This is an interview with Jim the proud owner of this California custom motorcycle. This video was made at the West Coast Thunder motorcycle ride set up area in Riverside California.
Well, we all know that the most popular motorcycle style is the bagger type motorcycle. Yes, the custom motorcycle fabrication TV shows are just a fond memory now. But, one should keep in mind that a classic style can go out of favor as the chopper has, but, the style itself will never die!
Southern California Custom Motorcycle
2009 Big Dog k9 motorcycle
Even Harley-Davison has some wider rear tires on a few of their latest bikes as well as a little more rake in the front end. Certainly these Harley models are not choppers in any sense, but, it may be the first signs of a returning trend. Also, after going out of business in 2011, one of the biggest manufacturers of custom motorcycles, Big Dog, has returned to the factory custom motorcycle scene.
It’s very true that beauty is in the eye of the beholder, especially when it comes to motorcycle designs. There is no question that the bagger type motorcycle is the ideal choice for long rides and touring the countryside. Though, if the potential motorcycle owner is really not interesting in touring or even multi-hour long motorcycle rides, they may well favor the more streamlined looking lines of the classic chopper. I like to add a little footnote remark here, and that is the fact that one of my longest one-day motorcycle rides was from Phoenix Arizona to San Diego California. This ride was on an American Ironhorse Texas chopper and with stops for gas (about every hundred miles or so to avoid running out in the middle of the desert . . . I believe the the classic Texas Chopper tank is rated at about 3.1 gallons, but having owned a number of these model motorcycles for years now, I’ve never been able to fill them up more than about 2 3/4 gallons) and the leisurely lunch, the ride took about nine hours! As far as comfort goes for a long ride like that I had absolutely no complaints! the only discomfort nearing the last part of the ride was my left upper shoulder was a little achy. I attribute this minor discomfort not to the riding position but more to my age than anything else.
Really, it’s hard to compare the two motorcycle styles. yes, at least for me personally, the classic the twin chopper is the epitome of design and functionality when it comes to power and being one with your machine! Plus, let’s face it, your new $40-$50,000 Harley Davison you purchased this morning, is certainly not going to turn heads riding down the highway like a older Big Dog factory custom motorcycle would!
If you’re interested in more information about custom chopper motorcycles, you may want to check out this page on Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chopper…)
It’s very true that beauty is in the eye of the beholder, especially when it comes to motorcycle designs. There is no question that the bagger type motorcycle is the ideal choice for long rides and touring the countryside. Though, if the potential motorcycle owner is really not interesting in touring or even multi-hour long motorcycle rides, they may well favor the more streamlined looking lines of the classic chopper. I like to add a little footnote remark here, and that is the fact that one of my longest one-day motorcycle rides was from Phoenix Arizona to San Diego California. This ride was on an American Ironhorse Texas chopper and with stops for gas (about every hundred miles or so to avoid running out in the middle of the desert . . . I believe the the classic Texas Chopper tank is rated at about 3.1 gallons, but having owned a number of these model motorcycles for years now, I’ve never been able to fill them up more than about 2 3/4 gallons) and the leisurely lunch, the ride took about nine hours! As far as comfort goes for a long ride like that I had absolutely no complaints! the only discomfort nearing the last part of the ride was my left upper shoulder was a little achy. I attribute this minor discomfort not to the riding position but more to my age than anything else.
