What bikes have you owned??

**nudemetalz** · 8th May 2006, 15:18

Originally Posted by sugilite

And I know exactly why, those bikes just have amazing charisma, I was lucky enough to own one of only 20 of the original short pipe models that came into the country. I knew I was buying it by the time I had changed into third gear on my test ride, and I had test ridden a few bikes that day!

Do you have a pic of the short pipes ?
Interesting, as I never knew these existed. I thought the lower pipes met at about the same as the high pipes.

But yes, what a beast,...drank fuel like it was going out of fashion, tank-slapped wickedly, and occasionaly fouled plugs around town, but when you got it on the pipe that V4 sounded like nothing else !!!

**sugilite:Me** · 8th May 2006, 15:42

I have a good pic somewhere, but could not find it sorry.
I did find this crappy one, so it is a photo of a photo sorry...
If you look at the top pipes you will notice they barely stuck out from the tail piece, where as the ones imported later, the top pipes stuck out a fair few inches. Hence my short pipe comment.
A vic uni student bought it of me, we did the deal at the top of the tukas lol, it was'nt you was it????

There was also a very rare RZV aluminium frame one made, but I do not think they bought any into NZ

I hear you on the tank slappers, I fitted a steering dampener within 1 week of buying it!

And oh yes, that beautiful V4 sound, not to mention the associated vibration, it was the total package eh!

**Oscar** · 8th May 2006, 15:44

Originally Posted by sugilite

I have a good pic somewhere, but could not find it sorry.
I did find this crappy one, so it is a photo of a photo sorry...
If you look at the top pipes you will notice they barely stuck out from the tail piece, where as the ones imported later, the top pipes stuck out a fair few inches. Hence my short pipe comment.
A vic uni student bought it of me, we did the deal at the top of the tukas lol, it was'nt you was it????

There was also a very rare RZV aluminium frame one made, but I do not think they bought any into NZ

I hear you on the tank slappers, I fitted a steering dampener within 1 week of buying it!

And oh yes, that beautiful V4 sound, not to mention the associated vibration, it was the total package eh!

Very very nice...

**nudemetalz** · 8th May 2006, 16:36

Nah, I had mine back in Christchurch in 1993. Mine was a steel frame RZ model. The RZV were apparently quite a bit detuned, despite the trick frame.

Mine had the top pipes sticking out, so I understand how you described it.

They're the sort of machine that has a cult status (like a MACH 111) and will only increase in value, so if you want one, buy it and KEEP IT !!

I'm a bit more sedate in my riding nowdays, so my 'thou keeps me happy.

**GN1NiteStnd** · 8th May 2006, 16:48

Only ever owned a Suzuki GN250 (still running great).

But i have also ridden:
47cc pocket bike
150cc bucket bike
Honda GB400
Yamaha FZR 750 (for a total of 300m)

**imdying** · 8th May 2006, 16:58

Yep, RZ500 here too. The RZV alloy framed jobby was restricted... frame from that, and the motor from the RZ would've been bliss.

From your description, mine was the 'short pipe' model also. Although, I did change it to race pipes... that sounds faanntastic!!

Never had any tuning or fouling problems though, but I never skimped on TTS (thankfully could get direct from castrol) or B8HVXs (real cheap from Automotive Supplier NZ, about $9 each iirc instead of B8HVs from Darbis at $26~ each).

You mean the tank slappers weren't a bonus feature??

**T.W.R** · 8th May 2006, 18:16

Posted a list in another thread a while back, but had over 20 odd bikes though a couple of multiple purchases of same model over time.

But it started 26yrs ago with a YZ80 ( raced zone 3, #129 ) then progressed thru the ranks to big jap multis' and italian jobs. Then got nailed on a FJ11, had a break away due to the injury did a mechanics course, worked on bikes.

Got conned into doing organised trail rides (XR500) & regained the itch for the road, got a CBX750 found it a bit bland so ended up with current mount.

**Lord Derosso** · 8th May 2006, 18:26

TS185, XS250, XS360, GS750, SR500, XV500, VF750, GSX600F
Ridden heaps more.
Most fun bike ?? the SR500 easy to run, fun to ride around the city, cheap on gas and I still rode her up and down the North Island. At my age though, I need a four to get north now in comfort.

**orangeback** · 8th May 2006, 18:36

OWNED BIKES
AG100,
CT90,
DR200,
XR200RE,
GSX750SF KATANA,
FZR400,
IT250,
GSXR1100N,
ZX9R-B1,
DUCATI SD900, STILL HAVE, LOVE IT
ZZR600,
FZR1000A,
FZR1000B,
CBR900RRW,
Vespa SS90 x2,
GSX750SZ KATANA X2,
GSX1100SZ KATANA CUSTOME , STILL HAVE
GSX1100EFE,
GSXR750XK5, STILL HAVE
GSX1300R Hayabusa STILL HAVE

AND BUILDING ANOTHER KATANA GSX1100SZ/GSXR1100 CROSS
(BUT I WOULDNT NEED TO IF BETTI WOULD SELL ME HIS)

LOAND BIKES (4 MORE THAN WEEK)
85 IT490
97 CR500
VF500
2000 KX250
RZ 500 (SHITTA) WOULD HAVE BOUGHT IT IF IT DIDNT VIBRATE SO MUCH
DRAGSTAR 180 ITALIAJET
96 ZXR750RR
2000 ZX12R
350 Enfeild (rented in india)
Honda RS 150 (rented in Thailand )
VFR800 (rented in OZE)
ZZR1100 (rented for Isle of Man TT)

**WINJA** · 8th May 2006, 18:49

Originally Posted by imdying

Yep, RZ500 here too. The RZV alloy framed jobby was restricted... frame from that, and the motor from the RZ would've been bliss.

From your description, mine was the 'short pipe' model also. Although, I did change it to race pipes... that sounds faanntastic!!

Never had any tuning or fouling problems though, but I never skimped on TTS (thankfully could get direct from castrol) or B8HVXs (real cheap from Automotive Supplier NZ, about $9 each iirc instead of B8HVs from Darbis at $26~ each).

You mean the tank slappers weren't a bonus feature??

2 RZ350 TOP ENDS ON THE RZ500 BASE WOULDA BEEN BETTER, MMMMMM YEAH 700CC 2 STROKE FEEL IT

**MidnightMike** · 8th May 2006, 18:54

SJ50qt :slap:

now trying to find a real bike

But i have ridden....

gn250
gn125
gsxr250
zzr250
bandit 250
and a couple of shitters when paddock bashing.

**kickingzebra** · 8th May 2006, 18:56

Been thinking about one of the big jetski stroker motors, in a bike. Fun!!!

**nudemetalz** · 8th May 2006, 20:19

I'm amazed that I'm not the only ex-RZ-500'er here. That is cool !!

I've posted this before but this is me back in I think '94 at the Brass Monkey.
They're such great touring bikes.........

Actually when I look at the photo, it looks like mine was the long pipe model.
What you reckon ?

Yes, that is Trevor Pierce next to me !!