Author Topic: Suggestions for next bike  (Read 1410 times)

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Offline stevenmgrr

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Suggestions for next bike
« on: August 28, 2008, 12:02:35 PM »
Okay.  I purchased a 71 CB500 which has been a lot of fun.  Now I am already itching to buy another bike.  After going to the Vintage Bike Days in Ohio, I was really drawn to some of the older Triumphs and Nortons.  I also like the Honda Hawk NT650.  And the 70's Ducati 750 GT.  And the Moto Guzzi Eldorado.  Any suggestions?
'71 CB500 K0

Offline kghost

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Re: Suggestions for next bike
« Reply #1 on: August 28, 2008, 12:04:27 PM »
A CB750 would be a good choice  :D ;)
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Offline ColinMc

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Re: Suggestions for next bike
« Reply #2 on: August 28, 2008, 12:25:01 PM »
I'd go for an norton or even an old bmw airhead...but i'm biased and have one of each. Probably my favorite "sunny day" go out for a relaxing ride bike is the Norton 850 Commando. You can get them in pretty good shape from 4-6k depending...less if they are in worse shape. Older BMW r100 or r90 you can probably snag for around 3500. The BMW is a lot easier to work on for sure. I'm itching to get an old triumph now though.
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Offline stevenmgrr

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Re: Suggestions for next bike
« Reply #3 on: August 28, 2008, 01:04:00 PM »
Probably my favorite "sunny day" go out for a relaxing ride bike is the Norton 850 Commando.

I really love the low slung look of the Norton 850 Commando.  How do they ride?
'71 CB500 K0

Offline mark

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Re: Suggestions for next bike
« Reply #4 on: August 28, 2008, 09:10:33 PM »
I was looking at a CL450 a while back......
1976 CB550K, 1973 CB350G, 1964 C100

F you mark...... F you.

Offline ColinMc

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Re: Suggestions for next bike
« Reply #5 on: August 28, 2008, 10:49:46 PM »
Lol, I don't know about "low slung" as far as the commando's go, but it's a very comfortable bike to ride. It vibrates like you wouldn't believe at anything below 2k, but at around 3,000-3500 rpm it is smooth as silk...assuming the rubber mounts are in good shape. It's def more comfortable and a more pleasant ride than my old BMW.
1976 CB750K - Cafe Project...taking forever
1984 Honda MB-5 - MB-8 conversion in process
2001 Ducati 748 - Built 996 motor sleeper

Offline Shenanigans

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Re: Suggestions for next bike
« Reply #6 on: August 28, 2008, 11:18:32 PM »
I have always been a fan of the NT650. They made it 15 years too early!
   This pretty much sums it up.   76' CB592 cafe. 69 750 project, 03 CBR954, 75 750 super sport.

Offline ProTeal55

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Re: Suggestions for next bike
« Reply #7 on: August 29, 2008, 09:04:43 AM »
I vote Ducati, or you can buy my CB450  ;D
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Offline Sporkfly

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Re: Suggestions for next bike
« Reply #8 on: August 30, 2008, 02:11:23 PM »
I like BMWs. If I can ever get a third bike it'll be a BMW. Gotta get the Goldwing on the road first though :D
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Offline medic09

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Re: Suggestions for next bike
« Reply #9 on: August 30, 2008, 11:09:42 PM »
I like old Brit bikes.  Especially the self-draining oil feature.  Saves half the work when it's time to change the oil.  ::)

You've already got a medium sized bike, so I'd go bigger.  And I really do like Brit bikes; just be prepared to get mechanically intimate with it.  Very different character from our Hondas.
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Offline Grizzly

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Re: Suggestions for next bike
« Reply #10 on: August 31, 2008, 12:29:30 PM »
I love British bikes too.

If you take the British route you will need to do some spannering as the post before mentions. The Norton Commando 750/850 is a damn fine bike and rideing a well sorted one is pure pleasure. I recently rode a 750ss with high pipes in France, a lovely bike. Don't overlook the smaller capacity Dommy either.

A friend of mine has just finished a Triumph T110. Another great bike to ride, but in my humble opinion for what that is worth I think the Norton might handle a little better.

If you wanted you could go for a Triton. A Triumph engine in a Norton Featherbed frame, Mmmm nice!!

Enjoy the hunt.

Grizzly
The older I get the faster I used to be!!!!

