Wryfox

Over the past year I have transformed from all foreign owned vehicles to all american. This was not a plan nor a choice but a reflection of my change in tastes and the dramatic improvement in american performance.

Suzuki Hayabusa to HD Road King w/supercharger
Ducati Monster to HD Dyna with 131" race motor

BMW Z3 to Jeep Wrangler Unlimited w/lift kit and mudders

Mercedes E55 AMG - fastest car I've ever driven but last week going through another $5k in repairs has done it in. Thank god for the extended warranty..I paid $1750 for 3yrs...I believe I am around $14k in actual repairs and 43 total days in the shop, with 5 months left on warranty term. Time to say good bye. The new warranty quote was $6300. Can't pay that and can't own the car without a warranty. What a shame...

What did I buy? A 2011 Ford Shelby GT500. This is one hell of a car. Sounds amzing just sitting still..GT40 engine casing...550hp. The best part...$1400 for 6yrs bumper to bumper, and $1000 dynotested and installed service to add another bonafide 100hp. How much would that cost on the e55?...$8k?

$4k on the GT500 will tally 200hp easy as pie.

Sorry guys, I loved the old E55...like an older woman who can show you she's still got it, but the GT500 is like a young horny coed...just can't resist the temptation.

Rust bucket

THE GT500 is a great choice my buddy has a 1000hp GT500 and its a monster these E55's are no comparison at all, once again great choice.

emoving

HDs are crap! Not a good choice there! Why waste money putting a SC in one of those buckets of bolts. I rode one for work for 4 years and they are JUNK! Might as well put two wheels on a Maytag washing machine and paint it black!

X2Board

Marcus, you crack me up.

Wryfox, great choice, and analogy on the GT500. I have about 55k left on my warranty and I'm already thinking of the future replacement, I'll have to take a look at the GT in 3 years, or maybe a CTS-V wagon.

Wryfox

I know some people feel that way about HD. I've ridden sport bikes my whole life then in 99 bought a 1200 custom that promptly began falling apart...at one point the headlight fell off! Got rid of it after one year, went to the buss and ducati. Recent HDs are really quite good..new motors and trannys, suspension, furl injection. Big diff from ten years ago. And of course nothing sounds like a Harley. I'm a convert now. Leather and chaps, the whole deal. Another middle aged guy trying to reclaim his youth!

X2Board

American vehicles have improved a lot. I'm forced to drive rentals almost every week, and I always take a Fusion or Impala over a Camry (if there is a hell, a Camry is what the devil would make me drive) but I'll stick with Ducati and Yamaha for my bikes, since I'm not into cruisers... yet.

Rust bucket

Oh...The Irony.

emoving

I will give props to the newer American cars but the new HDs are not different then the old. They beefed up the frame which did nothing. Still a bucket of bolts in the hadeling dept. They put Brembos on for brakes, but they must be the bargain basemement one cause they still are terrible. They added fuel injection a while ago which helped nothing. They still heat up like a ***** in church on a warm day, they overheat and kick off the rear cylinder which does nothing but load up with fuel. Really, there are a million better choices like the Concours and the BMWs which are probally some of the best bikes.

chawkins2001

Great choice on the GT500, You will never outgrow that car in terms of power. Amazing platform.

motorkas

Love the GT500 - can't knock you on that choice. But I have to echo the sentiments expressed on the bikes. Had a chance to do a road trip on a Road King from Miami to Key West, and while I liked the bike, anything over 65 was flat out scary. It really is unnerving feeling that amount of flex in a chassis, especially considering that that ride isn't particularly known for it's twisties. I'll take Ohlins, Radial Brembos, and a trellis/twin spar frame any day over an HD...however, if I was looking for a nice sedate cruise at about 55 - I don't think anything can beat a HD!

gonzales25

Congrats on the Shelby, I came so close to getting one but the CTS-V Coupe won me over.

Forrest Gump 9

Good lucks man, those GT500 can be very fast.

baldmike73

cngrats on the move to the GT500 - share pics once you get it all spiffed up

as for the move to HD - I did the same - after 5 street bikes and countless hours carving canyons and leaning on my wrists I made the move to an HD and while the frame feels like it is twisting in the corners, there is nothing like the sound and the feel when going on a long ride with your buddies on a boys weekend - sure they could be better, but something has been working in their favor since 1903 - mine was all show and no go, but man it felt good when you pull up and everyone is gawking over your bike and there is a common bond whether you be a dr or a hells angel - the love of the road - enjoy the new ride!

Jakpro1

I was following the math until you whipped this one out.

"I went from this"


"To this"







HAAAA HAAA, just thought I would bust your chops one last time!

Good luck with the American cars and we'll be here with twin turbys if you ever wanna come back. Enjoy and be safe!

Evolved8

Good luck with your new venture

tbal

Ford meh. I'd personally go for the more refined, better looking, better sounding c6 z06 w/ blower setup. But congrats on your new endeavor.

X2Board

But on the Ford, the blower is stock, the seats are better and there are 4 of them instead of just 2.

Thericker

I'd 2nd these remarks & add (I owned a nicely modded C6 Vette 410-420 rwp, & drove a friends C6 Z06) BOTH are great looking/performing cars but @ speed can be very DANGEROUS full on rear end tail wag @ 75+ mph is quite un-nerving & even w/perf aftermarket tires vs shi*y stock run-craps are still a handfull & seen plenty STOCK & Modded put into the wall @ 1/8..

jamcclureuk

Got any pics of the gt500?

tbal

Wow good to know lol

OK55

Good luck...! Don't forget to post here at least once in a while...
Brgds

mikey33

Hahahahahaha

On another note, good choice on the HD's My family has four new ones and they are fun to ride!