What do you ride and what do you like/dislike about it?

[hmmmnz]

current bikes only

the vf1000
likes..... its power, sound and its 80's v4 awesomeness
dislikes...... its fuel econmy, and its non abilitly to ride at the speedlimit

the mz500
likes..... its superbly simple and reliable rotax lump, its surprising handling for a twin shocker, its commuter and offroad abilitys
dislikes... the fact that Mz factory in germany has shut down and parts are getting hard to find

the xz400
likes... its handling, its comfort, and fuel economy
dislikes.. exhaust system, downdraft carbs

kh125
likes.. ace rotary valve 2 stroke engine, retro 70's looks
dislikes... cable operated disc brake

bridgestone 60,
likes.. its awesome monkey bike looks and its retro paint job and rotary valve goodness
dislikes.... trying to get parts... impossible


honda dio
likes... its a scooter whats to like
dislikes... its a scooter

[OnCam]

92 CBR250RR
+ awesome chassis and suspension for NZ roads
+turns very well with loads of confidence
+very good engine/gear ratios
+sit in style seat not overly aggressive position
+parts avaliable with ease + loads of aftermarket/replacements
- its a 250 and struggles occasionally
- looks ok but getting on

2004 ZX6R (636cc) Ninja
+engine is very good, 120hp with huge torque from 5500rpm
+riding position is full on aggressive head down ass up
+seat is very comfy
+intake howl and exhaust note is something else
+stock suspension is great for a flat smooth track surface

-fuel consumption is ok not great 200km to fuel light
-rear shock is for the race track not our NZ roads
-needs adjustable rear sets
-tall bike an high seat means you struggle with moving using your feet.
-no OEM steering damper (prone to headshake - yet to experience)

[Muppet]

2001 ZX12R

Likes:
-Monster torque
-Wind protection
-Presence
-smoothness
-roomy
-don't make them anymore

Dislikes
-fuel consumption (19 lites= 240 km)
-riding position very cramped for 'big' sportbike, have fitted Helibars anf Buell XB footpegs, has made massive difference.
-handling is very average
-monster torque can catch you out mid corner if you're not careful

[dblancer]

Well tis my first learner/restricted bike but I know her well.

Likes:
Okay she is late 80s but I do love the way she looks - black and red = cool
She is easy to maintenance myself
Bits are common for these models
She still picks up Niiiiiiccceee at 10K revs ( love that sound )
It is alot of fun without being too hard to handle

Dislikes:
I hate carburetors!!, cold morning starts are annoying and if you are in a hurry it can be a pain.
The brakes are seeming less and less adequate the more kms I have under my belt.
It does dive under heavy braking which i cannot get used to.
The rear suspension is soft and feels like its about to bottom out.
Buzzy hands when taken on long trips (1 hour plus )

Overall I can complain really, it has been pretty fantastic to learn out. But id like something with a bit more power and ALOT more brakes. The full is not far away

[Creeping Death]

I love the sound of my bike.

That is all.

[R1madness]

My presonal bike is a GSXR1000k4 so i will do that one

Likes
The power, handling, brakes, comfort (yes thats right its comfortable), blah blah blah na actually i like the way i can ride it as an everyday ride, tour on it (often), having a pilion does not slow it down in any way and i can ride like a goon when ever the time is right.

Dislikes
the cost of keeping it in really good rubber

[BuzzardNZ]

SV1000S

Likes: looks good ( i think ), plenty of torque, decent v-twin rumble with 2bros cans.

Dislikes: rock hard seat, bad fuel economy, stock suspension setup

[martybabe]

I just got me a new ride, an XR1200. I love it but I am after all a winging Pom, so I would have to say the 165k to reserve I get out of the pretty, but tiny fuel tank, may prove to be a little irritating before long.

A hoot of a bike otherwise, I may have to carry a hip flask with petroleum go go juice in it.

[blue_abe]

A Ducati Monster 1000S ('04)
My first big bike, moved up from a '90CBR250RR which I also loved dearly
Love most everything about it. It's yellow, which is awesome; the insane torque from 1k on the rev range); its easy and precise handling (makes me look like a better rider than I am lol); it sounds AMAZING with its aftermarket pipes, not to mention sexy clutch rattle; it looks modern and classic at the same time (to me); it's a freaking Ducati! (childhood wet dream)
Dislike the stiff clutch added with so much torque (makes stalling easier, means you have to ride with clutch pulled in when in slow traffic; dislike that it guzzles fuel, but maybe that's all 1000s

[nutjob]

I have an 05 Triumph Thruxton.
I really love the cafe racer look, but didn't think the bike really had that in stock form, so I have undertaken several mods including new pistons, cams, headwork, suspension, pipes, airbox removal, wider rear rim, sportbike rubber, new rear fender, lowered gauges, polished covers and the list goes on.
It's been an simple bike to work on, and has an 'old school' look with modern parts and no oil leaks! Handling has been been improved over the stock set up, and with a bit more punch from the engine mods it is now a blast to ride. It is something a bit different, turns a few heads, and the British twins have a sound of their own

The only downside is the lack of top end, trying to 'cruise' with some of the quicker bikes is hard work!

