Topic: Modern motorcycles - what am I missing?

[jstfkndi]

I am not sure that there is a one in all bike out there. If my Ape was it, then I wouldn't have the 350F. My girlfriend rides a Shadow 1100 Aero and the bike is comfortable but to me lacks that "character" everyone is talking about. Not meaning a bike has to be finicky to have character, but if you've ever heard a Laverda V6 screaming in the rpms or the Honda RC166, then right away, your ears peak and you know it is something special. Just think how sick people probably were of seeing the CB750 back in the day. Seems like they were probably the CBR1000 or ZX10R of their day, but since everyone wants newer, faster and easier, they got pushed to the sidelines for the newer model. Think of what those 1920's bike riders who still had oil baths for their chains were saying about Hondas then when they came out. That being said, I would want a 1920's HArley, but again....it wouldn't be my daily ride. I don't mind doing some wrenching and keeping up with and I will say this. I would prefer to do a valve check on the 350 than on this Aprilia any day! But the joy I derive from riding the Ape makes it worth it as well. Just because a bike can do 180 doesn't mean you have to do it Of course I am a bit older now and it is nice to have the ability to hit a high speed every now and again if I want to. I rode a Hayabusa and knew immediately that bike was not for me! I decided to hit it on an off ramp and that bike will do 130mph effortlessly! Not that I didn't enjoy it, but what worried me is that it didn't feel like 130mph. I wouldn't have a license anymore.

I like all kinds of bikes. Wish I could have thousands, but I believe if you truly love motorcycling, you get what does the most for you. And I don't mean speed or performance, but somehow what makes you actually "connect" with a machine. Only bike I really didn't like riding so far was my buddies 07 Sprtster 883 Low. Honestly, it wasn't bad for the first 5 minutes, but after that, I realized the bike was what it was. A punishing ride!

[simon#42]

This is ironic; in the '70s, these same bikes were considered to be completely lacking in character.

very true , and todays new bikes are tomorrows old bikes so this argument will keep repeating itself !
must admit i prefer older bikes but new bikes are very very good and if i didnt enjoy the mechanical side of bike ownership i would certainly have one .

Will it?  I am wondering if many of these newer bikes will survive that long. 

Young kids sitting still while the motor is bouncing off the rev limiter, the amount of bikes crashing at 100+, the amount of bikes that end up pure shiite after these youngin's have had them for a while, the amount of plastic on these bikes that won't live the test of time from becoming too brittle to repair and probably no one making replacement plastics...

Personally, these newer bikes all look the same to me and TOTALLY lack character!

well regarding the last bit my dad said exactly the same to me about my honda 750 in 77 his dad said the same to him about his triumph in 57

[Really?]

Hah, I can believe that.

[Retro Rocket]

I am not sure that there is a one in all bike out there.

Its funny you say that, i always thought the same thing, until i bought my first GPX750R Kawasaki, 1989 model,{Ninja to our US brothers} they have a great engine that is very receptive to a little work, a very comfortable seating position, handle very well and with small mods, handle extremely well. I have done 1200 mile interstate trips to 100+MPH 4 hour highway trips as well as all day 2 up rides and everything in between, from what i have heard, the VFR range are very similar, there really are some good all round bikes out there, unfortunately, there's so much to choose from a lot of good bikes just get over looked....

[Stev-o]

Mick - why'd you sell it?     I always wanted one but never happened. But not too late?

[Killer Canary]

You don't have any pics, Retro?

[Retro Rocket]

Mick - why'd you sell it?     I always wanted one but never happened. But not too late?

I've had 2 Steve, one converted race bike {amazingly fast and brilliant handling} and the last one, which i sold along with my HIPO cars and most stuff i owned at the time, i was in hospital for 12 months waiting for a transplant and didn't want my wife to be stuck selling everything if i didn't make it...

I'll dig out some pics, they will need to be digitalized though, they are hard copies...

[MJL]

I had a zx-14 last summer. With the secondary flies out it was incredible. I was on a deserted stretch of 4 lane and wicked it up to 140 before I decided to shut it down. There was very little vibration in the motor at any speed. However, the speed, combined with the monkey humping a football seating position are the two factors that had me sell it.

I've got newer bikes than my '73 750, but they are both v-twins. they have the sound, the look, the vibrations, etc. that the ZX-14 didn't have.

I still have my '73 750 too. There's something about being able to see the motor, the simplicity of the carbs, the general overall look of the bike. Let's not forget, though, the exhaust note. Get on youtube and watch videos for any modern crotch rocket, then compare that to the sound of a 70's bike. IMHO sportbikes have a very refined, civilized sound to them, as opposed to a cb750, which sounds mean, primal, animalistic. (with the right exhaust, of course)

Every bike I've owned with one or two exceptions, has done the ton or tried like hell to get there. My cbr600 hit 100+ without me realizing it, but my 750 had to work for it.

[sangyo soichiro]

So here's the difference between a vintage owner and a modern bike owner, in my opinion:
One really gets enjoyment out of working on the bike, as well as riding it. 

Of course, there are exceptions, but I think there is some truth to this.  I know I love to fiddle with my bikes, and it is a really neat feeling to ride a bike that you've put a lot of work into.  And for what it's worth, if I had to choose who to have a beer with between a modern bike owner and a vintage bike owner, I'd choose the vintage guy, because I think the conversations would be more interesting to me.

Riding my sportbike on the street is an exercise in frustration, because it seems impossible to stay under the speed limit.  But the brakes work great, the clutch is very soft to squeeze, and it handles really well.

But if I want to just go for a casual ride, no real place to go, just ride and enjoy nature, there's no question which bike I'll take - definitely the vintage one.

