Author Topic: Has anybody given up on modern bikes? (Read 4309 times)

brandEn · « **on:** March 18, 2012, 08:07:28 PM »

I have really fallen in love with old motorcycles. I am seriously considered selling my 03 FZ1 just so I can have more space for another old bike. Just wondering if anyone has ditched modern bikes in favor of vintage bikes? I commute year round so the thought of riding a CB750 every day sounds pretty cool.

eldar · « **Reply #1 on:** March 18, 2012, 08:23:07 PM »

You ride what you like. I have had my cb for something like 15 years or so. Got a magna last year, 84 vf700c. Got a 06 fz6 yamaha.
The cb is the best to ride on but the magna, other than the handlebar style, is pretty nice too. The fz is not quite as comfy, though it is upright, it is not as upright but it goes like hell.

Duke McDukiedook · « **Reply #2 on:** March 18, 2012, 08:41:18 PM »

How modern are we talking about, I like my 86's mucho.

Don R · « **Reply #3 on:** March 18, 2012, 08:52:10 PM »

I gave up on paying for them.

Stev-o · « **Reply #4 on:** March 18, 2012, 08:59:11 PM »

I think I'm pretty much stuck on 70's bikes. I did see a couple of hot Yammies yesterday, but I don't feel the need for speed as I once did (blame it on marriage and fatherhood)

Gordon · « **Reply #5 on:** March 18, 2012, 09:09:54 PM »

I never gave them much of a chance. My first bike was an '89 Honda 650GT but that was back in '93, so it was still relatively new. The newest bike I've had since then was an '81 Kawasaki. I guess my older bikes haven't left me wanting enough to look to newer bikes. I still lust after the Ducati sport 1000, though, but by the time I have one it will probably be a classic too.

brandEn · « **Reply #6 on:** March 18, 2012, 09:24:09 PM »

Those Ducatis are nice and would love to have one. I love my old reliable FZ1 but man riding my CB is much more satisfying. Plus the FZ is so friggin fast its way to easy to speed.

Really? · « **Reply #7 on:** March 18, 2012, 09:30:29 PM »

After riding my brothers ZX-7, I gave them up. Just too much bike. Didn't know I was doing 135, when I did, I realized it was so comfortable at that speed that I could crack the throttle back all the way. I hit both brakes, saw smoke in the mirrors, too much brake too, lol.

I know I could never get the full potential out of something like that anyway. I can get the same thrill at 60 and have a much better chance of living too.

So, the answer is yes, I have given up on modern sports bikes - 90's and newer.

BeSeeingYou · « **Reply #8 on:** March 18, 2012, 10:02:45 PM »

My most modern bike I have ever owned is a 1979......so I guess......yeah.

thrutheframe · « **Reply #9 on:** March 18, 2012, 10:35:29 PM »

Not completely but mostly yes.

754 · « **Reply #10 on:** March 18, 2012, 10:48:47 PM »

Never had a modern bike, not sure if I even rode one.. not really interested in bikes without a kicker and too much electronic stuff...

eideteker · « **Reply #11 on:** March 18, 2012, 11:38:45 PM »

I have a 2009 Suzuki Gladius and I like the reliability of fuel injection first and foremost, and it doesn't look to bad to me anyway - very standard naked bike, and by standard I also mean "nearly soulless". People look at it, say "that's nice" and walk on.

The CB500 is my temperamental, noisy, leaky, bumpy, rattley mistress - it has a personality and a soul that people notice just walking by...I've been stopped so many times by random people who say "I used to have a Honda like that in the 70's..." and go off for ten minutes.

70CB750 · « **Reply #12 on:** March 19, 2012, 04:23:35 AM »

In 90ies I owned CBX750 F from 1985 the CZ before not even sure what year it was - didnt matter, the design was from 60ies anyway:)

I always wanted KLR 650 after we moved to USA - never happened, went different rout thanks to a friend. Btw Klrs got ugly after 07, crazy amounts of plastic.

Modern bikes - I dont like big cruisers and crotch rockets are lost for me - I guess it means yes to your question.

azuredesign · « **Reply #13 on:** March 19, 2012, 04:58:40 AM »

I really think it depends on what old bikes are used for as much as likes and dislikes.
Personally, if I have 5 days to make a 2000 miles trip, I'm going to pick the newer bike for touring.

brandEn · « **Reply #14 on:** March 19, 2012, 05:03:16 AM »

Real good input so far. Its interesting to hear what people think.

