KB - The greatest-ever motorcycles [Archive]

White trash

25th November 2005, 07:27

CB750 as it revolutionised the way big bikes were built and startied actually making some horsepower.

85 GSXR750 for doing the same to sports bikes.

ER185 as (i think) it's the longest running production motorcycle with no major changes.

GSXR1000 coz it's the Shniz and they used one in Biker Boyz.

Edit: I almsot forgot, any Evolution powered Harley for resurecting the marque.

tracyprier

25th November 2005, 07:38

I must say I was surprised by their number 1 BUT taken in context then yeah, you can't argue with 40 million of them I suppose.... and they run on cooking oil which I thought was fun. Would love to find out how long you would actually last on that though. And even Charley couldn't break one and he broke a GS :) That jet bike was fun too. Love the bit where Jay talks about the guys melting bumper, oops!

Krayy

25th November 2005, 07:38

Norton's RCW588 - Rotary TT racer :2thumbsup

A phenomenal machine that blitzed all comers which forced rule changes to stop it from competing and almost single-handedly resurrected the marque.

F5 Dave

25th November 2005, 08:44

Kaaden’s MZs. First decent two strokes, expansion chambers, rotary valves in the 60s. After this the racing four stroke was relegated to the scrapheap where it belonged. 2 strokes bounded from this platform & ruled every racing class in any race series that counted for shit. Only unfair displacement rules, greenies & FIM stiffs could suppress them.

Even 4 stroke lawnmowers are crap.

Well that should start something, where's the unsubscribe button?:2thumbsup

Sketchy_Racer

25th November 2005, 08:50

Norton's RCW588 - Rotary TT racer :2thumbsup

A phenomenal machine that blitzed all comers which forced rule changes to stop it from competing and almost single-handedly resurrected the marque.

that bike was so so soooo cool- i just read the articl in an old two wheels mag this morning it sucks that it is no londer racing,

they recon that it made over 135bhp but norton couldnt tell cause their dyno only went up to 100bhp lol

bring back the norton rota

ManDownUnder

25th November 2005, 09:11

Yokai

25th November 2005, 09:41

Matchless 1941 G3 350cc... Used as despatch rider motorcycles throughout the 2nd world war... revolutionised the use of motorcycles - was a single cylinder overhead valve:
http://www.roncobb.com/Graphics/MatchG3.jpg

Superb bike that was a real workhorse...

F5 Dave

25th November 2005, 09:44

DKW’s humble post war 2 stroke single.

After the war everyone stole the design, The English (BSA bantam), the Ruskies, the Japs (Red Dragonfly).

Imitation is the greatest form of flattery & they could see it was far better design than their creaky 4 bangers.

Only toilets should have valves.

Mattyc

25th November 2005, 09:46

The Britten.

AMEN!!

Plain and simple, kiwi made and a fucken wicked performing beast, such a shame the dream had to end so soon otherwise id say the world champ standings might be a bit different, see those power wheelies next to the leader, i want to watch those whole races again, anyone know where i can get dvd ?

Karma

25th November 2005, 09:48

My bike.

Because it's gotta be damn cool for me to ride it ;)

ducatilover

25th November 2005, 09:52

The Britten.
definately an agreement from me, john britten is my mentor:2thumbsup awesome skill went into building those amazing bikes.

edited for jim

DMNTD

25th November 2005, 10:07

The Britten.
Not a refinement of a previous design, it was designed from the ground up as a purpose built race bike, the way John Britten thought it should be done.

Things that turned out to be revolutionary in the eyes of the motorcycling world were simply "the best way" according to John - a good enough reason to do it that way....
Totally agree with MDU,or at least a higher place than 6th anyway.
I do understand where they were coming from with the Honda stepthru thing but hell,just didn't feel right!:doh: Can tell ya our lounge became freaking phyco for a bit.
The Duc was in its rightful place I thought.
Enjoyed the show,had a giggle at 10th placed:shake:

James Deuce

25th November 2005, 10:38

Can we make sure that we keep the needless quoting of previous posts to a minimum please? Nudge, nudge ducatilover. ;)

TL Rider and mattyc have done a good job of only quoting the points from ManDownUnder's original post about the Britten that they need to illustrate their respective points.

Sniper

25th November 2005, 10:40

The Britten for damn good reason. It was built by a kiwi!

nudemetalz

25th November 2005, 10:52

My vote has to be the CB750K as No.1. That bike did revolutionise motorcycling. Look at the K5 Gixxer. It's a traverse four,....so is the R-1 and ZX-10 and.......
The 4 cylinder Honda paved the way to change motorcycling forever.

Now I'm ducking for the incoming thrown objects......:banana:

James Deuce

25th November 2005, 10:55

RC30. The first REAL race replica for the road. Made everything else produced at the same time look "unfinished", and paved the way for the insane road going "sports" machines we can buy now.

ducatilover

25th November 2005, 11:06

what about 1916 henderson four? an american built beast with an inline four mounted north-south 1305cc three speed gearbox....with reverse......weighs over half a ton......apparently it went quite well in a straight line....... must try find some info on them.......now thats fucken different:yes:
http://www.ozebook.com/henderson.htm there check these toys out.....i have a strange desire to ride one:blink:

http://www.hendersonmotorcycle.com/History%201911.htm heil the bycicle tyres

T.W.R

25th November 2005, 11:13

mmm tough call'

Road bikes:
Jap
CB750, it blew the oposition apart
Z900, cult bike
H1 triple, scare factor
CBX1000, took bikes to the next dimension
GS1000, 1st big jappa to handle
CB1100RB, best balanced bike of its era
85 GSX-R750, redefined sportsbikes
ZXR750s, best front end in the business ( 89-96)
CBR900, re-set the standard of power to weight
Non-Jap
Vincent, design & style
Triumph twins, dominated the market
Evo Harleys, pulled them out of the crappa
BMW boxer, durable design
bevel SS ducati, pure art & with conti pipes the best noise
851 ducati, re-set the standard of european sportsbikes
race bikes
BRITTEN, shafted the opposition on a shoestring, re-defined motorcycle engineering like no other
Moto-guzzi V8, years ahead of its time
Honda 250 6cyl, just amazing
Laverda V6 endurance racer, sex on wheels
Yamaha TZ750, scary shit
Slippery Sam, a unique & special machine
off road
CZ moto-crossers, stole the scene from 4 strokes
rickman metessie, showed big tanks could handle
YZ/IT 465, savage big stroker that gave birth to the 490
XR500A, 1st real hooligans toy & when set up the best big thumper in its day
KDX200, best alround 2 stroke trail bike (captain reliable)

nudemetalz

25th November 2005, 11:19

ha ha, ya had to have a ZXR-750 in there, TWR...... ;)

T.W.R

25th November 2005, 11:30

ha ha, ya had to have a ZXR-750 in there, TWR...... ;)

:blip: totally un-bias choice N/M :2thumbsup but just stating what plenty of mags said about them, plus who was the only jappa to give the dukes a hurry up for years on end in the WSB :blip: the only thing to let them down was a engine that was too smooth, but that can be cured :blip: :blip:

T.W.R

25th November 2005, 11:38

ducatilover

25th November 2005, 11:42

ridden one, & they ain't that flash, just unique.
really? my mums mate donnald lang has restored a few of them and he reckons they fly......mind you he is a bugger to exaggerate.....what are they like to ride???

limbimtimwim

25th November 2005, 12:44

What are YOUR choices?In no particular order.

