I love my Sea Ray but....

B

Bam073

New Member
Mar 1, 2008
177
Long Island
We spent about 3 months searching for a new (used), bigger boat this season. When it finally came down to it we were standing to lose over $20k on the boat we're in now that we just bought one year ago. In this environment it didn't make sense to us to part with that kind of money, let alone additional money for the deposit on the new boat. So we decided to keep our boat for at least another season and see what this year brings us.

Yesterday I picked up my brand new Harley Davidson V-Rod. Never having a bike before I can say once on it there is nothing like it. Very similar to heading out on my boat when I'm solo but somewhat more invigorating. Now I'm not straying from boating, but this motorcycle thing is going to be an awesome diversion! For those of you who ride you know exactly what I mean....

Chris
 
Chris I've been riding all kinds of bikes(off and on road,small and large) for40 years. I think it's great you've gotten into this sport BUT I would like to say this: the bike you bought is extremely fast and large. Please be careful with it untill you are thoroughly and completely in control of it. The statistics for older(asuming you are older) guys buying big bikes are and having serious accidents are not good. Be safe. ric
 
I know what you mean...For years I had a HD Low rider, had to sell it for balance reasons...I actually like having a few toys vs. one big expensive one. I do miss the Harley though.
Are you coming up to Americade??
I'll be at the public docks if so...Look for me!
P.S. when you get tired of your harley...get one of these before your wife buys new furniture...
 
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Funny. I went the other way. Prior to getting this last boat, I sold my 2002 Road King Classic...about 8k miles. Prior to purchase, the "Only Mate" implemented toy limits, and since I couldn't take her and our seven year old very easily on the bike...the choice was pretty easy. I think it turned out to be far more cost effective an investment than boats, btw.

I enjoyed the bike, but for me it was a phase. I think I am now entering the "wanna bigger friggin' boat" phase.
 
You guys are absolutely right in terms of sheer power. I was out getting used to it yesterday and doing 60mph still having plenty of throttle made me realize how fast it can go. Now I'm 35, married, with two small children so I'm not looking to be stupid on this.

I'm with you on the toys, the boat and motorcycle plus the Honda Sportrax racing quad certainly keep me busy. But the Corvette is beautiful! I'm thinking more of a new Audi S5. If you haven't seen them Google it.
 
I'm with you Jedi in terms of wanting a bigger boat. I've learned my lesson and will only get another boat when it's the one we really want. And right now that's at least a 340 Dancer so I will wait. And have some fun along the way!
 
Congrats on the VROD. The day I bought mine, I didn't have the nerve to tell the salesman that I hadn't ridden a motocycle in over 20 years, and probably not more than 10 total miles in my entire life. I bought my VROD in Chicago, saved a ton of dough, and had it shipped home for $500. I rode the first fifty miles or more never leaving the neighborhood and spent a lot of time in the parking lot at the high school doing low speed manuevering.

I read a thousand comments about a VROD being too much for a beginner, but in hindsight it was the perfect first bike, or otherwise I would have been buying a replacement bike in a year or two. I eventually took the Riders Edge training class and actually went and got the "M" endorsement on my operators license.

Riding the motorcyle cleanses the mind, just like boating and for me, I can jump on it at a moments notice and it's amazing what a short thirty minute ride will do to clear the mind.

Take your time, wear the proper protective equipment, take a class, and most of all "Ride Safe."
 
I just went through the same quandry and bought the bigger boat anyway ... haven't sold my previous boat yet so I don't know exactly what I "lost", but it'll probably be 15k.

On the other hand, I got a great deal on a 2003 300DA with 99 hours on it.
 
