to go, and will go through anything.

About 20 years ago I was looking at one; designed for a sidecar which for some reason was appealing to me at the time. Didn't do it. Maybe I should have.

[Michael G.]

Originally Posted by jimjamuser

Oh, I forgot to say that some of my VERY BEST riding experiences came riding OFF-ROAD in Arizona up and hills on a 250 cc Honda on and off road bike. To me that was more exercise and skill enhancing and seeing wildlife than I ever got riding on a road, which is just A to B. Animals do NOT run from a QUIET dirt bike or a bicycle.

Just don't understand why off-road bikes and ATV enjoy tearing up the back county,
and disturbing the wildlife.

It's amazes me there aren't more animals on the endangered species list.