Honda RC45 - Because Honda threw a kazzilion dollars at it, and it still couldn't win (Well..) Complicated, hand built and rare.
Ducati 916 (And variants of) - Because Ducati threw a lot less that a kazzilion dollars at it and won. Everyone loves the look of a 916, you can't help it. People who don't know anything about bikes or don't care still think 'That looks pretty damn cool' .
Yamaha RD350LC - Who needs cubes?!
Suzuki Hayabusa - Because Suzuki said "Fuck it" and built it.
Honda NR750 - Because Honda said "Fuck it" and built it.
Triumph Speed Triple - Because they raided the parts bin and came out with one of the best looking bikes of all time. Newest one looks even better.
Latest Yamaha R6 - Fly by wire throtte on your next bike anyone?! Looks damn cool too.
The Britten - Still awesome

Mattyc

25th November 2005, 13:11

ducatilover

25th November 2005, 13:11

ok i have to post this..... http://www.motorcyclemuseum.org/classics/bike.asp?id=8
hows that for an old bike?:banana:

Yokai

25th November 2005, 13:45

Surprised that we haven't mentioned Douglas yet... That Classics list didn't have any Douglas in it at all.... weird....

I think my list would have to be:

Vincent Black Lightning
1928 Indian Prince
1941 Matchless G3
Royal Enfield Bullet (continuous production since 1949!!)
Harley Davidson Heritage Softtail - probably the most recognisable Harley to non- riders
Triumph Bonneville
Honda Fireblade
Ducati 916
Britten V1000
Hayabusa

I think while the V1000 is a superior bike to the Hayabusa in a lot of ways, it sufferes from being a specialist bike with only F and P models... (one of which is still reported to be in its crate!

Shrug. Waddoeyeno - I ride an SRV250!

T.W.R

25th November 2005, 14:02

really? my mums mate donnald lang has restored a few of them and he reckons they fly......mind you he is a bugger to exaggerate.....what are they like to ride???

a few of them huh? must have done all thew ones in NZ then, the one i road was rebuilt by R. Battersby in CHCH & was on loan to the yaldhurst transport museum & he was restoring another for a bloke in the nth island. Anyone who goes out a pushes a bike that age that hard shouldn't be on one in the first place!, they're a slow, unbalanced, slow turning old beast & they're difficult to ride, as for changing gear i didn't even bother trying

SixPackBack

25th November 2005, 14:12

Honda CX500.....yeah baby:rockon:

Bartman10

25th November 2005, 15:18

Gixxer 7 fiddy of course ;) :2thumbsup

k14

25th November 2005, 15:23

Honda CX500.....yeah baby:rockon:
Oh no, not another one :bash:

Do you keep miscellaneous old parts in your drawer next to your bed too?

Sniper

25th November 2005, 15:24

Honda CX500.....yeah baby:rockon:

Oh god, encourage dangerous... bad idea.

Pixie

25th November 2005, 15:53

The Britten.

Not a refinement of a previous design, it was designed from the ground up as a purpose built race bike, the way John Britten thought it should be done.

Things that turned out to be revolutionary in the eyes of the motorcycling world were simply "the best way" according to John - a good enough reason to do it that way.

The fact I think it's dead sexy and the guy who built it is an understated engineer with native cunning, and an absolute legend possibly bias my views - but I'm sticking to them.
Front suspension-copy of Norman Hossack's and a french designer's designs
chassis- copy of the alumininium and "plastic" fantastics created for Robert Holden by a craftsman panel beater in Wanganui.
Engine-another v-twin
"Built by a guy in his garage"-Sorry, built by a millionaire and his mates.

James Deuce

25th November 2005, 16:26

mattyc - I was complimenting you, not reprimanding. You done good mate!

heavenly.talker

25th November 2005, 16:30

Best bike ever is my Honda Magna :-)

I was betting hubby that it was going to be a GN250 though...right idea...wrong brand.

DEATH_INC.

25th November 2005, 16:44

cb750 first jappa good enough
Z1 first big sucka to work
Gixxer 750 first to bring racebike technology to the street
FZR thou First production bike with radials and ally beam frame (I think it was first)
I tend to agree with Pixie about the Britten,but it was a great bike that took it to the big boys none the less
That guzzi V8 was the shit too,imagine a bike back then that was as fast as a Busa...:blink:
Prolly the busafor being the first to really treaten the 200mph mark

Macktheknife

25th November 2005, 17:50

My vote goes to the Britten, brilliant mind, brilliant design and it beat everything else on the planet! (and a kiwi did it)
Besides that, I was hoping that the GSXR would be in there somewhere, and it would have been nice if the jet bike had been given a longer runway to see what it would really do!

SPORK

25th November 2005, 18:03

The correct answer is the Yamaha AG200. Now stop ye winja-ing.

HenryDorsetCase

25th November 2005, 20:26

Norton's RCW588 - Rotary TT racer :2thumbsup

A phenomenal machine that blitzed all comers which forced rule changes to stop it from competing and almost single-handedly resurrected the marque.

no waaaay.

Yes Rotor Nortons are cool as, but Suzuki had a Wankel engined bike in the 70's and DKW had one in the 60's, so the technology wasnt new.

by the time the norton boys got to making the thing go, the factory was fucked, they couldnt afford to develop it, When it went well it, it went well, but the only reason it won any races was because of the way capacity limits were measured.

And the marque died soon after.

It was born again a few times but it died. Its latest incarnation (after a bunch of legal crap and ripoffs, not so many as Indian, or so much money as Excelsior-Henderson, but still) is under Kenny Dreer.

He seems to have gotten it right, and I really really like the new 961 Commando. So cool.....

