What motorcycle would you get?

2wheelNsanity · Post by **2wheelNsanity** » Fri May 18, 2012 1:18 am

I saw something like this today and thought if I were to get a motorcycle this would be the one.
So if you were to get a motorcycle which one would it be?

Raiderfn311 · Post by **Raiderfn311** » Fri May 18, 2012 1:20 am

Ahhh...an old BMW. Nice. I would get a Triumph Scrambler.

Swordsman · Post by **Swordsman** » Fri May 18, 2012 1:28 am

I have a few on my short list. In no particular order:

> '12 Triumph Thruxton - sexy old school style, modern capabilities, great MPG
> '12 Kawasaki 650 - modern sexy, great all-rounder
> '12 Ural sT - old school in every sense, rugged as hell and dirt simple to work on

All of them happen to be right around the $7-8k mark as well.

~SM

siobhan · Post by **siobhan** » Fri May 18, 2012 1:31 am

Already have that one (in the pic). It's an R75/5.

My dream? A KTM 640 Adventure. It's not the money as much as the, well, what would I really do with it.

Vintage? I'd love a BSA Star.

Utter nonsense? A 2-stroke KTM.

Mutt the Hoople · Post by **Mutt the Hoople** » Fri May 18, 2012 1:32 am

Vintage Triumph Bonneville
Royal Endsfield Bullet... With a sidecar perhaps
The little Sym Wolf....

But methinks I am happy being a scooter girl

un_designer · Post by **un_designer** » Fri May 18, 2012 1:41 am

I'm not really a motorcycle type of person, but if there's one motorcycle I'd get it would have to be the Honda Super Cub:

http://bit.ly/JOwtl2

There's just something really beautiful about such a pedestrian machine that does incredible things the world over. It's not showy or fast or this or that, just this humble little machine that earns respect for its abilities.

UPDATE: I accidentally just found out that it's been reborn as a Sym Symba 110CC! Interesting.

http://www.motorcycle-usa.com/745/11187 ... -Ride.aspx

Mutt the Hoople · Post by **Mutt the Hoople** » Fri May 18, 2012 1:56 am

un_designer wrote:I'm not really a motorcycle type of person, but if there's one motorcycle I'd get it would have to be the Honda Super Cub:

http://bit.ly/JOwtl2

There's just something really beautiful about such a pedestrian machine that does incredible things the world over. It's not showy or fast or this or that, just this humble little machine that earns respect for its abilities.

UPDATE: I accidentally just found out that it's been reborn as a Sym Symba 110CC! Interesting.

http://www.motorcycle-usa.com/745/11187 ... -Ride.aspx

Those are soooo cool. Love the vintage look.

un_designer · Post by **un_designer** » Fri May 18, 2012 2:01 am

Mutt the Hoople wrote:
un_designer wrote:I'm not really a motorcycle type of person, but if there's one motorcycle I'd get it would have to be the Honda Super Cub:

http://bit.ly/JOwtl2

There's just something really beautiful about such a pedestrian machine that does incredible things the world over. It's not showy or fast or this or that, just this humble little machine that earns respect for its abilities.

UPDATE: I accidentally just found out that it's been reborn as a Sym Symba 110CC! Interesting.

http://www.motorcycle-usa.com/745/11187 ... -Ride.aspx
Those are soooo cool. Love the vintage look.

that's because it IS a vintage

the design hasn't changed much in all the years it was produced i believe.

my parents had one when i was 5 or 6 years old. i remember all 3 of us riding on it, with me sitting in front of my dad and my mom behind him. maybe that's why scooters appeal to me so much, and even the first time i went on a test ride (sans license) it just felt "right" somehow.

laxer · Post by **laxer** » Fri May 18, 2012 2:01 am

I'd get a sweet Ural, yeah buddy!

JHScoot · Post by **JHScoot** » Fri May 18, 2012 2:05 am

Saw one of these the other day and thought if i rode mc's i would ride this, for sure. I liked the apparent straightforward riding position, too

neotrotsky · Post by **neotrotsky** » Fri May 18, 2012 2:32 am

Now that the Rattler's dead, the talk of getting a standard bike has come up. I've been putting alot of thought to it, of course some bikes I've had prior keep coming up. My short list includes:

-Triumph Tiger (original scrambler version from the olden days... the single cylinder thumper)
-Honda CB360T
-Suzuki TU250... because it looks like a britt bike

-Suzuki Savage (not the S40) for it's sheer simplicity
-Kawasaki KZ400

scootavaran · Post by **scootavaran** » Fri May 18, 2012 2:46 am

I'll always be a scooter kind of guy, but there are a few motorcycles i've been eyeing.