Offline ColinMc

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Re: Suggestions for next bike
« Reply #11 on: September 02, 2008, 06:39:47 AM »
mmmmmm, Featherbed frame....Lol, but yeah I agree with previous statements. British bikes are a lot of fun but have more "character" than you might be used to with the CB. Don't get me wrong I love my Commando, but even though it's in fantastic shape...i'd still pick the old BMW to ride any serious distance since I know i'd get there for sure. The Norton handles WAYYYY better, sounds WAYYYY better, and looks freaken fantastic too...but there is always that thought in the back of your mind..."is the electric start not gonna work? Will I be able to kick it over without issues? Is that a new oil leak? Why is my headlight not working only when the sun goes down? Where did the rubber sleeve go that was on the footpeg a minute ago? Is that gas I smell?" But the second you crack that throttle open and carve through the corner the bike just keeps on roaring like it'll never stop. The BMW on the other hand, handles pretty well, has some serious torque, has a "pleasant" exhaust note, gets pretty good gas mileage, ALWAYS starts no matter how hot or cold, eats up the miles for breakfast, lunch and dinner...even for a snack in between and is still hungry for more, and is easy as pie to work on if you ever need to (probably won't) But if it's a nice day out and I want to go for a ride, the Norton wins every single time. If there is even a chance of moisture or rain, I wouldn't dare touch it lol. But then again I guess any old bike can be finicky...

The BMW is like my wife who is always there, I can count on, will do anything for me, Has maybe gained a few pounds but is still stellar in the sack...the Norton on the other hand is like a mistress who is a smokin hot kinky freak that will do anything to/for/with me, but the second there's any trouble she's gone and i'm left with no pants on, a stolen wallet and no ride home from a 7/11 in South Detroit.

EDIT: No i'm not married
1976 CB750K - Cafe Project...taking forever
1984 Honda MB-5 - MB-8 conversion in process
2001 Ducati 748 - Built 996 motor sleeper

Offline DarkRider

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Re: Suggestions for next bike
« Reply #12 on: September 02, 2008, 11:25:08 AM »
Quite the comparison there for the two bikes there colin...
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Offline stevenmgrr

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Re: Suggestions for next bike
« Reply #13 on: September 02, 2008, 12:07:35 PM »

The BMW is like my wife who is always there, I can count on, will do anything for me, Has maybe gained a few pounds but is still stellar in the sack...the Norton on the other hand is like a mistress who is a smokin hot kinky freak that will do anything to/for/with me, but the second there's any trouble she's gone and i'm left with no pants on, a stolen wallet and no ride home from a 7/11 in South Detroit.

EDIT: No i'm not married

Colin, it is funny that you described your experience with your Norton this way.  It so happens that I had chance to dine with a new motorcycle acquaintance two weeks ago and this is how he described the Norton.  "Steve, compared to your Honda, the Norton is like a hot looking, 40 year old, triple divorcee, a lot of fun for a night on the town, but nothing you want to have a serious long term relationship with".  ;D

'71 CB500 K0

Offline stevenmgrr

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Re: Suggestions for next bike
« Reply #14 on: September 02, 2008, 12:09:55 PM »
Seriously though, what do you guys think of the following bikes

Ducati Monster 695
SV650
NT650
Honda 599
Honda 919

Since I am getting a lot of input about additional wrenching on older bikes, I am considering something a few years old that has a little more power than my CB500.

Steve
« Last Edit: September 02, 2008, 12:13:18 PM by stevenmgrr »
'71 CB500 K0

Offline Grizzly

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Re: Suggestions for next bike
« Reply #15 on: September 04, 2008, 09:30:25 AM »
Shouldn't need to do much spanner work on any of them.

Monsters and SV650's are very popular in the UK and the Monster has a cult following. The two 4 cyl Honda's are very fast and very reliable, unless they have had a real hard life I would be surprised if either of them gave you any trouble. If the NT650 is the same bike as the one I'm thinking of in the UK then this is a more touring orientated bike with shaft drive and again should give you no trouble.

I think you will be pleased with any of them, it just comes down to personnel preference.

Cheers

Grizzly
The older I get the faster I used to be!!!!

Offline Soos

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Re: Suggestions for next bike
« Reply #16 on: September 04, 2008, 09:49:10 AM »
Honda 599

I got to ride one of these lately, as well as a 919 about a year ago, and I really like the 599!!

Anything you find with about the same cc's that is 15 years old or newer will have more power that your 500 pretty much.

That 919 was QUICK. IMO more power than I like to ride, considering 80% of my riding is commuting anyways.

The 599 was just about perfect for me, more than my 650 puts out by far!!
Still waiting to find one for a good price.


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Re: Suggestions for next bike
« Reply #17 on: September 04, 2008, 02:41:25 PM »
Seriously though, what do you guys think of the following bikes

Ducati Monster 695
SV650
NT650
Honda 599
Honda 919

Since I am getting a lot of input about additional wrenching on older bikes, I am considering something a few years old that has a little more power than my CB500.

Steve



My first bike was an SV650. It's a good starter bike. I have ridden my friend's monster... Oh it's fun! I would go for that! The 919 and 599 Seem like cool bikes too but you'll turn more heads and have more fun on a Monster :)