Heres a couple of links:

NOrton Rotors: theres a great history section written by the insiders (and world Rotor experts...)

http://www.jpsnorton.com/

BTW there is an F1 Rotor for sale on tardme at present, and has been for some time:

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/Motorbikes/Motorbikes/Classic-vintage/auction-41428292.htm

link to Kenny Dreers effort (he has been a stalwart of Norton repair and modification for years....)

http://www.nortonmotorcycles.com/default.asp

that new Commando is utterly gorgeous.

enough ranting. I dont agree with you. If Norton is to be resurrected, Dreer will do it.

ducatilover

25th November 2005, 20:34

Front suspension-copy of Norman Hossack's and a french designer's designs
chassis- copy of the alumininium and "plastic" fantastics created for Robert Holden by a craftsman panel beater in Wanganui.
Engine-another v-twin
"Built by a guy in his garage"-Sorry, built by a millionaire and his mates.
lol, can you do better mate? :msn-wink:

Ivan

25th November 2005, 20:35

that bike was so so soooo cool- i just read the articl in an old two wheels mag this morning it sucks that it is no londer racing,

they recon that it made over 135bhp but norton couldnt tell cause their dyno only went up to 100bhp lol

bring back the norton rota

AHHHHH FUCK another rotary freak I cant seem to get away with them H0nda RS125 mate why they fucken fast and i race one

HenryDorsetCase

25th November 2005, 20:41

My top 10 and why:

1. Honda CB750: it invented the superbike category. In fact still useable today (though I have sold mine, and have the 400).

2. Honda RC166: all conquering 60's GP racer. 6cylinder 250cc... that sound is amazing. Hailwood rode one. Need I say more?

3. Evo Harleys: the most successful management buy out in history? HD is a billion dollar company now, and their branding and cynical trading on an image they didnt want (but is now cool) is second to none. Have to admire that somewhere under the layers of harleyness there might be an actual usable motorcycle... say an XL1200R ?

4. ManX Norton: One of the most successful racing motorbikes ever, and soooo pretty.

5. Yamaha Midnight Special XS650: invented the metric cruiser. Not a bad actual motorbike. too bad it spawned a generation of luxo barge HD wannabes.

6. Honda CBX: Iramajiri-san's RC166 magnified, and put on the street. One of my earliest motorcycling memories is hearing one being wound up and it was amazing... one of the first things to ever make me notice motorcycles.

7. Hank Youngs "Flying Pan" bobber: its my list, and I think this is one of the best looking bikes I have ever ever seen. www.youngschoppers.com

8. Norton Commando 750: the other of the best looking bikes ever built. One day I will own one. (hopefully I won't be like James May when he drove the Lambo Countach which had been his dream car....)

9. Honda VF750F: before the GSXR and built because Superbike rules changed: they had to have stock frames, swingarms forks (I think) and engines. All of a sudden, if your street bike was shit, no way would your race bike go. One of the first "modern" (CAD) motorbikes. I have one for sale presently.

10. BMW R90G/S: f*n cool (white and blue with a red seat...yeah baby!) also it went OK, and invented a whole category. I want one.

so that is my totally subjective list.

flame away. :) :headbang:

marty

25th November 2005, 20:53

in no particular order...

Britten - just because.
the RG250/350/500 range - in my limited experience the first of the outrageous 2 stroke race reps.
Honda C50 stepthru (esp the ones with wooden pistons that run on avgas...) everyone has had one of these.
Hayabusa - as someone said - because Suzuki said 'fuck it', and built a monster.

nsrpaul

25th November 2005, 21:04

nsr250 , nothing else compares really:shake:

gav

25th November 2005, 22:14

OK, enough bullshit, please list exactly what the Britten has won to make it a world beater? Its gotta be the most over hyped bike mentioned here by far.
C'mon has it ever won anything significant, wait, it beat the factory Ducati's at Daytona! Actually, no it didnt, it beat a couple of privateer teams riding a production superbike, not a factory backed team. The factory bikes were racing in the Superbike class, not the twins or whatever class the Britten rode in. OK, World Bears champion, again, what/who did it beat? Anyone remeber some of the opposition? Think a guy Mike Edwards on a BMW650 single, maybe Alan Cathcart? Hardly a world class field is it. I can remember the Britten racing at Manfield and Aaron Slight was there with his factory RC45 on display, in the lunch break he went out and did some demo laps, just mucking around and pulling wheelies the length of the front straight, think he still lapped as fast as the Britten, this is with no race setup or anything.
Sadly we never really saw just what the Britten was really capable of, and thats the engine. What it needed was a more convential chassis with "real" suspension ala Ohlins and a chance to see just what the engine could do. When ever the bike raced at circuits with "rough" surfaces, it seemed to struggle, Isle of Man and Bathust for instance.
If Shaun Harris is reading this thread, maybe some input from him as to what the riders really thought? Certainly from Tim Hannas excellent book, this comment comes through from alot of the riders. Unfortunately John's reaction was "but it wont be a Britten?" So you want to build the worlds fastest racebike or a fancy museum piece?

ducatilover

25th November 2005, 22:23

ducatilover

25th November 2005, 22:25

oh i have seen a vid of the britten going off the clock at 320kph:rockon:

gav

25th November 2005, 22:29

oh i have seen a vid of the britten going off the clock at 320kph:rockon:
Interesting....never seen a Britten with a speedo!! :doobey:
How about this guy? Bill Buckley, at least he decided to race in the toughest world stage. World 500GP's!!
Which do you think would be faster around a race track? The Britten or the BSL500?

ducatilover

25th November 2005, 22:38

Interesting....never seen a Britten with a speedo!! :doobey:
sell i was told it was a britten.....hmmmm oh well i still admire the bloody thing:doobey: and i would geuss the 500 is the faster one?

Kickaha

25th November 2005, 22:42

Interesting....never seen a Britten with a speedo!! :doobey:
How about this guy? Bill Buckley, at least he decided to race in the toughest world stage. World 500GP's!!
Which do you think would be faster around a race track? The Britten or the BSL500?

The Britten woud piss all over it, the BSL couldn't even beat the local Production Superbikes

Vagabond

25th November 2005, 22:44

Suzuki TS 50 ER
Yamaha IT 200
Kawasaki Z 750
Kawasaki Z 1000j
Kawasaki Z 1000 Eddie Lawson (replica)
Suzuki DR 500
Yamaha Jog
Honda XR 600
Honda 900 Hornet
Suzuki S83

Because I owned them all!

avgas

25th November 2005, 22:45

Bikes are not based on how good they are round a track.
The britten was legendary for one instance - it was a bike built the old way, to new specs.
To date no other bike has been done like that since then....and worked 100%.
Yeh sure there are bikes that have 'home built' parts - but this was a bike, carved from wood, completely original (even though Britten knew ducatis inside and out he did not use their technology at all).
I dont think it was the greatest bike of all time - i just think its scared the pants off all them.
BSL500 was a bike, built in NZ, that was to another bikes spec (i wont say which one...but some of you will know). The prob with the BSL team was ego's..... they all thought they were fantastic before the first race.
They failed to notice that infact they were the rookies, and lost supporters because of it.