Suzuki TU250x (dont know why but that simple look just looks good to me)
Honda CBR250 (would never go any higher then that)

Honda NC700X (to me it's the perfect mix of scooter and typical mototrcycle)

jrsjr · Post by **jrsjr** » Fri May 18, 2012 2:55 am

scootavaran wrote:Honda NC700X (to me it's the perfect mix of scooter and typical mototrcycle)

Yes.

Alb brajn · Post by **Alb brajn** » Fri May 18, 2012 3:24 am

I would get a
Sym wolf classic 150
Can am spyder ( I don't know if that counts as a motorcycle but I've always liked it)
Moto guzzi griso
Mission R (not for sale

perhaps the brutus or something like it)

Dooglas · Post by **Dooglas** » Fri May 18, 2012 3:35 am

I'll tell you the choice I made when I asked myself that question. A
Suzuki S40. A light weight, single cylinder, modern 650 with low seat.
Usually available used with low mileage for $3K or less. Just a great buy
and a wonderful ride.

k1dude · Post by **k1dude** » Fri May 18, 2012 4:05 am

Keys · Post by **Keys** » Fri May 18, 2012 4:38 am

Moto Guzzi V7

Edwub · Post by **Edwub** » Fri May 18, 2012 5:12 am

Keys wrote:Moto Guzzi V7

omg, yes. I've been in love with these since I first saw one at work. Want to steal it <.< Joked to the owner I might one day! He said he'd prefer me stealing it since at least he knows I have good taste, and he'd steal it back because he knows I wouldn't let it waste it by parting it out, hehehe!

He offered to give me the keys for a spin but I felt way too self conscious to take him up on it.

Skootz Kabootz · Post by **Skootz Kabootz** » Fri May 18, 2012 5:56 am

I'm a Bonneville man. A newer EFI model please. I don't have the luxury of owning anything other than a daily rider just yet.

Dooglas · Post by **Dooglas** » Fri May 18, 2012 6:09 am

neotrotsky wrote:-Suzuki Savage (not the S40) for it's sheer simplicity

There really is no difference between the Savage and the S40 Boulevard.
Just Suzuki playing with the name. As you say, elegant in it's simplicity,
and a heck of a bargain.

neotrotsky · Post by **neotrotsky** » Fri May 18, 2012 6:55 am

Dooglas wrote:
neotrotsky wrote:-Suzuki Savage (not the S40) for it's sheer simplicity
There really is no difference between the Savage and the S40 Boulevard.
Just Suzuki playing with the name. As you say, elegant in it's simplicity,
and a heck of a bargain.

Actually, there is one major difference (and probably the only one) that I noticed when shopping for a bike:

The S40 has a funky riser on the front forks for their handlebars, and the Savage simply has the standard bolt on without the built in riser for their buckhorn bars. This means on a savage I can rip out the buckhorns and put in some flat handlebars and FINALLY get a comfy fit for my freakishly long orangutan arms. I can't do that with the S40's setup.

It may be the only difference, but it's one I noticed.

k1dude · Post by **k1dude** » Fri May 18, 2012 7:54 am

Like this?

It's an S40 with a Ryca kit.

Hwarang · Post by **Hwarang** » Fri May 18, 2012 11:35 am

I had always dreamed of owning a Triumph Bonneville. So, I got one.

Mousenut · Post by **Mousenut** » Fri May 18, 2012 12:17 pm

I buy best Ural from motherland.

ravenlore · Post by **ravenlore** » Fri May 18, 2012 12:43 pm

Suzuki TU250. 250 seems to be just the right displacement for me, and I really like that old-school body simplicity.

Maximus53 · Post by **Maximus53** » Fri May 18, 2012 2:06 pm

Hwarang wrote:I had always dreamed of owning a Triumph Bonneville. So, I got one.

So is it everything you hoped and more? I have been lusting over a Bonneville for a long time, just cant store a bike and a scoot right now and the scooter is much more fun in the city.

stASH · Post by **stASH** » Fri May 18, 2012 2:32 pm

Add another to the Bonneville club. I actually have had this for much, much longer than the Buddy. They definitely now compete for riding time.

Swordsman · Post by **Swordsman** » Fri May 18, 2012 2:41 pm

k1dude wrote:Like this?

It's an S40 with a Ryca kit.

Ah, ya beat me to it. Pricey kit, but makes one seriously cool bike out of an otherwise forgettable model. (Nothing at all wrong with the S40, just doesn't jump out at you. I'd LOVE to have one as a project bike... thumpers ROCK!)

~SM

Tocsik · Post by **Tocsik** » Fri May 18, 2012 2:43 pm

same questions about your Bonnys...

Reliable? Easy to work on?
pluses and negatives?

