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Bronco vs. motorcycle: which would you choose?

OP
OP
WheelHorse

WheelHorse

Bronco Guru
Joined
Nov 22, 2004
Messages
2,492
Tough call. As a fellow Chicago motorcycle rider, I share your concern regarding riding in traffic with cagers. The increase in texting while driving is making it way more dangerous to riders. I've got my Bronco and 5 vintage motorcycles currently. I don't know if I could make a choice between them but my situation is likely different from yours. I don't have kids. My wife also rides so I'm not being pressured from her in any way about the dangers of riding.
You are correct in your assessment of a Bronco being a money pit. I've probably spent close to 10 grand since I bought mine just to make it safe and reliable (disc brakes, wiring harness, cooling system, steering upgrades, etc.) Do you plan on driving a Bronco year-round? Chicago winters can be brutal and will destroy the body of the vehicle quickly. I'd say go for it if the Bronco will not be your sole main vehicle. You'd probably get more use out of it than a bike if you are planning on having a family.
Either way, you should join us later today for the area Chicago Bronco owners meet-up.
http://classicbroncos.com/forums/showthread.php?t=207308
I'd love to see the Triumph and shoot the breeze with you. You would be quite welcome and likely get more in-depth advice from folks who know Broncos more than I do.
Good luck!

I tell you what, I've been hawking that meet up. I'll have to see what time I am free'd up today and where you all are suppose to be at if I can make it. Odd's currently aren't looking the best.

Like you had mentioned, it has taken nearly ten grand to bring your Bronco, to what you'd consider it to be up-to-snuff. This is the part I'm trying to use to talk myself out of it. Certainly a stupid TJ would be a better "initial" buy with already having superior brakes, 3 point belts, OD, fuel injection, as some when to far to comment about collapsable steering column and such.

The problem is, I was the guy in high school flying the Bronco flag. It went so far as me wearing a pin on my shirt, most of the last portion of my senior year bragging about how many Jeeps I had taken down. I didn't meet my match on the street until I ran up against a guy, who had had enough, and threw a 350 in his CJ-7. I then called upon my other Bronco buddy packing a 351W to take him down, because I could only run neck to neck on the street with the 350 Jeep. Off road I still beat the 350. MY point is, even though the Jeep probably would make more sense, I just don't think I could walk out to the garage and look at it as mine. I've Bronco pictures from years past calenders on the wall.

Who knows, maybe I'm the guy who should just move on and realize that I just don't have the $$ to bring an old classic up to snuff at this point in my life.
 

Bullitt94

Sr. Member
Joined
Apr 18, 2009
Messages
476
Loc.
Marshfield, WI
No way!

The reason I bought my Triumph over other more common brands (espcially HD) is that I wanted something more unique. Just like a Bronco compared to every Tom, Dick and Harry who has Jeep.

In 6 years of owning mine, I can count on one hand (maybe two?) how many other 2nd gen Sprint ST's I have passed on the road or seen at a gathering, and most were not silver like mine.

My first job out of college was as a Manufacturing Engineer at the York HD final assembly plant. They are nice enough, but just do not trip my trigger in any way. I almost bought a Buell adventure tourer, but the seat height is just too damn high on those type of bikes for me.

IMO, there are also way too many wannabe poser bikers in the typical HD crowd who just want to look cool with all their HD swag when they roll into the local bar. Not my scene.

I've been riding motorcycles since I was 6 (street bikes for the last 23 years) and would much rather ride solo or with 2-3 friends max than take a "Rolling Thunder" 5000 bike, police escorted tour to sit around and bake while everyone gets their sh-t together. I never have seen the interest in those rides? Hell, it is bad enough when we have more than 10 or so Broncos on a trail ride! My cousins Ex always wanted my bro (Aprilla rider) to go on those type of rides with him, we always passed.

I've actually met a strangely high percentage of Bronco owners who ride Triumphs. My guess is they also like the more unique brand than your run of the mill HD or ricer.