gav

25th November 2005, 22:46

the britten may be over hiped, but could any manufacturer build something better on the same budget? it seems some of us can easily build the worlds greates bike:hitcher: well excuse me i'm of to play with my lego and create a world class superbike that can be ridden on water:banana:
Seeing as John never seemed to pay anyone for helping him, what budget do you refer to? And its not a world class superbike, its a hand built race bike, that doesnt need to conform to any rules. Superbikes are production based and manufacturers must build a certain amount to be eligible. How much were they selling Brittens for? $160,000 werent they? You'd build a bike better than a Britten for that sort of money, by better I mean more powerful, lighter and better handling and faster around a race track. Ten Kate CBR1000RR? Yoshi GSXR1000K5? Hell, back in 1998 Honda had these for sale :yes: NSR500V

T.W.R

25th November 2005, 22:48

Gav you obviously didn't watch the show the other night, they ran off the Britten's achievements. plus theres the speed records it set on tram road with john white aboard it & the woman rider( can't remember her name).
Plus to add if it hadn't been for the death of John Britten there would be road going versions now plus a single version.
and who knows what would have evolved at this stage with the race bikes

HA the BSL mmm how did it compare to the other 500s?, where is it now?,do people still talk about it?, and 500gp bikes aren't real world bikes there just the same as F1 cars ( narrow focus single purpose). plus it wasn't exactly built from scratch was it, it was a blend of off the shelf parts & a bit of engineering.

the Britten was a bench mark bike, the BSL was just following on the shirt tales of previous designs

gav

25th November 2005, 22:50

The Britten woud piss all over it, the BSL couldn't even beat the local Production Superbikes
Would the Britten beat the current Production Superbikes?

Back Fire

25th November 2005, 22:54

I think the Honda NR750 should have been in there... Has everything the Duke 916 has and looks VERY similar.... funny how Honda made the NR750 BEFORE Ducati did there 'legendary and innovative' 916...

Kickaha

25th November 2005, 22:55

Would the Britten beat the current Production Superbikes?

Yes it would, Andrew Stroud set a faster lap time at Ruapuna on the Britten several years ago than he has on the GSXR1000 in the last few years

T.W.R

25th November 2005, 22:57

Would the Britten beat the current Production Superbikes?

mmm 11 yrs of advancement you do the math? and as for quoting about honda selling their GP bikes mmm :doh: they do that every year sell the current model right from the small up to the top line. the Britten sold for $140k and the Honda 500gp bike was roughly $200k AUS the same year

gav

25th November 2005, 22:57

TWR, No I didnt see the programme, yes, I do know some of the acheivements, you want to list some of them here though?
I dont think we would have seen a road going Britten, John wasnt interested in production, he only ever wanted to build his quota of 10 and that was it. Thats why he was trying to sell his design to Harley Davidson, Benelli and Indian, all who were interested but nothing ever came of it. John had other ideas to move onto. Yes, a single cylinder MX bike was mentioned at one time, may have been interesting. I guess we will never know now, but the prospect of building a four stroke GP bike and racing in MotoGP may well have been something that he could've looked at. Would have needed more that a twin though!!

gav

25th November 2005, 23:01

mmm 11 yrs of advancement you do the math? and as for quoting about honda selling their GP bikes mmm :doh: they do that every year sell the current model right from the small up to the top line. the Britten sold for $140k and the Honda 500gp bike was roughly $200k AUS the same year
WTF? Seen any RCV's for sale? Any NSR500V4's for sale? dont think so, Tim.

Kickaha

25th November 2005, 23:06

mmm 11 yrs of advancement you do the math? and as for quoting about honda selling their GP bikes mmm :doh: they do that every year sell the current model right from the small up to the top line. the Britten sold for $140k and the Honda 500gp bike was roughly $200k AUS the same year

They sell customer GP125-250 bikes which aren't even close to the same spec as the ones they race in the world champs and the only 500 they used to sell was the 500GP V twin

HenryDorsetCase

25th November 2005, 23:27

WTF? Seen any RCV's for sale? Any NSR500V4's for sale? dont think so, Tim.

that is true. what you can buy from Honda (RS125, RS250 etc, and when you could buy RS500's were never as quick as the factory stuff) in one of my books theres a breakdown of how it worked, from memory though the RS bikes were about a year behind the factory, which makes sense.

I do seem to have had my RC211 on backorder for some time now. Better hurry up Casbolts.

gav

25th November 2005, 23:30

Anyway, now that I've settled that, greatest ever motorcycles... lets see, in no particular order, Kawi Z1, Norton Manx, GPZ900, VF750 Interceptor (first modern superbike) Duc 916, RD350

T.W.R

25th November 2005, 23:53

you want to list some of them here though?
I dont think we would have seen a road going Britten, John wasnt interested in production, he only ever wanted to build his quota of 10 and that was it. Thats why he was trying to sell his design to Harley Davidson, Benelli and Indian, all who were interested but nothing ever came of it. John had other ideas to move onto. Yes, a single cylinder MX bike was mentioned at one time, Would have needed more that a twin though!!

well i can't be bothered tracking down all the race wins of the britten if you so knowingly already know, but theres BOT 96,97,98 would have been 95 as well but the battery fucked out. then theres most of what was going in NZ at the same time, plus 2 consecutive wins in Aussie. plus the attachment (circa 94).

and Quote from an interview " the Britten isn't built for commercial gain, rather a love of motorcycling ....... hench the idea to build 10 replicas of the original and support those owners in event seems to be a practical idea. Bimota looked at the design, we were approached by part of Harley Davidson's system ...... its hard getting existing companies interested in intellectual property because its percieved as a slap in the face for their own R&D and design teams. I'm interested in doing a single cylinder bike & manufacturing it from here, a sound of singles bike potentially a road bike & maybe even a MX version."

as for selling GP bikes absolutely no company sells their current top line race bikes, but you can get close plus after a time the ex factory race bikes can be brought.

and Gav don't quote a name when you have no idea what is or isn't

T.W.R

26th November 2005, 00:12

Anyway, now that I've settled that, greatest ever motorcycles... , VF750 Interceptor (first modern superbike)

mmm VF interceptor, interceptor was the american market branding & it was a 700 because of their import tarriffs. the VF750F released along side the VF 750 sabre both identical motors & hondas biggest lemon! ( camshaft failures/factory recalls/ double punched stamp on cylinder casings for factory mods) it was the VFR750 ( gear driven cams) that set the standard of the honda V4 on track then came the RC30 initial race failures almost everywhere ( funny how a motor will shit it's self with no oil getting to heads ).

first modern superbike? Honda's first show of that was the CB1100RB (an endurance racer with lights)

Skyryder

26th November 2005, 06:00

Surprised that we haven't mentioned Douglas yet... That Classics list didn't have any Douglas in it at all.... weird....

Yep strange that. Some of the invovations these guys bought into the motorcycling world................here's a rundown.

http://www.realclassic.co.uk/doug04022400.html

My favourite. http://www.vintagebike.co.uk/Bike%20Directories/Douglas%20Bikes/pages/Douglas-Dragonfly-57.htm

More pics

http://www.vintagebike.co.uk/Bike%20Directories/Douglas%20Bikes/Douglas%20Index.htm

But for sheer beauty it's got to be this

http://www.mvagustausa.com/web-mvagusta/F4-1000S.html.

