BarkinB

I'm a shameless lurker, adhering to the "Better to keep your mouth shut and look like an idiot, than open it and remove all doubt" philosophy I was being facetious about "hating me", I know the people here are reasonable. I'm not into modifying the LeMans, or any bike I own, for that matter. Adding accessories is one thing, but changing handlebars, and footpegs, nope. If I get to the point of seriously contemplating going through that kind of hell, I'll just admit I have the wrong bike for me, and get something else. I do admire (and hereby salute ) people who go for it and change their bikes like that. I'm 6'3", so the LeMans riding position is kind of cramped for me. My wife's Yamaha V-Star is really bad... the handlebars hit my knees. Anyway, thanks for the kind words everyone. We'll see what happens. The ad in Cycle Trader hits on the 19th. I'm not selling if I can't get more than $7500. Any less would be losing quite a few shirts.

Well, what I meant was the Breva 1100, BMW, Honda, and Yamaha bikes I mentioned are all considered sport-tourers and the Victory Hammer is not. I didn't mean the Victory is an odd bike, just that it's unique in that list. If I bought the Hammer, I'd probably accessorize it to be a cruiser-tourer of sorts. Yeah, the FJ is pretty intense from what I've read. One of the reasons it's at the bottom of my list is because there's such a waiting list for it, you have to buy them sight-unseen, which completely rules out test rides (what little chance there is to begin with). I got a chance to really stare, compare and sit on both the Hammer and Vegas at a bike show, and the Hammer just looked and fit better. I will say the Vegas is beautiful.

Selling mine (Mike's V11 for sale) Top 5 replacements in order of preference before test rides: Breva 1100 Victory Hammer Honda ST1300 BMW K1200GT Yamaha FJR1300 I know the Victory is quite the odd bike compared with the others, but I like it, so what? Why sell? I don't much care for the riding position. In my opinion, the LeMans is a sport-tourer, with about a 75% sport and 25% touring split. I'm looking for something with almost the opposite ratio. Also, I need the money.

I'll certainly re-examine my shifting technique, although I kind of doubt that's what's causing it, since I shift pretty much the same way all the time, so why is it such a random thing? Regarding the adjusting the lever higher, I may try that soon, and will advise if it helps or not. Thanks, everyone!

-Shifter sticking during downshifts, may go away with use. -Tachometer fogging up, still happens. -Oil leak, not sure from where, dealer fixed. -Headlight has dried evidence of fogging. -Mouse built a nest under my seat no kidding!

Pardon my ignorance, but what is the problem that you experience with a broken spring? I just finished starting a new topic about my shifter sticking, and I'm wondering if it's related to this broken spring problem....

First, a big HI to everyone, this is my first post here! (sorry if this is a well known and repeated thing) I just today found someone else describe this problem in a review of a test ride he did on the V11 LeMans, so it reminded me to ask my fellow riders... It seems to happen only when downshifting from sixth or fifth at speeds over 40MPH. I pull in the clutch to downshift, and when pressing the shift lever down it just sticks in the down position, and refuses to budge, even if I try real hard to pry it back up. Sometimes it happens right away, sometimes I can downshift a gear or two first. The only solution I've found is to quickly partially engage and disengage the clutch... sort of give the transmission a 'smack' with the clutch... then the shifter seems to be moveable again. I have had it happen in 4th, 3rd, and 2nd gear. I've had rides over 100 miles where it never happened once, and I've had rides of 12 miles where it happened 4 times. The dealer (Speed's Cycle in Elkridge MD, USA) couldn't duplicate the problem, which wasn't surprising. So, any ideas? Cheers!