How tastes in bikes change--or not.

[FROSTY]

I was poodling off to pick up baby bikie from school today on my current work ride --an XV535 cruiser. I really diddn't want to like the darn thing --its low ,its narrow,its got the power of a nat. the tank is 8 l before reserve.Feet forward. A bit of a v twin grumble. easy to ride. So far from the sort of bike that I like. But yet I love the darn thing.
Its just a total hoot.
So maybee like the seasons ya taste in bikes changes --I dunno

[White trash]

Got my own theory on this actually Frosty.

Working at a major Suzuki/Harley/Triumph/Buell dealership for three years, I got to sample the latest and greatest from those four marques along with an enviable selection of used machines.

I can hoestly say, hand on heart, that I enjoyed every single one of them. I even rode a BMW K1200 tourer thing and giggled my arse off the whole time.

My feelings are, a true motorcyclist will appreciate the good bits of any bike they ride.

[Insanity_rules]

Yeah you can appreciate most bikes on some level. I currently have a loaner Yammy XJR and its a bit of humor to ride but wayyyyy different to my Duc. Would make a great town bike.

[Big Dave]

Raises eyebrow. Nods sagely.

[YellowDog]

Got my own theory on this actually Frosty.

Working at a major Suzuki/Harley/Triumph/Buell dealership for three years, I got to sample the latest and greatest from those four marques along with an enviable selection of used machines.

I can hoestly say, hand on heart, that I enjoyed every single one of them. I even rode a BMW K1200 tourer thing and giggled my arse off the whole time.

My feelings are, a true motorcyclist will appreciate the good bits of any bike they ride.
Yes I do agree. You can appreciate the unique value in any bike; especially on the first couple of rides before they start to bore you.

[White trash]

Yes I do agree. You can appreciate the unique value in any bike; especially on the first couple of rides before they start to bore you.
Oh definitely. I mean, a good number of them (read all but 3 or 4) I'd actually never own. But for sheer shits and giggles, there's nothing like getting on a bike completely the opposite of what you normally look at.

[sAsLEX]

Watching Top Gear with a nice Vincent Black Shadow on it....... wouldn't mind one of those!

[Mully]

Horses for courses, I think Frosty.

I can see the appeal of a cruiser on a pootle of a sunny day (especially with the Revenue Gatherers out), but then you wouldn't want a cruiser for a balls out track day.

Still two wheels so all good. (Except bicycles). (And Scooters).

[been_there]

I used to want a Harley.....from the ripe old age of 16. Wouldn't had wanted a Triumph back then.
But then saw the light.
Not really just saw a lot of mid life crisis people buying Harleys and that put me off.
I figured if I am going to go thru the same crisis then why not faster than they r???

[Ixion]

No, my tastes in bikes haven't changed at all in the last 40 years.

All I want (same now as then really) is a nice simple really comfortable ultra reliable sports tourer. With a top speed of 300kph or a bit more (in case I'm in a hurry); nice sticky tyres that last at least 30000km; fuel consumption of 100mpg or better, tank range of 800km. Wet weight of 120kg or less, nice simple two stroke engine that can be completely stripped and repaired by the roadside using the bike tool kit.

. 1000 watt alternator. And plenty of built in luggage.Oh, and manual ignition advance and a kickstarter please.

Only thing that I'd add now over 40 years ago is ABS and traction control. And fuel injection.

Pretty much it, no change over the years.

finding it, that's another matter. Bloody manufacturers, why don't they make the sort of bikes that i want.

[NOWOOL]

I'd disagree with the idea that you can enjoy anything....from a mechanical perspective that's just glossing over the negatives. No matter how you slice it a bike is a mechanical device; they all have their negatives. The question is how many negatives can you live with. Personally, I think the older you get the less compromises you'll accept and (hopefully) the wiser you'll get. Also (if you did things right) as you get older the more money you have and the idea of 'image' is less important since you've reached a point where you can afford any bike, helmet, etc. Younger and poorer people are more 'image sensitive' and need a bike and gear to portray a status that they haven't yet achieved.

[MarkH]

finding it, that's another matter. Bloody manufacturers, why don't they make the sort of bikes that i want.

So true - and you know that there are plenty of others that would buy the bike you describe, so they would sell plenty of them. I'd love one of those myself.

[Taz]

But for sheer shits and giggles, there's nothing like getting on a bike completely the opposite of what you normally look at.

So long as you ride it as it was intended you're bound to like it. No use dissing a cruiser cause it can't break the lap record on your favorite sports road.... I tried to own another sports bike after years without one and couldn't really get into it. Went too fast everywhere and was limited in where you could take it without worrying about the pretty paint etc. More versatile and user friendly bikes for me these days hence the reason I'll not sell my R1100GS anytime soon. It's a sports bike and trail bike (use your imagination here) in one. Returns great mileage, goes anywhere and goes forever and fits in with any scene from cruiser rides to adventuring to sporting round the 'mandel while still taking the 309 shortcut.

