Author Topic: We all love 4s - but what's the best 2 cyl classic? (Read 9300 times)

jessezm · « **Reply #25 on:** August 13, 2011, 07:37:34 AM »

Good God Almighty!

Quote from: dave500 on August 13, 2011, 06:07:53 AM

i would not love to have a norton or a triumph,,thats why i have a honda four,and thats why im typing this,have a look here jessezm
http://www.xs650.org.au/kev's%20turbo.htmno affililiation just a link.

Magpie · « **Reply #26 on:** August 13, 2011, 08:04:01 AM »

In my opinion, the 1968 Triumph Bonneville (maybe because I had one) is one of the ultimate blends of motorcycles and art. I'd love to do one up like this one.
Cliff.

dave500 · « **Reply #27 on:** August 13, 2011, 08:15:06 AM »

triumph?lucky i got a shake proof computer to even see the photo you posted.

mick7504 · « **Reply #28 on:** August 13, 2011, 08:23:23 AM »

Quote from: dave500 on August 13, 2011, 04:46:43 AM

briggs and stratton do a good vee twin.

The John Deere ride on sucks that dust in almost as good as Bob Marley with both barrels going.

Magpie · « **Reply #29 on:** August 13, 2011, 08:33:32 AM »

Dave! You mock the mighty Triumph 650?! Sacrilege! Did it leave any oil on your screen or keyboard? Sorry about that.

Cliff.

BeSeeingYou · « **Reply #30 on:** August 13, 2011, 09:51:34 PM »

Quote from: strynboen on August 13, 2011, 04:41:11 AM

;)dont say sorry ,,its is fun.. ...but ok i take a break..and try to learn more before i vright ..its funny a fev times but..not 750 times in 2 years

I always enjoy your posts but I sometimes wonder if you are not just yanking our chains.

I would go with the Norton if I had the money or the XS650 if I was on a budget. I think the XS up to 1980 is better looking than any Honda twin. Don't care for the seat after 1980. The stepped seat on the later bikes isn't comfy for a taller person.

Trevor from Warragul · « **Reply #31 on:** August 13, 2011, 11:08:55 PM »

Quote

I have a74 moto morini thats actually a fantastic bike. But not practical as all parts are unobtainium.

I have a 1976 Morini 3 1/2 Sport & parts are no problem. North Leicester Motorcycles in the UK have pretty much everything, then there's Wolfgang Tritsch in Germany...

Trevor

I agree that they are a fantastic bike, especially since I replaced every electrical item with new & converted it to Mikuni's!

mrbreeze · « **Reply #32 on:** August 13, 2011, 11:19:26 PM »

Quote from: millerza on August 13, 2011, 04:37:46 AM

Quote from: strynboen on August 13, 2011, 02:23:27 AM
just at good...like both 8)vhen i tranlate that in google it abauts boats..hvat have i vrote???damed i never get it...

some posts from europe crack me up.......sorry to make fun...but it is funny

I hear ya!!!.....Just as funny as if you went there and spoke with an Oklahoma accent.............

mrbreeze · « **Reply #33 on:** August 13, 2011, 11:21:58 PM »

Quote from: dave500 on August 13, 2011, 05:23:16 AM

a well tuned 400 will eat the xs 650 dust man!

I would have to agree.......they aren't as much of a dog as you might have been led to believe!!!

mrbreeze · « **Reply #34 on:** August 13, 2011, 11:31:39 PM »

Quote from: Magpie on August 13, 2011, 08:04:01 AM

In my opinion, the 1968 Triumph Bonneville (maybe because I had one) is one of the ultimate blends of motorcycles and art. I'd love to do one up like this one.
Cliff.

I rode a few back in the day and I will say they are bad a$$ bikes to ride and to look at . If a guy could get some reliable electrics and find a way to cork up the oil leaks...I'd say you have a winner. Can't even remember the last bike I rode with a right side shifter but the the one I got my MC endorsement on in 1972 was a Harley 350 Sprint..... shifter on the right.....wudda freight train for a 350cc engine!!!

bill440cars · « **Reply #35 on:** August 14, 2011, 04:17:56 AM »

Lots of great input here, but nobody has mentioned 1 that I really like (though I have had minimum experience with them. I had a buddy, back in the 60's, who had a '66 Royal Enfield Interceptor and I liked the way the bike Looked, the way it Felt, The way in Handled and it Sounded good as well. Now, I have heard alot, in the past, from those who I'm sure know what they are talking about and they don't really like them. But, I would LOVE to get my hands on one of these. Also liking the Nortons (Matchless & AJS), BSAs, XS650s, RD350/400, CB450 DOHC, CB77 and I'm sure there are others.

Please don't throw rocks though, cause my #1 choice would be the Enfield.

rbmgf7 · « **Reply #36 on:** August 14, 2011, 12:02:09 PM »

My first was a 77 KZ400. Man I loved that bike. Sure miss the twins. Always wanted an XS650 but those seems to be popular and expensive for a classic.

I'll see what this T500 is capable of.

