Old and new, which is better? [Archive]

Edbear

17th July 2011, 19:24

Had a nice visit this arvo from Phil Reid of Freeway Homestay's. He rides a 2000 Kawasaki W650 and it's even the colour I like. He's owned it for about 4 years and rides all weathers and all roads; says it a great bike for gravel and hence the reason it's so grubby and worn looking!

My back neighbour, owns a '69 Tiger 650 and came back from a ride just after Phil turned up, so naturally I'd invited him and his lovely wife over for a coffee with Phil. Now Gary's Triumph is a minter, he's owned it for about 19 years and along with his R100R BMW and a Vespa, he's a biker from way back. So it was great to have a chinwag with us all about the same age and experience in bikes and some funny reminiscing was had by all! :shutup:

Of course I had to take a pic of the two bikes together, one old and immaculate and the other newer and travel-worn. We discussed the merits of both, but Gary won when he mentioned that his rego is so cheap as the Tiger is over 40 years old!:bye:

Horsepower is close with the Trumpy about 47 as against 50 for the W650. Styling is nice on both and handling about on par as well. Sound, though is a win for the Triumph as the Kwaka is too quiet by far. Reliability is a no-brainer, with the Kwaka typical Jap and Gary does spend a bit of time to keep the Triumph up to par. Having said that, it starts on the first or second kick even when cold.

Not sure which one I'd take, I love them both for the reasons they are what they are...

baptist

17th July 2011, 19:47

Uummmm, not sure I need a daily rider so the Kwaka but a mint old Trumpie ...

jaffaonajappa

17th July 2011, 19:54

A coupla very nice bikes.
Surprised to hear they may Handle the same...
But doubt the Trumpy would stop as quickly.

Its a no brainer for me - the bike wouldnt be a daily commuter, so....

Edbear

17th July 2011, 20:00

Yeah, I guess that would be the final decider, what you bought it for. They've both had some interesting bikes, Phil had an RG500 Gamma and Gary had an NSR400 among some great classics.

JimO

17th July 2011, 20:09

if it was going to be your only bike i would have the kawasaki

Edbear

17th July 2011, 20:13

if it was going to be your only bike i would have the kawasaki

That's why I bought the C50T. Fabulous for everything I want to do, or did until my little problem came about... :bye: I'd love a few old classics in my dream garage!

maggot

17th July 2011, 22:18

Paul in NZ

18th July 2011, 08:16

Um - hate to be a train spotter but... your neighbours 69 is actually a 70......

Edbear

18th July 2011, 09:22

Knew I should have gone out with Phil today! Having been on the back of that bike often enough, I can say it's great for a pillion too. We clocked up 2000ks on the clock one week some years ago, and it was great to be on. Phil was the guy who taught me to ride a few years ago. Small world innit? :yes:

You'll have to come over with him next time! :yes:

Um - hate to be a train spotter but... your neighbours 69 is actually a 70......

It could well be the '70 model. It's not quite all original, but Gary's kept it as period as he can. Was it '71 the oil-in-frame model came out? I think his is the last of what he calls the genuine original models.

Spearfish

18th July 2011, 09:38

Come on!
Both!
White trashes latest find too..
http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php/140076-1978-CB400-Four-value

Unfortunately there is plenty of room in my shed.

Edbear

18th July 2011, 09:53

Come on!
Both!
White trashes latest find too..
http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php/140076-1978-CB400-Four-value

Unfortunately there is plenty of room in my shed.

Yup! Unfortunately we just spent all our spare on a new car. My dream garage would have a lot of nice stuff in it. I guess having friends and neighbours with nice bikes helps though.

shrub

18th July 2011, 10:02

I think the secret is to own both. While my BMW is still being dismantled I am really enjoying the pleasure of a simple, easy to work on and easy to understand machine. There is almost an organic aspect to the old boxer engine, and I remember back to my old Guzzi, the feeling of those pistons moving up and down made the engine seem as though it was alive. I can't imagine Robert Pirsig writing Zen and the Art if he had been riding a VFR1200.

But I also love my Trumpy for the silky smoothness of that triple (and the note) and the excellent braking and suspension. I like that everything is only 7 years old and I am the 2nd owner and all the little creature comforts of a modern bike like switchgear that works and adjustable everything. I like that if I felt the urge to set off to ride to Kaitaia and back all I'd need to do is check the fluids and tyre pressures, and when I got back all I'd need to do is clean it.