Now why haven't I mentioned Guzzi's. Love my bike....love's a many splendid thing.

Skyryder

gav

26th November 2005, 07:58

mmm VF interceptor, interceptor was the american market branding & it was a 700 because of their import tarriffs. the VF750F released along side the VF 750 sabre both identical motors & hondas biggest lemon! ( camshaft failures/factory recalls/ double punched stamp on cylinder casings for factory mods) it was the VFR750 ( gear driven cams) that set the standard of the honda V4 on track then came the RC30 initial race failures almost everywhere ( funny how a motor will shit it's self with no oil getting to heads ).

first modern superbike? Honda's first show of that was the CB1100RB (an endurance racer with lights)
Well, the first VF750FD was dubbed the Interceptor, did the European models have Interceptor on the side panels? Damned if i can remember and I owned one for a while as well! The 700 Interceptors came later. The motor was in a higher state of tune than the Sabre's. And the CB1100RB wasnt a "superbike" but was a super bike.
It was the VF750F that brought alloy frames and water cooled four cylinder 750's and race bike styling to the market place and eligible for "superbike" racing, hence the term.

"In 1983 the VF750 Interceptor arrived, ready to win with newly developed Honda Grand Prix technology, such as a track-inspired fairing, 16-inch front wheel, rectangular-section perimeter frame, single-shock rear suspension and anti-dive front suspension.

As the first liquid-cooled engine in any sportbike, the Interceptor's 90-degree V-four spun out an amazing 86 horsepower, making the bike quicker in the quarter mile and faster on top than its peers. In a top-gear roll-on, the Interceptor flat crushed them, and, in so doing, exploded the notion that high-performance sportbikes had to have narrow powerbands crowded close to the redline. Those triple-disc brakes were regarded as the best brakes on any mass-produced street bike. When the pavement turned twisty, nothing else measured up. And if you felt like crossing a time zone or two, the Interceptor was versatile, smooth and comfortable enough for the job."

gav

26th November 2005, 08:09

well i can't be bothered tracking down all the race wins of the britten if you so knowingly already know, but theres BOT 96,97,98 would have been 95 as well but the battery fucked out. then theres most of what was going in NZ at the same time, plus 2 consecutive wins in Aussie. plus the attachment (circa 94).
But in the BOT victories he beat no other factory teams, hence hardly a world beater. Again in Aus it raced in a Bears only class, never raced against any of the superbike teams etc. Here in NZ, the Britten raced against modified street bikes.

and Quote from an interview " the Britten isn't built for commercial gain, rather a love of motorcycling ....... hench the idea to build 10 replicas of the original and support those owners in event seems to be a practical idea. Bimota looked at the design, we were approached by part of Harley Davidson's system ...... its hard getting existing companies interested in intellectual property because its percieved as a slap in the face for their own R&D and design teams. I'm interested in doing a single cylinder bike & manufacturing it from here, a sound of singles bike potentially a road bike & maybe even a MX version."

Ah yes, I thought he was referring to building a single cylinder road bike, not putting the vee twin in road bike form?

as for selling GP bikes absolutely no company sells their current top line race bikes, but you can get close plus after a time the ex factory race bikes can be brought.
and as for quoting about honda selling their GP bikes mmm they do that every year sell the current model right from the small up to the top line. the Britten sold for $140k and the Honda 500gp bike was roughly $200k AUS the same year

This is what you wrote! Seems you're contradicting yourself now!

and Gav don't quote a name when you have no idea what is or isn't
Sorry for the name quote, youre obviously not a fan of "Home Improvements" and Tim the Tool Man??? :lol:

Bonez

26th November 2005, 09:00

Well, the first VF750FD was dubbed the Interceptor, did the European models have Interceptor on the side panels? Damned if i can remember and I owned one for a while as well! The 700 Interceptors came later. Because of US import levies at the time of higher capacity Japanese m/c's over 700cc's. This help HD along a bit in sales funny old thing. Intercepter motor had the same engine problems as the the Sabre and Magna- http://home.earthlink.net/~wrenchtwister/V4hist.html Took Honda untill 1986 to sort things out in the V4 department.

inlinefour

26th November 2005, 09:19

I agree with the Honda cub being the most important bike as on TV (apparently, I did not see it). But exactly how many of those things did Sochiro sell???
I've got some literature on bikes and the CB750 was allways considered an important step for Japanese motorcycling.
For me, personally. The RD250LC, later replaced by the RZ350LC (& a TZR in between) was the most fun I had on a motorcycle as a teenager. However I learnt later in my early twenties that I could have even more fun on a RG400 & 500.
Also for another mention for me is the Honda XR series. I started off with a XL, but the XR was the most fun I could have off road. I've had DT, DR, TT, XT, but none of them came close to the level of enjoyment I had.
Speaking of levels of enjoyment. The most enjoyment I have ever had on a bike, full stop. Is what I am riding now, the 2005 CBR600RR. Almost better than sex, almost...

gav

26th November 2005, 09:20

Yeah, but what year was that, some of the cruisers were 700c like the Honda Magna and Yamahasa as well. The VFR700 Intereceptors that came out here were about a 1986/87 model. The first VF750FD were 1983 and were a full 750cc even in the States. http://www.home.aone.net.au/csd/VFR/VFR%20History.html

Bonez

26th November 2005, 09:29

TwoSeven

26th November 2005, 10:32

My list of bikes.

1. cub - because they sell bucketloads which means lots of people like them. Ask anyone with a scooter - especially italians.

2. cb750/4 (however, I would put the Z1 there as well)

3. CBR600 - for the same reason as the cub, sold bucketloads and its the bike that in 91 re-introduced the 600 class that now gives us SS racing.

4. CBR900 - It gave us the mental machine class, killed off the 750 class and now we have the R1, Gsxr1000, and 1000RR.

5. GSXR1100 - Ask anyone thats made specials and drag bikes

6. Triumph 750 bonnie - icon of its time (much more than the norton)

7. BSA (many). The M20/M21 for WWII (and the AA), the Bantam D7 (B175)for the post office, the Bantam D1 for messing up DKW (eat your heart out harley).

9. Ducati 916 - they finally created a bike with style

10. Honda R166 (Mike Hailwood) and RC149 - real racing (But also requires the augusta be here as well).

11. BMWs and Goldwings - no reason, just that someone always mentions the bmw along the lines somewhere, which is usually followed not long after by the mention of the wing.

13. Harley. Except for the people that ride them, just about the whole world hates them. They are the ant-motorcycle builder to the rest of the world. Event tractor builders fear them.

14. Cossack. There engineering heads were probably trained by harley - but you couldnt have a sidecar without it being attached to a cossack.

The V1000 I consider to be a cultural icon, rather than anything else.

