What do you do when you are the youngest F1 champion in history and you are looking for a thrill on two wheels? According to a story on VisorDown, you order a custom chopper from Marcus Walz with 120 HP similar to the one bought by another young, former F1 champ, Kimi Raikkonen. That’s right, German sensation Sebastian Vettel reportedly will pay roughly 60,000 British Pounds for the bike.
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I personally have a 2009 Yamaha V-Max… So NO, I don’t think all cruisers are slow, uncomfortable & expensive. My bike will never be owned by anyone else beacuse I absolutely love it. One thing you will never hear me say is “Ohh that style of bike sucks”… Ragging on someone just beacuse they have different taste than you, is BS.
The level of hate around here is pathetic. So many people saying words to the effect of:
1. Cruisers suck
2. Not what I’d have done
3. Wish he’d done…..
4. Money corrupts……
Etc.
You all make me sad and embarrassed to be part of the motorcycling community. You behave like cliques in high-school, with the tolerance equal to that age.
INDIVIDUALITY!! (but only if you do it in a way I like)
HAVE FUN YOUR WAY!! (but only if you do it in a way I like)
ANYONE CAN JOIN!! (and I won’t even make fun of you if you do it in a way I like)
Bunch-a grumpy, disenchanted and intolerant little people. Virtually none of you would have the stones to say such things TO the people you ridicule. But apparently the veil of anonymity the web provides you with ‘net-muscles and removes courtesy.
You are all entitled to your opinions. I’m sick of pretending they don’t suck.
“I’m sick of pretending “they” don’t suck.” Which? opinions or cruisers ? 🙂
Cruisers do suck! The seating position on cruisers only exists to satisfy the internal need of some riders to imitate Peter Fonda on Mr. America. It’s no way to ride a motorcycle.
If you made your living, day in and day out, by driving a car that went from zero to a zillion and back to zero in 5 milliseconds would you care about the performance of your motorcycle?
Whatever he gets isn’t going to seem particulary fast to him, so he went with the style he wanted. His choice.
Cruiser are for old ladies who can’t lean over!
How exactly does that account for 24 year old Sebastian Vettel who’s used to hitting 300+ kph in his race car buying one?
homosexual leather fetish?
hehehehehehehehehehe!!!!!!!!!! 😉
I believe that Vettel knows if he bought a machine that goes fast in corners as well in a straight line, he might hurt himself. Better safe than busted up.
Good point. I am surprised his F1 contract allows him to ride motorcycles. NFL great John Elway wasn’t allowed to ski or ride motorcycles when he played for the Denver Broncos.
they still make those “custom choppers”? this is proof that only a non-motorcycle person with way too much money will but that type of crap for big money
His money,his taste(good or bad),his life…no one else should care about these but himself…That been said…meh, not my thing…i wish him the best of times on top of it.
I don’t get it. What’s with the cruiser pep rallies here all the sudden?
WE went over the “Maximun Pre-set Monthly Amount of H-D Bashing” Quota so now this is like make-up s&* to calm down the H-D Owners betwen us. LMAO.
not so much about pep rallying, but about camaraderie. about behavioral change. about the common bond of motorcycling. time has long come me thinks for us to stop the division and self-segregation. our collective numbers are thin and only getting thinner. we’re like warring tribes so distracted by “in-fighting”, we’re unable to see (nevermind react) to the looming external threats to our survival. i have met the enemy… and he is US.
SAD but True.
I don’t ride for the camaraderie and I don’t believe riding a motorcycle bonds me to anyone else just because they ride too. I ride because I enjoy riding and I do it alone because riding with other people takes the fun out. I don’t understand riders who get together to ride and end up spending more time sitting in a restaurant talking than in the saddle riding, but to each their own.
You still sound like a fun guy to Mr.
I could say the same as u most of the times but there’s others that i feel like getting togheter 2 or 3 of us and just ride somewhere and talk shiznit.
It depends wich way the wind is blowing that day…lol.
re: “I don’t ride for the camaraderie”.
me neither. i said behavioral change. no man is an island. i speak of individual responsibility. this, no matter how desperately our psyches try to convince us otherwise.