[JohnC]

My taste in bikes has never changed.
In 1960 I had a big thing for my fathers BSA Goldflash,and I still like em'.
Most of my bikes have been twins and those that weren't didn't last 6 months before being moved on.
Sure it's fun taking something totaly different for a spin now an then,but personaly I always return to the same basic kind of bike I've always prefered.

[bungbung]

Sure it's fun taking something totaly different for a spin now an then,but personaly I always return to the same basic kind of bike I've always prefered.

Enjoying riding something different to your preferred bike is not the same as buying it. Sometimes it's good fun, but when you get back to your own bike, you remember why you bought it.

[bungbung]

So maybee like the seasons ya taste in bikes changes --I dunno

Would you buy one? (XV)

[The Pastor]

Watching Top Gear with a nice Vincent Black Shadow on it....... wouldn't mind one of those!

Sigh, its the lighting not the shadow thats the best. when will everyone learn!


No, my tastes in bikes haven't changed at all in the last 40 years.

All I want (same now as then really) is a nice simple really comfortable ultra reliable sports tourer. With a top speed of 300kph or a bit more (in case I'm in a hurry); nice sticky tyres that last at least 30000km; fuel consumption of 100mpg or better, tank range of 800km. Wet weight of 120kg or less, nice simple two stroke engine that can be completely stripped and repaired by the roadside using the bike tool kit.

. 1000 watt alternator. And plenty of built in luggage.Oh, and manual ignition advance and a kickstarter please.

Only thing that I'd add now over 40 years ago is ABS and traction control. And fuel injection.

Pretty much it, no change over the years.

finding it, that's another matter. Bloody manufacturers, why don't they make the sort of bikes that i want.

because if they built the bike everyone wants no one would upgrade!




I'd disagree with the idea that you can enjoy anything....from a mechanical perspective that's just glossing over the negatives. No matter how you slice it a bike is a mechanical device; they all have their negatives. The question is how many negatives can you live with. Personally, I think the older you get the less compromises you'll accept and (hopefully) the wiser you'll get. Also (if you did things right) as you get older the more money you have and the idea of 'image' is less important since you've reached a point where you can afford any bike, helmet, etc. Younger and poorer people are more 'image sensitive' and need a bike and gear to portray a status that they haven't yet achieved.

your an idiot.


Nope, my taste in bikes has never changed, i like every bike. Even the chinese ones.

[Ixion]

Sigh, its the lighting not the shadow thats the best. when will everyone learn!


.

Black lighting ? Well, I guess you wouldn't even see the shadows, would you.

[NOWOOL]

Sigh, its the lighting not the shadow thats the best. when will everyone learn!



because if they built the bike everyone wants no one would upgrade!





your an idiot.


Nope, my taste in bikes has never changed, i like every bike. Even the chinese ones.

Your'e entitled to your opinion,(includes your choice of hairstyle, bike and your self proclaimed status of being the 2nd most bad ass kber) With that attitude on a bike soon one day you'll be another road kill.

[Edbear]

Enjoying riding something different to your preferred bike is not the same as buying it. Sometimes it's good fun, but when you get back to your own bike, you remember why you bought it.

Perzackery! :Punk:

[Taz]

have a doctorate

Wassat den guvna?? A tool for rating doctors?? :laugh: You're right about the youth/image thing tho.....

[The Pastor]

Your'e entitled to your opinion, but i'm wealthy and have a doctorate and never dropped a bike. Can you say the same? With that attitude its doubtful you'll live very long.
a flipping rub, piss off to your late mate

[The Pastor]

Black lighting ? Well, I guess you wouldn't even see the shadows, would you.
well its better than greased lighting!

[Ixion]

So true - and you know that there are plenty of others that would buy the bike you describe, so they would sell plenty of them. I'd love one of those myself.

I left out an important bit - must have good offroad/adventure capabilities.

[gijoe1313]

I left out an important bit - must have good offroad/adventure capabilities.

I guess no need for the chick magnet then? :whistle:

[NOWOOL]

I used to want a Harley.....from the ripe old age of 16. Wouldn't had wanted a Triumph back then.
But then saw the light.
Not really just saw a lot of mid life crisis people buying Harleys and that put me off.
I figured if I am going to go thru the same crisis then why not faster than they r???

I just hate the whole clown thing.......first learned of death watching a movie at 4 years old where the clown did it.......clowns make me wanna kill a clown....freaky icon! can you change it?

[Taz]

I just hate the whole clown thing.......first learned of death watching a movie at 4 years old where the clown did it.......clowns make me wanna kill a clown....freaky icon! can you change it?

You can choose not to show avatars. That's what I do as I find them all annoying...

[NOWOOL]

a flipping rub, piss off to your late mate

late mate? thats sounds so gay.........i'm not part of the gay community...maybe you can elaborate what you mean? that would be like so, helpful,....like also saying what bike you ride.......I think its a Mattel bike wheel trike? am I right?