T.W.R

26th November 2005, 11:13

HenryDorsetCase

26th November 2005, 13:25

mmm VF interceptor, interceptor was the american market branding & it was a 700 because of their import tarriffs. the VF750F released along side the VF 750 sabre both identical motors & hondas biggest lemon! ( camshaft failures/factory recalls/ double punched stamp on cylinder casings for factory mods) it was the VFR750 ( gear driven cams) that set the standard of the honda V4 on track then came the RC30 initial race failures almost everywhere ( funny how a motor will shit it's self with no oil getting to heads ).

first modern superbike? Honda's first show of that was the CB1100RB (an endurance racer with lights)

bzzzzzzzt wrong, but thanks for playing.

the 750 Magna motor is very similar but is not the same as the 750 Interceptor. Magna had been out for a couple of years before the interceptor, and it was the one with the majority of the cam issues. the interceptor motor castings are different, the motor rotates the opposite way, and one is chain driven, one is shaft driven. From memory (and I do have a side by side comparison somewhere) there are other differences (carburation, cams etc) to make the Interceptor more powerful.

The harley protection tariff came in in 1985 (two years after the VF750F was released) forcing the capacity reduction.

I do agree with you that VFR750's are very cool, but I stick to my point that the original "modern superbike" i.e. something that handled, was the VF750F Interceptor.

HenryDorsetCase

26th November 2005, 13:30

W<snip>
It was the VF750F that brought alloy frames and water cooled four cylinder 750's and race bike styling to the market place a
<snip>

just to nit pick:

the vF750F frame was rectangular steel, painted silver. Didnt turn to aluminium till the VFR750 from memory.

the technology to mass produce the aluminium frames didnt exist then, event the 500CC race bikes were only just coming to grips with it. (then they did weird stuff like turn the engine upside down....)

gav

26th November 2005, 16:48

Yeah, true, meant to put box section perimeter... so what was the first bike with an alloy frame? Be something like Suzuki's RG250WD maybe or first GSXR400? Didnt the 250 come out in 1983?

limbimtimwim

26th November 2005, 22:23

3. CBR600 - for the same reason as the cub, sold bucketloads and its the bike that in 91 re-introduced the 600 class that now gives us SS racing.Kawasaki GPZ600R. Introduced 1985. Had everything the Honda did. I would think the CBR600 was a reaction to it, and the first CBR600 was in 1987.

Pixie

27th November 2005, 10:58

lol, can you do better mate? :msn-wink:
I used the Hossack suspension on an experimental in '82,probably years before Britten had heard of it.
The Britten Myth is largely kiwi hype bullshit,So it won against BEARS when no manufacturer was interested in BEARS.
Get real

HenryDorsetCase

27th November 2005, 11:18

more nit picking... sorry I cant help myself.

How is the Hossack/britten suspension different from any early girder fork? Not looking for the answer "its made of carbon fibre, dumbass" either.

didnt they have girder forks it in the '30's?, but they were dropped because of the large number of bushes in them, and high loads caused premature wear and slop, so that modern materials and manufacturing techniques enabled the technology to be refined?

Confederate Wraith has bitchin' girder fork. Oh yes

ducatilover

27th November 2005, 20:38

Kawasaki GPZ600R. Introduced 1985. Had everything the Honda did. I would think the CBR600 was a reaction to it, and the first CBR600 was in 1987.
my kawasaki gpz400 has an all alloy frame and anti dive front forks...... and its still a peice of shit:mad:

ducatilover

27th November 2005, 20:42

well eat my wees and call me an elipican. indian made an 8 valve v-twin race bike in 1912 and scott motorcycles had water cooling in 1908..... well it makes me and my bros 650 obsolete....who was the first to use twin spark?

carver

22nd December 2005, 15:03

1 honda ct110 (basic, still selling and rugged)
2 85 suzuki GSXR 750 (first real sports bike)
3 Yamaha DT 175/XT 500/600 (long running, revoloutionary trailies)
4 suzuki bandit 1200 (not much changed, still sells well)
5 BMW 650 GS (good andventure sledge)
6 Kawasaki ZX636 (just damned cool)
7 Yamaha RD 250/ 350 (and the TZR and TDM) (insanity plus)
8 honda helix (revoloutionary)
9 ducati 916 (still the best duke ever)
10 the bomerland (i think...)

here ya go:hitcher:

Skyryder

22nd December 2005, 20:14

AMEN!!

Plain and simple, kiwi made and a fucken wicked performing beast, such a shame the dream had to end so soon otherwise id say the world champ standings might be a bit different, see those power wheelies next to the leader, i want to watch those whole races again, anyone know where i can get dvd ?

I got a copy on tape some where.

PM me for details.

Skyryder

22nd December 2005, 20:27

This for vintage

http://www.vintagebike.co.uk/Bike%20Directories/Douglas%20Bikes/pages/Douglas-Dragonfly-57.htm

and this for now

http://www.mvagustausa.com/web-mvagusta/F4-1000S.html

Skyryder

WINJA

22nd December 2005, 20:49

the britten woud piss all over it, the bsl couldn't even beat the local production superbikes
+1 ,smelly 2 stroke back markers

Arronduke

18th June 2006, 00:24

RG500 & RD350LC
No question these changed motorcycle history

98tls

18th June 2006, 07:00

for me it would be the original XL250 motorsport,the honda 500/4,early bevel drive 900 ss duke.manx norton.

gammaguy

2nd January 2007, 21:55

The 1983 Suzuki RG250 WD.
because at last the brakes WORKED,the thing HANDLED,the engine was FAST and it was a movement away from "bigger is better"to "light is right".
It started a trend that continues today.
I owned one for 6 hours but thats another story...........
<a href="http://imageshack.us"><img src="http://img84.imageshack.us/img84/8624/indexkti0.jpg" border="0" alt="Image Hosted by ImageShack.us" /></a>

Ixion

2nd January 2007, 22:00

Oh, well. If you're going to include TWO STROKES ..... I mean, the thread title was "greatest ever motorcycles", if you include two strokes, nothing else gets a chance , does it. I reckon two strokes need to be excluded , on the same basis as they were in MotoGP

gammaguy

2nd January 2007, 22:06

they always ban what they fear the most.same as the Aussies with the turbos in the so called*yawn*V8 Supercars.:angry:

Timber020

3rd January 2007, 10:53

Just a few in my list, Im aware they are almost all pretty recent when you consider bikes have been around for over 100 years

85 GSXR750

XR200 (almost impossible to ride dirtbikes over the last 25 year and not ridden one)

89 RGV250

Honda CT90/ 110

That BMW and sidecar the german army used and the ruskys and chinese still copy

Honda CB750

the Vespa

pritch

3rd January 2007, 11:30

"Built by a guy in his garage"-Sorry, built by a millionaire and his mates.

I think that's a bit harsh but then I also think that what Kim Newcombe did with the Konig was more significant than what John Britten did.
As magnificent as Britten's achievment was.

