Topic: Bikes with character.

[Rogerrz]

Hey all, just back from a quick spin on the old 400F. First dry day in the 50s this year. It hadn't started since November, so after dealing with a stuck float needle (whack with Leatherman), it ran like a champ. It made me think about bikes, their personalities, and such.

In January, I took an '85 Yamaha XJ750X, a Maxim X. It is very clean, runs like a top, and to quote Darrell Waltrip, it's all ate up with motor. The thing will run 11 second quarter miles, go 130+mph, and generally behave like a Timex, and keep on ticking.

I had it out for a couple of short runs around the block, and while it does exactly what it's supposed to it's not even close to having the likeable personality the 40 year old 400F has. The old four has a personality that's not at all like the still old, but not as old Yamaha. It's got character.

I'm not sure why, as it's got at least 50 fewer HP, has a seat that's not nearly as plush, a more cramped seating position and vibrates more. In spite of all that, if I could only rescue one of the two from a burning building, well, it would be a shame to see an old Yamaha perish...

What gives a motorcycle that personality trait, "character"?

[Gene]

What gives a motorcycle that personality trait, "character"?

Age.  It's like the difference between being a freak and being "eccentric".

[brewsky]

What the Italians call "character", the japanese call "a design flaw"...
Author......can't remember

[Gene]

When I was a kid my Dad asked me to help him work on the tractor.  "Hold this cable and put your finger on the spark plug."  When he turned the flywheel and I jumped into the air he said, "Well, it's got spark." 

That builds character.  Same with these older bikes - they've been through life.  The have experiences.  Plus, like an old car, there are certain things that only you - the owner - know how to properly operate.  That's character.

Edit: Sometimes I wish my bike had a little less "character".

[Rogerrz]

I don't think it just has to do with age, because in nine years time, the Yamaha (that is after all, 31 years old) still won't have the "charisma?" that my old 400/4 has now. I also think that nine years ago, the old red bike had every bit as much character as it does now.

Funny brewski mentioned Italians. Most everything they make has character, even when brand new. Moto Guzzi, anyone?

[Stev-o]

What the Italians call "character", the japanese call "a design flaw"...
Author......can't remember

Correction:

"What the Italians call character, the Japanese call a design flaw, and the Germans deny to the grave."

80's bikes just dont do it for me.

[ofreen]

I don't think it just has to do with age, because in nine years time, the Yamaha (that is after all, 31 years old) still won't have the "charisma?" that my old 400/4 has now.

The Yamaha is trying to pretend to be something it is not, a chopper.  It is hard to have "character" while being ridiculous.

[brewsky]

To me I guess it would include some tickling, kicking and cursing.

I'm not much on 80's stuff either, although the only bike I remember feeling like I got "in" instead of "on" was a beemer K1

[eigenvector]

I actually really like the 80's bikes.

To me they represent the end of the era.  After the 80's motorcycles started getting specialized, loaded down with regulations, and harder and harder to work on.  No more shade tree mechanics.  If you wanted a sports bike you bought a sports bike, if you wanted a street bike you bought a street bike, you couldn't use them for everything anymore (well to a certain extent anyway).  My CB750 is at home on the street, open road, country road, carrying groceries, etc.  Try that with a CBR1000

I still think the v45 Sabre is my dream bike - too bad I refuse the drop the dime and get one. 

And speaking of a bike with character - that Nighthawk S I have is just oozing with "personality"

[grcamna2]

That Yam. Maxim 'X' has the same engine that the FZ750 has and it doesn't need that much GO in that style bike. imo
but still a blast to ride in a straight line 

[Rogerrz]

That Yam. Maxim 'X' has the same engine that the FZ750 has and it doesn't need that much GO in that style bike. imo
but still a blast to ride in a straight line 

Yep. This it the reason I've wanted one since the 80's. I wouldn't have paid $100 for its air-cooled brother, the 700. The only problem is, fun on this one puts one's license in jeopardy. On the other hand, you can bang four shifts at redline on the 400, and still be under freeway speed limits.

Sometimes, feeling fast is as good as being fast...

[70CB750]

Character develops over the time, Dorothy had it in spades - especially with the old seat, eh Stev-o? 

Red is getting there.

[grcamna2]

That Yam. Maxim 'X' has the same engine that the FZ750 has and it doesn't need that much GO in that style bike. imo
but still a blast to ride in a straight line 

Yep. This it the reason I've wanted one since the 80's. I wouldn't have paid $100 for its air-cooled brother, the 700. The only problem is, fun on this one puts one's license in jeopardy. On the other hand, you can bang four shifts at redline on the 400, and still be under freeway speed limits.

Sometimes, feeling fast is as good as being fast...

That's exactly why I've moved down to smaller bikes, to hear the engine 'sing'  The large cc bikes cost a Lot when you get caught.The small cc bikes have primary gearing that slows the bike down quick when you want to and their engines are always 'Singing'. I used to live on a resort island off Cape Cod w/ a speed limit of 45 max.. and had a GS1100E w/ a race engine in it to 'pass the tourists' Fast,it got expensive.. 

[grcamna2]

Roger,
Your CB400F and Yamaha both look in real Nice condition;keeping them garaged saves them 

[Stev-o]

Character develops over the time, Dorothy had it in spades - especially with the old seat, eh Stev-o? 

Well, I wouldnt exactly say that old seat had "character", even "patina" would be a stretch!

[ken65]

I have a couple of 80,s bikes that i love. But appreciate there not every bodies cup of tea.
my 86 slabbie from the US

and my 81 rd350lc.. To me they're both special.

[Rogerrz]

Nice slabbie. It too, is on my short list.

[ofreen]

I have a couple of 80,s bikes that i love. But appreciate there not every bodies cup of tea.
my 86 slabbie from the US

and my 81 rd350lc.. To me they're both special.

That they are. I still miss my '87 GSX-R1100. I sold it during the Great Purge because I had too many bikes, but that one hurt to see go away.

[seanbarney41]

mmmmslabbie...funny that this thread is even on this forum 'cuz if you believe old magazine reviews and comparisons, sohc4's were pretty universally criticized for a lack of character

[grcamna2]

I never heard the GSXR called "slabbie"..

[seanbarney41]

...short for slab side...tbh, I don't really see it either, but that's what they call the '85-89's?

[grcamna2]

...short for slab side...tbh, I don't really see it either, but that's what they call the '85-89's?

That's what they call the 1st gen. GSXR's? possibly because the sides of the lower fairings were flat ?

[Retro Rocket]

I have a couple of 80,s bikes that i love. But appreciate there not every bodies cup of tea.
my 86 slabbie from the US

I had the last slabby 1100, the J model, Blue and white, loved it until it was stolen....

[ken65]

Bloody thieving coves, it would brake my heart

As far as im concerned both these bikes were great in the day and changed a few things BUT.
The  cb750 is imho still better looking without doubt and if i could only keep one of the 3 its not even a contest. The
two white bikes are gone.   They both are quicker though.

[Stev-o]

Maybe we should rename this thread to "Post a pic of your 80's bike"!

Like stated earlier, I dont really care for them, but that Suzi^^^ is pretty sweet.

I just picked up this GPz a couple weeks ago, I'm still on the fence if I like it enough to keep, but it sure is fun riding through the hills! Bike has no character but loves to rev to 9500rpm in every gear!