New carbs are on the wish list to get the most out of my set up, but overall I am stoked with the result

Cheers - Rhys

[cowboyz]

zx9r

likes.

power
handling
comfort
looks
all just awesome! and so much fun!

Dislikes..

It likes to be on top........

[aprilia_RS250]

RS 250 - first bike


Love that feeling being on the edge when I take her out for a good fang, like someones hit you with a 100 adrenalin shots.

As for disliking.... gives the girlfriend excuses to scold me on various issues

[Conquiztador]

I have a few. But the current road bikes (that are on road and not worked on):


BMW K100 -86 Flying Brick


Bought her 1 1/2 years ago as I needed a bike to ride and not to work on (have enough of them). A fraction worn and done somewhere round 150,000k's when I got her. But cheap. Not a bike you just jump on and ride away on. Initially felt very heavy and clumsy. But after some riding that feeling disappeared.

Likes:
- After some work on suspension and a s/h wheel with a decent tyre on she came to life.
- Shaft drive.
- Self cancelling indicators.
- Easy to ride. Comfy riding position.
- Easy to find s/h bits for. And also newer ones if one really wants.
- 4 in to 1 exhaust with a aftermarket muffler and a cool sound.
- Just keeps on going rain or shine.
- All bits are good size and strong.
- I get approx 300 k's to a tank (22'ish litres)
- Strong and reliable 1000cc motor with 90hp. Even power.

Dislikes:
- Has original seat and becomes hard for my skinny ass after 300 k's or so.
- Tricky to get good tyres for as uncommon sizes.
- Whole instrument thingy has issues. This is a common problem with them. Bits stop working and you end up taking the instruments apart and do repairs when older.
- Shaft from motor to gearbox needs greasing at approx 30 - 40,000k's and it is a major to split motor from gearbox.
- Crappy and spongy front suspension. And original rear the same.
- Crappy rear brakes.
- Not a looker. Far from it.

To do to improve:
- She needs a major overhaul, but now when I have the K1 she will get that. Will include front end rebuild and progressive springs, new rear shock, new seat, re paint, new tail tidy, motor out and sort starter clutch, false neutrals in gearbox and other bits.


BMW K1 -89



Picked this one up 2 weeks ago. Always had a wish to own one. And after the K100 felt like the natural thing to do. Have now done 3,000k's but still trying to get the feel for her. Not a bike you love to ride straight away. (And when I have had a look at the ones around for sale I have found that most of them have surprisingly low K's. Most are 30,000k's and under. And when you consider that they are around 20 years old perhaps many who bought them just could not get the feel for them). She demands much more respect than her K100 sister. I can not throw her around the same.


Likes:
- For me the #1 like has to be the looks. Something that is so uncool that it is cool and you either love or hate (and most hate) just does it for me.
- The high speed feel. As a result of all that strange body work she goes lower down the faster you go and sucks on to the road!
- Self cancelling indicators.
- Fitted with performance chip and some other things done to motor makes the 1000cc motor sing and easily has much more than the standard 100hp's.
- Te faering makes wind at 180k/h something that feels like you are doing 100k/h (also a little scary as you dont even realise that you sit at speeds far past loosing license ones...)
- Enough storage space all around the bike so that a 2 day trip does not require any additional bags (and means I can fit that cool hump!)
- Even power delivery.
- Shaft drive.
- OK'ish fuel economy: a 22 litres takes me 300+ k's.
- Came with a plug in heated vest!
- Came with original tank bag and rear bags that just clip on!


Dislikes:
- Very poor turning radius: Close to 7 meters needed!
- Heavy. With full tank she is over 250kg's.
- Footpegs far to high up for me (I am 6f2) And the way she is now rear braking and gear shifting does not come automatically. I get really sore in my knees!
- She has a high up centre of weight and at low speeds you need to be fully awake. If not, she bites you.
- When following a bigger car or truck the turbulence makes her feel unstable.


To do:
- Modify footpegs so they are lower down. (I actually think this might also make her a much easier bike to ride!)

[blackdog]

very nice
have a soft spot 4 da trumpys too

this was the old trophy4 that i had b4 the bandito

this lil' puppy on sale on tardme for $1500 more than i sold it for in the middle of spring last year!

[Kickaha]

Dislikes:
- Tricky to get good tyres for as uncommon sizes

Front size is common to bikes of that era and easy to get good rubber for, the rear not quite as common but both Pirelli and Bridgestone have good options for them