Newcombe took his Konig powered bike to the premier GP class and was faster than the best GP bikes in the world at that time.

Bonez

3rd January 2007, 11:40

I reckon two strokes need to be excluded , on the same basis as they were in MotoGPBy that I take it you mean they are noisy, smoke and burn oil? Bit like the CX really.:dodge:

scumdog

3rd January 2007, 11:57

13. Harley. Except for the people that ride them, just about the whole world hates them. They are the ant-motorcycle builder to the rest of the world. Event tractor builders fear them.

.

Hmm, is that a 'fact', an opinion or a troll?

Either way it doesn't matter.

Ixion

3rd January 2007, 12:00

Quote:
<table border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" width="100%"> <tbody><tr> <td class="alt2" style="border: 1px inset ;"> Originally Posted by Ixion
I reckon two strokes need to be excluded , on the same basis as they were in MotoGP
</td> </tr> </tbody></table>
By that I take it you mean they are noisy, smoke and burn oil? Bit like the CX really.:dodge:

Nah. because if you don't exclude them , none of the four strokes will have a chnace. Just like MotoGP

Bonez

3rd January 2007, 12:04

Nah. because if you don't exclude them , none of the four strokes will have a chnace. Just like MotoGPOh it's a performance thing?

Ixion

3rd January 2007, 12:09

Nay, some two strokes is slow. But they all get bonus marks for being antisocial and antienvironemental and special extra bonus for hoon factor.

Bonez

3rd January 2007, 12:19

Nay, some two strokes is slow. But they all get bonus marks for being antisocial and antienvironemental and special extra bonus for hoon factor.Shit. Must get one. Mind this v-twin thing I've got seems to scare off folk quite well. Had a black full leather glad bloke leap out of the way when I fired her up at ANZA today.:yes:

FilthyLuka

3rd January 2007, 13:47

honda f##ken cub

the biggest selling motorcycle model of all time
(wikipedia)

almost 50 years later and its still goin...

Bonez

3rd January 2007, 14:54

honda f##ken cub

(wikipedia)

almost 50 years later and its still goin...

Hmmm, must grab that '72 C50 out of the garden shed and put it on Trademe sometime.

iwilde

3rd January 2007, 15:00

How about the Y2K Jet bike? A bit costly, but fuckin cool!

gamgee

3rd January 2007, 15:09

The NC30, and it's cool because I've got one! oh and because everyone who looks at my profile goes "ooooooohhh aaaaaaaahhhh preeeeeetty"

mstriumph

3rd January 2007, 17:38

mine :innocent:

vamr

3rd January 2007, 22:18

Imitation is the greatest form of flattery & they could see it was far better design than their creaky 4 bangers.

"Amateurs imitate; professionals steal."

mansell

4th January 2007, 07:34

Saw this thread this morning and thought I should put a few in for perusal. Here goes

1) Triumph Bonneville - My pick for the best looking bike ever, I know most of you wont agree but their making bikes that look the same 30 years later.:Punk:
2) Honda CB750 - Changed the face of motocycles (and crippled the British industry) :angry:
3) Yamaha RD400 - Never liked water-cooled strkers, simple and fast what else do you need.:rockon:
4) Vincent Black Shadow - A 1950's bike that could do 150mph + what else can I say :yes:
5) Ducati 916 - There had to be a Duke in their somewhere.:scooter:
6) BMW R90S - A nice looking bike, handled reasonably and the first large bike I rode.:dodge:
7) Harley Sportster - Now even accoutants can look like Motorcycle rebels:zzzz:
8) Suzuki GN250 - How many people have been introduced to riding on one of these.:innocent:
9) Honda Goldwing - The epitomy of touring bikes:done:
10) Any thing we ride - Actually I couldn't think of a tenth but could probably list another 50 or so.

916Senna

4th January 2007, 15:41

I had no.2 (the 916) for a while so i thought i better own number 1 as well, both grey in colour gotta say the duke takes it hands down

MVnut

4th January 2007, 16:09

Gotta disagree with Mansell on including the GN250 (like the Bonnie though), has to be one of the worst bikes ever built. My top bikes would be the Britten & MV GP bikes then road bikes Z1 & H2 Kwakas,Black Shadow, Ducati 916, Greenframe SS750, 73 Sport, early & modern MVs, BMW R90S & Laverda SFC750.Also would include the NR750 the only 'modern' Jappa:rockon: No reason for my pics other than passion

Motu

4th January 2007, 16:20

2) Honda CB750 - Changed the face of motocycles (and crippled the British industry) :angry:
.

They didn't need any help from Honda,they had crippled themselves before the CB750 came along.There are so many ''what might have been'' stories on the British motor industry...but management and unions saw to it that the wrong decisions were constantly made.

_intense_

4th January 2007, 18:46

MV f41000, in various guises -simply for its aesthetic factor, sexmungous.
also, the britten veetwin, amazing;y clever work in a shed somewhere.
oh, does anyone know about that dude that races a 2stroke 750 triple he built himself? saw it racing at taupo recently... mad cheer

Mr. Peanut

4th January 2007, 19:01

nsr250 , nothing else compares really:shake:

All the 250 race reps are awesome.

thehovel

4th January 2007, 19:50

Honda CX500.....yeah baby:rockon:
CX400 CX500 CX650 CX650 turbo
How many 20 - 28 year old bikes are in DAILY use:Punk: this is true test of a bike:done: :done:
One is on 120,000km the other on 105,000km.:first: :first: :first: :first: :first: :

terbang

4th January 2007, 20:17

Early eighties GSX 1100s, all variants.

MVnut

4th January 2007, 21:07

That 2-stroke triple is the 'Steadman Special'...........cool bike

orangeback

25th June 2007, 22:45

In everyone's different opinion, what is the best bike of all time? Street, dirt, don't matter

MVnut

25th June 2007, 22:52

73 H2A...........perfect:yes:

SARGE

25th June 2007, 22:53

In everyone's different opinion, what is the best bike of all time? Street, dirt, don't matter

done to death (http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?t=20740&highlight=tv%27s+version)

orangeback

25th June 2007, 23:11

done to death (http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?t=20740&highlight=tv%27s+version)

so your trying to tell me this then

SARGE

25th June 2007, 23:14

so your trying to tell me this then

once a year or so... but hey ... go hard ..

( sniper needs to see that pic...)

onearmedbandit

25th June 2007, 23:21

jpeg combat.

SARGE

25th June 2007, 23:28

jpeg combat.

cool .. im in

onearmedbandit

25th June 2007, 23:31

Now that's cheating.

(BTW, this was posted by a marine on esportbike.com)

SARGE

25th June 2007, 23:58

Now that's cheating.

(BTW, this was posted by a marine on esportbike.com)

not cheating if ya win ( history is written by the winners ... )

Sniper

26th June 2007, 10:29

jpeg combat.