LesterPiglet · « **Reply #15 on:** March 19, 2012, 05:12:31 AM »

I only go for blasts round the country, the 550 is more than adequate for me. Consumables are much less expensive also.

andy750 · « **Reply #16 on:** March 19, 2012, 05:17:10 AM »

I only had a 70`s bike (CB750s) for 19 yrs and rode them daily in all weathers. Then in 2010 I bought a 2003 VStrom DL1000 just to have a change. Love it! Sure it has no character like both my CB750s - the K4 is the tourer and the K2 the road racer. But the VStrom just keeps on going and going and going....I liked the change and now ride all 3 bikes all the time

. Its good to have a choice.

And for a RTW trip Id take the K4 for its simplicity and reliability.

cheers
Andy

sangyo soichiro · « **Reply #17 on:** March 19, 2012, 07:05:23 AM »

I haven't totally given up on them yet. Of the ridable bikes I have (yes, I have a lot that still need fixing...), I have a '72 and '74 CB750, a '75 CB125, a '07 Ruckus, and a '08 CBR600RR (and pretty soon a '87 Rebel 450 with a little bit of fixing). I love riding them all, and each for their own distinct reasons. The 750s for the nostalgia and because they're comparable in age to me. The Ruckus simply for diddy-bopping through town and country roads looking at the landscape (the girlfriend has one too, so it's fun to ride together). The 125 because it's so small, yet still legal to go on the highway, plus it's a single cylinder, and I like the simplicity. And the CBR for the sheer performance and ease of handling. I also like all the older bikes because I enjoy tinkering with them - the modern ones require little tinkering.

It's also nice to have so many ridable bikes because just two days ago an old friend visited me from Nebraska, and we took my 750 and CBR out, switching off halfway through the ride. When we got back to my house I asked him which he liked to ride the best, and I thought for sure he would say the 750 because of the comfort (he's never been a crotch rocket kind of guy). But to my surprise, he preferred the CBR (and he's not a young guy, at 41 years of age). He did admit though, that if he owned one he would either get a lot of speeding tickets or get himself killed. But while he was on the CBR, his face lit up when I took him to the highway on ramp.

All my bikes bring me so much enjoyment that it's hard to choose which I like best.

bwaller · « **Reply #18 on:** March 19, 2012, 07:30:51 AM »

Just comment from the dino section. I bought my K3 new and it's been my only street bike. Man I know how dumb that reads.

I certainly have taken short toots on friends new rides, but my 750 is just so "familiar"

754 · « **Reply #19 on:** March 19, 2012, 08:46:17 AM »

bwaller nailed it..so familiar, that it start to feel right and like the only thing you need..

ofreen · « **Reply #20 on:** March 19, 2012, 10:28:47 AM »

I'm not much of a Luddite as I like the power, handling, brakes and looks of the new bikes. I like the performance of sport bikes and ride current ones whenever I get the chance. I stay spry enough that the riding position doesn't bother me. I figure that when it does it is because I am letting myself go. All that said, my newest bike is the '93 R100GSPD. I don't care about ABS on a bike. I'd rather adjust tappet clearances with a screw adjuster than pull cams and swap shims. I don't want traction control or fly-by-wire throttles. LCD readouts suck. Automatic transmissions and DCT's are answers to questions I'd never ask in a million years. All that stuff does is add to the price of the bike and greatly to the price of inevitable repairs. I commiserated with a poor slob down at the BMW shop a couple of weeks ago because his $2000 ABS module had crapped out with warranty expired. To me that is fooking insane.

Bob Wessner · « **Reply #21 on:** March 19, 2012, 10:29:54 AM »

What's a "modern" bike?

ofreen · « **Reply #22 on:** March 19, 2012, 12:01:17 PM »

Quote from: Bob Wessner on March 19, 2012, 10:29:54 AM

What's a "modern" bike?

For some people it is anything that doesn't run a total loss lubrication system. (inset disparaging H-D remark here)

heffay · « **Reply #23 on:** March 19, 2012, 12:23:09 PM »

The "modern" zx7r I just sold was still 20 years old and carb'd.
I'm just not into the fuel injected/computerized bikes... if I need an IT degree to work on it, the answer is yes.

zoomie · « **Reply #24 on:** March 19, 2012, 12:24:16 PM »

IMO, the newer ones might be better products, but they're overly sophisticated and one is tied to the dealer because of all the technology -- I think in-part by design.

Fly-by-wire, traction control, numerous sensors, ride modes, software and the need to re-program for simple changes in exhaust or air cleaners is just more BS than I like dealing with on a motorsickle.

I recently picked up a 74 Honda 350 and am doing the basics to get it roadworthy. It's so simple to work on that it's fun and I am actually looking forward to adjusting valves, setting points, timing and the rest.

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Author Topic: Has anybody given up on modern bikes? (Read 4309 times)