After boating for over 10yrs, I decided to get another bike (hadn't ridden since college - but loved it). I found it to be a great switch of gears from boating. It always cracks me up when my fellow riders compare their respective fuel usages after a weekend trip. You know... mine only took $120 of gas for the weekend, yours used $135 - what a gas pig your bike is... and stuff like that. I get down right giddy at the fuel pump with my Yamaha FJR 1300 suspersport touring bike! Being a 0-60 in less than 3 sec machine, I don't usually find the need to use it to the max either - just knowing what it can do is usually enough!:wow:

It's kind of like travelling for free. Heck, its more like I save money if I take a couple of days touring on my bike vs. a weekend on the boat!! The way I see it, even with the expense of the bike, I save more boat costs just by having it!! :lol:

I'd find it hard to be without the boat though. It sure is nice not to have any traffic lights to stop for or empty parking spots to find. Plus, on a really hot day, what's best - getting the safety gear on and hitting the hot asphalt or putting on the swim suit and going for a swim off the boat!:grin:

If you can do both biking and boating - that's called BEING BLESSED!!:smt038

ENJOY!:thumbsup:
 
Being on hot asphalt riding a machine generating heat wearing black and being totally unprotected never appealed to me. I have seen one too many motorcycle accidents in my time. Once you have seen a few you never forget how mangled the person is. Be safe
 
Kurt...ME neither...but...riding along on a country road on a sunny day, smelling the smells and enjoying the ride is awesome. I guess it is hard to explain...I miss it. Everything in life is a risk in some form.
 
First bike a V-Rod :wow:

Man, that is a nice bike for sure, but NOT the best choice for a first bike. Please be careful, you obviously have no idea what that thing will do.
 
Chris,

I own a 2007 VROD NIGHT ROD SPECIAL with the harley custom blue flame paint job, its a super bike, and will give the jap bikes a run for there money. You have to check out TAB PERFORMANCE.COM. The bike will sound better and look better with these pipes, i have them on mine and love it.... Robert.
 
charlieft said:
I just went through the same quandry and bought the bigger boat anyway ... haven't sold my previous boat yet so I don't know exactly what I "lost", but it'll probably be 15k.

On the other hand, I got a great deal on a 2003 300DA with 99 hours on it.
Click to expand...

Exactly. It's a great time to step up and I wish I was in the position to do so. I see 300-360DAs going for ridiculous discounts. While you may lose $20K on your boat, you could easily save $40-50K on a bigger boat.:thumbsup:
 
I had a 03 Vrod (black&Silver) wasnt to pratical for long rides, gas tank under the seat? I now have a Deuce it great, however, for me biking will never replace boating.

Ride safe my friend.
 
KayKook said:
First bike a V-Rod :wow:

Man, that is a nice bike for sure, but NOT the best choice for a first bike. Please be careful, you obviously have no idea what that thing will do.
Click to expand...

Whether you're on a Sportster or a V-Rod they are equally dangerous. 60mph vs. 120mph is no different if you have a problem. Unlike with my two boats I bought the bike I wanted from the start. Can't do the trade up to it after gaining experience. Learned my lesson on the boat!

You ride Kay?
 
Bam073 said:
Whether you're on a Sportster or a V-Rod they are equally dangerous. 60mph vs. 120mph is no different if you have a problem. Unlike with my two boats I bought the bike I wanted from the start. Can't do the trade up to it after gaining experience. Learned my lesson on the boat!

You ride Kay?
Click to expand...

I did for years. Sold my 05' Road Glide 2 years ago. Hard to balance all the biker events with boating. The boat won out.
 
I must say, the happy times with motorcycles (dirtbikes) is a lot more consistent then the boat.
Good exercise and a good adrenaline rush

The boat is never ending thinking of the next upgrade.
Always checking everything out closely.

The bike is always good and ready to go.
New rear tire once a year. Clean the air filter twice a year.

Adding some cleats to the boat today, some glass work, reinstall some bulkheads, check the new hot/cold fresh water wash down, glass in some lumber for adding bilge pumps. Fire the engine up, hoping to not have a collapsed lifter. Splash the boat next week. Confirm the lifters are fine.
Before she goes on the multi day runs.

Hopefully get some of this done early.
So I can hop on the dirtbike and go for a good ride before work tonight. I can wash it next month.
 
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