Behavioral change?
How about if cruiser pilots give up their stupid loud pipes?
60K GBP is about 99,500 USD which is 68K in Euro’s so for everyone that feels Herr Vettel has wasted his money he has spent almost a 100K on a chopper! He probably paid cash which he was able to find by emptying the change from his ash tray and digging around in the seat cushions of his car. Why anyone would make disparaging remarks about this young man because of his purchasing a particular kind of motorcycle is beyond my ability to comprehend.
What’s the point of hating on something like this? Yeah, I ride a ‘fightered CBR600rr, but that doesn’t mean I flip off every Harley rider I pass. We’re all out there to enjoy riding, why does it matter what someone else likes? You pick the bike you feel best on and hit the road!
Couldn’t agree more – Different strokes for different folks !!! I have had them all and as one inevetably gets older you learn to appreciate that long distance riding is not condusive to riding a motorcycle hunched up like a greyhound dog taking a crap …
One day all the pro sport bike riders may change their mind as to what motorcycling is all about, but untill then ride what you got and enjoy what you have – FREEDOM.
Kimi Raikkonen is headed to NASCAR so no surprise he bought a chopper 🙂 Counter point Tom Cruise, Jay Leno bought Ducati Desmo RRs. So that is proof that the highest paid actor and comedian in the world prefer sport bikes so there 🙂
my observation has been most well-heeled enthusiasts in the 7-figure bracket tend to average 4 motorcycles. a sportbike, a dual-sport (or offroad), a vintage, AND yes… a cruiser. we may only be looking at the newest addition getting parked next to the others in his garage. remember, nobody knew from schumacher’s motorcyling aspirations either until he showed up on CBR’s and Desmosedicis.
You make a great point. If I had money I would have Ducati Desmo, dual sport, Triumph Bonneville, and Harley V-Rod for starters. I love all motorcycles.
Huh? Did you grow a grey pony tail?
What about your price-performace ratio?
V-Rod is all about the bling 🙂 I do like the sound though 🙂
wait a minute here…..
what happened to the “other” kpaul??? you know… the one that would rather have his toes chewed off by a rabid badger than ride a bike that’s pseudo low-wave crowd
Maybe its like what happened in “SIGNS” when the kid realized that the aliens couldn’t read your thoughts if he had an aluminum foil hat on…
maybe the hat fell off for a while & now it’s back on….
whatever the reason, I would bet that 99% of the people here would agree with you… if we all had the money, our stable of bikes would be large & varied.
I wouldn’t mind having:
1. Ducati 848 evo
2. 1968 Triumph Bonneville Street Tracker
3. 1970’s 250cc 2 stroke dirt bike from Husky, Penton, CZ, Bultaco or Montesa
4. RZ 350 Yamaha 2 stroke street legal roadracer
Have you ever ridden a V-Rod? I have and I don’t care what they look like, they ride really nice, adequate power, suspension, and are not the slow turning horrors that they look to be.
I have ridden the V-Rod and it’s has weird handling and NO character. All it offers is good speed in a straight line (many, many bikes are faster/quicker) and satisfy those that want a “modern” Harley. It’s a big letdown from the motor co.
or maybe it’s proof that cruisers are for cage drivers?
Sounds like a bunch of you are very jealous of others opportunities. If a kid is lucky enough, and talented enough, to be an F-1 driver, good for him. Do whatever you want with your money. If I did nothing but drive race cars for a living and had tons of money, I would have all kinds of motorcycles in my garage, and not just to impress other insecure males but to enjoy my life.
Wheelies…
Nah Nah Nah… I think what’s going down here is that he’s fed up with speed already(he makes a living off of it, right?) and went loking for a different sensation…”slowness”…(if thats a real word) lmao.
No hate, just throwing that out here.
Case in point…got off the Moto and rode a bicycle right after…i had never missed so much and had so much fun going way slower and riding something lighter.
I guess that’s something similar to what he did…Just this man’s crazy opinion.