There are posers with every type of bike and with every type of vehicle (including Broncos). I prefer a few riders over eleventy billion as well. Harleys are a bit like Broncos in 2 major ways: 1.) American company 2.) plenty of vendors out there selling parts to make every one unique.

Sell the Limey bike and buy American.
 

ryoungbronco

Bronco Guru
Joined
Jul 4, 2007
Messages
1,754
Loc.
Belmar, NJ
Bronco. When I had my motorcycles I would count each day how many times I would get cut off. It became very dangerous. The final decision maker was when my friends were killed on their motorcycle. If you do ride, stay safe and wear a helmet!
 

1sicbronconut

Contributor
Bronco Guru
Joined
Dec 26, 2006
Messages
2,447
Since I've moved back up to the Black Hills I've thought about having a bike again but there are just to many distracted idiot drivers out there anymore for me to be riding a bike:mad: I've even been seeing folks on bikes talking on cell phones latley!
 

Broncitis

MEB Founder
Joined
May 18, 2004
Messages
5,267
There are posers with every type of bike and with every type of vehicle (including Broncos). I prefer a few riders over eleventy billion as well. Harleys are a bit like Broncos in 2 major ways: 1.) American company 2.) plenty of vendors out there selling parts to make every one unique.

Sell the Limey bike and buy American.


True, every group has them, but percentage wise I find Broncos to have many less poser types than Jeeps and Triumphs to have many less than HD. Jeeps and the formerly popular H2-H3 crowd are known for a large number of mall crawlers who are likely not even aware of the benefits of airing down. HD's also tend to attract lots who look like they rolled though the HD parts/accessories and clothing departments with their bikes and bodies covered in glue.

That sounds more like a comparison to a Jeep IMO. Have you seen the aftermarket for those compared to Broncos? Certainly more akin to HD than a Bronco is.

As for American made, sure, a HD is more so that others, but do not fool yourself into thinking all of it is. HD is focused on the global market for future growth and sources parts there as well.


HD killed/sold off the two brands I had some interest in (Buell and MV Agusta).

A Bronco friend of mine recently picked up a 2-3 year old HD he got a good deal on (his first HD) and I took it for a spin. When I came back he looked at me a knew what I was thinking and said "remarkably unimpressive, huh?" I just said, yep.

He since added a new Vance and Hines exhaust to at least it sounds a bit better than that overly muffled stock exhaust!

Still, the feel I got from it was like mediocre sex. Not as good as it could be, but better than nothing at all.
 

Bullitt94

Sr. Member
Joined
Apr 18, 2009
Messages
476
Loc.
Marshfield, WI
True, every group has them, but percentage wise I find Broncos to have many less poser types than Jeeps and Triumphs to have many less than HD. Jeeps and the formerly popular H2-H3 crowd are known for a large number of mall crawlers who are likely not even aware of the benefits of airing down. HD's also tend to attract lots who look like they rolled though the HD parts/accessories and clothing departments with their bikes and bodies covered in glue.

That sounds more like a comparison to a Jeep IMO. Have you seen the aftermarket for those compared to Broncos? Certainly more akin to HD than a Bronco is.

As for American made, sure, a HD is more so that others, but do not fool yourself into thinking all of it is. HD is focused on the global market for future growth and sources parts there as well.


HD killed/sold off the two brands I had some interest in (Buell and MV Agusta).

A Bronco friend of mine recently picked up a 2-3 year old HD he got a good deal on (his first HD) and I took it for a spin. When I came back he looked at me a knew what I was thinking and said "remarkably unimpressive, huh?" I just said, yep.

He since added a new Vance and Hines exhaust to at least it sounds a bit better than that overly muffled stock exhaust!

Still, the feel I got from it was like mediocre sex. Not as good as it could be, but better than nothing at all.

Not fooled in thinking it is 100% American, not much is anymore.