<img src=http://www.ctgilles.net/images/pictars/001_repost.jpg></img src>

motoGP

26th June 2007, 18:43

nsr250 , nothing else compares really

All the 250 race reps are awesome.

Hear hear.

Other than that, The NR 750.
Only because I really appreciate the though and engineering that went into it. 8 valves per cylinder and a V4, it broke a mould, albeit if not setting a new one.

orangeback

27th June 2007, 07:37

85 GSXR750
89 ZXR750
93 Blade
95 ZX9
98 R1
2001 gsxr1000
2004 zx10

All bench mark bikes when released
i d second that less the 94-5 zx9 as thay are shitters ( i bought one new )
replace it with a gsxr750t

fergie

5th September 2007, 10:50

Just watched a doco on discovery called the greatest ever,, this week it was on bikes, any one catch it.
they listed the top ten as.

1. honda cub
2.ducati 916
3.honda cb750
4.y2k (jet)
5.triumph bonneville
6.britten
7.brough superior
8.vespa
9.moto guzzi v8
10.harley knuckle head

room for discussion there methinks?

hXc

5th September 2007, 10:51

Argh. It's a repeat, many times. Threads already exist upon it. Search = friend.

fergie

5th September 2007, 10:53

well i will go stand in the corner, totally demoralised.:nono:

Taz

5th September 2007, 10:54

I agree with the honda cub C50. Was my first bike and set me on the right path for all the bikes that followed. Don't worry that it's a repeat. Still lots of people who hadn't seen it before and would like to discuss it I bet.

Grub

5th September 2007, 11:30

Angusdog

5th September 2007, 13:45

They're always subjective, although presented as objective. But that's the same with any 'Top 10'. Personally, I don't think that turbine bike should be there. I'd like to see an off-road bike like the BMW R80GS Paris Dakar, or Kenny Roberts' TZ750 flat tracker. And the Brough Superior should be replaced by the Egli Vincent. The Honda Cub should be replaced by the RD350LC and the Ducati 916 should be the 851.

Other than that, it's fine ;)

Ewan Oozarmy

5th September 2007, 13:52

And what about the Suzuki RG500 Gamma? Mental in it's day....

swbarnett

6th September 2007, 01:14

I just LOVE that John Britten made #6 - think about it.

All the biggest factories and the billions of dollars and he beat all but 5 of their products into the motorbike world hall of fame - outstanding!
And if it wasn't for a $5 part that was about the only thing on the bike that he didn't make he'd probably be further up the table.

skidMark

6th September 2007, 01:24

wheres the kawsakis zxr250 A 1990 with kiss arm?

i mean cmon.....:girlfight:

Taz

6th September 2007, 11:24

wheres the kawsakis zxr250 A 1990 with kiss arm?

i mean cmon.....:girlfight:

At the wreckers with the rest of them......:Pokey:

Angusdog

6th September 2007, 14:19

1. TS815 - My first. Everyone's first bike should be on the list as it's the most important motorbike ever made.
1. Suzuki M50 - My current motorbike. Everyone's current motorcycle should be on the list as it's also the most important motorcycle ever made.

All the rest is bollocks. I haven't ridden a Britten (I bet you haven't too) so I can't make a valued judgement. Maybe it's hard on the wrists, or difficult to commute on - anyone want to lend me one?

hXc

6th September 2007, 14:35

1. TS815 - My first. Everyone's first bike should be on the list as it's the most important motorbike ever made.
1. Suzuki M50 - My current motorbike. Everyone's current motorcycle should be on the list as it's also the most important motorcycle ever made.First motorcycle I ever rode was an A100, followed by an XR200. That was then followed by an RD50, then a mixture of bikes (buckets). I don't believe they are the most important motorcycle ever made. I had no problems selling my XR200 or other bikes.
The most important motorcycle for me is of course, the Honda VT250 Spada. I love this bike with all my heart, and I don't want to sell it. In fact, I will cry when it comes 'round to selling it.

It is my current bike yes, but by no way is it my first.

imdying

6th September 2007, 15:01

All the rest is bollocks. I haven't ridden a Britten (I bet you haven't too) so I can't make a valued judgement. Maybe it's hard on the wrists, or difficult to commute on - anyone want to lend me one?
Well that's moronic... does it look like a fucking commuter?

Reckless

6th September 2007, 15:28

I suppose this much depends on your age and when you where just old enough to start really wanting that perfect looking weapon to satisfy the speed demon in you. For that desire and its associated time frame, for many of us forms what we personally think as our greatest ever M/C.

Well for me that was the mighty Z900 and Z1000 era. Has to be after all I own one!! Personally I couldn't go past the Racy fairing and coffin tank of the Z1R. So in 89 I finally bought one, never to be sold hopefully it will pass from father to son.

Angusdog

6th September 2007, 19:13

Well that's moronic... does it look like a fucking commuter?

No... it was a weak attempt at humour, although cleverly masking an important note: Almost no-one here has ridden half these bikes, and yet are quite prepared to rate one over another. A bit like blokes who slag off the Ferrari Maranello based on what they read in Top Gear, but love the way the Diablo looks. In other words, an opinion based on someone else's opinion or an opinion based on some arty photos, and not how they perform.

The most important bike is the one you have now. It's what makes you a motorcyclist. Likewise, the first bike you had is the most important - it's the one that made you a motorcyclist. Without those two bikes (different for each person obviously), there is no motorcycle industry or culture.

And that's why the Honda Cub was voted the most important motorcycle of all time. It's shit, but it turned generations around the world onto moving on two wheels.

Dave_G

6th September 2007, 20:30

The 250cc six cylinder Honda Hailwood raced in the 60's at the Isle of Man. Amzazing engineering

Early 350cc Velocette. They invented the Postive Stop foot gear change - same design all bikes still use. If you've ever ridden a bike with a hand change you will understand why I think this is worthy of a mention.

The Z1 - the grand daddy of all superbikes.

Angusdog

6th September 2007, 20:57

The Z1 - the grand daddy of all superbikes.

Or alternatively the younger brother of the CB750, also a superbike. The Z1 was going to be a750 but the CB750 was released first so Kawasaki upped the capacity to 900cc.

The best line I read about racing the Z1 was in Performance Bikes: "When these hit 5,000, the rider went 'Weeeeeee' and the spectators said 'Watch, he'll crash soon'".

smudge

6th September 2007, 21:27

Scott because it was sooo different
Triumph Bonneville because it was an iconic bike assocciated with bad
Manx Norton still cool
Vincent Black Shadow really impressive old bike
DT1 Yamaha started something
CB750 A whole new era
H1 As above but more wickeder
H2 same
XL250 everyone had one or wanted one and I remember Terry Meeks doing amazing stuff on one
TM125 MotoX!!!!!
PE 250 not a great bike but the first 'serious' Japanese enduro bike
Z1 Civilised and big
1985 GSX750 a really good bike and was a true sports bike
Hayabusa Big and Fast