motorcycles -- a couple of question

[footprintsinconc]

i have been looking for a bike and have come across the question:

which is better: direct shaft drive or belt driven?

i know there is virtually no maintenance on the shaft drive, just oil check. where as on the belt the only thing i came up is that it needs adjustment. what do you all know of this? is there some power loss going to a direct shaft drive? i know its suppose to be the smoothest ride.

the other question:

i started out looking at honda shadows 750cc, then moved on to 1100cc sabre and couldnt find any sabres locally on sale and now i have my eyes on a 2005 vtx1300 with saddle bags, rear touring bag, sissy bar, windshield, bike cover and about 1.5 yr of extended warrenty for about the kbb retail value. so the question is, does anyone have any experience with honda's and/ vtx1300 model?

well that is it for now.

[Tom Slick]

I wouldn't think twice about a shaft drive.

[BobSch]

My last bike was a shaft drive and seemed much smoother.

[Bruce Cohen]

Yo Omar,

If it ain't a Harley, ya don't want it.

Bruce

[SawDog]

Yes, there *is* a power loss with a shaft drive. And while belts require adjustment, they are a LOT easier to deal with than a chain, and the adjustment interval is a lot longer.

With that said.... I currently have a belt. if the bike I wanted had a shaft, I'd have a shaft. The power loss is negligible when weighed against the power output of most of today's bikes.

A shaft also *feels* different, when you roll on the power. Not bad, but it has a different torque reaction.

All in all...I'd rather have a shaft - Near zero maintenance, and it's pretty unlikely to leave ya stranded. But a belt isn't bad either. 45,000 miles in the last two years, and mine's still doing fine.

IMHO, of course!

Good luck in your search.
Hal

[kirkroy]

Chain is the strongest and most efficient/has the least power loss of common drivetrain options (chain, belt, shaft). Belt is similarly efficient though not as strong as chain but maintenance is greatly reduced. Most bikes have a surplus of power and shaft drive doesn't reduce power so much that you'd notice any losses (you could always get the most powerful production bike, the new vmax, which is shaft drive, if you're worried about power losses ).

If it was me I'd buy the bike I like the most for other factors and maybe use drivetrain maintenance as a secondary factor (and I'm a year 'round motorcycle commuter who replaces a chain/sprocket set at least once per year).

I have no direct experience with those particular models but Hondas have top shelf fit and finish with many people considering them the best made bikes out there quality-wise.

I just rolled over 60k miles on my kawasaki heading to work this morning...

[RodKirby]

Ahem...

Did you know; the Italian word for "Wasp" is Vespa BTW - direct drive.

[Pappy]

First, a question for you. How much riding experience do you have? If you are, like many of todays buyers, looking at motorcycles for the first time as a way to ease the gas pinch stay in the 750cc range. The Shadows are excellent bikes that have a low center of gravity combined with relatively light weight, making them easy to handle and still have enough guts to power out of a tight spot when the situation demands. After you are more comfortable riding, consider stepping up to bigger bike.

As to drive systems:

Chains are subject to stretching, especially when new. Add to that the maintenance of keeping them clean and oiled. Want quicker take off or lower cruising RPM, change out the sprockets.

Belt technology has come a long way. Minimal stretching and relatively maintenance free but only offered on a few bikes.

Shaft drive is the smoothest and most nearly maintenace free. Differential oil need checking and eventually changing. Biggest drawback is, without some major modifications, you are stuck with the final drive ratio the engineers decided on.

[iceman61]

(you could always get the most powerful production bike, the new vmax, which is shaft drive, if you're worried about power losses ).

The Vmax doesn't have anything on the Boss Hoss. 3-4 times the power of any other production bike in the world. If you want a true "man's" bike, getcha self one of these babies. It has a 350 Corvette engine, 4 bolt main. (I can hear Tim Taylor growling & barking) Built right here in West Tennessee.

http://www.bosshoss.com/

[footprintsinconc]

i have driven smaller bikes for like two years. i have not driven for the last 8 or 9 years. i was primarily looking at the 750cc shadows or the vulcans, but then after reading here and there and talking to a couple of bikers, they suggested that i buy at least a 900 to 1100cc bike if i plan on taking some long trips. it has been impossible to find the honda sabre (1100cc) in my area and i wanted to get some biking in before the rain that we will get (hopefully) in the winter.

i plan on taking the basic 15hr training class to refresh up. i was looking at the wieghts between 900 to 1300 and they were not much more. the wheel base is about the same, heights .....etc.

so then this 1300vtx comes along with everything i will want to buy for long trips and have thought of spending a little more to get a bike that is barely used and excellent condition. that is the reason for getting this bike.

iceman, with the corvette engine, i think you will have to pull a motorcycle trailer behind you filled with gas, i cant imagine what what kind of milage you get on a tank of gas.

[iceman61]

iceman, with the corvette engine, i think you will have to pull a motorcycle trailer behind you filled with gas, i cant imagine what what kind of milage you get on a tank of gas.

Yeah I've been tempted to ask the guy that come up with this bike what kinda MPG it gets. He lives right down the road from me. I bet it isn't good.

[cabinetman]

The Vmax doesn't have anything on the Boss Hoss. 3-4 times the power of any other production bike in the world. If you want a true "man's" bike, getcha self one of these babies. It has a 350 Corvette engine, 4 bolt main. (I can hear Tim Taylor growling & barking) Built right here in West Tennessee.

http://www.bosshoss.com/

You're a little short on HP...this is a "mans" bike...The Tomahawk, V10, 500 HP.
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[iceman61]

I forgot all about that bike. Jay Leno has one of those. I bet it would be a biotch to change a front tire on that baby.

[tpd586]

Best bike.

If you are looking for somthing to ride on long trips, don't mess with the rest go straight to the best, and get yourself a Goldwing. Either a 1500 or the 1800 will do you fine, and when everyone else is done for the day you will still be ready to go. Word of caution though don't test ride one unless you are ready to buy it.

[cabinetman]

If you are looking for somthing to ride on long trips, don't mess with the rest go straight to the best, and get yourself a Goldwing. Either a 1500 or the 1800 will do you fine, and when everyone else is done for the day you will still be ready to go. Word of caution though don't test ride one unless you are ready to buy it.

I have to agree with you. I've had many bikes, but for the BEST ride, not much matches up to a Goldwing. I rode this one across the country.
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