MidnightLamp · « **Reply #37 on:** August 14, 2011, 03:20:05 PM »

Quote from: bill440cars on August 14, 2011, 04:17:56 AM

Please don't throw rocks though, cause my #1 choice would be the Enfield.

I couldn't agree with you more, which is why I have one =]

My personal dream, though, lies in pushrod v-twins....

bill440cars · « **Reply #38 on:** August 14, 2011, 08:02:54 PM »

Quote from: MidnightLamp on August 14, 2011, 03:20:05 PM

Quote from: bill440cars on August 14, 2011, 04:17:56 AM
Please don't throw rocks though, cause my #1 choice would be the Enfield.

I couldn't agree with you more, which is why I have one =]

My personal dream, though, lies in pushrod v-twins....

Hey, I'm Jealous now!

Yeah, gotta Love those Vincents too.

Scott · « **Reply #39 on:** August 15, 2011, 03:34:00 AM »

G'day Jawntybull
I just got a CB77 1964 model 2 weeks ago.
Not too expensive and fun to ride
Took it up the Putty road and back and I'm looking forward to my next outing on it
The CX 500 has a bit of a loyal following as well but I have never ridden one very far
Scott

kirkn · « **Reply #40 on:** August 15, 2011, 06:21:30 AM »

I, too, had a KZ400. A '74. What a nice machine. Not particularly sizzling in any area, but a very nice bike. I put ~12,000 miles on mine in a little over a year. 50 mpg, counterbalanced and no issues!

Then, too, they're not really 'classics' yet, but IMO, the pinnacle of evolution of the small cc parallel twin has to be any of the early 80s Japanese 400~450cc twins. They would all run 14-sec 1/4 miles, all got 55+mpg, all were counterbalanced for very smooth running, all had electronic ignition, H4 headlights and disk brakes and all were light and very good handlers. And, with the absolute market/model saturation in those years, you could get 'em in cruiser, standard or 'sporty' flavors.

Me? I'd go for an 82 or 83 Honda CB450T Hawk, Suzuki GS450E or S, Yamaha Seca 400 or a Kawasaki KZ440G1 ('cause I'm not as partial to the cruiser models).

Kirk

kirkn · « **Reply #41 on:** August 15, 2011, 06:08:53 PM »

... and, in a wonderful twist of fate, when I got home from the office and checked the local Craigslist, there was a nice '74 KZ400 for sale for $300 about 2 miles away. Now, it's in MY garage. Must've been fate!

And, as you can see, it's a complete departure from the '75 Honda CB360T behind it...

Kirk

Nikkisixx · « **Reply #42 on:** August 15, 2011, 06:52:58 PM »

My vote is a 650 Triumph or the XS650. I am all about the 650cc parallel twin

My striped down highly modified and DEcafenated Triumph Bonneville 750 stomps the nuts out of my fairly stock fat ass Honda CB750. The 650 Triumph Tiger is about as dependable as my Honda, and does not leak oil ( at least not out of the tach drive or at the head gasket) like most CB's I see. There was no silicone in use in the 60's at the Triumph plant, so they leaked then. You can stop up the drips now. As for the electrics, solid state cures those woes too.

My XS650 is in pieces right now. I'll let you know how that stacks up this fall

brooze72 · « **Reply #43 on:** August 15, 2011, 07:53:22 PM »

Well if we are talking about twins, I submit a love for the early 70's Ducati GT. I admit to raging jealousy as my buddy just bought one & I have another friend with a rebuilt basket case (yellow 72). They are really classy looking & the sound is wonderful! Can't wait for my test ride!

gerhed · « **Reply #44 on:** August 17, 2011, 04:56:55 AM »

Got to be the 650 Triumph if you are over 55 yrs.

I have the TR6 version--'67---(British spec)

my78k · « **Reply #45 on:** August 17, 2011, 05:35:07 AM »

If you want cheap and something a little different I'd say go with a CX500.

As much as I rag on their toad like looks I enjoy mine. Put about 700kms on it this weekend riding out to the cottage and took the wife on a tour of Prince Edward County vineyards....

31 years old with questionable mainteneance and still going strong!

Actually if you wanted to go crazy and spend the time cafe'ing it out they look pretty cool done up if you are into that.

Dennis

Bob Wessner · « **Reply #46 on:** August 17, 2011, 06:21:53 AM »

This would have to get my vote.

754 · « **Reply #47 on:** August 17, 2011, 08:18:10 AM »

I would love to get a few more parts for my 14 Hatley twin... boardtracker.. but times are tough..
I am surprised more on here,dont lust after the Vincent.. but my sights are set higher.. I love the Cyclone OHC twins.. brilliant motor IMO..
I like the bevelduc, but not later ones.. BMW twins are very good, and really lust after a Trackmaster Triumph...

bjatwood · « **Reply #48 on:** August 17, 2011, 08:18:43 AM »

Nice XS Bob!

Bob Wessner · « **Reply #49 on:** August 17, 2011, 09:34:06 AM »

Wouldn't mind owning it.

I just thought they always had classic lines, even today.

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Author Topic: We all love 4s - but what's the best 2 cyl classic? (Read 9300 times)