More proof that those who have no experience with motorcycling buy a cruiser.
I’m gonna hold my breath, stomp my feet, kick ‘n scream & take my ball home if you don’t STOP!
hahahhaaa…HOHOHOHOOOOOOOOOOO :)!
you’re killin me here!
reminds me of little kids that believe that if they cover their eyes so they can’t see you, you’re really not there….
I’m going to try something similar when “those with experience” begin the bombardment… I’m going to stick my fingers in my ears so the words I read can’t get to my mind so I won’t know what they are writing! At the same time, I’m going to hum like Chevy Chase does in Caddie Shack…”nun-nu-nu-nu-nu-nu-nu-nu-nu-nu-nu….. it’s working….. nu-nu-nu-nu-nu….
Wow! Do you know what Fettel’s riding experience is? I don’t but its probably a safe assupmtion he’s is an above average rider with experience.
It’s amazing that people really believe these broad based (base-less?) assumptions…just amazing.
Thanks Dirck! I 2nd the title! 2 thumbs up!
Let the games begin……
I like to add a few choice quotes
A proof is a proof. What kind of a proof? It’s a proof. A proof is a proof. And when you have a good proof, it’s because it’s proven.
Jean Chretien
Absence of proof is not proof of absence.
William Cowper
For those who believe, no proof is necessary. For those who don’t believe, no proof is possible.
Stuart Chase
In the choice between changing ones mind and proving there’s no need to do so, most people get busy on the proof.
John Kenneth Galbraith
Stubborn and ardent clinging to one’s opinion is the best proof of stupidity.
Michel de Montaigne
Great Quotes Steve…My favorite is “I don’t give people hell. I tell the truth and they think it’s hell” President Harry Truman. I like modern cruisers like the V-Rod and the Confederate bikes.
I stole the quotes from online….
but… you say you like a V-Rod… you’re scaring me now! 🙂
(in my opinion)… The V-Rod could be a much cooler bike if H-D would embrace liquid cooling instead of trying to hide it….
They got a nice motor there, it’s the packaging that could use improvement…
the Confederate bikes are too over the top for my taste… too industrial maybe…
word is the Ducati Diavel is a pretty cool bike…. I much prefer that to the V-Rod….
Sounds like the kind of bike an insecure male buys to impress other insecure males.
I have been xposed !!! RUN !!!
Love the title of the article Dirck!
exporting of “americana”. works for me. one thing’s for sure, seb’s no practicing billionaire cheapskate. in the end, he just endowed the sick industry of motorcycling with an infusion of $60k cash. $60k that trickles down to not only walz, but to others who support the industry, ie. engine suppliers, part manufacturers, service sub-contractors, tire companies, etc. etc. perhaps even some are american…? and don’t think out of the 1,000’s of builders the world over, his choice is random coincidence…? it would appear seb not only “values” motorcycling…? but like most europeans, he also understands the importance of “recycling” his money. there is much to be learned.
These custom choppers are absolute crap. Poser bikes that sit in some garage and get ridden a few miles before you have to get off because they are so uncomfortable. What a joke. How about just designing a really nice bike to be ridden for that kind of money. It can looks great and have super suspension and a fantastic motor. But no. Design a bike with a front wheel in the next state and no suspension and all kinds of chrome that produces horrendous waste when it is manufactured. Not impressed.
Hey! Look at me! I’m bad to the bone, with my newly purchased persona. Hide the women and the childern, Brando’s going to be in F1 before you know it.
When you hop out of an F1 do you need to go fast? Probably not. I bet the 120bhp feels really slow and relaxed for him.
Wow guys you are a tough crowd when it comes to cruisers. A few years back I owned a 996 and a H-D Roadking at the same time. The 996 was incredible track day bike and on the street got me pulled over 9 times in one season. (Not one ticket, must be the gray hair) On the street it was boring or illegal. On the track it was a dream come true.
The Roadking was a big over sized scooter of a ride. Relaxing like a Cadillac convertible from the 70’s. A nice alternative to going fast.
