Topic: Suggestions for next bike

[stevenmgrr]

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?

[kghost]

A CB750 would be a good choice 

[ColinMc]

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.

[stevenmgrr]

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?

[mark]

I was looking at a CL450 a while back......

[ColinMc]

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.

[Shenanigans]

I have always been a fan of the NT650. They made it 15 years too early!

[ProTeal55]

I vote Ducati, or you can buy my CB450 

[Sporkfly]

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

[medic09]

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.

[Grizzly]

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

[ColinMc]

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

[DarkRider]

Quite the comparison there for the two bikes there colin...

[stevenmgrr]

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". 

[stevenmgrr]

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

[Grizzly]

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

[Soos]

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.


l8r

[Hamburg]

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