I also love working on a bike and fettling with it - getting back from a ride and sorting a niggle out, or making a minor mod that removes an irritation or subtly improves things. I like doing shit like tappet clearances when all i need is a couple of spanners and a feeler guage and being able to set the timing with a cigarette paper and knowing I have all the tools and skill I need to completely strip and rebuild the whole bike.

That's one of the reasons I hate the rego fees - it will cost me over $100 a month to register both bikes, and I have to have 2 bikes because one just won't do everything I need.

Spearfish

18th July 2011, 10:02

Yup! Unfortunately we just spent all our spare on a new car. My dream garage would have a lot of nice stuff in it. I guess having friends and neighbours with nice bikes helps though.

Yeah your right, its how I've been lucky enough to try a few different bikes.

shrub

18th July 2011, 10:12

Yup! Unfortunately we just spent all our spare on a new car.

I did the same thing 5 years ago when I bought my 1992 Bluebird - fortunately all I had spare was $560.00. The car is still going flawlessly and is about to cost me the first money in that time for 2 second hand tyres, a new battery and an oil change, so I'm guessing it will cost me about $350.00 all up and that's just over $5.00 a month in maintenance costs. I've turned down $1000 for it so depreciation isn't an issue.

My partner can't understand why I insist it's the best car i've ever owned and refuse to sell it.

Edbear

18th July 2011, 10:19

I did the same thing 5 years ago when I bought my 1992 Bluebird - fortunately all I had spare was $560.00. The car is still going flawlessly and is about to cost me the first money in that time for 2 second hand tyres, a new battery and an oil change, so I'm guessing it will cost me about $350.00 all up and that's just over $5.00 a month in maintenance costs. I've turned down $1000 for it so depreciation isn't an issue.

My partner can't understand why I insist it's the best car i've ever owned and refuse to sell it.

That's why we kept our Pulsar SLX for 12 years, it was just so cheap to own and run we couldn't justify "upgrading" it. It still had most of what the new cars have anyway! We had to upgrade though due to my accident and requiring a more upright driving position and we couldn't alter the Pulsar enough.

Have to say, the Suzuki Kizashi is a limo and we absolutely love it! So we look forward to at least another 10 years out of it!

Virago

18th July 2011, 10:58

I did the same thing 5 years ago when I bought my 1992 Bluebird - fortunately all I had spare was $560.00. The car is still going flawlessly and is about to cost me the first money in that time for 2 second hand tyres, a new battery and an oil change, so I'm guessing it will cost me about $350.00 all up and that's just over $5.00 a month in maintenance costs. I've turned down $1000 for it so depreciation isn't an issue.

My partner can't understand why I insist it's the best car i've ever owned and refuse to sell it.

Aye. My wife has a 1995 Bluebird SE - bought it in 1998 - the newest car we've ever bought. It's now the oldest car we've ever owned. Over 250K on the clock. Oil changed every 10K, it used to go between changes without a top up, now requires 500ml at the 5K mark - not bad.

It's showing its age bodywise (my wife tends to reverse in braille...), but she won't part with it.

Bikewise, I've yet to find a replacement for my 1990 Virago - no rush...

Edbear

18th July 2011, 11:06

Aye. My wife has a 1995 Bluebird SE - bought it in 1998 - the newest car we've ever bought. It's now the oldest car we've ever owned. Over 250K on the clock. Oil changed every 10K, it used to go between changes without a top up, now requires 500ml at the 5K mark - not bad.

It's showing its age bodywise (my wife tends to reverse in braille...), but she won't part with it.

Bikewise, I've yet to find a replacement for my 1990 Virago - no rush...

Now with parking sensors, I hope that will no longer happen...

shrub

18th July 2011, 11:14

We had to upgrade though due to my accident and requiring a more upright driving position and we couldn't alter the Pulsar enough

Unfortunately cars are appliances and like all appliances sometimes you need them to do things they can't. I'm lucky in that my partner has quite a flash car (in my terms) that I use when I'm doing the suit and tie thing because it looks a bit odd when this joker is telling you how to run your business charging money for the privelege and he pulled up in a 20 year old car that hasn't been washed for 5 years. Once they get to know me I turn up on my bike, but first impressions count.

Edbear

18th July 2011, 11:39

Unfortunately cars are appliances and like all appliances sometimes you need them to do things they can't. I'm lucky in that my partner has quite a flash car (in my terms) that I use when I'm doing the suit and tie thing because it looks a bit odd when this joker is telling you how to run your business charging money for the privelege and he pulled up in a 20 year old car that hasn't been washed for 5 years. Once they get to know me I turn up on my bike, but first impressions count.