[ofreen]

I guess my question is: 

If you ride new and old, how does the vintage iron compares to the latest and greatest?  Do you take the old CB out because you feel sorry for it, or because you are bored with the new machine or because as far as it has two wheels the other difference is negligible?

Each is its own experience to be enjoyed.  I like bikes, old and new.  Variety being the spice of life and all that. The only style I am not really interested in are cruisers because I don't like a bike that you need to talk into going around a curve.  But even they usually have fine, torquey motors to be enjoyed.  It's like I always say when I hear "Ginger or Mary Ann?"  I say why not Ginger and Mary Ann?

[70CB750]

I spent an hour at Coleman's Power Sports, I could definitely be talked into a modern bike - like Yamaha FJR, what a piece of art that one is.

[akabek]

Like with most of my hobbies I enjoy the hobby just as much as the fiddling/building involved and getting to know how it all works.  I also like what is different or uncommon.

At 40 years of age I started to ride track for a couple years and learned how to drag a knee around the corners and basically got comfortable at higher speeds.  I sold my track bike a year ago and now my modern bike is a 2012 Aprilia Tuono.  It has more than enough power, speed and modern day technology on it.  For me it is comfortable to ride and puts a smile on my face.  It also gets attention as there are not many around and most people that see it have never heard of Aprilia.  If I decide to go do another track day it will be more than capable but for the time being I add gas, change the oil and ride.

On the other hand I have always had an appreciation for old technology.  Usually they were built to last but easy to work on.  Working on these old bikes is also a dying art.

Funny Story:
A buddy of mine helped a young kid out when his 69 Mustang came to a halt on the side of the road.  After he got him underway the other guy that stopped to help turned to him and said.  "I am a mechanic and after you opened the hood I was lost."  He was in his mid 20s and never worked on a carburetor before.

On a group ride I became friends with a guy that was building cafe bikes and I knew I would want to tackle a cafe build myself.  I picked up a 75 CB550 in the fall of 2011.  One year later I had it converted to a cafe and had the opportunity to take it for one long ride.  The CB550 cannot come close to the performance of my Tuono but I had a grin from ear to ear for the entire ride.  I let my buddy (funny story buddy) ride it part way back for about 15KMS and when we stopped at a gas station he said, "now that is what I remember a motorcycle should feel like."  Aside from enjoying the ride I like the fact that I can work on it, modify it and custom build it to my vision.  This winter I am dropping more money into it on a big bore rebuild, suspension, Pirelli tires and more shinny parts.

I will never get the money back that I put into it but I do not care.  My bike is one of a kind, built to my taste that will put a smile on my face ever time I ride it. 

[Retro Rocket]

I will never get the money back that I put into it but I do not care.  My bike is one of a kind, built to my taste that will put a smile on my face ever time I ride it. 

Amen....

[FrankenFrankenstuff]

I have a 69 Honda S90 and a 2001 ZRX1200. I love both of the bikes. The ZRX makes the hairs on the back of my neck stand when I go through the motions at 100mph. The S90 is ridden harder than it should (zrx habits)but, it has never dissapointed me. Last summer I just zipped around with a smile from ear to ear.

Having trouble really putting it to words. I just really frigging love my bikes and cant wait to get back out onto the road. Feels like I have two hot girls that are away at college and I am left here to fester through the winter and wait for them to return and tickle me.

[bill440cars]

       Well, For ME, The Newest Bike I Have Ridden, Is My '83 Kawasaki GPZ1100 And The The Oldest Bike I Have, Is My '63 Honda CB77 Super Hawk (temporarily disassembled)

From What I Have Seen, Of The New Bikes, I Have MORE Feeling For The Older Ones. They, As Has Been Said, Have "Character".
 

[Really?]

I can't find a new bike I REALLY like enough to replace my Venture.  I have been looking.

I have looked at the Concours 14.  Front fairing is too small, when the screen is fully extended at speed it vibrates, I would have to add aftermarket electronics, the passenger area looks weak and uncomfortable and it more speed than I care to have.

The FJR is very similar to the above.  Trunk and saddlebags together appear to be an issue with Yamaha.

The ST1300 is just too much money.

The Royal Star Venture does not have enough sport to it, it still comes with carbs (a horror to clean and keep clean), it still comes with a cassette player and it is too expensive.

The Gold Wing is just way out of my price range.

All gorgeous bikes but they just does not replace my Venture.  So, why replace the Venture you say?  I am getting tired of street bikes (at it 34 years now).  I have owned it for 20 years, I let it sit so long it is a project to get it running again (my fault I know), parts are getting harder and harder to find, I am always repairing the plastic because of age and no replacement plastic available unless worse off than mine (I have practically begged Joe to make some), I hate those carbs and I would like a change.  Other than that, she does everything so well.  She is attractive (to me anyway), she has plenty of torque and horsepower, she handles great in the twisties, just enough fairing, lots of electronics (radio, CB, computer controlled air suspension with a built in compressor), oh so damn comfy (8+ hour seat, wifey falls asleep on the back), passenger area is great, all bags detach like suitcases, get about 42 mpg, built-in intercom system and more. 

Oh well...

[Bailgang]

I have a 71 cb175 setting in the garage that a brother of mine gave to my youngest son a few years ago. We're still figuring just exactly what we're going to do with it mainly because it hasn't been until just a few weeks ago that my brother FINALLY sent us the title for it. My youngest is into sportbikes and loves his 98 cbr600 but believe it or not he actually thinks the 175 is cool too, what a contrast of bikes. I think the 175 is cool too but my youngest son is 6'4" tall at 200 lbs and looks way out of proportion when setting on the 175 but he none the less is seriously considering getting the 175 roadworthy again so he can ride it around town.