Adding a bike

[drooartz]

When I started the car quest, I sold my bike (a Kawasaki W650 Triumph look alike). Now that I have a smiling little Bugeye in my garage, my thoughts are turning back to motorcycles. My wife even supports this, what a wonderful women. Anyways... since LBC-ers and motorcyclists seem to overlap a bit, I was looking for some comments on my current top choices.

New Triumph Bonneville
1970s BMW airhead (/5 or /6 probably)

I'm more draw to the classic lines of a British twin (LBM?) and really like the new Triumphs. The old airheads are also nice looking, and very long lived. I'm more drawn to the Triumph--it is British after all, but the airheads are neat in their own way and have some technical advantages like larger tanks for touring, and easy maintenance. Just don't know what they'd be like to live with as an everyday bike.

Mostly just thinking summer thoughts on a gloomy Saturday.

 

[tony barnhill]

Bonnie!

 

[AngliaGT]

If you buy a "newer" Triumph,buy one that's 1-2 or more years old.These things deprecite horribly.
Better yet,buy a '70's Triumph,or Norton.

- Doug

 

[kennypinkerton]

I'll always kick myself for not getting the Triumph Bonneville that was offered me for $400. But I'm not a motorcycle guy... /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

 

[Banjo]

I sold off all my bikes last summer. I've had enough (for now) But If I was to get another bike it'd be one of these

 

[kennypinkerton]

Now that... I could get into /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbsup.gif

 

[tony barnhill]

THERE ARE A COUPLE FOR SALE ON EBAY!!

 

[DrEntropy]

One-a Newton's Unwritten Laws (according to SWMBO): Doc don't ride no "two-wheels" no more!

I'll admit, I miss it at times.

 

[aeronca65t]

I love all the old Brit and Euro-bikes (and we have a Ural dealer nearby). But I'll admit that I do like many of the classic Japanese bikes, including the original, wire-wheel, CB750.

I raced AMA off-road enduro for years, running many of the classic enduros (such as The Sandy Lane and The Meteor), generally on Japanese singles. During those enduro years, I got a real appreciation for Japanese singles.

I'm too old for bike enduros, but I still like street bikes and I am an earned AMA life member

My favorite bike is the Honda GB 500 (with clubman styling, wire-wheels, single-seat, single-cylinder). I *own* a very similar Honda Ascot 500 single, but I'd love a GB.

Honda GB 500

 

[vagt6]

I just joined the bike club myself, and I'm enjoying it a lot.

Modern bike are highly specialized, there's one for virtually every rider need. For example, I was looking for a 650-750cc bike and found no fewer than 30 models to choose from! It's mind boggling.

The standout in the above class is the Suzuki DL 650 V-Strom. It seems to do everything reasonably well, and the price is only about $6,500 OTD (tags, title, taxes included, or "out the door" price) with a 12 month warranty. It has huge aftermarket support with tons of add-on mods to personalize the bike. There's also a 1000cc V-Strom if you need extra power for 2-up riding. Both excellent bikes for the money.

I'm past the sportbikes and crotch rockets, all that power and speed don't really do that much for me. Also don't want a big hog or cruiser bike. I like the sports tourers and dual sports mostly. And, I need an upright riding position, it's far more comfy than leaning over the bars with all your weight on the arms and wrists.

My ultimate bike would be a Honda ST 1300 or a big BMW.

Maybe someday . . .

 

[drooartz]

Those old Honda GB500s are really cool bikes. A bit rare though, so not on the top of my list. It's funny, I got my first bike in 2000 partly as a substitute for the fun car I couldn't afford and didn't have any work space for. So when I sold my then-current-bike last year to fund the Bugeye quest, I didn't really figure I'd miss it. I was amazed to discover that I had become a motorcyclist for real. The experience of riding is just something I can't be without now.

I like the classic styled bikes, but I'm tending towards more modern interpretations because I don't want to spend lots of time on restoration/maintenance. I've got the Tunebug for that! That's part of why I lean so much towards the new Bonnie. It's got most of the classic looks, and I wouldn't hesitate to ride it across the country.

I've got a few months still, since we just bought a new truck for my wife on Friday, and have to now sell her old car. Once that is cleared up, though, it will be time...

 

[Grantura_MKI]

The bloke that you bought the frog eye from had a Bonnie...should have made a package deal. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/yesnod.gif Now you need to review your web page...you are collecting things now aren't you? /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/nonono.gif
Cheers, David.

 

[tony barnhill]

So, I have my Norton & a friend offered me an old Suzuki - thinlk its a 950...is it worth anything? Good ride? At least its an electric start....

 

[drooartz]

It's a small collection, that's all! It's always a struggle with me between the minimalist and the collector. Besides, it's only one car and one bike, that's minimal in a way...

Old Japanese bikes are rarely worth much, but can still be great to ride. If that Suzuki is cheap, then it could be a fun deal. A good, simple ride-around bike that doesn't ask much. Never a bad thing.

 

[AngliaGT]

Look again - old Japanese bikes are going way up in value
- I'm talking '60's & '70's here.
I'm amazed at what people will pay for some of them.

- Doug

 

[jessebogan]

The perfect "classic" bike with touring ability? Wht the Norton Commando Interstate. You get the 5 gallon fuel tank, choice of 750 or 850, and kicker or electric start. I would guess that 6500.00 would buy a really nice and sorted out example, and it should appriciate in value over the years. In a fit of stupidity, I sold off my BSA's after a pretty good car accident. I now have a 1970 Yamaha R-5 350 two stroke and am very slowly restoring a 68 bonnie.

 

[tony barnhill]

You mean like this:

 

[Bugeye58]

Pretty bike, Tony. Mine was black.
I saw a nice looking BSA 650 Lightning in front of a guys house last summer, with a for sale sign on it. By the time I got back there the next day, it was gone. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif
Jeff

 

[kennypinkerton]

I've always sortof wanted one of these...

Yamaha RZ-50, but just sortof as a novelty bike though. Being 50cc, I don't see myself pulling hard up any hills.

 

[tony barnhill]

Hey, my helmet is painted to match my bike!