The comparison to a Jeep is probably more accurate, but that wouldn't raise hairs on an EB forum.

I'm not gonna sit here and pretend that a HD is not prone to getting a sale from a yuppie or 50, but telling me a Triumph is unique or less prone to it isn't gonna fly here. HD sells more bikes so you see it more often, but I bet the yuppie to sale ratio is pretty even across all bikes.

If a loud exhaust makes your mediocre riding intercoarse better just remember baffles are easy to remove, so your S&M orgasm awates.

I will admit I have a life long bias towards HD, so feel free to include that into your thoughts about my posts. In the end they sell more than one brand for a reason, and one reason is wonderful conversations w/ EB brothers.

Anyway, to keep on topic if I were to go into my garage and choose between my Harley and my Bronco I would choose my Harley. EB's are great, but my Harley is less expensive to keep reliable and far less expensive to use.

I vote for the bike.
 

GDTorx

Jr. Member
Joined
Jan 18, 2012
Messages
51
Loc.
Bluemont
Realistically... I say neither. Once you have a kid your life changes, for example I didn't drink milk for a few years after mine was born because I somehow thought he would need it. Had plenty of milk and money (well, after I got out of the military) but you tend to do and think differently after parenthood. Mine is almost 13 and still hasn't rode with me on a motorcycle, so not really a option for me. With a EB you'll break down as with any automobile but then you add in short list of safety features, lack of creature comforts and the countless hours spent wrenching to keep it going while missing out on free time with your kid. In general, family first and then worry about your toys.
 

Edger6

Full Member
Joined
Dec 14, 2011
Messages
225
Loc.
Hampton,
I got an r1 street r6 track wr250 in pices ttl125 in pices and raptor 250 plus 75 goldwing full faring and side car. Wifes DD is an08 jetta GLI, my personal DD is 11f150 my work van which I don't own is a 06 e150.

Just sold a wr450 about 2 months ago. is the bike paid off if it is keep it and get a bronco.
 

Rox Crusher

Bronco Guru
Joined
Dec 13, 2008
Messages
2,773
I have a 08 Yamaha Raider and as mush as I love riding it.........I would part with it long before the Bronco.

Things would have to be pretty dire to consider it though.
 

patterdale

Bronco Guru
Joined
May 24, 2010
Messages
1,247
With raising a family niether makes any financial sense but if you have the money go for it. I would go with the Bronco. We had one back in the 80's. I could pack 2 kids in car seats and enough gear to visit the G-rents cabin or pull a small trailer and pack enough gear and our dogs to go camping for a week. There are good memories of trips in the Black Hills, Minnesota, and Wisconsin. Make sure it has a good roll cage, good 3 pt seatbelts and enjoy the ride.
 

ManTruck

Bronco Guru
Joined
Apr 17, 2003
Messages
1,269
I was in a position where the baby's and life got into the practicality of the bike. I can say proudly I have been on the street except for a few years, for the last 40. I had a Bronco and a Gold Wing both at the same time for about 5 years when my 23 year old daughter was born. I stuck it out and when my 21 year old son was born I really had little time for my toys and responsibility's. so when he was 2 years old I sold the bike to pay for the slab for my 30 X 40 shop I was building. The shop keep me close to home over the years. Fast forward to 6 years later and I picked another bike up for the weekend canyon runs to clear my head. I have another bike today also which I ride so I can look like a Poser, Ha Ha.

I suggest go with the classic Bronco and later, when time allows, get the bike which meets your needs.

Good luck and ride safe.
 

matt w

Bronco Guru
Joined
Jun 12, 2007
Messages
2,799
Keep the Bronco...it appreciates AND is appreciated and you will have YEARS of fun with your kids!...Toss the bike for now(yes I have a bike but my kids are grown now) you can get a bike once they get older! They will have fond memories of all the time you spent with them in the truck!;D
 

Ethansdad73

Bronco Guru
Joined
Apr 8, 2008
Messages
1,630
http://classicbroncos.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=190626&d=1292893077

I see you are already seeing that things are getting more dangerous on the road on 2 wheels...

