Topic: if you were to buy a new[er] bike today....

[Ibsen]

If money wasn't a limit, a Ducati. Either the Paul Smart 1000LE, or the 999R Xerox.

http://www.ducati.com/bikes/my2006/ducatiModel.jhtml?family=sportclassic&modelName=SMART1000LE-06

http://www.ducati.com/bikes/my2006/ducatiModel.jhtml?family=superbike&modelName=999RXEROX-06

In the real world  , a Kawasaki ER6F or a W650, or maybe a Honda XL 650 V Transalp. 

[Jeff]

ELCHEAPO, I agree with the above statement 150%.
Ditch the fairing, and that bike will really be sick...

I'd have to agree as well..

Me three. Or is it four?
Jeff

[tsflstb]

I agree too.  That bike would look tough without the fairing.

Sorry, but here's another one for my wish list.  I just saw this and want to sell my left kidney to get it.  As I get older, sidecars keep looking better and better to me.  I've got two young kids and could bring the whole family along on a ride.  I don't want a huge luxo-barge Harley or Goldwing setup, but something more sporty.  Here's a nice Honda 919 set up as a 'hack.

[bill440cars]

    tsflstb,

             Have to agree, that is one choice looking ride you've posted.

                                                 Later on, Bill

[nickjtc]

There is an English guy who lives just outside town who specialises in sidecar conversions. He is always busy and the waiting list is quite long. He will 'sidehack' pretty well anything.....the latest piece he has been working on is a Suzuki DR400 dual purpose bike, for a guy and his wife who want to ride together.

He recently made a Triumph Thunderbird Sport/Watsonian combo for one of my instructor friends who wanted something for the (big) dog to ride in.

[tsflstb]

I always keep a lookout for small lightweight sidecars that might bolt up to my 400F, just to give it a try.  Haven't found a suitable candidate yet.  From what I've heard it takes a lot of tweaking to get one dialed in correctly, and you really need to know what you're doing to keep it safe.  It's probably better to have a dedicated "rig" in the long run.

[Stormer]

That's my sencond bike and long range touring weapon:



Suzuki DL 1000 Vstrom. Very good touring bike in our "wonderfull" roads here in Brazil.

[nickjtc]

That's my sencond bike and long range touring weapon:



Suzuki DL 1000 Vstrom. Very good touring bike in our "wonderfull" roads here in Brazil.

Yes, that is a very nice bike. They handle corners very well too!!

[cmorgan47]

i think this is the bike i'll be getting next.

not for me though.  for my freakin mod wife.

[nickjtc]

i think this is the bike i'll be getting next.

not for me though.  for my freakin mod wife.

Get a Vespa. They're the real deal for the 'mod' types.

[cmorgan47]

they cost twice as much, and she doesn't care.
so long as she can do about 45-50, and it looks like a mod scooter.

plus, the less i have to work on it, the better.

[Rushoid]

Yeah, I really like the VStrom. I was surprised at how big it is when I stood next to one.

My daughter spotted some Vespa clone (Honda?) at the local stealership that has flowers on the front. ARRRGH!!! 

[nickjtc]

they cost twice as much, and she doesn't care.
so long as she can do about 45-50, and it looks like a mod scooter.
plus, the less i have to work on it, the better.

I worked in a Vespa dealer for a few months. They are all four strokes now, so a lot more reliable than they used to be. And they are all metal so the bodywork is fixable if there is an oopsy.

But yes, you do pay premium for them....what is it about Italian two wheelers and boutique pricing??

[ProTeal55]

I might be getting a Vino (scotter) from a friend of mine for $100...
He got it from his brother who bought it at a estate sale (or something like that).
If I end up owning it, I plan to paint it flat black and cruise it around, as the ANTIMOD !!!
 

[Uncle Ernie]

Your 400 might be able to handle a Sputnik (hard to find anymore), Steib LS200 (very expensive), or a Globe.   You can get a ton of SC info at www.sidecar.com    I think Mr Bill has been there once or twice.

[bill440cars]

Your 400 might be able to handle a Sputnik (hard to find anymore), Steib LS200 (very expensive), or a Globe.   You can get a ton of SC info at www.sidecar.com    I think Mr Bill has been there once or twice.

             Oh Yeah, Uncle set me there and he's right there is quite a lot of info to be had. I haven't been there lately but, I'll probably be back there soon. I've finally gotten around to start putting my sidecar on the 80' CB750K that I've got and it's been quite an experience just getting the all the arms hooked up. I've still got one more to get hooked up and then there's the adjusting. Check it out. If Uncle Ernie says it's there, then it's there.

                                                 Later on, Bill

[pmpski_1]

Buell CityX - $$$$
KTM DUKE II - What can you say?
Suzuki SV650 - Affordable V-Twin
KLR650 or XL650 - psuedo dirt bike. I wonder if I can jump it?

Man, I've been thinking about a dirt bike lately too. Seeing those guys jumping on Biker Build off last week reminded me of when I was a kid riding dirt bikes.

[nickjtc]

OMG!!!!! I think I died and went to heaven:

http://www.johnmosseyrestorations.com/JMR_norvin.htm

[bill440cars]

OMG!!!!! I think I died and went to heaven:

http://www.johnmosseyrestorations.com/JMR_norvin.htm

                                      Oh Yeah!!!  Later on, Bill

[Ernie]

sorry fellas im not a traitor but.this bike is THE bike of bikes............ for a new one, that is http://www.harley-davidson.com/wcm/Content/Pages/2007_Motorcycles/2007_Motorcycles.jsp?locale=en_US danm this link doesnt take you directly to but its the roadking custom 

[bill440cars]

sorry fellas im not a traitor but.this bike is THE bike of bikes............ for a new one, that is http://www.harley-davidson.com/wcm/Content/Pages/2007_Motorcycles/2007_Motorcycles.jsp?locale=en_US danm this link doesnt take you directly to but its the roadking custom 

                   To each his own, I guess. Sure doesn't do anything for me but, this post isn't about me is
            it. If that's what you like Ernie, go with it.

                                                        Later on, Bill

[74cb750]

Wow, according to nick's link the 1973 Z1 kawasaki I just restored is worth 12,000 british pounds???

[bill440cars]

Wow, according to nick's link the 1973 Z1 kawasaki I just restored is worth 12,000 british pounds???

    Just curious, how does that compare to the U.S. dollar?

                                                      Later on, Bill

[Dave K]

I did just buy my "newer" bike. I picked up one of the bikes of my dreams Thurs. I brought home a Honda CBR 600 F4. Love it !
 
I was reading all the sidecar talk in this thread. When my daughter was little, we put a Vetter Terraplane on our GL1100. Yes, it kept me riding, but I was sure happy when it came off. The fun in a motorcycle was just plain gone for me with that attached. I rode with it for only about 3500 miles, but I also never became "that" used to it. All corners take some thought, standing at a stop light does not. If I wanted to keep the family together, out in the air, I would have a convertible instead. Your mileage may vary. I will say though, I rode other Goldwings with sidecars and none I felt were as good as the Terraplane or handled as well. Again, JMHO

WOW, at the price of the CB 750 even. I really like mine, but we all have a price.

[Uncle Ernie]

Bill, just for rough estimates, I double the dollars and take off maybe 10%.  So, I'm guessing 12K Sterling would be around $20K.   Rather hard to imagine that, though... Depends on who's at the auction.