I think they are just beautiful and am considering one in the future. Need to start browsing forums.

stASH · Post by **stASH** » Fri May 18, 2012 2:52 pm

I haven't had a single problem with my Bonny. Haven't done any work on it besides changing the oil and cleaning and lubing the chain, but it seems like it would be pretty straightforward. I absolutely love how it rides. Solid and confident. It definitely turns heads, both the Harley riders and sport bike riders seem to appreciate it's awesomeness.

velobuff · Post by **velobuff** » Fri May 18, 2012 2:59 pm

un_designer wrote:UPDATE: I accidentally just found out that it's been reborn as a Sym Symba 110CC! Interesting.

http://www.motorcycle-usa.com/745/11187 ... -Ride.aspx

Have you seen this??? They are Asia right now. I've been reading their adventure blog for weeks.

http://advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=716979

velobuff · Post by **velobuff** » Fri May 18, 2012 3:00 pm

ravenlore wrote:Suzuki TU250. 250 seems to be just the right displacement for me, and I really like that old-school body simplicity.

+1

Ever since I saw The English Patient, I always wanted a standard old-school no frills motorcycle...

AWinn6889 · Post by **AWinn6889** » Fri May 18, 2012 3:53 pm

Right now there are two for sale near me that I would love to have.
1. 1993 Honda Shadow 1100. I grew up on one of these, my dad has always owned Honda motorcycles The CL ad.
2. 1995 Yamaha Virago 750. I have been drooling over this bike for weeks. The CL ad.

Can we tell that I love the retro look with the teal paint?! I would have to fenagle with these a little bit to get them to more of a bobber look, but they're still both pretty sweet. I just wish I had the money for one of them right now!

There was a gorgeous teal and white Royal Enfield at the local motorcycle shop last summer that I would have died for, but it was sold soon after I first saw it... and now they don't sell REs anymore.

...I would also love a Motoguzzi V7 racer.

But really, my dream bike is a 1939 Harley Davidson Knucklehead.
Like this one:

*drool*

charlie55 · Post by **charlie55** » Fri May 18, 2012 5:01 pm

Speaking as someone who traded the convenience of a modern scooter for the "romanticism" of a vintage bike, I'd say that it's OK to follow your heart, but keep the scooter as a backup if you have visions of getting an oldie back on the road.

I've been restoring the CB since December, and while I didn't think it would be a cake-walk, I must admit that it has been one big uninterrupted series of niggling gotchas:

- Hard-to-find parts

- Supplier databases that match the wrong part to the wrong model (hint: always use the OEM part number)

- Finicky tolerances (You really should try setting .05mm valve clearances. The feeler gauge is thinner than aluminum foil and just about as delicate).

- Maintenance schedules with incredibly short intervals (700 miles between oil changes on a CB125S because the camshaft bearings are machined into the head and really easy to munge if you don't keep 'em happy).

And on and on.....

I wouldn't call it an out-and-out mistake, but I would most definitely not travel down this road again. That said, I'd probably go for the TU250X or the SYM Wolf. Old-school charm with indoor plumbing.

Syd · Post by **Syd** » Fri May 18, 2012 5:02 pm

Ninja 250. But only if it was wrapped in LeeB's '46 Salsbury.

2wheelNsanity · Post by **2wheelNsanity** » Fri May 18, 2012 5:44 pm

Nice pics on the Triumph Bonniville. It is a sweet looking mototrcycle and the plus is it has a front disc brakes, the BMW R75/5 does not. I might look into one of those, thanx for the idea

k1dude · Post by **k1dude** » Fri May 18, 2012 5:50 pm

Tocsik · Post by **Tocsik** » Fri May 18, 2012 6:58 pm

Here's a nice '77 CB400F in Englewood that is drop-dead gorgeous.
14k miles. $2995.
Just thought I would pass it along for any locals looking for retro.

As for me, I have always loved the Bonneville and figure that it's been around so long that it should be pretty well established and bug-free (as much as a UK bike can be). And now, it comes with FI.
I also have been looking at the TU250 since it came out.

velobuff · Post by **velobuff** » Fri May 18, 2012 11:06 pm

Syd wrote:Ninja 250. But only if it was wrapped in LeeB's '46 Salsbury.

/end thread

SYMbionic Duo · Post by **SYMbionic Duo** » Sat May 19, 2012 12:37 am

Suzuki RE-5 for that sexy sexy Wankel

Royal Enfield Diesel Bike for that sexy sexy MPG.

jmazza · Post by **jmazza** » Sat May 19, 2012 12:41 am

siobhan wrote:Already have that one (in the pic). It's an R75/5.

My dream? A KTM 640 Adventure. It's not the money as much as the, well, what would I really do with it.

Vintage? I'd love a BSA Star.

Utter nonsense? A 2-stroke KTM.

I like the way you think. Ever since moving to Colorado I've wanted an off-road bike. My friend has a 2-stroke KTM and he keeps tempting me to sell the Buddy and get one. Of course I'd have to legally make it a dual-sport as it's necessary transportation but the idea is very tempting!