I had my son in my bronco and rolled 3 times at 55mph and we both walked away. You have a way less of a chance of doing that on a bike. Dont get me wrong I wanted a Harley road king prior to having my son so I am not anti bike. Just the reality of my son being raised with out his father..
 

77pony

Full Member
Joined
Apr 19, 2004
Messages
224
Loc.
Utah
Tough choice. I hear ya on the behavior of cagers. It's made me ponder whether a rational man shouldn't just ditch the road bike and stick to the dirt to get his bike fix. I've been all over the country on my road bike (jap cruiser) so I've kinda scratched that itch enough at this point if I gave it up. I'm still thinking on it.

I ride to work several days a week in the summer too, 50 miles each way, mix of leisurely backroad 2-laners and freeway. I'm fortunate that I can work odd hours so I have adjusted my commute times to avoid the mass migrations into and out of the city every day. My commute is on rural highways anyway that aren't that bad. NO WAY would I commute on crowded urban freeways. NO FRICKIN WAY. If that's all you do with the bike, easy decision.

For me, right now, if I had to choose, I think I would give up the bronco. For you maybe not. -al
 

jlylec

Sr. Member
Joined
Jul 5, 2012
Messages
891
I rode for over 20 years and was always one of those guys who said they'd bury me on a motorcycle and family wouldn't change me, but after my daughter was born and I had a few REAL close calls with deer up on the Blueridge Pkwy (much better riding than Chicago traffic!) I found my bike sitting more and more. I actually traded my second motorcycle for my first Bronco when I was 19 and decided when I recently sold my bike it only made sense that I replace it with another EB. I won't lie...I think about riding nearly every day and find myself looking at bikes online a couple times a week too. But my little girls keep me honest. I'm only 35 (can't believe I just said only!) and I'm sure I'll own another bike. The EB just makes the most sense at this stage in my life.

All that said I agree with one of the posters above who said NEITHER if those are your only two choices. We have a minivan and a regular sedan too. I'm guessing your wife has a regular car too, but motorcycles and EBs aren't good kid vehicles. Fun, but not for everyday. Make sure you have something else too or you'll be real frustrated trying to get car seats in and out of your EB...plus do you really want baby shit and puke in your EB?
 
OP
OP
WheelHorse

WheelHorse

Bronco Guru
Joined
Nov 22, 2004
Messages
2,492
Ha, thread revival. Almost a year to the day.

As I re-read through this topic, I definitely had some good laughs.

I landed a '77 from Colorado. My Triumph is currently for sale.

After 14 Years I'm back...

I responded to this thread because there's nothing more disappointing than reading through several pages of a thread only to find no resolve.
 

Oakland Bronco

Sr. Member
Joined
May 13, 2010
Messages
721
Loc.
San Francisco, CA
It has been just over 3 years since I sold my Aprilia Mille in order to establish a fund for my Bronco.

Back when I had a F4i, I was taken out at an intersection by a tourist...the bike was totaled only 6 months off the showroom floor. I later crashed when going too fast up in the twisties. It just got to a point where drivers were being more aggressive, and I was riding more aggressively, too, and decided that I didn't want to push my luck anymore.

I do miss riding sometimes, but I ALWAYS love driving my '73 Bronco. Like others have said, people show so much love for an early Bronco, it's ridiculous. :cool:
 

Yeller

Contributor
Bronco Guru
Joined
Mar 27, 2012
Messages
6,702
Loc.
Rogers County Oklahoma
I've had the same debate I have my R1200GS for sale right now. I love the bike, but hate dealing with traffic. I enjoy the bronco just as much and don't feel left out. And I actually get the wind in my hair because I don't feel a helmet is manditory.
 
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