True! One thing the Kizashi guarantees is business cred in spades! Shame that appearances count, but that's the reality of business these days. The Boulevard was good for that, too! Our second car, the MX5, even though it's 17 years old also strikes the right chord but it's not practical.

Paul in NZ

18th July 2011, 12:08

It could well be the '70 model. It's not quite all original, but Gary's kept it as period as he can. Was it '71 the oil-in-frame model came out? I think his is the last of what he calls the genuine original models.

71 is thew first oil in frame model and has a higher seating position (rear frame rails attach higher up)

The '70 frame is the only one with the wee triangluar plates for the front motor mounts and that bike also has the 70 grab rail. Looks like a nice bike...

Edbear

18th July 2011, 14:38

71 is thew first oil in frame model and has a higher seating position (rear frame rails attach higher up)

The '70 frame is the only one with the wee triangluar plates for the front motor mounts and that bike also has the 70 grab rail. Looks like a nice bike...

Yeah, it's his pride and joy! I love hearing him start it up! He's been riding more regularly since he moved here from Palmy way. Shame is I can't ride with him now... :bye:

Voltaire

24th July 2011, 07:46

Old or new...?
Took my newly aquired '04 Thruxton for my first out of town run yesterday, did about 250 kms. I put new tyres on it on Tuesday so was taking it easy.
Went down SH 22 across Hetherington Road and around the back of TeKawata.
First impressions are:
Well built machine
Nice and loud with aftermarket pipes
good mid range stomp
Gets up to licence loosing speeds very quickly.
Rear shocks need replacing and front is a bit soft.
Riding position is better than the '99 SS I had for the last 3 years.
It wants to go fast around bends and I had the back step out on me once..... oh yeah...new tyres....
Nothing on this bike that I will need to take it to a dealer for either... :woohoo:
Lots of info and goodies on the net too.

How does it compare to the Norton Commando.....?
From a strictly practical point of view the newer bike is better....as you would expect.....saying that its easier and cheaper to get parts for the Norton.
Power wise there is probably not much in it, although I'm more comfortable reving the Thruxton to red line thru the gears.
The Norton has more torque so you don't need to change down very often.
Fortunately I don't have to choose so the Thruxton can be the everyday bike and the Norton can be on those fine summer days.
Classic Bike did a test in the latest issue and said something like " when you stop the Norton you can smell the oil on the hot metal....like a piece of industrial machinery"
Possibly the last moden bike I will own....can always move the bars up when I'm older.

scumdog

24th July 2011, 08:51

I did the same thing 5 years ago when I bought my 1992 Bluebird - fortunately all I had spare was $560.00. The car is still going flawlessly and is about to cost me the first money in that time for 2 second hand tyres, a new battery and an oil change, so I'm guessing it will cost me about $350.00 all up and that's just over $5.00 a month in maintenance costs. I've turned down $1000 for it so depreciation isn't an issue.

My partner can't understand why I insist it's the best car i've ever owned and refuse to sell it.

Our newest car is normajeanes NZ-new '84 Laser Ghia. bought it almost ten years ago with 84,000 original km, now has 241,000km.

Starts every time and so far have replaced the water-pump and one fan-belt, it gets 42mpg on a trip.

Looking at trading up but still thinking it's too good and relaible to give up.

If only it was a 1970 car we'd have cheap rego and it would be perfect...but then there's the bikes and even the XN85 has 12 years to go before it's on cheap rego.

Bonez

24th July 2011, 19:22

Bought a '78 CX 5 years ago for $300. Use it everyday. Money well spent. Of course I've got the '76 Cb 550 as a backup. The '88 GB400 was a bit of a mechanical let down though.

BurningPlastic

24th July 2011, 22:10

Old or new...?
How does it compare to the Norton Commando.....?
Classic Bike did a test in the latest issue and said something like " when you stop the Norton you can smell the oil on the hot metal....like a piece of industrial machinery"

I grew up pillioning on the back of my Dad's 750 Commando until I was 16 when I got my first road bike of my own. He had it from new in 1970 and has ridden it as his everyday bike for most of the time since. As far as I know it's only had one real ride stopping issue which was a broken clutch cable sometime in the 80s. The one thing he did do to make it more useable as an everyday machine was to replace the standard Norton bars with BSA A10 ones as they sit a bit lower and closer in, making it more comfortable for regular long rides... I've ridden it a little myself as well as my Mum's A10, and the Commando in particular still feels more 'right' than any modern bike I've ridden.