Stormswift · Post by **Stormswift** » Sat May 19, 2012 2:38 am

I just need a low seat and an automatic or something like automatic transmission

Dooglas · Post by **Dooglas** » Sat May 19, 2012 3:55 am

neotrotsky wrote:Actually, there is one major difference (and probably the only one) that I noticed when shopping for a bike: The S40 has a funky riser on the front forks for their handlebars, and the Savage simply has the standard bolt on without the built in riser for their buckhorn bars. This means on a savage I can rip out the buckhorns and put in some flat handlebars and FINALLY get a comfy fit for my freakishly long orangutan arms. I can't do that with the S40's setup. It may be the only difference, but it's one I noticed.

it is fairly simple to change that out if you want to switch to a different handle bar setup. (I notice everyone else has a different bike to
recommend. All are interesting, but none are so much bike for the money as the Savage/S40

.

JHScoot · Post by **JHScoot** » Sat May 19, 2012 4:39 am

CAN ANYONE GIVE AN OPINION
OF RECENT HD QUALITY AND WHAT THIS BIKE MIGHT
BE LIKE TO RIDE AND OWN? MAYBE YOU HAVE PERSONAL
EXPERIENCE OWNING AND RIDING A SPORTSTER?
IT'S $8000 AND SHOULD HAVE GOOD RESALE VALUE

neotrotsky · Post by **neotrotsky** » Sat May 19, 2012 4:45 am

Dooglas wrote:
neotrotsky wrote:Actually, there is one major difference (and probably the only one) that I noticed when shopping for a bike: The S40 has a funky riser on the front forks for their handlebars, and the Savage simply has the standard bolt on without the built in riser for their buckhorn bars. This means on a savage I can rip out the buckhorns and put in some flat handlebars and FINALLY get a comfy fit for my freakishly long orangutan arms. I can't do that with the S40's setup. It may be the only difference, but it's one I noticed.
it is fairly simple to change that out if you want to switch to a different handle bar setup. (I notice everyone else has a different bike to
recommend. All are interesting, but none are so much bike for the money as the Savage/S40 .

You also seem to miss the BIGGEST advantage the Savage has over the S40: Same bike, cheaper price. The Savage is what the S40 is, but cheaper due to low resale value because of age. Only a few years, but the same parts. Save a grand or two, and less work to fix that handlebar issue (yes, I'm feeling lazy after putting up with that Rattler)

jonesygirl · Post by **jonesygirl** » Sat May 19, 2012 4:59 am

Ninja 250. I also like the Honda 250's but they are too new for me. I want my first bike to be older so that I can get more comfortable with riding it, instead of being nervous I'll get a scratch on a brand new one.

Now that I passed the motorcycle safety course and got my license, I've been having some motorcycle cravings. Still love my Buddy though

Rob · Post by **Rob** » Sat May 19, 2012 12:49 pm

I would sure like to add this Indian to the stable.

Ok, I don't care for the fringe at all, and I'm not a big fan of the seat or saddles .... so some customization would be in order, but I love the vintage look of the Indians.

#2 on the list would be a Triumph ... the Thunderbird

And lastly, while I'm generally not a fan of the Victory styling, I do like the High Ball

Rob

viney266 · Post by **viney266** » Sat May 19, 2012 1:11 pm

Interesting list...

I've had many of the bikes listed here. I have always had an eye for the odd and a love of big singles.

My klr650 that I sold with 62,000 miles...loved it, still have two sr500's (one is a flattracker)..till have one srx-6 sold my roadrace one (miss it).

My seca 750 went over 100K under me..and putting the CX500T back together after a nasty oil leak at 72K. (my wifes favorite bike)

There are some odd ones in the garage, still have my 79 CBX, and my triumph trident, but sold the tiger 750 ( great fun bike for half the price of a bonny)

But someone mentioned a RE5 rotary...funny I had NEVER heard one run. So I bought a pair and restored one to running, rode it to nostalgia day then sold them. Cool sound but a total gas hog. The day after I sold mine I saw another one on the road...first time I had EVER seen one on the road other than mine...so strange.

what do I prefer. Jap bikes are just the way to go as far as reliable, simple transportation

....then I bought a scooter...now I'm looking at another...its all your fault (shakes evil finger at other scooter owners..LOL )

KABarash · Post by **KABarash** » Sat May 19, 2012 1:12 pm

My son (the R6 rider) is looking at an Enfield.
Me, I'd like a Ural.

JHScoot · Post by **JHScoot** » Sat May 19, 2012 1:15 pm

I had to look up Victory as I like the High Ball ok but find it somewhat overdone. I like the 833 Iron Harley more appealing.

That said some designers at Victory must be getting the good acid or 'shrooms or something. I mean, seriously?

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