[NOWOOL]

You can choose not to show avatars. That's what I do as I find them all annoying...

thanks for at least explaining it.

[The Pastor]

late mate? thats sounds so gay.........i'm not part of the gay community...maybe you can elaborate what you mean? that would be like so, helpful,....like also saying what bike you ride.......I think its a Mattel bike wheel trike? am I right?
built it myself mate, none of this credit card riding for me.

[NOWOOL]

built it myself mate, none of this credit card riding for me.

Good on ya for building it yourself. as far as credit cards I've never had one and always pay cash for everything including houses.

[The Pastor]

Good on ya for building it yourself. as far as credit cards I've never had one and always pay cash for everything including houses.
well aint that nice.

[been_there]

I just hate the whole clown thing.......first learned of death watching a movie at 4 years old where the clown did it.......clowns make me wanna kill a clown....freaky icon! can you change it?

hmmmm...let me think about it..

[FROSTY]

Would you buy one? (XV)
Er would I or did I? I bought it a couple of weeks back.
Um and sold it today to one very very happy man. He wanted a bike for a shorter person and no chain to lube--bonzer for him bummer for me--no road bike to ride at the mo

[White trash]

So long as you ride it as it was intended you're bound to like it.

Totaly disagree. Getting them out of their comfort zone is where the real laughs are.

For instance, hassling Cycosis and Jimbo up the Castle Point road on a V-Rod. Mint. Thrashing a CG110 over the mountainbike tracks on Mt Vic. Hilarious. Me and the hippy two up, doing skids through Wellington 5pm traffic on a Heritage Softail. Priceless :D

[98tls]

Got my own theory on this actually Frosty.

Working at a major Suzuki/Harley/Triumph/Buell dealership for three years, I got to sample the latest and greatest from those four marques along with an enviable selection of used machines.

I can hoestly say, hand on heart, that I enjoyed every single one of them. I even rode a BMW K1200 tourer thing and giggled my arse off the whole time.

My feelings are, a true motorcyclist will appreciate the good bits of any bike they ride. Agreed,once rode a Guzzi Daytona from Dunedin to Nelson,once i stopped trying to ride it like i do my own bike i throughly enjoyed the thing.

[Mom]

(And Scooters).

Weeeeeeeeelllll.

Much as I am not a scooter fan, I can actually hand on heart say, they are shit lods of fun. Not going to get you any place quickly, handle like nothing you would ever trust your life with, but fun...OH YEAH!

Nothing beats the adrenaline rush of doing 45kph up a hill with a heap of cars behind you, trust me :dodge:

Dangerous as all get out mind you.

[thehollowmen]

I loved my GN250, because I'd have the tyres spinning in the snow with one leg out while passing cars up the kilmog on the way back to Dunedin after a weekend on the turps in Christchurch. I wasn't worried about it falling over, I'd just pick it up again and ride.

I'd love to have an old RE5 rotary one day just for the sound, or one of them norton rotaries. If I ever make a project bike it will be a rotary.

I love my current bike for the sheer kid-stopping power of the carbon exhaust some hoon put on it. Kids look in wide eyed terror and I wave until they smile and wave back.

I've had a go on an early-last-century triumph, and that was a laugh because of the false neutrals, boggy engine and everything else I had no experience with from all my jappa riding. I'm from a triumph family, and they all had a laugh at me, and I laughed at them because I don't have to put up with that shit on a daily basis.

Each bike has good bits about it to love, although there is more to love about some bikes than others.

[pritch]

Still two wheels so all good. (Except bicycles). (And Scooters).


Bicycles and scooters can be good too, all it takes is an open mind. :whistle:

[MarkH]

Bicycles and scooters can be good too, all it takes is an open mind. :whistle:

One thing I don't like is a vehicle that can't keep up the same pace (or more) as the vehicles around it. I used to ride a bicycle many years ago (I even used to race) but I wouldn't really feel safe on one in Auckland - too many loony drivers that would pass you badly and endanger your life.

The 50cc scooters aren't so great either - they aren't much cheaper to buy or run than a 125cc scooter, but struggle to keep up with the flow of traffic even in the 50KPH zones. Unless you only have a car license then I think the 125cc and above scooters are a much better option.

I don't really see myself as a cruiser rider - but I'm sure I could ride a nice one and enjoy it.

I am not too keen on a sports bike with an aggressive riding position - I would prefer to be comfy.

Currently if I had the money to spare then I would buy some sort of Japanese sports tourer (~750cc) - that is just the style that appeals to me. That doesn't mean that other styles of bikes aren't good for the people that like them, of course.

[pritch]

I used to ride a bicycle many years ago (I even used to race) but I wouldn't really feel safe on one in Auckland -

I don't feel safe in Auckland - full stop. That may be a bit unkind, last time I was there I had a beer with my brother at a pub in South Auckland, I never heard a single shot or even a solitary scream.