I don’t see what all the fuss is about having a bike that can be enjoyed at legal speed that may have more push than the normal cruiser.
Tom – RT and XB12R rider
Well said Tom. I had the same problem with my Firebolt, kept getting pulled over and no fun unless hauling ass. My old BMW is a much more relaxed ride, but fun enough for the street.
You hit it! I don’t lust after the uuber bikes just for that reason. I don’t care for cruisers, but, they serve a purpose. I, like a lot of bikers have just been beat over the head, and ears, and eyes with cruisers. That comparison to a Caddy is real true. I’ll take one with a hitch and trailer please. Did a long day on a cruiser, wasn’t beat up, went as fast as I dared with johnny law lurking. Now we’ve got a couple more high profile millionares on loud fast poor handling bikes. Gotta be better riders than I, they’ll get bored with ’em or wanna escape attention and find they’re not too good out of town, just bar to bar.
Other than straight line power, and I’m sure it’s uncorked and very loud, it’s all for show and entertainment. All it takes is money and these guys have that stream coming in.
$60k wow! He’s either really gullible or can’t find enough to waste his money on! Really, what good is a 120 hp straight line ride? Don’t they have corners where he lives?
That’s why there’s vanilla and chocolate. Think how boring a world it would be if we all liked the same things.
“To buy a Chopper for 60 thousand dollars is like buying a vw bug for the price of a ferrarri”
Read the article, it’s 60K British pounds, not dollars.
And there are in total only three r’s in Ferrari.
Yeah….he’s so stupid. Tipped by Michael Schumacher as one of the best up and comers. Hooks up with Red Bull and it’s near-limitless appetite for go-fast stuff. Becomes Formula One’s youngest World Champion and leads the championship again this year. In a sport where 10 years ago 35 million was just the title sponsor.
Yeah…..he’s an idiot. He doesn’t have the money or the ability to ride such a machine.
…..just because you can’t understand or afford it doesn’t mean others aren’t allowed.
It’s just pure bling. I would much rather see what a real classic retro builder is doing combining the old and the new. No one is the least but envious of a guy who frankly makes a choice of bike that is not a rider’s machine. Much more impressed with Neil Peart, the drummer for RUSH, riding hundreds of thousands of miles between shows and from one far reaching end of North America to the far corners of Europe. Now that, is impressive. Please.
Just ’cause he’s not into the sport the way you want him to be doesn’t make it any less valid. He’s not trying to impress you or me. It makes HIM happy.
Peart rode all over the country in large part because his wife and daughter died.
I can only assume the cost of the bike was basically pocket change to an F1 champ. 🙂
These guys must have incredible luck because they appear to be stupid as hell. To buy a Chopper for 60 thousand dollars is like buying a vw bug for the price of a ferrarri. God should really put money in the hands of smart honest people if he did we wouldn’t be in the situation we are in now. Also, I wish stupid people would stop breeding.
Can someone push the delete button on this guy….
I don’t agree with Pat’s point of view, but I cannot condone your dismissive reply. Any time that you want to rebut another person’s opinions, you should always, always, always do so with full respect, and by way of intelligent, reasoned, respectful argument.
Come on Tom, I couldn’t let this go without comment:
“God should really put money in the hands of smart honest people if he did we wouldn’t be in the situation we are in now. Also, I wish stupid people would stop breeding.”
Way off topic and irrelevant (not to mention preposterous), sir.
no worries… i’ll allow it. when all is said and done, he is someone who’s made a conscious choice to “value” motorcycling as opposed to the current trend of “devaluing” motorcycling. an individual like vettel with a genuine love of the industry EXCEEDS the value of say 3 or 4, maybe even 5…? so-called “riders” who are (unbeknownst to them) poisoned with a “walmart V. target” consumer mentality. i say God bless ’em… need more like ’em.
I wish they would too but I don’t think we’re talking about the same people.
what a way to waste money…on a cruiser…custom no less…sad.
Must be nice to have money !!!
I think you meant to say that it must be nice to be so good at what you do that someone is willing to make you rich to buy your services!!