Just joined up here

[MCreviver]

A friend of mine is in Thailand and bought a Forza 300. He asked me what tire pressure should be so I did a search and found this forum. I told him to look for a sticker under the seat, that should have the data he needs.
For the record I am 67 years old and ride a 2000 ST1100 and a pair of XRs. A 96 XR200R and a 96 XR250L, both street legal. I started riding in July of 1964, worked for two different Honda dealers as a tech back in the 1979 to 1985 period and have owned a long list of bikes including a new 1969 CB750 Sand Cast that I purchased the day after returning from Vietnam.
The 50 year progression: 1964 50cc Model C-110, 1965 305 Dream, 1969 CB-750, 1978 CX500, 1980 XR200R, 1982 XL250R, 1983 GL650, 1996 VFR750F, 2000 ST1100+XRs.
I have also owned, repaired, rebuilt, restored a number of other bikes. C110, CB77 Superhawk, XL250S, CT90, CJ360, GL650I, CB400 Hawk, and some I probably forgot about.
I am amazed at what prices some people are asking for an old Honda, like the 305 Dream that was $691.00 out the door in 1965. Or the CB750 Sand Cast that I paid $1500.00 for, new. With 27,000 plus miles on the Dream and 33,00 plus on the CB750, would I ever want to ride one of those bikes again? Not after the ST I wouldn't.
I was really fun owning a CB750 when it was new in 1969 though. I once had a Kentucky state trooper pull me over once just so he could look at it. (Phew) And two others that were more interested in my documents.
I'm not sure how many more years I have left in the saddle, but if the ST gets to be too much, I would certainly consider the Forza 300.

[kramnala58]

Neat looking stable of pony's

[MCreviver]

Yes, the two XRs cost a total of $3K each with all the parts I put into them. They were more trashed than they looked when I bought them. Even though they seemed to run and shift okay, I did extensive work to the innards and had the frames down to bare metal. I have a bead blast cabinet large enough to put the frames inside. I'm having a new blue leather seat cover made to replace the red on the 200, so it will match the 250. It gets expensive insuring, licensing and inspecting the three of them every year, so I'll probably sell the XRs and look for a DR650 Suzuki. It's going to be heard to pry my fingers off the ST1100 though. It's the best bike I ever owned, bar none.

[Monty1952]

It's the best bike I ever owned, bar none.

until that Forza gets into your hands

[MCreviver]

When I worked at a Honda dealership I put together and tested all the new models. I didn't like the ergonomics (hard on the neck and wrists) of the 83 VFR750 but otherwise it was a sweet bike. Later I tried the Helix and thought, why can't they put this kind of comfortable seat on some bigger road bikes other than the Goldwing? The one objection I have on scooters is a lack of gas tank to keep your knees from slamming together. What I mean is, when you are riding very fast and using all your skills, some of the input to the machine is through your knees and your feet on the footpegs, not just the handlebars. The smaller wheels on most scooters is a handicap also when encountering pot holed streets. I sold a CH150 for the widow of a friend of mine and it was a bit too skittish at top speed for me. It is my opinion that the recumbent riding position of the laid back, feet forward style, might be comfortable for a while, you really don't have the maximum control in an emergency situation, so I wouldn't consider a bike like the NM4 for instance, or any of the Shadow types.
But I agree, the Forza looks like a good one. BTW, I have relatives of my wife living in Toronto. Hope to visit there someday.

[SECoda]

Did you get a decent discount working for the Honda dealership?

[MCreviver]

I was able to buy things at cost. I got the 83 GL650 as a naked bike in the crate for $1651.00, as a left over, in March of 1984. I added all the Interstate trimmings except the saddlebags, which I didn't want and I was all in at $2600.00. Retail on a 650 Interstate in 1983 was $4176.00. I should also bought an 82 CBX 1000 in Pearl White for $3600.00.

[you you]

I was able to buy things at cost. I got the 83 GL650 as a naked bike in the crate for $1651.00, as a left over, in March of 1984. I added all the Interstate trimmings except the saddlebags, which I didn't want and I was all in at $2600.00. Retail on a 650 Interstate in 1983 was $4176.00. I should also bought an 82 CBX 1000 in Pearl White for $3600.00.

Candy red CBX for me please...

And that, pathetically, is why I picked a red PCX....