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Queen Victoria is resting for the simmer

1K views 9 replies 6 participants last post by  CrossRoader 
#1 · (Edited)
Queen Victoria is resting for the summer

It seems really weird as many of you are just taking your bikes out of winter storage but I cleaned and prepared my bike for her summer hibernation today. I live in Palm Desert in the winter and Vancouver BC in the summer so I am going home to Vancouver this weekend.

It has been a great riding season for me. I replaced my Triumph Thunderbird 1700 with a 2013 XR in November and have enjoyed the 9000 miles I have done on her. The XR is a great touring bike and very comfortable and practical but I miss the grunt of my TBird a lot and have to connect with Lloyd or Rylan next winter to get the cams done.

Wanda the Honda (2007 VTX1300R) is waiting for me in Vancouver and there is something about the simplicity and bullet proof reliability that I really enjoy about the Honda. I have been thinking about an upgrade but she is really great bang for the buck and I can't think of what I would get other than another Thunderbird.

I wish everyone on this Board a safe and happy summer riding season. i will be checking in from time to time for the latest news and gossip
 

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#3 ·
What a shame your Vic has to sit for so long! I am sure Wanda is missing you though, enjoy your summer up north.
 
#5 ·
Enjoy good riding CrossRoader. Every one of us has our own priorities and I want to see you achieve yours. My own priorities are a great tour type bike that I can ride every day. For me that means trading my HD Road Glide Ultra for a Vic Vision, but that is just me. Every one of us must determine for themselves what they should be riding.
 
#6 ·
If you've covered this already, I apologize, but I'm curious as to why you swapped the Thunderbird for the XR and how the XR stacks up against the Triumph, beyond the lack of grunt.
And yes, I'm jealous! A bike in every port - nice deal!
 
#7 ·
I loved the TBird but unfortunately it was a pain in the ass. After I had the Big Bore kit installed I started having a cam chain rattle. The tensioner was replaced and then a full cam rebuild was done but the problem persisted. The real frustration was I waited for over two months for parts really screwing up my winter riding season. In addition my riding habits have changed and I now make regular three or four day trips.The Bird didn't have to ability to add big bags and wasn't as comfortable as the real touring bikes. Although I am almost 64 I loved the grunt of the Bird but decided to get something more reliable and comfortable.

I listed the specs I wanted in a touring bike and literally the XR/XC were the only bikes that met my needs.Things like overdrive, large banks and a large tank were important to me in touring bike. I am not totally sold on the Vic's looks however particularly the back end which I find overdone. I wish they had ended the rear fender where the bags/pipes end. In my mind and for my taste it is about six inches too long.

The XR felt very "flat" when I got it but D&D pipes the Vic performance filter and flash have helped. I still miss the TBirds power though so I am hoping to get the cams done next season

Here are a couple of pics of my former Bird
 

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#8 ·
I also find it strange how the rear fender sticks out so much further than the bags on the X bikes. I think they should have either made the bags longer or the fender shorter but it didn't stop me from buying one!
 
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