Enough holding back, it's well overdue to have a little rant about the perception of modern classic bikes and how they fit into the classic bike genre. Simple answer to that in my opinion is they don't. I quote the final paragraph from a review of the Kawasaki W800 from Old Bike Australisa; This is a wonderful interpretation of the way it used to be and I have no doubt that with the many classic bike rallies around these days, you could very easily turn up with the W800 and have many 'knowledgeble' enthusiasts commenting, "......nice bike mate...nice restoration...what year is it?" Holy shit! Please save me from writing my first ever letter to a bike magazine, better still I will have a rant on KiwiBiker as it is the 'done thing' Now let us analyze that statement shall we? Any enthusiast even slightly worthy of carrying that description would not be such a dork surely? Secondly what the hell gives someone the right to even turn up on their modern Bonnie/W800/Guzzi V750/et al in the first place? Classic bikes and their riders/restorers/constant fettlers are a distinct group within the motorcycle community. They are people who have thumbed their noses at the high tech, faster than the law, point and shoot, book it in for a service, what polish do you use, soft cock fraternity of modern bike owners. Hard core statement? You bet your grubby fingers it is. But I stand by it because it is my opinon and screw anyone else. And that, I think, is the classic bike attitude. It defys logic, common sense and practicality. It goes against what your friends and family believe because it is what you believe. Turning up to a classic bike run on a modern classic is downright wankie. You have not earned the right to even be there. Turn the key, put some gas in and make sure it has been serviced and your there. Whilst everyone else has been through the proceedures we all go through in preperation of going to a rally, sometimes it can take hours, midnight oil, hurried calls and emails to try and find parts, taking tools and spares..etc etc... all part of the process of the elation it gives actually making the event, and sometimes even making it home again. Thus giving you the right to be there, you have earned it, enjoy it. You know the intricate workings of your bike, you know where to find the tricky bits, you know what could go wrong and hopefully how to prevent it. It's a whole different world to the 'turn key' bike and in my view should be kept seperate. Sure some of these modern classic riders may have had a Triumph/Norton/Beeza/UJM back in the day...why not now? The parts are out there, the knowledge is far greater than it was back then, problems have been addressed, solutions found. It can't be the cost as all of the above are cheaper than a new modern classic. It can't be the reliability because a 'real' classic bike can be made reliable given an owner capable of earning the knowledge and skills required to make it reliable. So the only answer is that the modern classic bike owner is a soft cock. Job done, glad Uncle Dodgy explained that for you eh? Ride on, and don't give 'em the time of day, maybe offer some viagra to help their emmm..issues
Your Honor, I'd like to call Mr Dodgy to the stand. " Mr Dodgy, did you or did you not buy a retro Triumph Thruxton.......yes or no" Dodgy " yes" Kawasaki, Triumph and Classic Bike would like to rest their case your Honor"
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"Yes.. I bought it from the Japanese wreckers and turned a tidy little profit on it to buy more classic bikes" "Your honour, I request suspended sentance given time served" Volty via text message Post it up in the main forums ya soft cock http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...post1130013295
I'd buy one. I like them, and think that they have their place. Anyone who is prepared to pay seventeen large for one of these in preference to a crotchrocket or hyperscoot can't be all bad. The riding position and layout is closer to what I'm accustomed to, and the bike is very well finished. As a basis for a cafe racer, the sky is the limit. Most folk would struggle to do a full nut & bolt restoration on a typical classic bike these days for under $20K. The W800 sells for less than that and it comes with a factory warranty too. I'd rather have someone with a genuine interest in classic bikes turn up to one of our rides on a retro than turn up on a modern bike. Few will pretend that it's a classic, and anyone who tried would quickly be shown the virtual door with a boot up his virtual bum . . . The W800 is what it is, and of its type it's a pretty good effort IMHO. It's not going to fool any true enthusiasts unless they are vision-impaired, and nor should it. I think that Kawasaki have done a much better job of the retro thing than Triumph, Ducati or Moto Guzzi and deserve some appreciation for their efforts. The journalists who wrote that sh!t on the other hand need re-training . . . .
Will I was looking at getting a Guzzi V7 classic but now that skinhead dodgyone has put me off. In his little world sounds like they should have stopped making bikes in about 1980???
I wouldn't be too embarrassed to buy a modern Classic (it would mean I had enough money to be frivolous at least) but it would only be the starting point for further modification from me.The BMW Mono was a factory retro,what else could they do with an obsolete design that wouldn't stop selling.But it was only a starting point for me.
Originally Posted by Muzza Will I was looking at getting a Guzzi V7 classic but now that skinhead dodgyone has put me off. In his little world sounds like they should have stopped making bikes in about 1980??? Nah. The last "real" bikes were built around 1978, and things have been on a gradual downhill slide ever since . . . .
5 - 1 by my count.......it would appear people who like classic bikes wouldn't mind owning a modern classic (as well)....i think maybe the question is....would you take it to a classic bike rally..........i wouldn't ride it through niake....might get shot at.....
And then there is the Classic and Vintage section on Tardme........................ How many Classic 2009 FXRGTSuper Classic Extra Deluxe' s are on there !
I must point out that I wouldn't buy a new modern classic,it would be well used and in need of a bit of work...that way I'd get it cheap.Owning a new bike with nothing to do to it would be like buying a fridge....but not as cool.
And then there is the Classic and Vintage section on Tardme....................... That section is where people who have an old shitter in their garages go to dump the things. Lots of dross on there.
I hope they sell truckloads of W800's Always one to look on the positive side- they take a 19 front and 18 rear so at least tyre companies will keep making them... Max, get some sleep buddy, you'll be fine My main peeve was the article in old bike mag, and taking them to classic rallys... You guys go get a second mortage then. I bet you will be bored with it in 6 months
Strangely enough I was just reading the latest kiwirider and commented to the girlfriend I quite fancied the W800
breath dodgy breath.......i imagine there is a rant out there somewhere about those stupid on fossils riding old bikes which keep breaking down..........
