Topic: I love my SOHC/4, but....

[Tugboat]

Now, don't get me wrong - I absolutely love my 750. I've put a new motor on it, along with a lot of love and a lot of work... But lately I've been thinking about getting a new(ish) bike that, to be honest, I don't have to wrench on all the time. So what are some newer bikes that have classic styling? I know there's the Kawi 650 twin, all of the Triumph reissues, and of course the totally-rad-but-still-out-of-my-price-range Honda GB500 Tourist Trophy... What are some other options? I kinda dig the CBR900's without all of the plastic... what else?

[crackerbat]

ZRX1200R
they made em thru 2005 in the states.  And you can uuuusually find one for sale.

I miss my 02 horribly.  Hit by a car little over a month ago.

They can be had in amazing condition for 4k and less.
Their owners LOVE and baby them.
They are big, powerful, easily controlable.
1980 styling with newer technology.
Tons of mods.

Personally, my perfect bike.  I'd have gotten another, but
couldn't find any green ones for sale.  So i gotta project 750 to keep me busy this year.

[WarwickE36]

MAC Motorcycles are on my list of must have...





Minus the super lame NOS bottle..

[KRONUS0100]

I have had in addition to my 76 CB750F........2 other Cb750's.a 74 and and a 72, the 74 motor is in the 76F.  I have had 2 Suzuki GS 750's, and 850, and a 500E.  also had a GL1100I, which I miss very much.it met a sad fate.I totalled it.  all these bikes and I still have the 76 F, and the basket case 81 GS1100EX I just got.  I will always keep the SuperSport.thats why I call her Baby and not my wife.

[TrueSpin]

This thread required me posting this. It literally held a gun to me head and said, Post the new liter CB!

[crackerbat]

This thread required me posting this. It literally held a gun to me head and said, Post the new liter CB!

They look better in person, but I'll take the new z1000 over that.

[johnrdupree]

How about the older Suzuki Bandits:

The 600:

The 1200:

The 400:

I had one of these for a while.  High strung, as you would expect of something with a GSXR-400 motor.  Fun as sh!t, though.  I'm tempted to buy it back from the guy I sold it to and do clubmans and spoke wheels.

And Suzuki makes the TU250:

Why don't they put the Savage 650 motor in there?  Seems like a no-brainer to me...

[754]

Not sure why you are wrenching all the time.. I rarely touch mine and ride it every day..

 I would stay away from all bikes without kickstarts.. but thats jmo..

[the technological J]

I would stay away from all bikes without kickstarts.. but thats jmo..

i agree that kickstart has bailed me out more than a few times had to push a couple of bikes that i had that didnt have em

[crackerbat]

Not sure why you are wrenching all the time.. I rarely touch mine and ride it every day..

 I would stay away from all bikes without kickstarts.. but thats jmo..

You can always bump start it

[camelman]

The Honda hornet 599 is nice. It has the air cooled open engine look, but with modern reliability and suspension. It is a lot like the 919. Yamaha's 90s seca is a great machine too.

[Gordon]

Not sure why you are wrenching all the time.. I rarely touch mine and ride it every day..

Same here. 

[754]

 Let me make this a little clearer.
 since bikes started no longer being made with kickstarts.. the overall changes that were not present in the 70s and prior bikes..resulted in bikes that I am not very interested in owning.... that is what I meant.

 The 750 I am riding I picked up at end of August almost 2 years ago... rode it over 900 miles to Bonneville next day.
 Rode it all but about 3 or 4 months of that time including 2 winters.
 Battery is done has been for around a year.. but it still starts..
 Set the points one or 2wice..
 Checked a few valves dont think I set them.
 Had a carb synch screw fall out, that took a while to sort out..
 Changed the plugs once I think, had one I had to clean a few times..
 Have yet to look at the aircleaner (hate that breadbox)
 Finally did the swingarm, a few tires, chain,  forks need work.. thats about it..

 about 190 rides since Jan 1st 2011..

 sorta like most of the ones I know of..

[coldwave007]

I think it's kind of the "luck of the draw" on these bikes.  Some seem to get picked up and with a little TLC become rock solid monster's that require only basic maintenance.  Others end up a long-ending string of fixes and delays that really get frustrating when you "just want to ride."  My 650 for example seems to run good for a week, then "something else breaks," so I'm left with the itch to ride and a parked bike. 

So yeah, while these are definitely awesome bikes (I love my 650 to death!) it is nice to be able to just hop on something and go.

Anyhoo!  If I were to get a modern bike...

I'd probably hit up the Triump Bonne.  Just LOVE the looks of the SE model with 2-tone color.

   
Another bike would be the 90s era Nighthawk 750.  Lovely lines and a beautiful engine.


The Ducati Monster 696 would be pretty wicked - probably my favorite of the modern "naked bike" category (just have to ditch those horrific mirrors). 

[70CB750]

I would get KLR 650 if I could for daily driving.